Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: The Early Years and Rise to Fame
The Early Years and Rise to Fame
Knowledge check
Q1. What was David Bowie's birth name?
- A. David Jones
- B. David Robert Jones ✓
- C. David Bowie Jones
- D. David William Jones
Why: David Bowie was born as David Robert Jones.
Q2. In which year was David Bowie born?
- A. 1940
- B. 1943 ✓
- C. 1947
- D. 1950
Why: David Bowie was born on January 8, 1943.
Q3. Which of the following was David Bowie's first major hit?
- A. Space Oddity ✓
- B. Heroes
- C. Ziggy Stardust
- D. Ashes to Ashes
Why: "Space Oddity" was David Bowie's first major hit, released in 1969.
Q4. What was the name of David Bowie's first band?
- A. The London Symphony Orchestra
- B. The Hype ✓
- C. The Man Who Sold the World
- D. The Buzz
Why: David Bowie's first band was called The Hype, which later became The King's Men.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a nickname for David Bowie?
- A. Ziggy Stardust
- B. The Thin White Duke
- C. The Chameleon of Rock
- D. The Velvet Underground ✓
Why: "The Velvet Underground" was not a nickname for David Bowie; it was the name of a different band.
Module 2
Module 2: Stylistic Evolution and Innovation
Stylistic Evolution and Innovation
Module 3
Module 3: The Ziggy Stardust Era
Module 4
Module 4: Music and Visual Artistry
Music and Visual Artistry
Knowledge check
Q1. What was the name of David Bowie's 1972 album that featured the song "Starman"?
- A. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars ✓
- B. Aladdin Sane
- C. Hunky Dory
- D. The Man Who Fell to Earth
Why: "Starman" is from the album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars".
Q2. Which of the following best describes David Bowie's visual style during his Ziggy Stardust era?
- A. Minimalist and plain
- B. Elaborate and flamboyant ✓
- C. Rustic and country
- D. Dark and gothic
Why: During the Ziggy Stardust era, Bowie's style was known for being elaborate, flamboyant, and theatrical.
Q3. What was the name of David Bowie's alter ego during the Ziggy Stardust period?
- A. Aladdin Sane
- B. Ziggy Stardust ✓
- C. The Thin White Duke
- D. Major Tom
Why: Ziggy Stardust was the alter ego Bowie adopted during this period, representing a fictional character.
Q4. Which of the following artists was heavily influenced by David Bowie's integration of music and visual artistry?
- A. Elton John
- B. Prince
- C. Madonna
- D. All of the above ✓
Why: David Bowie's influence on music and visual artistry impacted many artists, including Elton John, Prince, and Madonna.
Q5. What was the name of the iconic fashion designer who worked with David Bowie on his Ziggy Stardust look?
- A. Yves Saint Laurent
- B. Jean Paul Gaultier
- C. Maurice Lacroix
- D. Kansai Yamamoto ✓
Why: Kansai Yamamoto was the designer responsible for creating the iconic Ziggy Stardust wardrobe.
Module 5
Module 5: Influence on Pop Culture
Influence on Pop Culture
Knowledge check
Q1. Which of the following artists was heavily influenced by David Bowie's androgynous style and theatrical performances?
- A. Elton John
- B. Lady Gaga ✓
- C. Elvis Presley
- D. Bob Dylan
Why: Lady Gaga has often cited David Bowie as a major influence on her fashion and performance style, particularly his androgynous image and theatrical flair.
Q2. In which decade did David Bowie's influence on pop culture become most pronounced?
- A. 1950s
- B. 1960s
- C. 1970s ✓
- D. 1980s
Why: During the 1970s, David Bowie's influence on pop culture reached its peak with the release of albums like 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' and his iconic performances.
Q3. What was the name of David Bowie's alter ego that became a symbol of his influence on pop culture?
- A. The Thin White Duke
- B. Ziggy Stardust ✓
- C. Major Tom
- D. Aladdin Sane
Why: Ziggy Stardust was David Bowie's most famous alter ego, representing his influence on pop culture through his flamboyant and theatrical persona.
Q4. Which of the following fashion trends was popularized by David Bowie in the 1970s?
- A. Floral prints
- B. Leather jackets and tight pants ✓
- C. Denim overalls
- D. Flannel shirts
Why: David Bowie popularized the fashion trend of leather jackets and tight pants during the 1970s, particularly through his Ziggy Stardust persona.
Q5. Which of the following musicians has not been influenced by David Bowie's work?
- A. Marilyn Manson
- B. Madonna
- C. Katy Perry
- D. Elvis Presley ✓
Why: Elvis Presley was a major influence on David Bowie, not the other way around. His style and music were more aligned with earlier rock and roll traditions.
Module 6
Module 6: Collaborations and Cross-Genre Work
Collaborations and Cross-Genre Work
Knowledge check
Q1. Which artist did David Bowie collaborate with on the song 'Heroes'?
- A. Iggy Pop
- B. Brian Eno ✓
- C. Laurie Anderson
- D. Mick Jagger
Why: 'Heroes' was co-written by David Bowie and Brian Eno, and it is one of the most iconic songs from Bowie's Berlin Trilogy.
Q2. Which album features David Bowie's collaboration with Queen?
- A. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
- B. A Kind of Magic ✓
- C. Let's Dance
- D. Blackstar
Why: David Bowie and Queen collaborated on the song 'Under Pressure', which appears on Queen's album 'A Kind of Magic'.
Q3. Which genre did David Bowie explore in his collaboration with the jazz musician Herbie Hancock?
- A. Funk
- B. Jazz ✓
- C. Electronic
- D. Country
Why: David Bowie collaborated with Herbie Hancock on the album 'Black and Blue', which is a fusion of jazz and rock.
Q4. Which of the following artists did David Bowie NOT collaborate with during the 1980s?
- A. Lionel Richie
- B. Mick Jagger
- C. Tina Turner
- D. Elton John ✓
Why: David Bowie and Elton John did not collaborate during the 1980s. Their most famous collaboration was on the song 'The Long and Winding Road' in the 1970s.
Q5. Which of the following songs was a collaboration between David Bowie and Bing Crosby?
- A. The Star-Spangled Banner
- B. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy ✓
- C. Heroes
- D. Space Oddity
Why: David Bowie and Bing Crosby recorded a version of 'Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy' for the 1995 album 'The Magic of Christmas'.
Module 7
Module 7: Legacy and Impact on Modern Music
Legacy and Impact on Modern Music
Knowledge check
Q1. What is one of David Bowie's most significant contributions to modern music?
- A. Creating the first rock album
- B. Pioneering the concept of artistic reinvention ✓
- C. Inventing the electric guitar
- D. Writing the first rock song
Why: David Bowie is widely recognized for his ability to constantly reinvent his image, style, and sound, influencing countless artists to embrace change and experimentation in their own work.
Q2. Which of the following artists has been heavily influenced by David Bowie's style and music?
- A. Elvis Presley
- B. Taylor Swift
- C. Lady Gaga ✓
- D. Michael Jackson
Why: Lady Gaga has publicly acknowledged David Bowie's influence on her music and performance style, particularly his bold and eccentric approach to art.
Q3. What was the name of David Bowie's alter ego during the 1970s?
- A. Ziggy Stardust
- B. Aladdin Sane
- C. The Thin White Duke
- D. All of the above ✓
Why: David Bowie used multiple alter egos during the 1970s, including Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and The Thin White Duke, each representing different aspects of his artistic persona.
Q4. Which of the following is a legacy of David Bowie's impact on modern music?
- A. The rise of punk rock
- B. The increase in music video production
- C. The acceptance of androgyny in pop culture
- D. All of the above ✓
Why: David Bowie's influence can be seen in the rise of punk rock, the growth of music videos, and the broader acceptance of androgyny and gender fluidity in pop culture.
Q5. What was the name of David Bowie's final album, released in 2016?
- A. Blackstar ✓
- B. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
- C. Heroes
- D. Low
Why: David Bowie's final album, released just two weeks before his death, was titled 'Blackstar,' and it was critically acclaimed for its artistic depth and innovation.