The Man Who Sold the World

David Bowie

From the Kabuki-inspired androgyny of Ziggy Stardust to the crisply tailored modern rock star as one-man corporation, David Bowie’s ever shifting personae influenced entire musical genres, not to mention wildly successful reinvention experts like Madonna. And even when his performance-art motifs have threatened to overshadow his talents as a musician, Bowie has always rebounded in song, never succumbing to style over substance. Perhaps Moby said it best in 2005: “I can’t think of any other musician in the twentieth century who has impacted popular culture and music more than David Bowie.” And did we mention he’s been married to a supermodel for fifteen years? Just wanted to throw that in.

• The skinnier the tie, the louder the (style) performance. And isn’t it funny how what looked sharp forty years ago still looks sharp today?