For a life that’s full of changes, sometimes you’ve got to turn and face the strange.
Michael Bell’s music career went from lip sync performances in his backyard with his middle school friends as back up dancers, to months on the road as a Bowie tribute artist, to a quieter life as the publisher of a music magazine, then back to the stage performing Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra hits, and finally back to his roots and inspiration – David Bowie.
Bell is bringing his Bowie tribute back to the stage with a show called Bowie Lives, which is coming to Collingwood on July 7 as part of the Peak to Shore music festival lineup.
“I didn’t expect to do another Bowie tribute in my life,” said Bell, who had a tribute show in the 1980s that kept him on the road a lot. “I’m a huge fan. If there was one artist that influenced me most in my life - from fashion to music to business - it was him. It’s an honour to perform his music again.”
Bell bought his first Bowie album at 14 years old. Bell was a self-proclaimed weirdo and immediately identified with Bowie.
Bell dressed like Bowie and even wore makeup to high school. As he became an adult, he started to understand other things Bowie was doing behind the scenes with his business and the tactics Bowie used to push himself forward.
“I cut my teeth learning how to sing like him and move like him on stage,” said Bell. “It’s really something that’s a big part of me and is the reason I came out to do it.”
Bell said he liked seeing Bowie as just a person who was shy, but who played a role on stage and wrote great tunes.
“He’s just a real person as opposed to being a rock star,” said Bell.
Bell is a magazine publisher, he’s been a candidate for parliament twice, a musician, a husband, a father and while he was on the road he won a Q107 award.
“I’ve worn a million different hats,” said Bell.
Naturally, Bell’s favourite Bowie song is Changes.
“It’s a great song, and it fully described me in the life I’ve led,” said Bell. “It’s like he wrote the song for me, and for many people who go through their life trying lots of things and trying to get it right.”
Bell went back on the road about three years ago with the Bowie Lives show and a tribute to Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “I’m having the time of my life.”
Bell gives high praise to the Bowie Lives band and says it’s because of their talent the Bowie Lives show gives audiences the best of Bowie in a high-quality performance.
Bowie Lives will be one of 32 acts that will perform over five days at 10 venues throughout the Blue Mountains and Collingwood area for Peak to Shore music festival, which takes place in Collingwood and The Blue Mountains from July 4 to 8. Bowie Lives will be performing on July 7 at Harbour Street Fish Bar at 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
