Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke, the Goblin King, the Man Who Fell to Earth, Dame David, David Jones, Lazarus – the ever-changing and revolutionary glam rock star was a master of reinventing himself and never ceased to dazzle all those who came into contact with him. He transcended genres, he transcended genders, he transcended generations. Sadly, David Bowie, a musical icon whose talents spanned the past four-plus decades, passed away at the age of 69 after a quiet 18 month battle with cancer.
While we all know that Bowie left his stamp on music, movies, and fashion throughout his stellar career, but the Goblin King loved his cannabis, too. In March 1976, Bowie was on his “Isolar” tour, traveling as the Thin White Duke along with his good friend and collaborator, Iggy Pop. After a performance at the War Memorial Arena in Rochester, New York, Bowie and his crew were relaxing in a three-room suite at the Americana Rochester Hotel when they received a rude awakening from the local vice squad. The detectives confiscated over six ounces of cannabis and charged the entire group, including the Duke himself, with a class C felony.
Bowie was released on bail (ever the gentleman, he paid his friends' bond as well), and eventually returned for his arraignment, posing for what is possibly the most fashion-forward mug shot in all of existence.
There will never be another David Bowie – he was truly an icon and a beacon of individuality. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite songs that will live on even after his ascent to the heavens. And the stars look very different today.
Image Source: By Elmar J. Lordemann via Wikimedia Commons
