When David Bowie Met William S. Burroughs

David Bowie died Sunday, January 10th, after an 18-month battle with cancer. He was 69. To characterize Bowie as one of the most innovative, original pop artists in the history of music is a gross understatement—Bowie was an artist in every conceivable sense, from the music he created; to his master showmanship; to the characters he created, embodied, and shed with the grace of a flawless costume change. Singlehandedly, Bowie birthed and transcended entire genres.

As the world mourns his passing, and the multitudes he inspired pay tribute to his memory, it’s a wondrous thing how so many people, across so many different backgrounds, circumstances, and interests, all came to know and love him.

William S. Burroughs met David Bowie in 1974, and soon after, this interview was published in Rolling Stone, wherein we discover that the elder writer’s novel The Wild Boys was responsible in part for Ziggy Stardust, and that Bowie utilized the cut-up technique reinvented by Burroughs and Brion Gysin.

More:
BBC: David Bowie explained how he used ‘cut ups’ to create lyrics (video)
The Guardian: When Bowie met Burroughs