SARAH WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

David Bowie is back, at least in spirit.

Michael Bell is bringing the music of the rock legend to the Regent Theatre on August 26 as part of an Ontario-wide tour called The Bowie Lives.

“We’re really attempting to be the incarnation of Bowie. We try to conjure that on stage and, personally, I am making it my mission to keep the Bowie alive,” said Mr. Bell.

Mr. Bell spoke with the Gazette about his inspiration, what makes his shows unique, and his lifelong love of David Bowie.

“I discovered my first Bowie record at 14. I was 15 when I started singing his songs.”

As time marched on, Mr. Bell became distracted by the well-worn paths of parenthood, working on his own material, and other business ventures.

“I came back onto the road to sing about eight years ago. I was singing Sinatra and Bublé in theatres when Bowie passed,” recollected Bell. “I had no interest in doing a Bowie show before, but once that occurred, I was determined to keep his music alive.”

Recounting a recent trip to Berlin, Bell noted the numbers of young people unaware of Bowie’s music. It was a catalyst to get more of David Bowie into the world.

When asked what sets him apart from other Bowie tribute performers, Bell pointed to the strong influence this musician has had on his own work.

“I’m probably the closest you’re going to get to hearing Bowie because I’ve listened to him for so long. I have the nuance of his voice, and a lot of the artistic inflections he would use,” explained Bell. “He was a singer and an actor so he didn’t have a conventional voice. He was kind of acting the lines out too. It’s the little details like that, vocally, that set the show apart.”

Like other performers, Bell has faced an uphill battle since the beginning of the pandemic. With many shows having to be rebooked, it is challenging to find theatres with available dates. “Everyone is booked up.”

Nonetheless, Mr. Bell is adamant that not just any show, but Bowie’s show, must go on.

The Bowie Lives appears at The Regent Theatre on Saturday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.00.

For more information about the performance, please visit: https://www.thebowielives.com/

To book tickets, please contact The Regent Theatre Box Office at: 613-476-8416 or email: [email protected]