David Bowie revealed in intimate, rarely seen photos
In the early 1970s, Bowie was joined on tour by childhood pal Geoff MacCormack, who captured the action with his camera. The photos are now on display at Brighton Museum.
Bowie up close
Geoff MacCormack (right) was David Bowie's school friend, travel companion and band member. As a background singer, dancer and percussionist, MacCormack toured around the world with his idol and confidant. This gave him unprecedented access to intimate details of the musician's life on the road. His snapshots are now considered among the most intimate and artistic photos taken of the artist.
David in 1975
In his 40-year career, David Bowie created 26 studio albums and sold 140 million records, making him one of the most famous pop and rock musicians of all time. His big breakthrough came in 1972 with the album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," and the subsequent world tour, moments from which are captured in a new exhibition at the Brighton Museum in England.
Sleeping on the road
Many of the photos featured in the Brighton show were only recently discovered, while some have never been shown publicly. Bowie seldom traveled by plane while on tour, as he was reportedly fearful of crashing. Instead, he preferred to take the train. In this shot captured by MacCormack, Bowie is deep in sleep on the Trans-Siberian Express to Moscow.
Ziggy Stardust reads
Reading a review of his show, his face already in full makeup, Bowie was captured here in 1973 at London's Hammersmith Odeon before the last concert of the legendary Ziggy Stardust tour in England. "I took this shot with a zoom lens ... so as not to disturb the quiet moment," writes MacCormack, who now works as a photographer and producer.
Taking a break
Bowie had his film break in 1976, starring in the science fiction movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth." In it, he plays an alien attempting to carry out a mission on earth. MacCormack's photo above shows Bowie on a break during a shoot. The exhibition "Rock 'n' Roll with Me - Bowie/MacCormack 1973-76" is on display in Brighton, England, until June 6, 2021.