David Bowie Tribute: Rare Footage from First Visit to Croatia

David Bowie (photo/screenshot)

Legendary singer-songwriter David Bowie passed away aged 69…

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” a statement posted on his official social media account read.

The influential singer-songwriter and producer was famous for his 40-year-long career which saw him experiment and excelled in everything from glam rock, art rock, and soul, to hard rock, electronica and punk.

Born and raised in South London, Bowie’s first hit song, “Space Oddity”, reached the top five of the UK Singles Chart after its release in July 1969. In 1972, during the glam rock era, he had the hit single “Starman” and the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

Bowie arrives at Zagreb airport

In 1975, Bowie achieved his first major success in the United States with the number-one single “Fame”. He then had UK number ones with “Ashes to Ashes” and “Under Pressure”, a 1981 collaboration with Queen. He then reached a new commercial peak in 1983 with Let’s Dance, which yielded several hit singles. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including blue-eyed soul, industrial, adult contemporary, and jungle. He stopped touring after his 2003–04 Reality Tour, and last performed live at a charity event in 2006.

On his birthday last Thursday he released his 25th album – Blackstar.

Maksimir stadium in 1990 for the Bowie concert

Bowie toured Croatia for the first time in 1990 and played to 50,000 people at Zagreb’s Maksimir stadium. Check out archive footage courtesy of HRT of Bowie arriving in Croatia here and the atmosphere at the concert back on that day here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKd-lMFuWl8