LONDON, Aug. 16 -- A historic bandstand in south London where legendary British singer David Bowie performed at a famous summer festival was given official protection Friday on the 50th anniversary of the music event.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has listed the old bandstand as a protected heritage site on the advice of its Historic England department. Its official Grade 2 status will ensure that the old bandstand's survival for future generations.
It has been suggested that Bowie may have penned the lyrics to one of his global hits, Life on Mars, from the steps of the bandstand, now known locally as the Bowie Bandstand.
Bowie was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, with a career spanning nearly 50 years.
After his first hit single, Space Oddity, Bowie and his friends organized the iconic Growth Summer Festival in August 1969, aiming to raise money for a permanent base for an arts project he ran with friends.
The one-day festival was free, emulating the style of the famous 1969 American Woodstock festival.
"The bandstand was the centerpiece of the day and the stage from which the young Bowie performed to an audience of a few hundred people. Thought to be the first of its kind in Britain, the festival inspired Bowie to write Memory of a Free Festival, a seven minute song for his second album released later that same year, in homage to the day," a DCMS spokeswoman said.
The first bandstands in England were built in the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens in Kensington, London, which opened in 1861. They were built to be a focus for music, serving as a venue for regular concerts, and became widespread by the end of the 19th century.
The Bowie Bandstand, built in 1905, is in a recreation ground in Beckenham which opened six years earlier.
"David Bowie is a cultural icon and 50 years on from his performance at the 'Bowie Bandstand' in Beckenham it is right that we remember his influence on music and culture in this way," Heritage Minister Rebecca Pow said.
Duncan Wilson, CEO of Historic England said: "Walking past this typical yet characterful bandstand, you probably wouldn't expect it was once the stage for a young man who would become one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century."
"It is a rare survival from a historic iron foundry in its own right, but its significance as a site that inspired David Bowie shows us how powerful our historic places can be and how important it is that we protect them so they will continue to inspire people for years to come."
The site in Beckenham has played host to a one day festival in August for many years since the original event in 1969. This year's festival, known as Bowie's Beckenham Oddity, takes place Saturday. Bowie died in 2016 at the age of 69.
疯狂口语要素精选 6
如何用英语表达“你得减肥了”
英语口语主题:交际英语热门话题47个(6--闲聊)
实用口语情景轻松学:我怀疑我是否能及格
20条地道实用英语句型(1)
实用口语:Bob Brings Cookies to the market
实用口语情景轻松学:秋天是北京最好的季节
2011年实用口语练习:当猪飞起来的时候
实用口语:你以为你是谁啊?
2011年实用口语练习:学习疑问
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 偷得浮生半日闲ACT 1 - 2
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 当仁不让 ACT 3 - 2
英语口语主题:交际英语热门话题47个(3--邀请)
实用口语情景轻松学:有假钞的时候要送到银行去
男生女生:我们可以只当朋友吗?
英文如何表达“拍马屁”或“巴结”
实用口语情景轻松学:您要的早餐送上来了
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 二度蜜月ACT 3 - 3
英语口语主题:交际英语热门话题47个(25--竞选和辩论)
实用口语情景轻松学:国外理发店实用对话
实用口语:Singing With Friends
英语口语主题:交际英语热门话题47个(2--介绍)
2岁的萝莉口译员Lucy Wang
2011年实用口语练习:从头至尾
实用口语情景轻松学:Take baby steps 慢慢来
英语口语主题:交际英语热门话题47个(11--表达歉意)
英语口语-安慰
大运会必备接待口语
实用口语情景轻松学:奶奶过生日美颠儿颠儿的
职场英语情景会话:Farewell before Christmas 圣诞前的道别
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |