Another member of Bowie’s band has weighed in on the possibility of the singer embarking on a global tour.
When news of new LP The Next Day first emerged in January, Bowie producer Tony Visconti seemed certain that Bowie wouldn’t be touring in its honour, claiming that the singer is “fairly adamant he’s never gonna perform live again”. He then adjusted his prognosis a few days later, suggesting that a tour was off the cards but live shows might well happen. Guitarist Earl Slick then said a tour was by no means impossible, claiming he “wouldn’t be surprised if he toured and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t tour.” As Rolling Stone report, Bowie guitarist Gerry Leonard has now upped the odds even further.
Leonard, who first toured with Bowie on the 2002 Heathen tour, suggested to Rolling Stone that there is a “50-50” chance of the singer touring off the back of The Next Day:
“I would say that it’s 50-50. A couple of times, when we played back one of the more kick-ass tunes from the new record, he’d be like, ‘This would be great live!’ Of course, everyone was like, ‘What? Did he just say that?’ But other times he’d just roll his eyes if someone brought up playing live.”
Leonard also suggested that Bowie is more than capable of embarking on an extensive tour:
“If he gets the bug in him to do it, it’ll happen. His voice is sounding great and he’s looking great, too. He could totally do it. You never know with David, though. I feel he might want to make another record before he plays shows. He’s being really prolific right now.”
Bowie will release the second single from The Next Day, ‘The Stars (Are Out Tonight)’, on February 26. The Next Day, meanwhile, is due on March 11; the tracklisting is below. Beck recently reimagined Bowie’s ‘Sound And Vision’ with a 157-piece orchestra.
The Next Day Tracklist:
01. The Next Day
02. Dirty Boys
03. The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
04. Love Is Lost
05. Where Are We Now?
06. Valentine’s Day
07. If You Can See Me
08. I’d Rather Be High
09. Boss of Me
10. Dancing Out in Space
11. How Does the Grass Grow
12. (You Will) Set the World on Fire
13. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
14. Heat
15. So She (bonus track)
16. I’ll Take You There (bonus track)
17. Plan (bonus track)
