The Unlikely Friendship Between David Bowie and George Underwood
George Underwood, a former friend and artistic collaborator of David Bowie, has spoken about the infamous teenage disagreement that left Bowie with a permanently damaged eye. The incident occurred when Underwood, then 15, punched Bowie in the face during a dispute over a potential girlfriend, Carol.
A Childhood Friendship
Underwood and Bowie met at the age of 9 and quickly became inseparable friends. They spent their teenage years exploring Bromley High Street, dressed to the nines, trying to impress the girls. The two friends even attended the same birthday party, where they both attempted to woo Carol, a 15-year-old girl.
The Fateful Night
According to Underwood, Bowie told him that Carol had changed her mind and was now interested in him instead. Feeling upset and betrayed, Underwood decided to head to the local youth club, where Carol was waiting for him. When he arrived, he found that Carol had been waiting for him for over an hour, and her friend accused him of lying. Enraged, Underwood’s friend urged him to "stick one on" Bowie, and he did.
The Consequences
The punch left Bowie’s left iris paralyzed, giving the impression that his eye was a different color than his right. The effect was exacerbated by the red-eye glow of flash photography. Bowie later described the incident, saying that it wasn’t a particularly hard punch, but it caught him at an odd angle.
Designing Album Covers
Despite the incident, Underwood and Bowie remained close friends, and Underwood went on to design the covers of Bowie’s albums, including Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust. Underwood also designed album covers for other artists, such as T. Rex, Procol Harum, and Mott the Hoople.
The Legacy of the Eye Incident
Underwood has spoken about the incident in recent years, revealing that it still haunts him. He worries that it might be carved on his tombstone, and he often wonders if Bowie ever thought about him when looking in the mirror. Bowie himself saw the positive side of the incident, claiming that it gave him an "enigmatic, otherworldly look."
Conclusion
The story of George Underwood and David Bowie is a testament to the power of friendship and the unexpected twists and turns that life can take. Despite the incident that left Bowie with a damaged eye, the two friends remained close, and Underwood went on to have a successful career as an artist and designer. The legacy of their friendship is a reminder that even the most unlikely of circumstances can lead to unexpected and enduring bonds.
FAQs
Q: How did the disagreement between George Underwood and David Bowie occur?
A: The disagreement started over a potential girlfriend, Carol, and escalated into a physical altercation when Underwood punched Bowie in the face.
Q: What was the result of the punch?
A: The punch left Bowie’s left iris paralyzed, giving the impression that his eye was a different color than his right.
Q: Did Bowie ever speak about the incident?
A: Yes, Bowie discussed the incident in interviews, saying that it wasn’t a particularly hard punch but caught him at an odd angle. He also saw the positive side of the incident, claiming that it gave him an "enigmatic, otherworldly look."
Q: What was the nature of Underwood and Bowie’s friendship after the incident?
A: Despite the incident, Underwood and Bowie remained close friends, and Underwood went on to design the covers of Bowie’s albums, including Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust.
Q: Does Underwood still worry about the incident?
A: Yes, Underwood has spoken about the incident in recent years, revealing that it still haunts him. He worries that it might be carved on his tombstone and often wonders if Bowie ever thought about him when looking in the mirror.
