51 years ago today,David Bowiemade a move that few rock stars at the height of their fame would dare attempt.
On February 21, 1975, the released "Young Americans," a single that signaled a dramaticdeparture from the glittering glam personathat had defined his early '70ssuccess. The man who had soared into pop culture as Ziggy Stardust pivoted sharply into what he famously called "plastic soul," embracing American R&B with aconfidencethat both surprised and divided fans.
The track—later featured on theYoung Americansalbum released a month later in March 1975—wasn't just an experiment. It was a reinvention. Bowie traveled to Philadelphia to record at Sigma Sound Studios, immersing himself in the rich textures of the city's soul movement. ProducerTony Visconti, who had worked with Bowie since 1968, recalled the initial resistance they faced. "We were going to the birthplace of so many hits," Visconti toldThe Postin March 2025."But [Kenny] Gamble and [Leon] Huff, they didn't want to work with us." He added, "They actually said, 'We don't want no white boy stealing ourmusic' or something like that."
Advertisement
🎶SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture & music news delivered right to your inbox🎶
Undeterred, Bowie built his own soul-infused band, bringing in musicians likeAndy Newmark,Willie Weeks,David Sanborn, and a risingLuther Vandrosson backing vocals. And that reinvention also led to an unexpected chart milestone later that year.
During theYoung Americanssessions in New York,John Lennonstopped by the studio—and what began as a loose jam sessionturned into something much bigger. Bowie and guitaristCarlos Alomarhad been working on a groove when Lennon started improvising over it, playfully repeating a word that caught Bowie's attention: "Fame."
The song went on to become Bowie's first No. 1 hit in the United States, topping the Billboard Hot 100, proving his reinvention paid off at the highest level.
Bowie died in 2016 at 69 from liver cancer.
This story was originally published byParadeon Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.
