Massive Attack’s Tricky reveals “regret” about not working with David Bowie
Speaking exclusively with Far Out, Massive Attack’s Tricky has opened up about his relationship with David Bowie and his “regret” about not collaborating with the late musician.
In 1995, Tricky released his highly acclaimed debut solo album, Maxinquaye. The LP has sold over 100,000 units in the United Kingdom alone and charted at number three. One of those who fell in love with the record was David Bowie, who made a point of befriending the young artist later that year.
“He’d been to a show of mine and bought me a Basquait book and wrote me a lovely letter,” Tricky recalled of the pair’s first meeting during a new interview with Far Out. “You know, he was a good dude and supporter.”
Additionally, Bowie wrote a short fantasy story for Q magazine in 1995, with Tricky as the central protagonist. “It was a really funny story,” Tricky recalled. “It’s not so much about music, but it’s really interesting the way it’s written; really fascinating!”
Sadly, the friendship was transient, and the Tricky-Bowie collaborative album didn’t materialise. “It was all too fast,” Tricky rued. “Do you know what, though? I regret that. I met him, he sent me a book, and then I didn’t pursue it. I wish… I feel like we should have worked together.”
“Things were moving so fast for me at that time,” he added. “I was moving all around the world. it was just a crazy time for me. So I kind of missed out on that opportunity there.”
In other Massive Attack news, the band have sadly announced the death of their longtime guitarist Angelo Bruschini, who previously revealed he was fighting lung cancer.
“RIP Angelo. A singularly brilliant & eccentric talent,” Massive Attack wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Impossible to quantify your contribution to the Massive Attack canon. How lucky we were to share such a life together.”
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