Bowie Forever

TRIBUTE BAND DAVID BOWIE "BOWIE FOREVER"

BOWIE FOREVER is a French David Bowie tribute band of seven musicians, formed in September 2015, before David Bowie's passing, by two fans of the multifaceted artist (singer, songwriter, producer, actor, etc.). This tribute band introduces or reintroduces the public to the singer far beyond his most famous hits. They cover the period from the albums *Space Oddity* to *Let's Dance*, with some forays into his later work.

Based in the Parisian suburbs, this band aims to share its love for the (incredibly vast) repertoire of David Bowie, a songwriter without equal in the history of rock with 25 albums over a 50-year career. BOWIE FOREVER has already had the pleasure of playing in Paris (Supersonic Club, Candy Shop Paris, Le Marcounet, Studio Raspail, Le Sésame et Sel, etc.), in the suburbs (Bagnolet, Aulnay Sous Bois, Cergy, Saint-Soupplets, Monthyon, Varredes, etc.), and in the provinces (La Chablais in Morzine, La Forêt des Tines in Chamonix).

In addition to their usual setlist featuring over 32 essential hits, BOWIE FOREVER has been offering a "ZIGGY STARDUST Full Album + More Hits" Tour since 2018 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of one of their best albums. For the first time in France, the band performs the legendary album in its entirety and in order. They then perform many more hits in the second half... Another format is called "From Space Oddity to Let's Dance." This tour prioritizes chronological order, offering a fascinating journey from Space Oddity to Let's Dance, including the legendary albums Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust, and many others.

Bruno: Lead vocals, 12-string guitar. A self-taught guitarist/bassist/keyboardist, after training as a sound engineer, which allowed him to hone his skills by observing other musicians, Bruno worked for several seasons as an entertainer/DJ/singer at tourist sites and on cruise ships (conductor Paul Faruggia) with a varied repertoire (songs, crooner, etc.). He took singing lessons with David Playe (Cap Live), Sylvie Rialland, and Sophie Proix. Guitarist/singer in the rock bands Pinball Killer, The Tits, and Jessica. A David Bowie enthusiast since his teens, and having seen him perform many times in France, he founded Bowie Forever in September 2015 with Philippe Suchet.

Naji: guitar, 12-string guitar, Sylphyo, backing vocals. With a traditional conservatory background, he experimented with other instruments towards the end of his studies and fell in love with the guitar and its various forms. Outside of formal training, he initially played his primary instrument, the trumpet, in variety bands and accompanied the troupe at Parc Astérix during its opening year. Simultaneously, he nurtured his passion for the guitar, particularly blues and pop-rock. From the classical and modern repertoire of Thibaut Chevalier to the electric rock of David Playe (Cap Live, where he met Bruno), and including an introduction to flamenco led by Manuel Delgado, he also benefited from other teachings, such as those of Vincent Courtois, a jazz cellist.

Niko: bass. He learned bass at 19 by listening to Led Zeppelin 1 & 2, then tried other styles (jazz, blues, soul, flamenco) to explore the full potential of the four strings. He has played in a jazz duo, "Why Not," a Hendrix-inspired power trio, "Chihuahua Pearl," and a rhythm 'n' blues sextet, "Rock on Wood."

Serena: backing vocals, percussion. Having received eclectic vocal training with Sylvie Rialland and Valérie Le Bigot, she joined Bowie Forever at the latter's suggestion. She has since expanded her repertoire by adding percussion and rhythmic elements to Bowie Forever's instrumentation.

Chrisdo: drums, backing vocals. He completed two years of advanced drumming at the Boursault School in Paris. A drummer and bassist, he is also a songwriter and composer in his spare time. He has performed at salsa and jazz festivals, as well as in numerous café-concerts in Marseille and the surrounding area (1990s). He has also performed at the "Docks des Suds" festival in Marseille, the Avignon Off Festival, and the Sud-Luberon Festival in Pertuis. For several months, he accompanied Régis Sévignac, who would later become Michel Fugain's guitarist for many years. He is the latest addition to Bowie Forever.

Philippe: lead guitar, backing vocals. Also a professional sound engineer, he has worked in the studio with Michel Legrand, Yves Montand, Serge Reggiani, Barbara, and others. He embraced computer music (computer-assisted music production for specialized labels) quite early on. A self-taught drummer and Keith Moon enthusiast, he later switched from drums to guitar in the cover band Octofun. He has been a substitute drummer and backing vocalist for country bands (RN 10 Country, Tumbleweed) and the main drummer for Roxy Tunes and Spark Pulse, with whom he played some of the Thin White Duke's songs. He is looking to start a David Bowie tribute band, which is how he met Bruno.

Valérie: keyboards, choirs. Classical training (piano, music theory, chamber music). Departmental prizes. Teaches piano at the Noisy-le-Sec Conservatory. Then founded Atelier Spectacles, an association dedicated to training musicians and singers. Within this organization, she has directed and provided musical direction for numerous shows, including Recto Verso, Starmania, Fantaisie Fugain, Rêve Papy, etc.

Thierry: Sound Engineer. With over 20 years of experience and a passion for the music of David Bowie, Thierry Bertomeu, sound engineer, arranger and musician, a long-time acquaintance of Bruno, was the obvious choice to guarantee the signature sound of Bowie Forever live, a demanding project in this field with 7 musicians including 6 vocalists! In recent years, he has crossed paths with, among others, dance companies (Trafic de Styles, Cie A Part Etre), theater companies such as Compagnie Vincent Colin or Compagnie Joël Dragutin, and directors such as Renaud Chabrier and Gao XingJian.

For all information and bookings, contact Medley Prod: +33 1 46 78 22 22 or management@medleyprod.com

Bruno: Lead vocals, 12-string guitar. A self-taught guitarist/bassist/keyboardist, after training as a sound engineer, which allowed him to hone his skills by observing other musicians, Bruno worked for several seasons as an entertainer/DJ/singer at tourist sites and on cruise ships (conductor Paul Faruggia) with a varied repertoire (songs, crooner, etc.). He took singing lessons with David Playe (Cap Live), Sylvie Rialland, and Sophie Proix. Guitarist/singer in the rock bands Pinball Killer, The Tits, and Jessica. A David Bowie enthusiast since his teens, and having seen him perform many times in France, he founded Bowie Forever in September 2015 with Philippe Suchet.

Naji: guitar, 12-string guitar, Sylphyo, backing vocals. With a traditional conservatory background, he experimented with other instruments towards the end of his studies and fell in love with the guitar and its various forms. Outside of formal training, he initially played his primary instrument, the trumpet, in variety bands and accompanied the troupe at Parc Astérix during its opening year. Simultaneously, he nurtured his passion for the guitar, particularly blues and pop-rock. From the classical and modern repertoire of Thibaut Chevalier to the electric rock of David Playe (Cap Live, where he met Bruno), and including an introduction to flamenco led by Manuel Delgado, he also benefited from other teachings, such as those of Vincent Courtois, a jazz cellist.

Niko: bass. He learned bass at 19 by listening to Led Zeppelin 1 & 2, then tried other styles (jazz, blues, soul, flamenco) to explore the full potential of the four strings. He has played in a jazz duo, "Why Not," a Hendrix-inspired power trio, "Chihuahua Pearl," and a rhythm 'n' blues sextet, "Rock on Wood."

Serena: backing vocals, percussion. Having received eclectic vocal training with Sylvie Rialland and Valérie Le Bigot, she joined Bowie Forever at the latter's suggestion. She has since expanded her repertoire by adding percussion and rhythmic elements to Bowie Forever's instrumentation.

Chrisdo: drums, backing vocals. He completed two years of advanced drumming at the Boursault School in Paris. A drummer and bassist, he is also a songwriter and composer in his spare time. He has performed at salsa and jazz festivals, as well as in numerous café-concerts in Marseille and the surrounding area (1990s). He has also performed at the "Docks des Suds" festival in Marseille, the Avignon Off Festival, and the Sud-Luberon Festival in Pertuis. For several months, he accompanied Régis Sévignac, who would later become Michel Fugain's guitarist for many years. He is the latest addition to Bowie Forever.

Philippe: lead guitar, backing vocals. Also a professional sound engineer, he has worked in the studio with Michel Legrand, Yves Montand, Serge Reggiani, Barbara, and others. He embraced computer music (computer-assisted music production for specialized labels) quite early on. A self-taught drummer and Keith Moon enthusiast, he later switched from drums to guitar in the cover band Octofun. He has been a substitute drummer and backing vocalist for country bands (RN 10 Country, Tumbleweed) and the main drummer for Roxy Tunes and Spark Pulse, with whom he played some of the Thin White Duke's songs. He is looking to start a David Bowie tribute band, which is how he met Bruno.

Valérie: keyboards, choirs. Classical training (piano, music theory, chamber music). Departmental prizes. Teaches piano at the Noisy-le-Sec Conservatory. She then founded Atelier Spectacles, an association dedicated to training musicians and singers. Within this organization, she has directed and provided musical direction for numerous shows, including Recto Verso, Starmania, Fantaisie Fugain, and Rêve Papy.

Thierry: Sound Engineer. With over 20 years of experience and a passion for the music of David Bowie, Thierry Bertomeu, sound engineer, arranger and musician, a long-time acquaintance of Bruno, was the obvious choice to guarantee the signature sound of Bowie Forever live, a demanding project in this field with 7 musicians including 6 vocalists! In recent years, he has crossed paths with, among others, dance companies (Trafic de Styles, Cie A Part Etre), theater companies such as Compagnie Vincent Colin or Compagnie Joël Dragutin, and directors such as Renaud Chabrier and Gao XingJian.