David Bowie's Years as a Rock Recluse

David Bowie fans woke up to some pretties shocking news this morning: a new album entitled <em>The Next Day</em> was coming out in March. It's been over nine years since he last released a studio album, and he hasn't done a concert since a heart attacked prematurely ended his <em>Reality</em> world tour. There's no word on whether or not he plans on hitting the road in 2013. 

Bowie's 2003/04 tour was absolutely stellar, though it had somewhat of a rough ending. At an Oslo show on June 18th, 2004, a fan threw a lollipop that hit him right in the eye – causing Bowie to scream out in pain and rage. Just five days later, Bowie called short a concert in Prague. He claimed he had a pinched nerve in his shoulder. What he didn't realize that was on the verge of having a massive heart attack. Some think his health problems are what caused him to leave the limelight all these years, but he returned to the stage a year after the heart attack and kept popping up through late 2006. A comeback concert was scheduled for New York in 2007, but he called it off. 

All has been quiet on the Bowie front since then, making the news of a new album all the more shocking. Here's a look back at his decade of reclusiveness.

By Andy Greene