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Dana Gillespie: Bowie's Muse on Money & Music
1 Feb
Summary
- Gillespie recalled visiting Bowie's childhood home in Bromley.
- She earned £25 daily as a backing singer with Elton John.
- Gillespie paid musicians well rather than buying luxury items.
Singer-songwriter and actress Dana Gillespie shared insights into her financial life, touching upon her past with David Bowie. She recounted visiting Bowie's family home in Bromley during the 1960s, a stark contrast to her own upbringing. Gillespie also noted her earnings as a backing singer for Elton John in the late Sixties, receiving £25 per day, which was substantial at the time.
Financially, Gillespie prioritizes supporting musicians, stating she would rather invest in studio recordings and pay them well than acquire unnecessary items. She mentioned her role as the original Mary Magdalene in the first West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar and a £9 payment for backing vocals on Bowie's 1972 Ziggy Stardust album, expressing contentment with the sum then.
Gillespie is currently focusing on her latest album, 'First Love,' with Marc Almond, a decision she views as a positive financial move. She also expressed a desire to spend all her assets, leaving little behind, though she plans to allocate funds for family, friends, and animal charities. Her current income includes a 'miserable state pension,' which she humorously states is enough for an occasional cappuccino.
