Promotional Information

An analysis of the songs, recordings, and influence of one of the most colorful and controversial rock musicians of the past 35 years.

About the Author

James E. Perone is the series editor for The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection. He is Professor of Music at Mount Union College, where he teaches American music, music theory, and clarinet. Perone is the author of The Sound of Stevie Wonder: His Words and Music (2006), and The Words and Music of Carole King (2006), both in the Singer-Songwriter series. He is also the author of the Greenwood Press books Music of the Counterculture Era (2004) and Woodstock: An Encyclopedia of the Music and Art Fair (2005).

Reviews

Joining others in Praeger's college-level Singer-Songwriter Collection series is The Words and Music of David Bowie, an excellent survey of a rock era champion who gained early success in the glam rock subgenre, and whose work raised many issues about sexual orientation in rock music. Bowie has written and recorded music which has made an impact not just in the charts but upon rock music as a whole: because of this widespread impact, The Words and Music of David Bowie should not be overlooked by any serious music library.
*California Bookwatch*

The author obviously has a good grasp on his subject and offers many interesting insights.
*Record Collector Magazine*

Perone analyzes the music, lyrics, and recordings of David Bowie up to 2007. Following an introductory chapter on biography, Perone discusses the music in chronological order, with some biographical information integrated into the discussion of each album and individual songs of importance. The final chapter assesses his work in the context of performance art and narrative and theatrical traditions. Detailed discussion of his work as a film actor is not included, but highlights are mentioned. Selected works in the bibliography are annotated, and a selected discography is provided.
*Reference & Research Book News*