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David Bowie, the iconic British musician, surprised fans and scholars posthumously with the discovery of a secret final project hidden in his study. While his last album, Blackstar, was his parting gift before his death in 2016, Bowie had also embarked on another venture in his final months – an “18th Century musical” named The Spectator. Unbeknownst to even his closest collaborators, the notes detailing this project were found locked in his study, only to be unearthed in 2016 and later donated to the V&A Museum alongside the rest of Bowie’s archive.
Revealed exclusively to the BBC, Bowie’s notes shed light on his deep fascination with 18th Century London, delving into art, satire, and criminal elements of the era. The Spectator project, had it been completed, would have fulfilled one of Bowie’s lifelong ambitions to write for theatre and engage with a broad audience beyond his living room. Featuring stories of criminal gangs and the infamous thief “Honest” Jack Sheppard, the musical promised to be a unique and historical exploration into London society of the time.
The notes pinned to the walls and stored in Bowie’s office in New York were left undisturbed until archivists began cataloguing his belongings. Fans and scholars alike will soon have the opportunity to explore these artifacts and delve into Bowie’s creative process when the David Bowie Centre opens at the V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick. The collection showcases not just Bowie’s musical genius but also his keen interest in history, art, and storytelling, providing a deeper understanding of the enigmatic artist’s creative vision and influences.
With Bowie’s meticulous research into The Spectator, a daily publication that ran in the early 18th Century, and his exploration of themes such as crime, satire, and social commentary, the musician’s project offers a glimpse into a bygone era filled with intrigue and vibrant personalities. By examining London society through the lens of the past, Bowie sought to draw parallels between the Enlightenment period and the modern world, raising questions about the role of artists in shaping political discourse and societal change. As fans
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