David Bowie (Birth name: David Robert Haywood Jones) - Born: January 8, 1947 London, England - Died: January 10, 2016
David Bowie was one of the most influential and prolific writers and performers of popular music, but he was much more than that; he was also an accomplished actor, a mime and an intellectual, as well as an art lover.

Bio information from IMDB - by Dara O'Kearney

Born David Jones, he changed his name to Bowie in the 1960s, to avoid confusion with the then well-known Davy Jones (lead singer of The Monkees) He dabbled in many different styles of music (without commercial success), and other art forms such as acting, mime, painting, and play-writing. He finally achieved his commercial breakthrough in 1969 with the song "Space Oddity", which was released at the time of the moon landing. Despite the fact that the literal meaning of the lyrics relates to an astronaut who is lost in space, this song was used by the BBC in their coverage of the moon landing, and this helped it become such a success. The album, which followed "Space Oddity", and the two, which followed failed to produce another hit single, and Bowie's career appeared to be in decline.

However, he made the first of many successful "comebacks" in 1972 with "Ziggy Stardust", a concept album about a space-age rock star. This album was followed by others in a similar vein, rock albums built around a central character and concerned with futuristic themes of Armageddon, gender dysfunction/confusion, as well as more contemporary themes such as the destructiveness of success and fame, and the dangers inherent in star worship.

In 1975, he released "Young Americans", which produced his first number one hit in the US, "Fame". He also appeared in his first major film, The Man Who Fell To Earth, (1976). With a permanently-dilated pupil and skeletal frame, he certainly looked the part of an alien. The following year, he released "Station to Station," containing some of the material he had written for the soundtrack to this film (which was not used). As his drug problem heightened, he continued to waste away physically. He fled back to Europe, finally settling in Berlin, where he changed musical direction again and recorded three of the most influential albums of all time, "Low, Heroes and Lodger". Towards the end of the 1970s, he finally kicked his drug habit, and recorded the album many of his fans consider his best, the Japanese-influenced "Scary Monsters". Around this time, he appeared in the title role of the Broadway drama The Elephant Man, to considerable acclaim.

The next few years saw something of a drop-off in his musical output as his acting career flourished, culminating in his acclaimed performance in Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983). In 1983, he released "Let's Dance," an album which proved an unexpected massive commercial success, and produced his second #1 hit single in the United States. The tour which followed, "Serious Moonlight", was his most successful ever. Faced with this success on a massive scale, Bowie apparently attempted to "repeat the formula" in the next two albums, with less success (and to critical scorn). Finally, in the late 1980s, he turned his back on commercial success and his solo career, forming the hard rock band, Tin Machine, who had a deliberate limited appeal, although toured extensively and released two albums, with little critical or commercial success.

In 1992, Bowie again changed direction and re-launched his solo career with "Black Tie White Noise", a wedding album inspired by his recent marriage to Supermodel, Iman. He released three albums to considerable critical acclaim and reasonable commercial success. In 1995, he recorded “Outside” to an initial hostile reaction from the critics. This album has now taken its place with his classic albums.

In 2003, Bowie released an album entitled “Reality.” The Reality Tour began in November 2003 and, after great commercial success, was extended into July 2004. In June 2004, Bowie suffered a heart attack and the tour did not finish its scheduled run. After recovering, Bowie gave what turned out to be his final live performance in a three-song set with Alicia Keys at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York in November 2006. He also returned to acting.

In 2014, Bowie won British Male Solo Artist at the 2014 Brit Awards, 30 years since last winning it, and became the oldest ever Brit winner. Bowie wrote and recorded the opening title song to the television miniseries The Last Panthers (2015). The theme used was also the title track for his January 2016 release, ''Blackstar" (released on 8 January 2016, Bowie's 69th birthday) and was met with critical acclaim. Following Bowie's death two days later, on 10 January 2016, producer Tony Visconti revealed Bowie had planned the album to be his swan song, and a "parting gift" for his fans before his death.

David Bowie influenced the course of popular music several times and had an effect on several generations of musicians.

Kate Morton is so fabulous (super-smart and beautiful) that you want to hate her. She is so genuinely nice and personable (yes, a real Sweetheart too) that you can’t. Very frustrating. However, you just have to relax and listen to her read and escape into the world she masterfully creates. What a delight for me to attend a recent literary luncheon in Sydney as part of her book tour for her just released novel, *The Secret Keeper*.

This novel, like her three previous, The House At Riverton, The Forgotten Garden and The Distant Hours is a huge (nearly 600 pages) saga that is set in the 19th Century and is a contemporary gothic novel.

It had been many years since I read every Nancy Drew and then every Victoria Holt novel (“The Queen Of Romantic Suspense”) and I was afraid that this combined genre of mystery, tragedy and historical fiction might be too close to “chick lit” for my oh-so-sophisticated reading tastes. Was I ever wrong! I read her first novel (as “homework” before the event) -- and then the second novel -- and then the third and I am now a certified Kate Morton FAN.

Obviously, I am not alone as she has sold over 7 million copies and each of her novels has won the Australian Book Industry “Book Of The Year.”

I love what she writes on her website:

"I’ve always been a reader. I read, voraciously, long before I ever entertained ideas about becoming a writer, and I wasn’t fussy. Black print on a white page was pretty much the only specification I had—sure, a magic faraway tree or a set of chipper English school children solving mysteries and devouring tins of condensed milk improved matters, but I’d make do without. I needed to read. I didn’t know what else to do with myself. I still don’t. A book before school, a book afterwards, in the bath, in the car, in the boughs of avocado trees, in front of the television. I’d read the back of the telephone bill if it was all I had in front of me."

I highly suggest you get one of her books in front of you. They are perfect novels to snuggle up with on a cold Winter’s night after you’ve danced your heart out in class!

Update - nearly 10 years later:

"Kate Morton is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours, The Secret Keeper, The Lake House, and The Clockmaker’s Daughter.

Her two novels published since this original post have been New York Times Bestsellers and have won numerous awards too!

The Lake House was a Publishers Weekly starred review - ‘Compelling . . . Morton’s plotting is impeccable, and her finely wrought characters . . . are as surprised as readers will be by the astonishing conclusion.’

The Clockmaker’s Daughter. . . has all the signature twists of a gothic Morton tale: deeply buried secrets, fateful twists, and old homes that almost breathe and reverberate from the energy contained within.’ — The Toronto Star

Her books are published in thirty-four languages and have been #1 bestsellers worldwide. She holds degrees in dramatic art and English literature and lives with her family in London and Australia.

Kim now adds — "Kate Morton’s books are perfect SUMMER reading too!"