Tribute to Mick Rock

It is with much sadness that we convey the passing of our dear friend, Michael David Rock.

Here’s the statement posted on his official site.

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It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share our beloved psychedelic renegade Mick Rock has made the Jungian journey to the other side. Those who had the pleasure of existing in his orbit, know that Mick was always so much more than ’The Man Who Shot The 70s.’ He was a photographic poet — a true force of nature who spent his days doing exactly what he loved, always in his own delightfully outrageous way.

The stars seemed to effortlessly align for Mick when he was behind the camera; feeding off of the unique charisma of his subjects electrified and energized him. His intent always intense. His focus always total. A man fascinated with image, he absorbed visual beings through his lens and immersed himself in their art, thus creating some of the most magnificent photographs rock music has ever seen. To know Mick was to love him. He was a mythical creature; the likes of which we shall never experience again.

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Mick Rock was an amazing person. Artistic, flamboyant, creative, original, fun and a gentle soul. Mick Rock took some of the most iconic photos of Queen, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Pink Floyd, Iggy Pop and many more. I first met Mick Rock through my association with BowieNet. Back in the late 90’s – Bowie would invite friends and past associates into the BowieNet Chat Rooms. We did a few chat’s with Mick Rock, but perhaps the best of them all was the one with Mick, Tony Visconti and Bowie. Quite a trio.

As it was 1998, we’d basically sit around with the fastest typist we could find, and fielded questions from the members of BowieNet in the chatroom. It was (and still is) one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Another fond memory I have of Mick Rock is the time we sat together on 12/31/1998 in the afternoon of New Years Eve. I was into Photoshop and Mick had never seen it before, so he came over and for several hours, we scanned in his images and played around; inverting colors, filters, and creating digital art. I was surprised that he had never used the computer for his art, but he was a photographer through and through. I always felt it was a real honor to be the first one to show him that!

To be around Mick was always a happening. Random standing on his head, and his fantastic sense of humor. He will be missed.

So in honor of Mick Rock, here is the original transcript of the chat. It’s outrageous, fun, and a real time capsule.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Love and Respect to Mick Rock.

Howard J
Wines That Rock

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Chat Transcriptions BowieNet Live Chat 12/17/98
BowieLive Chat Transcription with
Tony Visconti, Mick Rock and David Bowie – 17/12/98

Session Start: Thu Dec 17 20:16:31 1998

*** Now talking in #GlamChat
*** Topic is ‘Mick Rock and Tony Visconti’

We’ll be starting in 7 minutes

Moderator: just about 2 minutes now!

Moderator: hi tybalt

Moderator: Let’s Get Started! Any questions for Mick and Tony?

Total Blam Blam Hallo Mick – Hallo Tony – Tony I have an old Doo Wop single from way back when, (1974 actually) called “I Remember Brooklyn” – Is this the sort of thing that one should keep quiet about?

Tony: It’s too late, the truth is out.

Greetings everyone

Gilly When did you get to know each other, Mick and tony?

Mick: it was through David, probably at a party.

Mick: I don’t remember when.

Tony: I have to agree with Mick. We must have met at a party. Although neither of us were sober at that party.

Emilio Mick Rock: in your opinion, what’s the difference between rock videos in the early 70’s (like the ones you did for David) and in the MTV era? Don’t you think the old videos were better in that they complemented the song, like an animated record cover, instead of competing with it?

Mick: One is the budget.

Mick: None of them were budgeted more than about $1,000 US.

Mick: I don’t think that’s necessarily true.

Mick: There was less pressure about those older films because they were rarely used.

Mick: Many more are used today than at time.

Raven Hi Mick and Tony! Mick, thanks for putting up the special website! Very Nice. Do you have a favorite picture that you have taken of David?

Mick: I think maybe the one of him slashing his wrists from 1973.

Mick: He’s doing his fake Judy Garland act, lunging toward the camera.

Mick: With a suitable, anguished expression on his face.

Mick: only published once.

Mick: Rock & Roll Suicide, I call that one

Straffer What do you both think of Marlin Manson???

Tony: I think he’s the best thing since David Bowie.

Total Blam Blam Tony – Has Mick done any headstands yet this evening?

Mick: How do you know about that?

Mick: Yes, I do them every day since 1970

Mick: (I hate to admit)

Tony: I have 2 favs, the man who sold the world, and scary monsters.

JoniVeSadd Tony which is your fav album u made with David and also one u didnt??

Tony: hunky dory. A great album.

Tony: I play it to this day, even though I had nothing to do with it.

SpaceFace Tony: how has working with David changed from 1970 to 1998?

Tony: his voice got deeper

Tony: and so did his brain.

Sculley Hi Tony. Have a question for you: When working with Marc Bolan and T.Rex, did Marc usually go with the flow in the studio, or was it a total dictatorship?

Tony: Working with Mark was a total friendship. He can be very salty at times.

Tony: But, it was a total collaboration.

Straffer Mick is there someone left you would like to take a picure of???

Mick: I’m talking about Marilyn Manson at the moment.

Mick: but the one I haven’t taken, but won’t be able to, is of course, John Lennon.

Mick: Why don’t you ask me what my favorite subject was?

Mick: I think clearly David and Lou Reed rank up there.

Bill Tony – can you tell us what happened regarding the recording of TMWSTW – is it true Bowie only had a few bits and pieces ready at that time?

Tony: the man who sold the world was the first album when David came into the studio with only bits and pieces prepared

Tony: at first, I found this an impossible situation to work with.

Tony: because it never happened to me before.

Tony: After that album, David continued to come into the studio with songs only partially written.

Tony: and I’ve got to say, he’s written some of his best songs that way, with the band present in the room.

Raven Mick will you take a picture of RonRoy so we can finally see him on bowie.net?!?!? 🙂

Mick: Only if he’ll agree to pose naked and pay me money.

Total Blam Blam Tony – Apart from The Prettiest Star can you remember any other time when David and Marc recorded together – Or is just rumours and lies and stories they made up?

Tony: I’d like to lay this one at rest once and for all.

Tony: That’s it. Apart from a bootleg cassette that’s floating around of David and Mark writing a song in some hotel room somewhere.

GlamGnome Who in your opinion was the most influential artist of the time and why? You don’t have to be biased cause your chatting in Bowie-Net. he he he

Mick: I think that without a shadow of a doubt, David Bowie, and I think one should also count Lou Reed.

Mick: His influence also pre-dated Davids.

Mick: I don’t think there’s any discussion about htat.

Amalgam Tony – what was it about the song Space Oddity that you didn’t like?

Tony: At the time, the 1st man was sent into space

Tony: And I thought writing the song was a cheap shot at commercialism.

Tony: I’ve been kicking myself in the butt ever since.

Sculley What was your guys’ take on Velvet Goldmine?

Yes, we’ve seen it.

Mick: I heard Tony’s description. Should I repeat it Tony?

Tony: I think VG was grossly inaccurate about those times,

Tony: I think it was unfair to borrow from Bowie’s life

Tony: and distort it so much, and create the illusion that it was Bowie, and not some fictional character

Tony: Basically, I thought it was a gay porn film disguised as a musical.

Mick: I haven’t actually seen the film yet. It’s going to be hard for me not to be very crititical.

Mick: Having read the script, I realized it was something I need to keep distance from because

Mick: it had nothing to do with the period. A fact that gets lost is that a boy in those days wearing a lot of makeup

Mick: would probably attract a lot of girlfriends, speaking for myself. Makeup was nothing to do with being gay,

Mick: it had a lot to do with getting laid, for a very heterosexual person.

Mick: You couldn’t fuck a lot of girls unless you were wearing some mascara.

SpaceFace tony, which artists are on your wish list to work with today?

Tony: I am very attracted to the music of Marilyn and the Pumpkins, but I’m curious as to which artist I think I should be working with.

Mick says, “Hi Helen. I hope you’re behaving yourself.”

Mick: And if you’re not, Have fun.

Emilio Mick Rock, what kind of film did you use in the 70’s? And today?

Mick: Mostly exactly the same film.

Mick: on the Hasselblad, the 120mm, E6 120 64 ASA

Mick: in B&W, Triax 400.

Mick: It’s really about the way you process the film that’s important.

Bianca Tony, is there a full film of you and the Hype performing at the Roundhouse in London on February 1970?

Tony: I have just learned of its existence.

Tony: After seeing the behind the music special on VH1.

Tony: I would love a copy of it for myself. Can anyone help me?

KelMar666: Hey Mick,Mr Rock, did you ever get a nice picture of David’s butt?

Mick: I certainly got some rather jolly pictures of him in his underpants.

Mick: Beyond that, I refuse to answer any further.

SqueakBox Tony or Mick: do you think the glam revival today is much different than the glam of the 70’s?

Mick: I would say so. The world is in a completely different place.

Mick: 1 thing about Glam, for those of us involved in it, it was certainly revolutionary.

Mick: We saw ourselves as on the outside. Glam was pretty punk.

Mick: It upset people just as much.

Mick: Today, like most things, it’s a form of reclycing, but I’m glad it’s happening. I’m enjoying it.

Mick: It’s letting me garner new work. But it’s a different world today.

Bianca I have a copy:))))

Tony says, “Bianca, could you forward a copy of that tape to the liveandwell.com PO box, listed on the website.

Bianca Tony, is there any truth behind the story of “Heroes” and the couple who met each other at the Berlin Wall?

Tony: I went for a walk with Antonia the backup singer on Heroes at David’s request.

Tony: He was a little stuck finishing the lyrics for the song. And he looked out the window after a while, and saw Antonia and I walking along the edge of the Berlin wall, holdling hands.

Tony: I was told by someone close to David that we inspired the verse where the couple is kissing by the wall.

Tony: Etc.

Orange Was there anything after Glamrock that had the same impact for you?

Mick: I got very involved with the Punk rock scene, especially in NY.

Mick: I did a lot of work with the Ramones, Blondie.

Mick: Like Glam, it was about looking for an edge, and looking for a way to upset what was then the status quo.

Mick: can’t forget about the Deadboys and Talking Heads.

VernardsTwinningAphex Tony,what do u think of today’s music scene in general??

Tony: I think it’s healthy. I think people are returning to writing great songs instead of depending upon flamboyant production techniques to make the record.

I think Marilyn is a healthy indication (believe it or not).

Tony: Pumpkins, Green Day. I think the best music is coming from America.

JoniVeSadd Mick what was it like working with debbie harry was she a goddess as we all thought she was

Mick: DH was and is a delightful person. Certainly, she had no attachment to the idea of being a goddess. She had a very ironic view of her beauty.

Mick; Fabulous sense of humor.

Helen2 Mick or Tony do either of you have projects planned with David for the near future?

Tony: David and I got together in August of this year and recorded two songs for 2 projects.

Tony: Speaking for myself, it was a wonderful experience.

Tony: We will be working on a project in the very near future. I will leave it up to David to tell you what the nature of that project is.

Mick: ditto.

Total Blam Blam As David has enjoyed role reversal in the past, (For example Boy’s Keep Swinging, for the recording of the track itself and the video gendre bending) why don’t you both get involved with the next album, except Tony do the sleeve and Mick produce it – both in drag of course!

Tony: I can do some wicked things in photoshop, so your request might not be all that unusual.

Tony: and with a bit of makeup, I can come up looking like Susie Wong.

Dodo Mick,how did you get the idea for the “Life on Mars” video?

Mick: It wasn’t so much an idea as a moment in time.

Mick: Remember, all those videos (or promos as we called them) were done for very small budgets.

Mick: I wanted to do something that looked a little bit like a painting.

JoniVeSadd what was it like when Iggy , Lou and David were together any good stories??

Mick: what sort of stories are you talking about? Give me a hint or two.

Bonster1 tell us about the bar fight 😉

Mick: Somebody fucked up there, it wasn’t me.

Emilio Mick how did you see David’s “Video Collection”? Did you notice that the “Life on Mars” video was re-edited and also blurred? Do you think they couldn’t get a decent master so they had to use a second generation copy and blur it?

Mick: Somebody fucked up there, it wasn’t me.

Mick: Somebody didn’t tell me what was going on.

Mick: but that’s another story.

Dodo do you feel yourselves as part of rock history?

Tony: When I read books on rock history, I definitely feel myself.

Tony: In fact, I have one pocket with a deep hole in it.

Mick: It makes me feel like I’m a bit passed the first flush of my youth.

Bianca Mick, when will be your next photo-exhibition?

Mick: Gavinda Gallery, in DC in March.

KelMar666: Mr Visconti, is it true you were scared to go to sleep at haddon ahll?

Tony: Everyone was scared to even walk in the dark at Hadden Hall because

Tony: everyone who lived there saw a ghost of a thin young woman walking early morning in the garden.

Tony: It was definitely a haunted house.

Gilly what about that “moonage daydream! video?

Mick: That was the first video I ever did with David.

Mick: It was shot on a bowlex 16mm camera in April of 1972.

Mick: It was a collage of live footage

Mick: I can’t remember if it’s ever been publically shown, but I’m sure that some point in the not-to-distant future,

Mick: It will get seen. There’s also a video of Rock and Roll suicide that hasn’t aired. Edited in the 80’s,

Mick: Footage from that time. It’s a wonderful thing.

Emilio Tony, when is your book coming out?

Tony: I’m still writing it. I don’t have a publisher yet. And it probalby won’t see the light of day until the year 2000.

KelMar666: Mick, do you think those godawful shag haircuts will make a comeback???

Mick: I bloody well hope not.

Orange What are you up to New years eve 2000??

Mick: Why, are you looking for a date?

Tony: I hope I get a gig that night. Scale is trippled.

Tybalt We’re doing a BowieNet Babes of 1999 Calendar… does Mr. Rock wanna photo our BowieNet Babes

Mick: Yes.

Mick: Any Tony will assist me.

Bonster1 Mick, who is the most fascinating person you ever photographed and the pics looked like shit?

Mick: None of my pictures ever look like shit.

GlamGnome Tony, I live in Chicago and was eaves dropping on a conversation because I heard your name. A gentleman was referring to a local Chicago band that you may be producing. Any more info or just a rumor?

Tony: the group is called Extra Very, but it’s still at the rumour stage.

Valerius What you do think of photographing us in fetish wear? Quite a few of us are into that.

Mick: One day I’ll show you a more interesting box of my photo collection.

Moderator: please be patient…

KelMar666: Mick, do you have a photo of bowie getting spanked or summink?

Mick: I have a few pictures of summink.

Grazia hi Tony, what group of musicians David stayed better, give me your opinion

Tony: I think you’re asking me what group of musicians I prefered working with. First, there would be Mick Ronson and Woody Woodmansey. The next group of musicians would be the band we used on Low, Heroes, Larger, and Scary Monsters.

Tony: They are Carlos Alamar, Dennis Davis, and George Murray.

Total Blam Blam Mick – Was your background graphic design? I ask because you did a more than convincing job on the Cockney Rebel albums. Mick – Was your background journalism? I ask because you did a more than convincing job on the early Ziggy articles. Mick – Was your background photography? I ask because you did a more than convincing jo

Mick: My background, I studied modern languages at Cambridge, then I went to the London film school. I kind of wondered. And in those days, I would flex my modest talents in many different, related directions. The truth is, no one payed very much money for any of those activities in those days, so it was a good idea to perform in all those areas

Emilio Could the two of you give us your impressions of the late Mick Ronson?

Mick: He was a sweet, wonderful, almost innocent human being, and much more talented than he realized, and maybe the world in general realized, until after he died. He really was a very very special talent, but very modest in his own appreciation of those talents.

Mick: Him and David together was probably one of the finest moments in rock and roll. We love you Mick.;

Ginger Here’s my impression of Ronno. garrrrrrrang straaaaaaaang baaaaaaaaang whoooooosh

Tony: That’s fabulous Ginger. If I close my eyes, I could just hear those tones right now. But then again, if I close my eyes, I couldn’t read this.

Gilly Can you tell me something about Steve Harley?

Mick: He was a very interesting guy. He was very much impressed with David Bowie. And that was why he contacted me in the first place. But he was a very different talent, although he was posted at the time as being the “pretender to the glam rock crown”. I think he’s a fine songwriter, and it’s great to see he’s had some kind of resurgence today

Mick: Come up and see me was just a terrific single, especially Jim Cregan’s guitar.

Mick: Beautiful spanish guitar.

SqueakBox How do you think Sadam Hussein would look in Glam attire?

Mick: I think he should shave his legs first, definitely.

Tony: He’s definitely got a Freddie Mercury thing going.

*** laughing ***

Gilly i think, Steve Harley also did some songs with Marc Bolan. Did you record any of it?

Mick: I know he was very friendly with Marc, of course, this was after Marc’s years of success, but I don’t know if they actually recorded together.

Akros Tony don’t you feel you are from the past now ; that all your work is behind you ?

Tony: You’re absolutely right. After this, I’m going to walk right in front of a bus. I hope that makes you feel terribly guilty.

Emilio Mick, I understand you took some pictures of Queen in their early years. How did you like the new turn their music (and image) took, especially after “A Night at The Opera”?

Mick: I never felt quite the same about Freddie’s image once he started doing his village people imiation, because there was indeed a guy in the VP that was doing what Freddie did, at least 3 years before Freddie. I used to see him in the West Village at the Anvil.

Mick: I’m talking about the guy from the Village People at the Anvil. Anyone remember the Anvil?

Gilly Tony, are there still unreleased outtakes of the albums you produced with David?

Tony: yes, there are several unreleased outtakes that I know of. I think David and I should sit down and compare notes about this.

Amalgam Mick – have you captured any supernatural phenomena on film?

Mick: David Bowie and Lou Reed.

Mick: For starters, that is.

Mick: Absolutely supernatural.

Orange I live in Asia at the moment, howcome this kind of music never influenced this part of the world?

Tony: Because you guys were so much into kabooky.

SpaceFace mick, who is the most gorgeous woman you have photographed?

Mick: I could be getting into a lot of trouble over this.

*** Bowie (ronroy@chat01) has joined #GlamChat

*** Bowie sets mode: +o bowie

Mick: But there was this stripper in 1979, somewhere in the East Village….

We have been joined by David Bowie.

David Bowie: Hum of the earth and fiends

Dodo What do you think of Nile Rodgers as producer?

Tony: Nile is fantastic. Ironically, as members of the recording academy, Nile and I sit on panels together, and he never stops talking about Let’s Dance.

David Bowie: thanks Joni

David Bowie: he only everde the tea

Canney What do you think of Rolan Bolan’s band. I saw them at the Ritz in Manchester – I was very impressed

David Bowie: Hallo SQ

David Bowie: What new project

Tony: Rolan is very talented, and is a beautiful looking man. I keep in touch with him and I am trying to help him with his career when I can, but he lives in LA and I live in NY.

Sicco Would David Bowie be who he is now without the Glamperiod, I mean I like him because of his music not particularly because he had make-up…

Mick: David Bowie is a force of nature, and should be locked up after dark. Always.

Mick: Yes, of course he would. He’s a phenomenal, wonderful, overwhelming talent. blah blah blah.

Total Blam Blam Tony – When you recorded Low, did you realise what a new sound had been created, and did you think it would be such an influential album?

David Bowie: Hi folks Im a wonderful overwhelming SOB

Tony: We knew were on to something even before the album started. I had a conference call with David and Brian about what new things we would be bringing into this project. You could tell from the start that something quite incredible was about to happen. After one week in the studio, we knew we were doing something very far out.

Mick: Fuck You, Vernards.

VernardsTwinningAphex Tony DAY,what do u think of Bowie;s excursions into Jungle.Drum and Bass???

David Bowie: Tony and Mick are in NY and I’m in my element

Akhros Did you like it working with midge ure Tony ?

Tony: I never worked with Midge Ure.

Dodo Lodger was dismissed by Eno,what do you think of it?

Tony: this is the first I heard of that.

David Bowie: oh yes you did

David Bowie: Oh yes you did

David Bowie: its behind you

Tony: I think it was a dark album, sonically, but songs like African Night Flight Fantastic Voyage, and Boys Keep Singing make it one of David’s best albums ever, but there’s no pleasing Brian.

David Bowie: hi blam

Canney David: I saw the disabled kids in the recording studio yesterday doing the tracks for the Access All Areas album. It was a very humbling experience. Thanks for the support via BowieNet – PK.

Emilio Tony, do you regret the fact that a lot of people think Eno produced “Low”, “Heroes” and “Lodger”? I’ve seen this mistake in books and magazines.

David Bowie: Thanks Canney. Talk later

David Bowie: busy now guys. its fast

Tony: Thank you for asking. It amazes me how so called responsible journalists don’t even bother to read the credits on the album, which read, “Produced by Bowie and Visconti” Brian is a great musician, and was very integral to the making of those three albums. But he was not the producer.

David Bowie: Eno DID produce them ALL I didn’t even know Tony at the time

David Bowie: ENO also did Space OdDtity

Tony: You know David, you can buy those fabulous Gingko pills in health-food stores that improve your memory.

Akhros Tony do you think that David Bowie is deaf these days ?

David Bowie: Odd titty, I mean

Tony: Hey, why don’t you go play with razor blades.

GlamGnome Tony, what is best thing that David gave you and David, what was the best thing that Tony gave you?

David Bowie: ht fight in the room lads

Tony: The worst thing we gave each other was the clap. The best thing was obviously penicillin.

David Bowie: don’t make me come over there

Total Blam Blam Chaps can you confirm what everybody already knows: that David has the knob of an ant!

Tony: Yes, it’s true, he’s into taxidermy. The ant’s knob is mounted in his den.

Canney Tony: Name you all time favourite band line up if you could chose absolutely anybody?

David Bowie: LOL Total is a leading scumbag of our time

Tony: Hendrix and Ronson on guitars, Keith Moon on drums, and ME on BASS!

Zardoz What is Mick’s fav pic of db?

Mick: It’s probably one I can’t possibly publish.

David Bowie: Mick, amalgam wants to know if you dig Kirlian photography

Bonster1 Tony, would you rather play bass or produce?????

Tony: I get bored with playing bass after an hour, so I guess I’m stuck with producing.

David Bowie Mick, amalgam wants to know if you dig Kirlian photography

Mick: Only on Sunday afternoons.

Sicco Did Bowie invent Glam Rock or did Glam Rock invent Bowie/

David Bowie: anything i made with T….oh!

Tony: David Bowie invented Glam Rock. But that is a rhetorical, journalistic question that either deserves a full-length article, or to be ignored.

David Bowie: Never let me down

Helen2 Mick can i put a picture of you on the member database on Bnet? would you mind?

Mick: Depends on what the picture is.

Bianca Is there a chance that the David of nowadays will pose for a book of you again, Mick?

Mick: We’ve talked about it.

David Bowie: my servers gone all treacly and slow

Ilsa Well, what about Marc Bolan and his influence on glam rock?

David Bowie: I have to type a letter a minute to get there

Mick: It wasn’t Marc Glitterrock? And wasn’t David Glam? There is a difference you know.

Emilio Mick and Tony, how do you feel about David disturbing YOUR chat?

Mick: We’re going to talk to him about that later.

Tony: I think he spends far too much time here, and should be writing songs instead.

SqueakBox Is Gary Glitter a Glamboy

David Bowie: OK. The Space Odd story

Mick: That’s a hell of a question, especially given the trouble he’s been in lately.

David Bowie: Tonys memorie oor thing is blinking

JoniVeSadd was David really that good on the melatron or however its spelt???

Tony: David is a whiz on the melotron, and the chamberlain. It’s bastard grown-up son.

Bill Can’t you three talk later? and stop messing us about? Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells!

Mick: Why stop now? We’re having a good time. (Messing you about, that is)

David Bowie: by the time gus and I had finished recording it Nasa still hadn’t even announced they were doing there thiause it was so secret

David Bowie: Tony had merely thought it corny and didn’t want to do it

Canney Tell us a joke

Mick: What’s the difference between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson???

David Bowie: so there

Bianca What do you think of the new book “Glam, Bowie, Bolan and the GlitterRock that came out lately?

Mick: I think it’s pretty good. In fact, I think it’s very cute. In fact, I think it’s not bad at all. See David Bowie’s critique on the Barnes & Noble web-site in the near future.

Sicco on my vinyl record Lodger is written (scratched in the vinyl) “No sense is better…than none at all” Why is that?

David Bowie: My review should be on Barnes and noble tomorrow

Tony: In the days of vinyl, I used to engrave message on the outer grooves, mainly to make sure RCA was using my cuts. So, I kind of ran out of things to say after a while, and just had the disc-cutter engrave that. Look at all your Bowie vinyl, and you will find messages in the inner grooves.

Tony: By the way, Phil Spector started this trend in the 60’s when he scratched Phil loves Ronnie in the outer grooves of one of his singles.

David Bowie: He used to scratch em BAD. you shosfnre at home

SpaceFace tell us the punchline mick

Mick: My lawyer advises me not to answer that. I could get sued.

VernardsTwinningAphex Tony,whats yer opinion on OUTSIDE????

Tony: Hey, do you want to step outside? I liked it, and earthling.

Helen2 Mick is your book going to get released in the US? I am tired of having to get people copies everytime i go home

Mick: Call me. I’ll tell you where to get copies in the US.

David Bowie: im overloading like f— here

Bianca What do you think of all the Drum and Bass on there?

Tony: It was well done, but I think we’re all a little tired of drums and bass by now.

David Bowie: you’re also tired of guitars and singers and…

Moderator: please be patient…

David Bowie: sicco: wht gets a map

David Bowie: half my letters are getting wiped.

JoniVeSadd what do you think David’s last truely great album was???

Mick: Scary Monsters was a superb album.

Total Blam Blam Mick – how do you feel about all those pix of yours on all the different Bowie Sites – Is a credit enough?

Mick: IT’s OK, I do it for love.

Emilio Mick, I really don’t know whether you went on directing videos or not. In case you haven’t, do you think you’d be able to direct one by today’s standards? Would you know where to start?

David Bowie: God, there some really great questions today. I wish we could get to them all

David Bowie: Don’t go yet guys

Mick: I did in the ’70’s quite a few, including for the Kings, Paul McCartney, Steve Harley. In the late 80’s, I did serveral, including one very racey number for Ace Freely of KISS. I’m going to do a new one soon for a band called the L.E.S. Stiches

Mick: They’re a superb NY east village punky kind of act.

Bianca Are you involved in other projects than music-projects? Do you paint like David does, Tony?

Mick: That’s L.E.S. Stitches.

Bianca Are you involved in other projects than music-projects? Do you paint like David does, Tony?

David Bowie: I really did object to the impression given in some articles that I did not write the songs on man who sold..

Tony: Yes, I have been working on the latest Luscious Jackson album for half the summer, and that should be out in April. Earlier this year, I produced local NY heroes D-Generation. Their first single, Helpless, is now on the soundtrack of the new motion-picture, “The Faculty”

Tony: I have also been slowly writing songs with Richard Barone of the Bongos, for his next solo album.

Helen2 either of you: do you think of glam as an English genre or something that started in the US and perfected in the UK?

David Bowie: you only have to check out the chord changes. NO ONE writes chord changes like that

Mick: Well, there was definitely a meeting of London and NY. In it’s finest form, Glam was definitely a British affair.

Bonster1 Have you heard the Soundtrack? Shawn Mullins Covers Chages pretty well

Tony: Yes, Shawn does a real great job.

David Bowie: I’m in my onrd over here. As usual

Raven What are your plans for the holidays Mick, Tony, and David?

Mick: Poor David. Boo-Hoo

Bianca who was the first who started Glam Rock in your opinion? Bolan or Bowie?

Mick: I already said Marc Bolan was Giltter Rock. David Bowie was Glam. It’s a subtle difference, but a definite difference.

David Bowie: Wee Willie Harris started glam. And I’m not joking

Sicco Well I just want to know what you think of Marilyn Manson as the new Glam rocker

David Bowie: Total you are wet willy

Mick: Marylin Manson is definitely an event, and he’s certainly taken up a lot of the glam accoutrements. But I would have said he’s more Alice Cooper than Ziggy Stardust.

Midge Is there really a difference between glam and glitter?

Mick: I think Glam was much more decadent than Glitter. In fact, decadent rock was another phrase used to describe the turf that Bowie, Lou Reed, and Iggy Pop trod.

Dodo Which album was the best of the Trilogy?

Tony: I take the Trilogy as a whole. I think they are equally very poignant albums. Which one do you think is the best, Dodo?

Helen2 LOW LOW LOW

Tony: Why?

David Bowie: John Lennon said Its just rock n roll with lipstick on. Of course, he was completely wrong but what a great guy

Helen2 Low is like an aural massage

Emilio Low is the best, period.

GlamGnome Where does Queen fit in? Glam or Glitter? How about Roxy Music?

Mick: I think Queen were, especially Freddie, were definitely Glammy. And Roxie Music was somewhere in-between.

David Bowie: lol

Emilio Low is the best, period.

David Bowie: Tony, is it true you are starting an online production course

Tony: I think Low was fabulous, but I think Heroes was the positive outcome of Low, which was a very dark album. Also, we recorded Heroes in a better studio than Low, and sonically, I think we did very well there.

Dodo Mercury said he was glam before Bowie did anything,what do you think?

Mick: That’s a very heavy question…

David Bowie: Tony, is it true you are starting an online production course

Tony: Only if you sign up.

JoniVeSadd Mick if you could photograph one of Davids alter ego’s or just David Bowie as himself who would u pic?

David Bowie: As Freddie asked me to produce their first album I would take that with a pinch of salt

Mick: I think I’d probably settle for one of the alter-egos. It’s safer.

Mick: For my health, that is.

David Bowie: is that a hint?

David Bowie: is that a hint?

Tony: No, it’s a blatant insult.

Dodo I think Bowie invented glam and stardom,don’t you?

Mick: But what about Gretta Garbo?

David Bowie: Ed: enough fairy glam now

Canney Tony: The Seahorses – what’s going on? Anything new?

Tony: Due to a big reshuffle at Geffen records, I think the Seahorses future on that label is very dubious, and that’s a bad thing.

Tony: I haven’t spoken to John Squire since the end of the album, and he has gone on to work with another producer, but I can’t tell you anything more than that, since we’re out of touch.

David Bowie: Tony, how did you meet May?

Tony: I first met May when you asked me to come and meet John Lennon at your hotel suite in the Hotel Pierre.

Tony: That’s when we were making Young Americans.

Tony: May, of course, was John’s girlfriend at the time.

David Bowie: Tony, how did you meet Boy George

Tony: I remember staying up all night, having lots of fun with you and John drawing pictures of each other, and May and I sitting on the sofa together watching you both. When I finally turned to May, who was silent all night, my first question was, “Does your father do Kung-Fu?”

David Bowie: Never wear a new girlfreiin front of Tony

Gilly Mick, is your heart alright?

Mick: Yes, my heart is very strong at the moment. In fact, I wrestle aligators for breakfast every day now. A very American activity, I might add.

David Bowie: lol

GeneralKelmar Tony have you ever met the great tom jones?

Tony: I have never met Tom Jones, but I would love to be able to sing just like him, or Boy George.

David Bowie: Mick’s heart is in the right place, next to his wallet.

Mick: That’s very cute. It’s very warm… Just like my wallet.

Freecloud Tony, what’s the hardest part about producing a David Bowie record?

Tony: The hardest part is to always be sure that the tape recorder is running, and the mic is working. He’s very fast, and nothing he does is a demo. It’s always for real.

GeneralKelmar Maybe Mick has some buttshots of tom hones?

Mick: What’s this fucking hang-up you’ve got with Tom Jones??

Canney Is Clinton fucked?

Mick: I doubt if he’s had very many blow-jobs lately.

Bianca How was it to be in Berlin doing “Heroes” that time, comparing to today, Tony? How was your reaction when the wall came down?

Tony: I fucking loved that wall. The other side of the wall was like stepping into a time machine that took you 30 years into the past.

Total Blam Blam Mick – Is the Ziggy book you were doing with UFO still gonna happen?

Mick: I was never going to do a Ziggy book with UFO. However….

Akhros Tony Mick Bowie do you have the feeling sometimes people are kissing your asses ?

David Bowie: Mick and I are doing something really great with all the Ziggy stuff. for 2002. watch out for that one

Mick: Would you pay for the privilege??

David Bowie: prefer it to having it kicked

David Bowie: yes

SpaceFace akros does pay for the privilege

Mick: Good man.

David Bowie: Grant Mitchel threw Tif down the stair. No argument!

Canney Mick: Is Rock your real surname or a pseudo?

Mick: Lou Reed always had a theory that my real name was Rockburger, and that I was from Long Island. But that’s not actually true.

David Bowie: I LOVE Eastenders. Next best to Chekov

Canney Where does it come from originally?

Mick: I was born in Shepphard’s Bush

David Bowie: I’ve book-marked all their sites

Orange Why did you became a photographer I tried it too but always felt to sleep in this dark room

Mick: I wish I knew. I’ve never been able to figure that out.

Dodo Which is David’s best haircut????

David Bowie: 87 witha touch of mohawk

Tony: The one I gave him in Berlin. He and Iggy wanted to blend in with the crowd of German working-men, so that they could go into a pub and be un-molested. As an italian, I always carry a pair of scissors with me. It’s in our blood.

Emilio Mick Rock: what do you think of digital photography? As practical as it may be, do you think it will ever match the beauty of a slide?

Mick: It’s a great new toy, but I’m addicted to film.

David Bowie: Being Italian Tony left his long so he could be molested by working class germen men

David Bowie: Being Italian Tony left his long so he could be molested by working class germen men

Tony: David, you promised we wouldn’t get into this.

Bianca Will there anymore live-footage released you filmed of David in the 72s like the Santa Monica-concert in 72? Anymore unseen live-footage that will be released soon, Mick?

Mick: Yes, there is a lot of unreleased footage.

Mick: David and I are discussing synchronizing the release of this material with the new Ziggy push in 2002.

Canney So how many shags in total do you two reckon you got in the 70s

Tony: We’ve had lashings of shags in the 70’s. Mick: But not so many in the 90’s.

JoniVeSadd Mick / Tony what was the last D.Bowie concert u were at?

Tony: We both saw David at the Super club in NY. Mick: Wonderful stuff. Vintage Bowie.

David Bowie: Speak for yourself Tony

Mick: Intimate, and close to the audience, just they way we like. Hot and Throbbing. Didn’t get shagged that night because the old lady had the painter’s in.

David Bowie: about the shaggs I mean

Dodo I WAS IN SUPPER CLUB!!!where were you?

Tony: I was upstairs in the balcony, stage right with my wife May Pang, and my boyfriend Carlos Alamar.

David Bowie: lol

SpaceFace arent your bots aching yet?mine is

Mick: Yes, I’ve nearly had enough of this nonsense. Ha ha ha.

Grazia Tony, convince David to make a tour before 2000!

David Bowie: my f— server is so slow

Tony: Go ahead, David. You’re better off. It’s good for you. Was that OK, Grazia?

Bianca What do you think of Placebo?

Mick: Very interesting.

David Bowie: im about two questions behind

Tony: I just met a group from a BBC TV show called Hype, that’s the show, the group is called Suburbia-very placebo. I like them.

Dodo They’re saying David’s a good actor…

Tony: Who started that rumor??

Tony: Actually, apart from his films, he was fabulous on Broadway. As the elephant man.

David Bowie: I did

Bianca What did think of Tin Machine? Would you like to produce the third Tin Machine album, Tony? I hope they will come back one day….

Tony: Reeves is a great player.

David Bowie: Ut was very hard work with Tony and Hunt. For too many reasons to go into here

Total Blam Blam I got offered the part of The Elephant Man first when David Lynch saw me with me todger hanging out and me trouser pockets turned out!

Tony: So what happened?

Akhros Hanging on : David Tony Mick are you expecting to offer a free live-concert to Iraq wounded people in two years (I know my questions are maybe awful but I am doing my best tonite !)?

Mick: We are planning to have tea with Saddam. Want to come?

David Bowie: Total is so talented isn’t he?

David Bowie: LOL

Tony: We intend to plan an Ecstasy drop on Iraq.

Tony: That should solve the problem.

We’ve been going for almost 2 hours now. Let’s wrap it up in 10 more questions.

David Bowie: Its not my height that’s impressive….

Freecloud Tony and mick, how tall is David REALLY?

Mick: Horizontal or Vertical??

Tony: He’s shorter than I remember.

Gilly David, is it true that your fellow actors swopped the pic of the “elephant man’s mother” for a porn pic, when you sat on the bed and had to say: my mother was so beautiful?

Mick: Gilly, get over it!

GlamGnome We haven’t talked about the drugs! What were your favs?

Mick: None of your business. What are yours?

David Bowie: as I just said Its not my HEIGHT that’s impressive. Its not the reason I got the elephant man role

Tony: Gilly, are you THE Gilly? Who’s trying to write the Mick Ronson book?

David Bowie: Mine were def: speed, coke or sometimes speedballs.

VernardsTwinningAphex Mick,suffering from those 70’s acid flashbacks???

We’re having one right now!

Can you smell our fear?

Gilly Too bad, but I’m the other THE Gilly

Total Blam Blam Can you smell my ear?

Mick: Can you smell my rear?

Zardoz What will you all be doing at midnight Dec 31st 1999?

Shouldn’t that be “WHO” will you all be doing….

Dodo What do you think of Ken Scott as a producer?

Tony: I think he is a fine producer, but a real excellent engineer. One of the best.

David Bowie: Getting laid

VernardsTwinningAphex Mick,it has been verified by a reliable source that you’re always seen at MINISTRY OF SOUND in LONDON,going through a midlife crisis???

Mick: Up Yours.

David Bowie: lolOLOLolo

Bianca How do you see internet today? Are you planning to release music also only online that you produced, Tony?

Tony: I think within a short period of time, it will be the only way to release music. Record companies, be scared. Be very scared.

Moderator: Of course, you can always check Tony and Mick at their web sites: http://www.tonyvisconti.com and http://www.mickrock.com

Moderator: Here is a special site that Mick Rock put together just for todays chat: http://www.mickrock.com/glam.htm give it a try!

David Bowie: Go to Tony’s site for a good time. Whats the URL Tony?

Tony: I haven’t been updated my web-site for about 6-months now, and I apologize. Hopefully, during the Holiday break, I will do that.

David Bowie: Im F—- Late Again. Story of my life…by Micheal Holliday

David’s on speaker-phone here in NY.

Mick Rock’s web-site was updated last week. Check it out for lots of images.

Mick: I’m writing a new book, check there for details.

Total Blam Blam Mick finally – did you ever get any decent pix of David in his nightie?

Mick: Only in the little pink baby-doll number.

Mick: The new book is about Glam, with a lot about Lindsey Kemp in it.

David Bowie: Blam Rock

Mick: I’m thinking of calling this new book Blood and Glitter.

Orange Mick did you read Angies book and how much is true or should I not ask this?

Mick: Every last word is true!

David: But you would, would’t you.

Orange I think David is gone

David notes that the boys have beaten the 2-hour Bowie-Net record.

David: Reeves and I have got to pick up the challenge in the future.

Orange I think David is gone

Tony: People have been saying that for years.

Mick: In fact, Lou Reed said exactly that to me the other night. And that is true!

KelMar666: If I buy a keg of beer we could hang out all night

Tony: with hot wings and professional wrestling.

David: Don’t you mean with professional wrestlers??

GlamGnome If Lou Reed is the King of New York what is David Bowie the king of?

Mick: That’s a very big question.

David: The King of Queens.

Dogpoop What do you all think of the New Romantic movement…and was it David’s fault?

Tony: Yes, it was definitely his fault.

Dodo Do you think David’s still a teenage idol?I think so.

David: No, I’m a 52-year old idol.

VernardsTwinningAphex Was it David’s fault that Boy george came about??

David: I would not take responsibility for Boy George’s coming…. or going!

David: but he’s a lovely lad.

Tony: You meant coming or Blowing, surely.

Tony: And yes, but what about Visage? Who’s to blame for that fiasco?

Total Blam Blam Mick and Tony? Are you answering for David now? Is he just too lazy to type?

Yes, we have David on speakerphone.

KelMar666: Mick who was the weirdest groupie you ever saw?

Mick: There was this stripper who was missing two front teeth who claimed to have some very intimate knowledge of David Bowie. It was the UK Club, on 3rd.

David: That was Angela, my ex-wife.

Total Blam Blam Did she have her two front teeth removed so she could blow David without opening her mouth?

Tony: Didn’t they all??

David: At least the rest of her teeth were real.

KelMar666: can total and I be your next guests if we promise to be really naughty?

David: It depends upon what you’ll be wearing…

David: But if Blam’s wearing man’s clothes, then definitely not!

Last question please. (We’ve had a wonderful time)

Dogpoop Ok since we’re going for tacky questions? What are you’re favourite brand of dildos?

Tony: Pocket-Rocket.

Orange David is there any kind of sport you like and surprise us?

Mick: David likes Cricket. Tony: Or water sports.

David: Now we’ve reached the dildo questions, Tony feels it can only go down. Pun intended.

David: Once again, thank you for your witty and intelligent questions.

David: And we’re all proud to be associated with you.

David: Except for Blam Blam.

Tony: Thank you for the intelligent and not-so-intelligent. They were all equally amusing.

Mick: Thank you for your time, I shan’t be back.

Moderator: Of course, you can always check Tony and Mick at their web sites: http://www.tonyvisconti.com and http://www.mickrock.com

Moderator: thanks again guys…that it for tonight…..

Tony, Mick, and David have left the building.

David Bowie: see ya later folks

*** bowie (ronroy@chat01) has left #GlamChat
Session Close: Thu Dec 17 22:55:55 1998