Golden Years

The Zoo Crew is spinning David Bowie’s infectious track "Golden Years" from his 1976 album Station to Station, a song that’s got the Zoo Freaks grooving with its funky, soulful vibe. One juicy piece of trivia about "Golden Years" is that Bowie reportedly wrote it with Elvis Presley in mind, hoping the King would record it. Both artists were signed to RCA Records at the time, and Bowie, a huge Presley fan, was eager to collaborate. However, Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, stalled negotiations, and the song never made it to Elvis, though Presley sent Bowie a kind note wishing him well on tour, which Bowie treasured for life. Another story comes from Bowie’s appearance on Soul Train in 1975, where he performed "Golden Years" while visibly intoxicated, stumbling over lyrics. Bowie later expressed shame for the performance, recalling in a 1999 interview that the show’s DJ scolded him for not learning the song properly. Despite the shaky performance, it marked a historic moment as Bowie was one of the first white artists to appear on the show, following Elton John.

Another fascinating tidbit about "Golden Years" is its musical roots. The song channels the funk and soul of Bowie’s previous album, Young Americans, but with a grittier edge, blending 1950s doo-wop influences. The main guitar riff draws from the 1968 track "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles and Company, while the vocal refrain echoes the Diamonds’ 1958 single "Happy Years." Bowie’s biographers note that he started writing the song in May 1975, before filming The Man Who Fell to Earth, but his heavy cocaine use during the Station to Station sessions left him with little memory of its production. Fans on Reddit’s r/DavidBowie community have praised the song’s infectious groove, with one user calling it “one of the best songs ever made” and perfect for walking to, highlighting its enduring appeal among Bowie devotees.

David Bowie, born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947, in Brixton, London, began his journey to stardom with a deep love for music sparked at an early age. Growing up in Bromley, Kent, he played the saxophone and sang in local blues bands, immersing himself in London’s vibrant music scene. To avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees, he adopted the stage name Bowie, inspired by Jim Bowie, the inventor of the Bowie knife. His career kicked off in 1963 with a series of unsuccessful singles and a self-titled debut album in 1967, but it was his 1969 single "Space Oddity," timed with the Apollo 11 moon landing, that gave him his first UK top-five hit. This breakthrough, coupled with his theatrical flair and study of mime under Lindsay Kemp, set the stage for his reinventions in the 1970s, from glam rock icon Ziggy Stardust to the soul-infused Thin White Duke of Station to Station.

Bowie’s official online presence remains active, managed by his estate, offering fans a treasure trove of updates and archival content. His official website, davidbowie.com, features news, discography, and exclusive releases, like the 50th-anniversary edition of Young Americans. On social media, the David Bowie Facebook page shares tributes, rare photos, and fan engagement posts, while Instagram (@davidbowie) showcases stunning visuals and behind-the-scenes glimpses. The X account (@DavidBowieReal) keeps the conversation alive with quotes, videos, and fan interactions. For deeper dives, fans flock to David Bowie Wonderworld, an award-winning fan site packed with news, lyrics, and forums, and Bowie Golden Years, which chronicles his 1970s era. The Bowie Wonderworld Facebook Group connects Zoo Freaks and other fans worldwide, sharing memories and rare finds, keeping Bowie’s legacy thriving.