Legend Credentials:

Ch… Ch… Changes…

David Robert Jones was born in Brixton in 1947. In 1966, he was to change his name to David Bowie, to avoid confusion with the Monkees star Davey Jones. At the time it was a seemingly straightforward showbiz switch – but it was to be the first move in a series of theatrical reincarnations which would mark out the career of the most inventive, creative and forward-thinking rock star we’ve ever seen.

First came the flamboyant rock star, the androgynous Ziggy Stardust and Thin White Duke. Later came Bowie the film director, the visual artist, the internet entrepreneur and the actor, most notably as The Man Who Fell to Earth. But, it’s as a remarkable singer that we know and love him best. He’s sold an estimated 136 million albums: one of the best selling acts in UK pop history.

Bowie was rocketed into public consciousness in 1969 by “Space Oddity”, a track that showcased his grasp of psychedelic rock and the unique line he had in the theatrical, unique styling and eyeliner that were to become his hallmarks. His career has seen him embracing, and developing Traditional Rock, Glam Rock, Electropop, New Romanticism and a brief foray into MTV friendly 80's dance.

With his deliberately shocking onstage performances, risqué alter egos and flamboyant costume, Bowie brought camp glamour to the mainstream.

His music defined eras from glam rock to plastic soul to Berlin-esque new wave. He is one of the most referenced and sampled artists in contemporary culture. In July 1999 David Bowie was voted as the "Biggest Music Star of the 20th Century" in a poll of the Sun newspaper and in 2000, a poll of contemporary artists voted him the "Most Influential Artist of All Time" in NME magazine.

He's always been “ahead of the curve”. He's been an artist who's constantly reinvented himself. To this day, Bowie has pursued his own artistic vision and continued to develop as an artist. Always seeking out the new, the exciting and the other.

A true hero.

The Original Song:

Written in and about Berlin. Bowie moved to Germany in 1977 to escape the stresses of touring and fame in UK and US renting a small flat above a garage with Iggy Pop.

This song tells the story of a German couple who are so determined to be together that they meet every day under a gun turret on The Berlin Wall.

Eno has said: "It's a beautiful song. But incredibly melancholy at the same time. We can be heroes, but actually we know that something's missing, something's lost."

Uncut placed "Heroes" as #1 in its 30 greatest Bowie songs in 2008

Classic Clip:

Still a staple of Bowie’s live set – and as Bowie says:” It's a bitch to sing, 'cos I really have to give it some towards the end. I pace myself throughout the show and often place it near to a point where I can take a vocal break afterwards. As long as I'm touring I don't see a time when I won't be singing 'Heroes.' It's a good one to belt out and I get a kick out of it every time." Here he is. Proving just that.