The genius disguise method that was used by David Bowie
Music public relations guru Alan Edwards has reflected upon working with David Bowie, and disclosed how the late star used to disguise himself at the height of his fame.
Edwards founded the PR firm The Outside Organisation and, in doing so, worked with a wide array of artists, also including Prince and The Rolling Stones. Now, he has reflected on his life in the music industry in his new memoir, I Was There: Dispatches from a Life in Rock and Roll.
Edwards met Bowie during an awkward moment in his career, he told NME, “Just after he had done Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, so he was being treated like a movie star – but also he had just been dropped by his label because ‘Low’ and ‘Heroes’ weren’t being deemed as good commercially as stuff like Bay City Rollers!”
While he was an incredibly recognisable figure, Bowie wanted to live an ordinary life and devised a genius disguise to ensure that members of the public didn’t think it was him. “He told me his secret to not being recognised was to wear a cloth cap and have a Greek newspaper under his arm,” explained Edwards, “That way if anyone ever questioned whether it was him, they’d look closer and think, ‘Well it can’t be… he’s obviously Greek’.”
Although Edwards admired the elaborate scheme, he claimed Bowie’s humble nature was another reason why he managed to fly under the radar, stating, “It was the same for interviews. We’d get the train a lot of the time, no first-class or anything, and you’d be amazed how many people would do a double take, then think: ‘Can’t be him, he’s just a guy sat with us going to Manchester’.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Connolly, who starred opposite Bowie in one of his most significant acting roles, Labyrinth, recently reflected on her positive experience of working with the musician.
Speaking to The Guardian, Connolly recalled her time working with Bowie, explaining how she turned into a “super-fan” by the time filming had finished. Directed by Jim Henson, who also created The Muppets, the film remains one of both Bowie and Connolly’s most popular movies that can be appreciated by all ages, even today, having gained cult status.
“His persona was so kind of elaborate and crafted and alien, but he just seemed kind of goofy,” she explained. “There’s something about how gracious he was, and how he was with me, which was so kind and gentle and comforting,” Connolly added.
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