This is a nice little researched article from Guitar Player Magazine along with video documentary concerning some nine of the many guitarists Master David had collaborated with during his amazing career. Nice!!!
http://www.guitarplayer.com/artists/1013/david-bowie-nine-guitar-greats-who-shaped-his-music/61403

 

I have two feelings for Bowie's guitarists: really like Mick Ronson and really dislike the dude with a rat tail with whom he was touring in the 80's - 90's. Hate that dude.

 

Ronson and Alomar. Everything else is just fluff.

 

IMHO SRV was not fluff.

 

You should hear Reeves Gabrels in the first Tin Machine.

 

Now where's Marc?

 

Both great guitarists, and I meant no disrespect to them, but in the context of Bowie's career both played minor roles. Ronson and Alomar were an integral part in Bowie's best work, in fact, some of the best work of all time.

 

Frip on Heroes............but mostly Ronson for moi

 

Only one personality was equal to Bowie on stage and in the studio and without his help I wonder if Bowie would have navigated his way so successfully through the early 70's. Ronno was the perfect sideman in the way Keith is to Mick. He always played tastefully, always supporting, never overshadowing. Yet, in many ways it was his input as an arranger that gave Bowie his signature sound. Compare the two versions of Memory Of A Free Festival. Separated by months but a decade divides them sound wise. And while we know Bowie went on to a long career recording and performing, to me he always looked alone up there on stage in a way he never did when Mick was his 'mainman'.......

 

Nile Rodgers ?

 

Or in Tin Machine 2. The whole band rocked hard. The Sales brothers as tight as two brothers could be as a rhythm section (Their Dad's kid TV show The Soupy Sales Show in the early 60's was the first thing I ever watched on television and loving it) and Reeves Gabriel used the Trans Trem of his Steinberger guitars to emote passion to every moving note that he twanged. It was a fine, fine band.

 

I recorded this the day after he died. I really loved him and his neverending quest for the unknown. I think that now that everyone else capitalized on his death, we can start doing some good tributes. Sorry for resurrecting a thread.

 

Nice tribute man

 

Bowie had great taste in guitar players. He played gtr as well so he knew better than others imho. I liked all "his" gtr players, even Peter Frampton lol.

 

...for me the one and only Reeves Gabrels very innovative guitarist !!!

 

Bowie never had a bad guitarist. He did occasionally make some bad music though, which is almost heretical to say out loud. LOL

 

Why would Bowie, Frank Zappa and King Crimson ever waste time hiring a 'fluff' guitarist like Adrian Belew? Guy can't even shred.

 

Because music isn't a speed race where the faster wins. If it was like this, Clapton, BB King, The Edge to name only a few would have no careers lol