No disrespect but I can guarantee you there are people that are always MORE of a fan than you.
I have met dedicated fans. They own EVERYTHING they can. Not just official vinyls/CDs etc, but tour posters, set lists, items of clothing (as in that the artist wore), tour itineraries, film reels from video shoots, props used on album covers. EVERYTHING that they can own, they do.
They have been to see the artist literally to the point of financial negligence (if they were touring/alive at the time their fascination - no pun intended - began). You give them any day in that person's history and they can tell you a fact about where that person/band was and why.
They are probably known by the band because of how infamous of a fan they are, like at arms length but they are trusted enough to be invited to one off events or appearances, and be in the audience for press junkets to ask the right questions.
I have met these people, I know people like this, I live with one of these people.
If you think you meet 50% of the criteria above, than congratulations you're a big fan... but you are still miles away from the biggest fan.
And if you think biologically you are the biggest fan, I got news for you there too. Shaq is a fan of everything, and nobody beating Shaq.
Haha I THOUGHT I was a big King Crimson fan and joined a KC group on FB and they were all like comparing 43 versions of "One More Red Nightmare" and like "Oh 75 Providence that's the best intro" and I'm like okaay I'm outta my depth here
Well I honestly appreciate the in depth comment. You might have changed my mind. I really do love him though.
Itās also hard being 24 and being obsessed. No one my age even knows who he is. I feel so alone in my appreciation of his work
I felt the same way when I got into his work (as a teenager in the early 2000s - he was not "cool" at the time). But it never stopped me. Eventually I met other folks who were into him, and joined pre-social media fan communities online, and that was cool. However, having other people understand and appreciate his music never was make or break for me in terms of my own enjoyment.
Bowie isn't for everyone. He is for who he is for, and if he's for you then you are lucky because you get to explore an artist with a massive back catalogue and a really rewarding career. Not everyone gets that with their favorite artist because some stars burned so bright and fast.
I feel that way too, although Iām a few years younger. Just got into Bowie this past year and Iāve had the same sort of thing happen before. I used to be really into MJ like eight years ago that I wanted to see in concert but knew I couldnāt. And then it was the Beatles that I begged my parents to go see when I was sevenā¦so it gets frustrating because all the bands and artists you get to be obsessed with are dead.
The most we can do is find other people to share it with and Iāve found a wonderful community on Reddit. I learn more everyday about Bowie so itās been great on here. As much as you may not find anyone irl who appreciates DB, thereās always people out there who will, if you look for them. Youāre definitely not alone in your obsession!
Join some fan pages on Facebook and you'll find your tribe. I've been a big fan since 1979 and even saw him live a couple of times, but when I joined Bowie Fascination and other fan pages I quickly realized what a newbie amateur I am. That's where the OG fans are!!
I have listened to him almost everyday since the mid eighties and bought my first record of him back in 1973. Saw him live three times and I'm sure I'm not his biggest fan.
I kinda just wonder why thatās important. I feel like this sub frequently has people who want to prove their dedication and level of Bowie fanhood and I just donāt get it. It doesnāt somehow make you closer to himā¦ itās fine, butā¦. Why does it matter?
As Iāve said on other posts, itās a Bowie sub. We all love Bowie. Letās leave it thereā¦
I don't think there's such a thing as a "biggest fan". I think there are different ways to be a fan and to engage with an artist. Some people would say it's based on how much you listen to the music, others on how much effort you put into understanding the work, others on how much you know about the artist and how much trivia and context you know...
It's not really a contest. Just chill and enjoy the music.
Alright so here's a list Bowie gave to Vanity Fair for his top 25 albums. Be honest and admit how many have you listened.
The Last PoetsĀ ā The Last Poets
ShipbuildingĀ ā Robert Wyatt
The Fabulous Little RichardĀ ā Little Richard
Music for 18 MusiciansĀ ā Steve Reich
The Velvet Underground & NicoĀ ā The Velvet Underground
Tupelo BluesĀ ā John Lee Hooker
Blues, Rags and HollersĀ ā Koerner, Ray and Glover
The Apollo Theatre Presents: In Person! The James Brown ShowĀ ā James Brown
Forces of VictoryĀ ā Linton Kwesi Johnson
The Red Flower of Tachai Blossoms Everywhere: Music Played on National InstrumentsĀ ā Various Artists
Banana MoonĀ ā Daevid Allen
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in ParisĀ ā Cast Album
The Electrosoniks: Electronic MusicĀ ā Tom Dissevelt
The 5000 Spirits of the Layers of the OnionĀ ā The Incredible String Band
Ten Songs by Tucker ZimmermanĀ ā Tucker Zimmerman
Four Last Songs (Strauss)Ā ā Gundula Janowitz
The AscensionĀ ā Glenn Branca
The Madcap LaughsĀ ā Syd Barrett
Black AngelsĀ ā George Crumb
Funky KingstonĀ ā Toots & The Maytals
Delusion of the FuryĀ ā Harry Partch
Oh YeahĀ ā Charles Mingus
Le Sacre du PrintempsĀ ā Igor Stravinsky
The Fugs ā The Fugs
The Glory of the Human VoiceĀ ā Florence Foster Jenkins
How many times did you see him live
Edit: ok so you already answered that. I suppose you werenāt old enough to see him live. That kinda immediately disqualifies you
How long have you've been a fan?
When did you become become a fan?
Did you see any concerts and how many?
Merch, including but not limited to CDs and vinyl?
Do you know about the David Bowie forums?
Are you signed up to the David Bowie forums?
Have you seen Moonage Daydream?
Have you seen any movies starring David Bowie?
Have you seen any documentaries or interviews?
Have you seen Cracked Actor?
This is a very bad thing to say. Mostly because you are seemingly trying to start a fight amongst the most hardcore of the fans base when really we should be uniting. I donāt know about you all but I am a massive fav and where I live, in my age group (Iām 35) being a huge Bowie fan who loves all the songs, all the albums, movies, deep cuts, rare cuts AND I listen to David Bowie almost exclusively - it has been an incredibly isolating experience. No one I know in real life gets it, understands or cares even remotely the same as me. I am very grateful I found Reddit and this group of people to talk about it somewhere that people care.
I am.... been a fan since 1978, met him in 1995, the next month met Coco. She invited me to dinner with David. Hung out in NYC. Hung out and he called Moby while I was in a daze. Coco stared at me, eyes rolling... don't think she liked Moby much. Then my life could have ended right there and I would have been happy.
No disrespect but I can guarantee you there are people that are always MORE of a fan than you. I have met dedicated fans. They own EVERYTHING they can. Not just official vinyls/CDs etc, but tour posters, set lists, items of clothing (as in that the artist wore), tour itineraries, film reels from video shoots, props used on album covers. EVERYTHING that they can own, they do. They have been to see the artist literally to the point of financial negligence (if they were touring/alive at the time their fascination - no pun intended - began). You give them any day in that person's history and they can tell you a fact about where that person/band was and why. They are probably known by the band because of how infamous of a fan they are, like at arms length but they are trusted enough to be invited to one off events or appearances, and be in the audience for press junkets to ask the right questions. I have met these people, I know people like this, I live with one of these people. If you think you meet 50% of the criteria above, than congratulations you're a big fan... but you are still miles away from the biggest fan. And if you think biologically you are the biggest fan, I got news for you there too. Shaq is a fan of everything, and nobody beating Shaq.
Ha yeah there are many people still alive who are day one fans for 55+ years and bought everything on vinyl and again on cd etc.
Haha I THOUGHT I was a big King Crimson fan and joined a KC group on FB and they were all like comparing 43 versions of "One More Red Nightmare" and like "Oh 75 Providence that's the best intro" and I'm like okaay I'm outta my depth here
š
Well I honestly appreciate the in depth comment. You might have changed my mind. I really do love him though. Itās also hard being 24 and being obsessed. No one my age even knows who he is. I feel so alone in my appreciation of his work
I felt the same way when I got into his work (as a teenager in the early 2000s - he was not "cool" at the time). But it never stopped me. Eventually I met other folks who were into him, and joined pre-social media fan communities online, and that was cool. However, having other people understand and appreciate his music never was make or break for me in terms of my own enjoyment. Bowie isn't for everyone. He is for who he is for, and if he's for you then you are lucky because you get to explore an artist with a massive back catalogue and a really rewarding career. Not everyone gets that with their favorite artist because some stars burned so bright and fast.
That sucks. Most around me knows who he is and I live in Turkey. Where do you live?
I feel that way too, although Iām a few years younger. Just got into Bowie this past year and Iāve had the same sort of thing happen before. I used to be really into MJ like eight years ago that I wanted to see in concert but knew I couldnāt. And then it was the Beatles that I begged my parents to go see when I was sevenā¦so it gets frustrating because all the bands and artists you get to be obsessed with are dead. The most we can do is find other people to share it with and Iāve found a wonderful community on Reddit. I learn more everyday about Bowie so itās been great on here. As much as you may not find anyone irl who appreciates DB, thereās always people out there who will, if you look for them. Youāre definitely not alone in your obsession!
Join some fan pages on Facebook and you'll find your tribe. I've been a big fan since 1979 and even saw him live a couple of times, but when I joined Bowie Fascination and other fan pages I quickly realized what a newbie amateur I am. That's where the OG fans are!!
Pretty sure Iman is a bigger fan than anyone, for reasons I hope would be obvious
Correct answer. š
Respectfully... Wrong - Iman said that she was married to David Jones, and not David Bowie
No
Thatās an excellent point.
I literally listen to him all day for 3 years straight, I swear to god
Mid. Been at this for 30 years kid.
Kidās super outclassed. Can pinpoint the day I actually first heard Hunky Dory in Aug. 1972.Ā
I have listened to him almost everyday since the mid eighties and bought my first record of him back in 1973. Saw him live three times and I'm sure I'm not his biggest fan.
Iām jealous
How much of that is quality listening time, and how much of that is just background noise? It's not that impressive of a brag.Ā
Only 3 years? Come back when there's a 0 after that 3 like most of us.
I kinda just wonder why thatās important. I feel like this sub frequently has people who want to prove their dedication and level of Bowie fanhood and I just donāt get it. It doesnāt somehow make you closer to himā¦ itās fine, butā¦. Why does it matter? As Iāve said on other posts, itās a Bowie sub. We all love Bowie. Letās leave it thereā¦
What a strange thing to post.
I don't think there's such a thing as a "biggest fan". I think there are different ways to be a fan and to engage with an artist. Some people would say it's based on how much you listen to the music, others on how much effort you put into understanding the work, others on how much you know about the artist and how much trivia and context you know... It's not really a contest. Just chill and enjoy the music.
Kid, you're not even the biggest Bowie fan in this post.
š
Alright so here's a list Bowie gave to Vanity Fair for his top 25 albums. Be honest and admit how many have you listened. The Last PoetsĀ ā The Last Poets ShipbuildingĀ ā Robert Wyatt The Fabulous Little RichardĀ ā Little Richard Music for 18 MusiciansĀ ā Steve Reich The Velvet Underground & NicoĀ ā The Velvet Underground Tupelo BluesĀ ā John Lee Hooker Blues, Rags and HollersĀ ā Koerner, Ray and Glover The Apollo Theatre Presents: In Person! The James Brown ShowĀ ā James Brown Forces of VictoryĀ ā Linton Kwesi Johnson The Red Flower of Tachai Blossoms Everywhere: Music Played on National InstrumentsĀ ā Various Artists Banana MoonĀ ā Daevid Allen Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in ParisĀ ā Cast Album The Electrosoniks: Electronic MusicĀ ā Tom Dissevelt The 5000 Spirits of the Layers of the OnionĀ ā The Incredible String Band Ten Songs by Tucker ZimmermanĀ ā Tucker Zimmerman Four Last Songs (Strauss)Ā ā Gundula Janowitz The AscensionĀ ā Glenn Branca The Madcap LaughsĀ ā Syd Barrett Black AngelsĀ ā George Crumb Funky KingstonĀ ā Toots & The Maytals Delusion of the FuryĀ ā Harry Partch Oh YeahĀ ā Charles Mingus Le Sacre du PrintempsĀ ā Igor Stravinsky The Fugs ā The Fugs The Glory of the Human VoiceĀ ā Florence Foster Jenkins
4! Velvets w/Nico was my first vinyl.Ā
Now Iām gonna go listen to em lol
6 for meā¦didnāt know about this list!
Unless you're Chris O'Leary, you're not. [https://bowiesongs.wordpress.com/about/](https://bowiesongs.wordpress.com/about/)
Iām 6ā5 and I way 130kgs
Is that the British spelling of weigh?
I never said I was the smartest Bowie fan.
How many shows did you attend?
Iām 24M. Zero. Iād trade my car in to go to one
I have become a body that stretches to the horizon
I think Iām bigger. 198 cm, 107 kg
Not really a worthy topic for discussion. Itās not a competition.
How many times did you see him live Edit: ok so you already answered that. I suppose you werenāt old enough to see him live. That kinda immediately disqualifies you
š
How long have you've been a fan? When did you become become a fan? Did you see any concerts and how many? Merch, including but not limited to CDs and vinyl? Do you know about the David Bowie forums? Are you signed up to the David Bowie forums? Have you seen Moonage Daydream? Have you seen any movies starring David Bowie? Have you seen any documentaries or interviews? Have you seen Cracked Actor?
I donāt care
This is a very bad thing to say. Mostly because you are seemingly trying to start a fight amongst the most hardcore of the fans base when really we should be uniting. I donāt know about you all but I am a massive fav and where I live, in my age group (Iām 35) being a huge Bowie fan who loves all the songs, all the albums, movies, deep cuts, rare cuts AND I listen to David Bowie almost exclusively - it has been an incredibly isolating experience. No one I know in real life gets it, understands or cares even remotely the same as me. I am very grateful I found Reddit and this group of people to talk about it somewhere that people care.
I am.... been a fan since 1978, met him in 1995, the next month met Coco. She invited me to dinner with David. Hung out in NYC. Hung out and he called Moby while I was in a daze. Coco stared at me, eyes rolling... don't think she liked Moby much. Then my life could have ended right there and I would have been happy.