by Andrew Trendell Staff | Photos by wenn

Tags: David Bowie 

Previously unreleased David Bowie demo 'To Be Love' appears online?

The track was recorded in 1970

 

David Bowie new unheard song demo To Be Love appears online, Blackstar Photo: wenn

An unreleased David Bowie demo has appeared online - check out 'To Be Love' from 1970 below. 

The track was released online in memory of the late, great Blackstar icon and has been unveiled by the Mind Body Network and the song's writer, Ron De Strulle.

Strulle says that the pair met in Los Angeles in 1970 while Bowie's manager was trying to secure him a US record deal. While there, they worked on a number of demoes together, including 'To Be Love' - an airy, somewhat psychedelic and freeform jaunt. 

Listen to the track below, or download it for free here

“He was looking to create a couple of signature styles to promote to the record companies,” de Strulle said. “David brought ideas and lyrics and we cut some rough tracks. If I played a few bars on the keyboard, he could see the whole picture and he could integrate it into his own work.”

He continued: “David could pick up an instrument and play anything. He would say ‘I never played this instrument before,’ and then he would cut loose and play. Pure genius.” 

The rock icon released his incredible 25th album Blackstar earlier this year - later revealed to be Bowie's 'parting gift' to the world, as he would die from his 18 month battle with cancer just days later, at the age of 69. 

Then, his producer, friend and longtime Tony Visconti has spoken of The Thin White Duke's final weeks - revealing that he had started work on another record

"At that late stage, he was planning the follow-up to 'Blackstar', and I was thrilled,” Visconti told Rolling Stone. “And I thought, and he thought, that he’d have a few months, at least. Obviously, if he’s excited about doing his next album, he must’ve thought he had a few more months. So the end must’ve been very rapid. I’m not privy to it. I don’t know exactly, but he must’ve taken ill very quickly after that phone call.”

MORE: Why David Bowie will always be with us

It has also been reported that a deluxe version of Blackstar with yet more new and unheard songs is expected later this year

Below: David Bowie - the artists he inspired


Andrew Trendell

Staff

Gigwise.com Editor

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