The Man Who Sold the World, By Peter Doggett

 

Christopher Hirst
Thursday 18 October 2012 20:11 BST
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While it's unsurprising to learn that Clockwork Orange influenced the look of Ziggy Stardust, the inspiration for Aladdin Sane is less predictable: Waugh's Vile Bodies.

In future editions of this study of David Bowie, Doggett might correct his summary of the novel: "war is declared during a carol service".

It is, in fact, during a film show. He could also amend an overheated metaphor while describing the Ziggy Stardust song: "Bowie's voice like a meteor from a distant galaxy." Meteors burn up silently.

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