So many people swooned under the overt sexiness of the Ziggy Stardust character created by Bowie back in the day.

In the late 70's, five young men burst on the music scene and the world hasn't been the same since. The group consisted of a police officer, an American Indian chief, a hunky cowboy, a hunky construction worker, a hunky biker and a hunky military man.

They called themselves, The Village People.



Can we give Bowie credit for opening people's minds about underground culture that lead to the success and the creation of groups like The Village People?

I certainly do. What do you think?





Float on a river forever and ever.

The following is my personal opinion. You may disagree and I respect that.

You don't compare the likes of the Village People to the exquisiteness of The Gentleman.

Bowie is a talented, innovative musical artist whose musical stylings are classic and have stood the test of time over FIVE DECADES
To me, the VPs were a flash-in-the-pan gimmick. Say what you want about The Gentleman's "retirement"/break/hiatus, he still recorded scads of albums long after the VPs had hung up their hats and helmets.

Ziggy was an artistic creation of Bowie, while the VPs were a silly gimmick created by a media marketing company. (At least that's what I think)

One kind of almost believes that Bowie was actually a singer from space when one sees him as Ziggy, where as when one sees the VPs, the effect is, here's a troupe of grown men pretending to be little boys playing let's-pretend. (at least that's my viewpoint)

I mean, the VPs have some pretty decent tunes but you can't compare them to Bowie

The VPs go to bed at night and DREAM of being Bowie (and so does Boy George, as talented as he is)

Comparing has nothing to do with opening minds. So yes, I think DB helped other artist opening their minds but maybe The VP is not the best example.

mild trolling ...look at the contrast between the first two pics


Curiously Boy George's, erm, head painting is very much like that worn by 'Vulva' in one of the scenes in Spaced (not the infamous 'park' or 'play' scenes...the "I'm sorry, Brian....it's your work" one).

Maybe Jobriath and Sylvester were part of the first flowering of Bowie's influence in that direction.




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Bowie's undoubtedly influenced hundreds, if not thousands of bands and artists, and he helped to break down perceived barriers, so it is possible that The Village People were accepted because of Bowie's androgynous trail blazing previously.

But, I think not. Bowie's androgyny was alien, sexual, rebellious and cool. It was of a generation.

The Village People were the slapstick end of camp. Homosexuality as a caricature of itself. They were accepted because they sent up their sexuality. Bowie wore leotards & make up, they wore leather chaps & handlebar moustaches. They were so obviously gay that they may as well have worn t-shirts declaring their sexuality, and when things are clearly labeled they almost became harmless.

Bowie's bisexuality was subtler and possibly perceived as being dangerously subversive as it was blended with themes of alienation, self discovery and schizophrenia. Confusing for your average '100% straight' bloke with suppressed feelings of bisexuality.

Bowie had to lose the stack heels, spiky hair, make up & leotards & instead grow his fringe & wear a suit before he really troubled the American charts.

Point well said Alan!!
I agree totally,,what are those groups doing now ,,can't compare them to
Bowie is still ahead of his time ,,that's is of course that is if Old man
hasn't caught up with him LOL!!!!
bats

they were recruited by the svengali-like songwriters behind the band - who made absolute trillions out of the whole thing, whereas the band were - with respect, like bit-part actor-singers, or at least treated as such, and to be fair I think from what I read, they did sign contracts that as good as made that clear. They were not all gay...but clearly up for the camp imagery and part they played, and well they played it too.



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Check this!
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http://www.myspace.com/shesgotissuesmusic

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The She Creatures' 'Sexy Robot' video in infinitely better quality than you tube here -http://www.theshecreatures.com/video.html


Vote in the Bowie Diamond Dogs Tour DVD petition here!
http://www.petitiononline.com/17031980/petition.html

Vote in the 'Mr David Bowie - Please Open The Vaults' petition -
http://www.petitiononline.com/Vaults

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