Our latest chapter followed young David Bowie as he struggled to find his place in the Mod music scene of swinging sixties London. It was an exciting yet frustrating time for him as he fronted a lengthy list of doomed R&B bands — so close, yet so far from headliners like the Beatles, the Who and the Rolling Stones. Jordan spoke to one of David’s closest friends during that crucial learning period — Dana Gillespie, the legendary British blues singer whose career spans more than 70 albums. Her new memoir, Weren’t Born A Man, is a fascinating look at her astonishing life at the center of the entertainment scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It’s filled with tales of wild times with Bob Dylan, Elton John, Jimmy Page, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, and so many more. But back in 1964, Dana was just another teenage music hopeful. Just like David. They shared songs, laughter, beds (on occasion), and  unforgettable memories of a time when they were just starting out and the Fab Four ruled the land. 

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Our latest chapter followed young David Bowie as he struggled to find his place in the Mod music scene of swinging sixties London. It was an exciting yet frustrating time for him as he fronted a lengthy list of doomed R&amp;B bands — so close, yet so far from headliners like the Beatles, the Who and the Rolling Stones. Jordan spoke to one of David’s closest friends during that crucial learning period — Dana Gillespie, the legendary British blues singer whose career spans more than 70 albums. Her new memoir, Weren’t Born A Man, is a fascinating look at her astonishing life at the center of the entertainment scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It’s filled with tales of wild times with Bob Dylan, Elton John, Jimmy Page, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, and so many more. But back in 1964, Dana was just another teenage music hopeful. Just like David. They shared songs, laughter, beds (on occasion), and unforgettable memories of a time when they were just starting out and the Fab Four ruled the land.  Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

Off the Record is a new in-depth music biography series that profiles the extraordinary life of an iconic artist over the course of each season. Music journalist Jordan Runtagh (People, Rolling Stone, EW and VH1) offers a revelatory look at the human behind the hits through rich, dramatic storytelling, extensive research, and interviews with those who knew them best. You know the songs, now meet the legends.

Off The Record: David Bowie

'Off the Record' interviews David Bowie's early girlfriend Dana Gillespie about coming of age in '60s.

Bonus Episode: Dana Gillespie Remembers Her Teenage Romance with Bowie and Life as a Swinging Sixties 'It Girl'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4f7d30f1-96ef-4f66-81c5-ae32000f57f7/transcript