Kevin Armstong, the guitarist who worked with Thomas Dolby, David Bowie & Iggy Pop
Kevin Armstong(David Bowie, Iggy Pop)
1:00:39•602 views
An unexpected call sent Kevin Armstrong to Abbey Road without knowing who he would meet. David Bowie walked in—and a session that began with “That’s Motivation” led to “Absolute Beginners”, Live Aid and a lasting working relationship.
In this conversation with Steve Blame, Kevin recalls arranging “Dancing in the Street” with Bowie and Mick Jagger, putting together Bowie’s Live Aid band, and experiencing the extraordinary atmosphere at Wembley.
We also explore his work with Thomas Dolby, including “She Blinded Me with Science”, his long association with Iggy Pop, playing with Prefab Sprout, his encounters with Paul McCartney, and joining Tin Machine. Kevin explains how one of his own compositions became the foundation of Bowie’s “Outside”.
Alongside the stories in his book Absolute Beginner, Kevin speaks openly about losing his brother, finding authenticity, the freedom of being a supporting musician, and the self-doubt that can remain despite a remarkable career.
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Chapters
00:00 Coming up: Kevin Armstrong
00:54 Welcome from Kevin’s garden
01:15 Childhood music and family influences
02:12 His brother Ross and discovering David Bowie
04:01 Losing his brother and the impact on his family
05:40 A creative turning point and searching for authenticity
08:11 Early concerts that opened his eyes
09:26 Learning instruments and developing his craft
10:06 Being an introvert and learning to perform
11:17 An early pop-group detour
12:44 Music, belonging and changing perspectives
14:21 Looking back at the creativity of the 70s
15:50 Punk and a changing musical world
17:59 Local Heroes and meeting Thomas Dolby
19:24 Europa and the Pirate Twins and She Blinded Me with Science
19:58 Pursuing his own career as a songwriter
21:10 Bush Telegraph and doubts about being a frontman
22:31 An unexpected lifeline: the Abbey Road invitation
23:57 Meeting Bowie and earning his trust
25:12 That’s Motivation and the beginnings of Absolute Beginners
27:15 An unexpected Angie Bowie connection
28:22 Live Aid and arranging Dancing in the Street
29:34 Finding confidence in a new direction
31:01 Putting together Bowie’s Live Aid band
31:49 Experiencing Live Aid at Wembley
34:16 Wishing he could share the moment with his brother
35:20 The opportunities that followed
36:08 Meeting Iggy Pop and recording Blah Blah Blah
36:47 Jim Osterberg, Iggy Pop and the performer’s persona
39:03 The freedom and responsibility of being a sideman
40:59 John Lydon and Prefab Sprout
42:48 Meeting and working with Paul McCartney
45:41 Joining Tin Machine
47:09 How Kevin’s song became Bowie’s Outside
48:36 Outsiders and rebellion in pop music
49:23 Reviews, vulnerability and self-consciousness
50:47 Remembering Sinéad O’Connor
52:12 Bowie’s death and the impact of Blackstar
54:18 Celebrating Bowie with his fellow musicians
56:08 Different approaches to Bowie’s music
58:05 Solo shows and reinterpreting Bowie’s songs
58:50 Success, impostor syndrome and continuing to learn
1:00:00 Thanks and farewell
