Bowie to Release "Heathen"

"I've had one too many years of bumping heads with corporate structure," David Bowie said last December of his departure from Virgin Records, his label of six years. But it seems that at least one of the majors is capable of putting its head together with the innovative rocker's.

Only months after the formation of the independent label ISO Records, Bowie has inked a multi-record deal with Columbia Records. The contract includes the June 11th release of Heathen, his first album in three years.

"I can't think of a better home for the music that will be made for ISO than Columbia," Bowie now says. "After my first couple of meetings with the people at Columbia, it was apparent that their enthusiasm for what Tony [Visconti, producer] and I are doing right now borders on boundless."

"David Bowie is simply one of the most distinctive, influential and exciting artists of our time," says Columbia Records chairman Don Ienner. "Music needs David Bowie right now, and we couldn't be more proud that he has chosen Columbia as is new home."

Bowie will be playing festivals in Europe and the U.S. in support of the album.

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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