David Bowie's first night in the States has gone down in rock legend as an important early step in his journey to global superstardom. The trip is the plot of a new film, Stardust, a movie that has been deemed controversial for its liberal reinterpretation of historical events. Ron Oberman, an instrumental force in Bowie’s early career, died in 2019. But his brother Michael recounted the famous visit in his new book, Fast Forward, Play and Rewind.

Bonus Episode: Michael Oberman Recalls Hosting David Bowie on His First Night in America in 1971

Off the Record is a new in-depth music biography series that profiles the extraordinary life of an iconic artist over the course of each season. Music journalist Jordan Runtagh (People, Rolling Stone, EW and VH1) offers a revelatory look at the human behind the hits through rich, dramatic storytelling, extensive research, and interviews with those who knew them best. You know the songs, now meet the legends.

Music

Music History

This exclusive podcast from Rolling Stone tells the stories behind the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield dissect Rolling Stone's iconic list and explore the magic and mythology behind the songs on this in-depth new series. From classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” to The Ronettes' “Be My Baby,” and modern-era hits like The Killers' “Mr. Brightside,” and Britney Spears' “...Baby One More Time," we talk to artists and insiders about what makes these the greatest songs of all time.
Listen here and subscribe to Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Music icon Paul Anka and business visionary Skip Bronson are dear friends, and together they boast two of the greatest Rolodexes in Hollywood. Now they're inviting their famous friends to sit down for intimate chats about their lives and work. You'll get to know icons of film, music, television, sports and technology in a whole new way. Listen to Our way with Paul Anka and Skip Bronson on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Listen here and subscribe to Our Way with Paul Anka and Skip Bronson on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing: Our Way with Paul Anka and Skip Bronson

Our final episode on the life (or lives) of David Bowie begins and ends with a birthday. We start in 2013, when David reentered public life nearly a decade after his heart attack with the surprise release of “Where Are We Now," his first new song in a decade. The story concludes with 'Blackstar,’ an album that many believe was his parting gift as he faced down the illness that would claim his body two days after its release on David’s 69th birthday.

Epilogue: Lazarus (2013-2016)

Today we present a conversation with funk guitar icon Carlos Alomar. One of David’s most crucial musical collaborators, Carlos played on 11 of David’s albums, including classics like 'Young Americans,' ’Station to Station,’  the Berlin Trilogy, and ‘Scary Monster (and Super Creeps).' — and he also co-wrote his first American number one, "Fame."

Bonus Episode: Bowie's Guitarist Carlos Alomar on Recording 'Young Americans' and the Berlin Trilogy, Co-Writing 'Fame' and Funking Up David's Music for 30 Years

Our latest chapter covered David Bowie’s creative renaissance in the ‘90s and early 2000s. The records that he made in this period are often overlooked but rank among the most experimental of his career, as he rejoined formative ‘70s collaborators like Brian Eno and Tony Visconti to create some of the most daring music he ever made. But one crucial collaborator during this period was new to Bowie’s circle — bassist Gail Ann Dorsey.

Bonus Episode: Michael Oberman Recalls Hosting David Bowie on His First Night in America in 1971

Download our free app to listen on your phone