7/6/2025
Let me open this review by saying: Backstage Passes by Angela Bowie is, above all, incredibly entertaining. Angela’s storytelling is vivid and captivating, and her narration—especially in the audiobook version—is strong and clear, making it accessible even for those with hearing loss. It’s a book that pulls you into the glittering, chaotic world of 1970s rock and roll, and it does so with style.
Angela Bowie is a master of name-dropping, and her anecdotes make you feel like you’re right there, living through the wild days of Ziggy Stardust and beyond. The book is packed with stories that will delight any fan of David Bowie or anyone curious about the backstage world of rock legends.
However, for all its entertainment value, the book leaves some significant gaps. If you’re hoping for a deep, personal portrait of Angela herself, you may come away disappointed. Despite being the author, Angela remains something of a mystery. We see glimpses of her as a strong, competent woman—fashionably dressed, business-minded, and instrumental in David Bowie’s early success—but the book rarely delves beneath the surface.
One of the most noticeable omissions is Angela’s life after David Bowie. For example, while it’s known she was engaged to the punk rocker Drew Blood (real name Andrew Lipka) during her divorce, he is never mentioned in the book. This absence is puzzling, especially since Angela played such a significant role in shaping David’s career; it raises the question of whether she hoped to do the same for Drew Blood. Yet, by 1993, when the book was published, it seems that chapter was already closed—and left unspoken.
Similarly, Angela’s relationship with her son is touched on only briefly and somewhat cryptically. She describes losing contact with him after the divorce, attributing it to circumstances and finances, but the details are vague. The story of her son attending a military academy—something that seems at odds with David Bowie’s persona—adds to the mystery. It’s hard not to wonder if more could have been done to maintain that relationship, but the book doesn’t offer much insight.
Despite these omissions, Backstage Passes is full of fascinating anecdotes and offers a unique window into a legendary era. Still, readers should approach it as a collection of stories rather than a comprehensive autobiography. Some tales may be exaggerated, and some truths may remain hidden.
This is a link to Angela Bowie’s Official Website which has been newly designed and highly improved.
I highly recommend Backstage Passes for anyone interested in the world of David Bowie, 1970s rock, or celebrity memoirs in general. Just don’t expect to find all the answers or the full story of Angela Bowie herself. Hopefully someone she will write her autobiography.
Macy Makes Magic 