Bowie’s 1980 sake ads for Crystal Jun Rock were the first TV commercials he ever appeared in, and before you call him a sell-out (I mean, really), Bowie gave an interview explaining why he did the ads:
There are three reasons. The first one being that no one has ever asked me to do it before. And the money is a very useful thing. And the third, I think it’s very effective that my music is on television twenty times a day. I think my music isn’t for radio.
“I am an android; I look like a human.”
Parco is/was a Japanese clothing store. Mr. Gary Numan, he of “Cars” fame, the toast of Japan at that time, uses his influence to advertize their wares. Kazumi Kurigami is one of Japan’s leading commercial photographers and TV commercial directors. Put all these together, and you have staying power.
The aura of Talking Heads just grows and grows every year fans are denied a reunion. Don’t worry, it’s never going to happen. Watch this documentary made in 1979 about the band and you’ll realize how strong their own beliefs in themselves and the music they were creating might have sat uneasily with the behaviour and sloppiness of the other New York-based CBGB-era artists, but only because David Byrne and company demanded more of themselves. More Songs About Buildings and Food, Fear of Music, Remain in Light, go get them now.
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Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.
Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com
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