Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I cannot find the reference but read some time ago that Lennon co-wrote "Fame" with David Bowie. Has anyone else read this and do you have the reference?

It's listed on the writing credits. I've read that John's hand was more inspirational than anything, and James Brown was very choked that Carlos Alomar lifted that lick from one of his tunes (was it 'the Big Payback'?).

He sang on the track with Bowie as well...that and "Sufferagette City"....

The album in question is Bowie's "Young Americans" LP. Lennon did indeed co-wrote "Fame" and also provided guitar on that track. He also played guitar on Bowie's version of "Across The Universe". He did not sing on "Sufferagette City".

Sorry.....I thought he helped out on the "Hey Man"(s) and sang a unison part in the chorus...

Did Lennon sing "turn and face the strains (whatever that word is), ch, ch, changes" the backup vocal in "Changes" by Bowie? It sure sounds like Lennon to me.

Had to be Lennon on that, I agree.

Lennon's only involvement with Bowie was on the "Young Americans" LP. He did not sing on any other Bowie song.

Jeff, I'm not questioning whether your response is correct, but what is your authority on that? Bear in mind that the various Beatles sometimes appeared on recordings without credit because of record company contract disputes. I'm specifically thinking of George Harrison's appearance on some recordings (sorry can't think of the band names) as "P.Roducer" and McCartney playing on Badfinger records without credit.

I suggest you check out a book called "BEATLES UNDERCOVER" by Kristofer Englehardt which was published in August 1998. It's 552 pages of every single "guest" appearance made by John, Paul, George, and Ringo as either producer, session player, co-writer, etc. up to 1998. Also Castleman & Podrazik's books "All Together Now" and "The Beatles Again" well document this subject as well. I'm sure there's always a possibility of an uncredited or undocumented guest appearance that may have happened. I claim to be no authority. I'm only as good as the info provided.
"Do What Thou Wilt".

Thanks, I will check out those books. Everytime I hear that back-up vocal in "Changes" I just can't help but think how much it sounds like Lennon.

I'm sure a lot of folks felt the same way hearing "Lies" by the Knickerbockers for the first time. Here's the web site for "BEATLES UNDERCOVER" if anyone is interested: http://www.cgpublishing.com/undrcovr.htm.

Isn't it a sad comment on "today's" music scene that there's so very little that's as fascinating as the questions that have been posed here? And it's not just because we (some of us!) are older, looking back... It's really that the pop and rock music of the time was better. Was that John singing with Bowie? Was Paul singing with Donovan on "Mellow Yellow"? (No, on that one.) Was Thunderclap Newman really Pete Townshend? (I still don't know for sure...)

But the popular music scene was more interesting, and more exciting. I doubt that 30 or 40 years from now, many people will still be talking about today's current "stars"... But I bet they'll still be discussing the artists we're talking about here.

Couldn't agree with you more, Gene. Today's high profile pop music is shallow in the extreme and a telling reflection of our current "here today/gone tomorrow" throwaway culture. The music industry is dominated by a corporate mind-set driven by a primal lust for instant maximum profits. This is unlikely to ever change. Those of us who resent the culture of the superficial are swimming against a powerful tide. The Dick Clark mentality will never leave us.

However, to be fair, I'm reminded of a statement made by Keith Richards a few years ago. When asked about the non-originality of much of today's music, he responded that it was understandable considering that it had already been done. And he's right; there isn't much new ground left to explore. The schlock that's being dished out for consumption by the masses is really nothing new-- it's just had a godawful, no-talent spin put on it. There's absolutely no soul or feeling to it whatsoever, and that's why no one will really remember it 10 years from now.

A pretty sad commentary on our times. Let those of us who were fortunate enough to experience the music scene when we did be forever thankful. I wouldn't trade it for any other.

Jeffrey and Gene: I concur that the 1960s was an exciting time when it comes to Rock and Roll and the British Invasion. The Beatles surely go to the head of the pack in every aspect. Imagine holding the top five positions on the charts at the same time. Who has done it before and who has done it since? When I think of "Rubber Soul", "Revolver", "Sgt. Pepper" and on, every cut a gem in its own way. The current scene pales by comparison.