Entertainment — music

Uncovered Posthumous Work of David Bowie Unveiled

Unveiled a decade post-death of musical icon David Bowie, a previously unbeknownst project of his emerged from his office. Despite his closest collaborators' lack of knowledge, it seems the late British musician had been secretly working on this undisclosed piece during his final years,...

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2025 September 14 . 1:18 PM

2 min read

Unveiled Posthumous Undertaking Hidden by David Bowie Prior to His Passing

Uncovered Posthumous Work of David Bowie Unveiled

In the final months of his life, music legend David Bowie was working on an intriguing project: a musical entitled "The Spectator." Set in 18th-century London, this musical was a labour of love for Bowie, but it remained unknown to the public until after his death in 2016.

The notes for The Spectator were kept in a simple blue-covered notebook, and only David Bowie and his personal assistant had the key to the office where they were stored. The notes reveal Bowie's fascination with the development of art and satire in 18th-century London, as well as stories of criminal gangs and the infamous thief 'Honest' Jack Sheppard.

The newspaper that inspired and gave name to The Spectator was published between 1711 and 1712. It commented on the ways and fashions of London society, much like Bowie's musical was intended to do.

Bowie's passion for theatre was evident in The Spectator project. His fans will recall his interest in theatre, which he had already revealed during an interview with BBC Radio 4 in 2002. Unfortunately, Bowie passed away at the age of 69, following a cancer diagnosis 18 months earlier.

From September 13 next, the notes for The Spectator, along with 90,000 other items from David Bowie's archive, will be available at the David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts at the V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick, an artistic neighbourhood in the east of London. Even his closest collaborators were unaware of The Spectator project.

The British broadcaster BBC had exclusive access to Bowie's work and personal notes on The Spectator. The public will now have the opportunity to view these notes, offering a unique insight into the mind of one of the most influential musicians of our time.

The notes for The Spectator suggest that Bowie dedicated a large part of his time to what would have been one of his most ambitious projects, although it was never completed. The discovery of these notes serves as a poignant reminder of the creativity and vision that Bowie brought to the world of music and theatre.

Visitors to the David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts will be able to delve into the world of The Spectator and gain a deeper understanding of Bowie's artistic process. This is an opportunity not to be missed for fans of David Bowie and those interested in the history of music and theatre.