SIMON SAYS: TRANSFORMER IS 50!
Photo by: Joe Gaffney
SIMON SAYS:
TRANSFORMER IS 50!
Writer, bon-vivant, and absolute icon Simon Doonan is also known as Jonathan’s shorter half. Today he's celebrating love, sequins, and Lou Reed.
In his latest book, Transformer: A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed, our favorite author pays homage to the groundbreaking album on its fiftieth anniversary. We asked him which songs he keeps in rotation.
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Q: What do you get when you mix Bowie with Lou Reed at the height of glam rock circa 1972?
A: Transformer, a truly strange and haunting album.
My favorite three tracks are:
VICIOUS
If only we lived in a world where, as per the lyrics, the height of viciousness was hitting somebody with a flower.
PERFECT DAY
The swirling orchestration was done by Bowie's guitarist, the incredible Mick Ronson. It's epic.
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
This track is a haunting homage to Warhol's trans collaborators, Holly Woodlawn, Jackie Curtis, and Candy Darling. Not familiar? Treat yourself to a viewing of the legendary Warhol movie 'Women in Revolt,' starring Holly, Jackie, Candy, and more.
I also love SATELLITE OF LOVE, mostly because of Bowie's falsetto pom pom poms.
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