When I see someone smiling and crying at the same time I feel we have connected
THE Bowie Experience is the UK’s leading tribute to David Bowie, playing all of the hits from A to Ziggy.
As Bowie, singer Laurence Knight performed at the official ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition at the V&A in London, and alongside The Cure, Boney M, Roy Wood and the Boomtown Rats, at the Royal Albert Hall.
He spoke ahead of some gigs...
What made you want to start Bowie Experience, and how did it all begin?
It began in September 1997. I was at music college and in the evenings and at weekends I would go out with various covers bands playing the pubs and clubs. Most musicians like something from David’s catalogue so we would often perform a song or two by him and band members and some audience members started telling me that when I sung his songs I sounded like him and that I should do something with that, “like a tribute act?” they would suggest. This was something that had never occurred to me and to begin with I wasn’t particularly keen on as at the time I was writing and recording my own material and trying to perform and promote that.
To cut a long story short, it became apparent that although I believed in my original material, no one else did and so as a huge fan of David Bowie, the idea of doing some kind of tribute was an attractive notion. These days, there’s me smile whenever I think a tribute act to nearly eveabout it. There was a comryone and most people pere for the night which know what ‘tribute’ means should have been Jonathan in this context. Ross and so knowing that
However back then, I Mr Ross is a big fan of didn’t really have much of David’s, I took along a CD of an idea of what it meant, my own renditions of some so I put a band together of David’s songs with the and had a go at what I intention of giving it to him thought it was. It seemed – just because. to work so I did another So, I was outside the and then another and building when an importhat’s how it’s been ever tant looking car probably since. I must say, I didn’t transporting an important anticipate what a ride it person (I thought) rolled would be; it’s taken me to up, “ah this must be Jonaall sorts of parts of the than” I mused, so I posiworld that I probably othtioned myself strategically erwise wouldn’t have gone between the car door and to and I’ve met some pretthe entrance ready to ty interesting people along pounce when he alighted, the way. and indeed yes, it was
What’s your favourite someone famous but not song to perform from the Jonathan, it was Jack Dee. set and why? Feeling a little on the
It is difficult to pick back foot, I heard myself favourites Lady Grinning say “oh I was expecting Soul is enjoyable because Jonathan Ross, I’ve got a of the voice sound. It’s a CD I was going to give way of singing that appears him, but ah well maybe on a few of David’s songs you would like to have a and this one is a good listen” and I handed the example. I like Hallo SpaCD to him. He gave me a ceboy, always been a withering look that only he favourite both to listen to could conjure, took the and perform. Fame has a CD and said “yeah cheers message to all who aspire thanks” and promptly to celebrity, set to a great handed it to his assistant rhythm which I find very who looked like she had buoyant. And Sound and been handed something Vision which to me sounds very unsavoury. Did he like a sonic vision from the ever listen to it? Probably past, maybe the 1950s, of not. the future. D o you have a favour
Do you have a favourite on-the-road anecite moment from your dote? time playing The Albert Ooooh the things I Hall? could tell you! But you
Just the experience of know what happens on playing to a full house at the road stays on the road. The Royal Albert Hall – There is one thing that, up breathtaking. But I do have until now, I don’t think a little anecdote that makes anyone has rumbled.
In the space behind the screen on stage in a theatre, while the intro music is playing and the audience are in their seats just before the show begins, we play silent football in full costume and make up; quite a sight believe me. Silent football may not sound like much but it’s quite difficult to do without making a sound or kicking the ball into the back of the screen thereby making it wobble around.
What things do you like best when it comes to audience reactions/ participation?
The costumes I wear on stage are amazingly authentic and often there are audible gasps from the audience at each costume change. At the end of the show we do a number that people can sing along to if they wish, when an audience really goes for it, singing their heart out, it’s so affirming. And although this might sound strange to some, occasionally I see someone smiling and crying at the same time, it’s when that happens that I feel we have truly connected.
Bowie Experience are at the Palace Theatre, Redditch, on October 12, De Montfort Hall, Leicester, on October 13, and New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, on July 12.