Bowie: A Biography - JFK247

“She’s Got Medals” (which is more or less Love’s
“Seven and Seven Is” in tempo and melody and
indicated that Bowie could rock credibly), the
Hammer Films–worthy “Please Mr. Gravedigger,”
and the Peter Sellers–influenced “We Are Hungry
Men.”
Visconti did not know that Bowie was there that
day, waiting in the office by a piano, eager to give
anything that might catch fire a shot. Bowie didn’t
know much about Visconti, only that he was from
New York City, from whence his new heroes the
Velvet Underground hailed.
“I realized this casual encounter was a setup,”
Visconti recalled. Bowie nervously shook hands with
the American. By the end of the day they had
warmed up a lot and realized they had a real musical
affinity for one another. Visconti was impressed that
Bowie was so well versed in rock ’n’ roll, R & B and
soul, as well as music hall show tunes, West Coast
“cool” jazz and Beat-generation novelty recordings
like Ken Nordine’s loony Colors series of jazz
poetry. It may be not be irrelevant to point out the
timing of the Bowie/Visconti union in relation to
David’s reaction to his older brother’s misfortune.
Visconti was a tough, confident American, three
years Bowie’s senior. While unable to replace Terry
or heal the wounds that Bowie’s half brother’s illness
was then inflicting, Tony Visconti would certainly take
on an older-brother role in his life, and to fail to note
the significant timing of their partnership and
friendship would be silly.