A new album paying homage to late rock legend David Bowie will be released on August 29. JEM Records Celebrates David Bowie is the sixth in the label’s Celebrates series of tribute albums.
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The album features 11 tracks by 11 different artists. Among the contributors are Bongos frontman Richard Barone, power-pop legend Paul Collins, retro-’60s rockers The Grip Weeds, and veteran Beatles tribute act The Weeklings. The Weeklings feature Glen Burtnick, who was a member of Styx from 1990 to 1991, and from 1999 to 2003.
The first advance track from the album is available now. It’s a version of the 1966 rarity “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” by New York City-based rock band The Cynz.
“Can’t Help Thinking About Me” was the first song that Bowie, who given name was David Jones, released under his famous stage moniker. Bowie later re-recorded the tune for his shelved 2000 album Toy, which eventually was released in 2021 as part of David’s posthumous box set Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001).
Regarding the upcoming Bowie tribute, JEM Records president Marty Scott said, “Every year we release an album celebrating the songs of a rock legend. This year with the sixth album, we salute David Bowie. I think the artists have done a great job in interpreting his songs and I’m very proud of their efforts. The songs of David Bowie are not that easy to interpret, but they did a crazy amazing job.”
He added, “We’ve previously done this for John Lennon, Brian Wilson, [The Who’s] Pete Townshend, [The Kinks’] Ray Davies and [The Rolling Stones’ Mick] Jagger and [Keith] Richards.”
JEM Records Celebrates David Bowie can be pre-ordered now.
More Details About the Bowie Tribute Album
JEM Records Celebrates David Bowie features covers of a variety of tunes from throughout Bowie’s career, including several of his best-known songs.
The Grip Weeds’ rendition of Bowie’s breakthrough hit “Space Oddity” leads off the album. The track recently got its premiere on Little Steven Van Zandt’s Underground Garage SiriusXM radio channel.
Barone’s contribution to the album is a live version of “Starman” that was recorded in November 2024 at an event honoring Star Trek actor George Takei held at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
The tribute also includes versions “Modern Love” by The High Frequencies, “Changes” by The Midnight Callers, “Diamond Dogs” by The Weeklings, and “Heroes” by Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men.
Other Bowie-Related News
Meanwhile, details about the sixth installment in a series of expansive archival Bowie box sets was recently announced.
As previously reported, I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002–2016) will be released on September 12, and will focus on the late rock legend’s 21st century musical output, leading up to his death in 2016 at age 69.
The box set, which can be pre-ordered now, will be available as a 13-CD package, a 18-LP vinyl collection, and digitally.
The collection features Bowie’s final four studios album—Heathen (2002), Reality (2003), The Next Day (2013), and ★ (Blackstar) (2016). It also includes a previously unreleased live album recorded at the 2002 Montreux Jazz Festival; a resequenced version of the 2010 live album A Reality Tour (recorded in 2003); the 2013 EP The Next Day Extra; and the posthumous 2017 EP No Plan.
Rounding out the package is the multiple-disc compilation Re:Call 6. Re:Call 6 features rarities, non-album singles, B-sides, soundtrack songs, live performances, radio and single edits, collaborations, and more from the 2000s and 2010s.
JEM Records Celebrates David Bowie Track List:
- “Space Oddity” – The Grip Weeds
- “Hang Onto Yourself” – Paul Collins
- “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” – The Cynz
- “Kooks” – The On and Ons
- “Boys Keep Swinging” – The Anderson Council
- “Afraid of Americans” – The Airport 77s
- “Modern Love” – The High Frequencies
- “Changes” – The Midnight Callers
- “Diamond Dogs” – The Weeklings
- “Starman” (Live) – Richard Barone
- “Heroes” – Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men
(Designed by Anthony Parisi/Courtesy of JEM Records)
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