Blackstar was recorded in secret There were some theories that the album's title was code for Bowie's cancer diagnosis. Though he died of liver cancer, a 'black star' is often used to describe a proliferative breast lesion which gives the appearance of a black star.

a man who was facing his own mortality The ★ was part of the Starman's plan. The stark album artwork for David Bowie's Blackstar was intended to represent “a man who was facing his own mortality”, the designer behind it has revealed.

Blackstars are symbols for death and rebirth fitting with the themes of the album. This is probably the most experimental song on the entire album, with a strange song structure and bizarre imagery. This imagery includes a solitary candle in the "villa of Ormen" and "Eagles in my daydreams and diamonds in my eyes".

One fan previously worked out that exposing the vinyl packaging to the sun reveals an image of a galaxy, while exposing the cover to a black light appears to change the design to fluorescent blue. Reflecting light off one side of the vinyl at certain angle also creates a star pattern when held up to a wall.

The character's Japanese influences provided a human connection, Bowie explained, as in Britain during the early 1970s Japan "still seemed like an alien society, but it was a human alien society." Bowie also stated that Ziggy Stardust was a product of his career-long ambition to combine rock music and theatre, and that ...

Bowie's fascination with space inspired Space Oddity following his initial viewing of a Stanley Kubrick film – 2001: A Space Odyssey, the year before. The premise of the song details the launch into space of Major Tom. Major Tom is a fictional astronaut brought to life by the imagination of Bowie.

The album is more experimental than its predecessor The Next Day (2013), combining atmospheric art rock with various styles of jazz. Bowie took inspiration from artists including Kendrick Lamar, D'Angelo, Death Grips and Boards of Canada, listening to them during the album's production.

The image of a prism reflecting a rainbow of light worked with Pink Floyd's request for a bold and dramatic design. In addition, Thorgerson claims that the artwork served as an homage to the impressive light show that had become an integral part of Pink Floyd's live performances.

10 Darkest Rock Albums Ever Made

1. 1 The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers.
2. 2 The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails.
3. 3 OK Computer by Radiohead.
4. 4 Dirt by Alice in Chains.
5. 5 Closer by Joy Division.
6. 6 In Utero by Nirvana.
7. 7 Dummy by Portishead.
8. 8 Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath.

The image of a prism reflecting a rainbow of light worked with Pink Floyd's request for a bold and dramatic design. In addition, Thorgerson claims that the artwork served as an homage to the impressive light show that had become an integral part of Pink Floyd's live performances.

Ziggy Stardust, the consummate rock star (a drug-using, omnisexual human manifestation of an alien being), acts as the messenger, with his band, the Spiders from Mars, on behalf of extraterrestrial beings called “starmen.” The message, beneath a hedonistic facade, ultimately communicates the time-honored rock 'n' roll ...

In the story, Ziggy wins the hearts of fans but suffers a fall from grace after succumbing to his own ego. The character was inspired by numerous musicians, including Vince Taylor. Most of the album's concept was developed after the songs were recorded.