David Bowie faced criticism from the BBC’s Talent Selection Group in the 1960s, who described him as an “amateur” and his band as “devoid of personality.” Despite this, Bowie went on to have a successful career and appeared in numerous BBC specials and documentaries. The first negative experience with the BBC came in November 1965 when Bowie’s band at the time, The Lower Third, auditioned for a TV spot. The Talent Selection Group reported that the band was “an inoffensive pleasant nothing” with no entertainment value. They also criticized Bowie’s vocals as amateurish and out of tune.
Tom Hagler, the author of ‘Bowie at the BBC: A Life in Interviews,’ believes that this criticism was a significant moment for Bowie’s career. The BBC had a monopoly on the nation’s airways, and the panel’s decision could make or break a career. Despite two panel members showing support for Bowie, five voted against him. This rejection from the BBC forced Bowie to struggle in his attempts to break into the music industry from the age of 15.
Bowie’s breakthrough came with his hit song ‘Space Oddity’ in 1969, which coincided with the moon landing. As the BBC started to take him seriously, he received support from DJ John Peel. However, when Bowie appeared on the Dave Lee Travis Show in 1969, he refused to play ‘Space Oddity’ in retaliation for years of snubs from the BBC. ‘Bowie at the BBC: A Life in Interviews’ collects 35 of David Bowie’s conversations from over 40 years on BBC TV and radio shows, offering a unique perspective on his career.