International rock/pop icon David Bowie has made an indelible impact in his nearly five-decade career, from his debut commercial breakthrough with "Space Oddity" (its release coinciding with the first moon landing), to his Ziggy Stardust experimentations in gender-busting and glam, to the onset of mid-1970s funk and soul drive and the emergence of his slick New Wave dance appeal, to his eventual electro-industrial twists and turns, and present standing as art rock's most compelling vet.
This January 8 marks his 65th year on Earth. WMNF teams up with BAAMO and Sarasota Music Scene to celebrate in "We Can Be Heroes: David Bowie's 65th Birthday Tribute." More than 100 Bowie songs will be performed over three days in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Sarasota by multi-band bills that vary slightly from night to night. Each show kicks off with "Behind the Scenes: Working & Touring with David Bowie," a 30-minute presentation by publicist-to-the-superstars Tony Michaelidies, who offers up stories, anecdotes, pictures and never-before-seen video clips from his time working and touring with Bowie. Then it's on to an evening of Bowie music as performed by a range of area talent. All three nights culminate in a full album performance of Ziggy Stardust by Barely Pink.
Fri., Jan. 6, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.: Geri X (8), Reina Collins (8:20), Diamond Dogs (8:40), Unpainted Souls (9), Scone Train (9:20), Rebekah Pulley & the Reluctant Prophets (9:40), Pretty Voices (10), The Friendly Sort (10:20), Ricky Wilcox and the Moonsnakes (10:40), Scott Elliott (11), Talk to Mark (11:20), Funk N 8 (11:40), Barely Pink (midnight); State Theatre, St. Petersburg, $12 advance/$15 door.
Sat., Jan. 7, 6 p.m.-midnight: Al Torchia & The Tattered Saints (7), Funky Panda (7:20), JoDell and The Mountain Road Band (7:40), The Jillian Stein Band (8), Voltaic Combo (8:20), A Band Insane (8:40), Jeremy Gloff (9), Ricky Wilcox and the Moonsnakes (9:20), Magadog (9:40), Glitter Guns (10), Sons of Hippies (10:20), Funk N 8 (10:40), Barely Pink (11); Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, $12/$15.
Sun., Jan. 8, 4-10 p.m.: Bill Vinhage (5), Lauren Mitchell Band (5:20), Bud Buckley Band (5:40), Soul Purpose (6), Physical Plant (6:20), Jamie Zimmerman (6:40), Scone Train (7), The Heart Machine (7:20), Villanova Junction (7:40), Rockstarr Bentley (8), Dune Train (8:20), FunkN 8 (8:40), Barely Pink (9); Cock & Bull Pub, Sarasota, $9/$12.
