The Ireland Podcast16 Apr 2025

157. Mike Garson: David Bowie's Pianist

Episode 157: pianist extraordinaire Mike Garson joins Fender Jackson from his home in Calabasas, California for a wide-ranging conversation recorded on Monday 14 April 2025.

Though Mike has performed with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, St. Vincent, Duran Duran, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Pretty Reckless, and many more, this episode focuses on his deep and lasting connection with David Bowie, whose band Mike was part of for over 30 years.

Conversation includes: Zoom audio check; an improvisational introduction; Fender’s kid podcastbombing; Mike’s portrait by Bowie; the Woolsey fire of 2018; Bali; Max Garson; introductions; Susan, Mike and David’s time in Ireland; Fender first meeting Mike in Belfast City Hall on 5 Dec 1995; Mike’s favourite memory of David; Mike’s Dad being a huge inspiration; working with Trent Reznor for the HBO series ‘Watchmen’; Lester Console Piano; Knabe Piano; Steinway and Yamaha; Mike’s meeting David; Mike’s audition; David’s appreciation of jazz; Mike’s analysis of his solo on ‘Aladdin Sane’; the making of album ‘1. Outside’ being David coming out of the 1980s unhappy; Reeves Gabrels; Erdal Kızılçay; Sterling Campbell; Carlos Alomar; Brian Eno; Tom Waits; Mike’s playing style; Mixolydian Mode vs. Mixed Up Mike; Farfisa solo on ‘Seven Years In Tibet’ on ‘Earthling’; an earthquake warning; ’Lady Grinning Soul’; bookending ‘Changes’ with Alicia Keys; writing credits; the Dublin Bowie Festival, Tommy Crampton and Gerry Leonard; living in Belfast in 1975; playing in BIMM and other topics.

Warning! This episode contains some music theory.

Relevant Links

https://mikegarson.com

Additional Links

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1q1zDWf6QLWDYFMp7kRdjr?si=d5b996570d784f7d

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