Guitarist Carlos Alomar Reflects On Making David Bowie’s Classic ‘Young Americans’ On Album’s 50th Anniversary

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of David Bowie‘s Young Americans, guitarist Carlos Alomar fondly recalls the making of the iconic album. Alomar praised Bowie’s venture into what David called “plastic soul,” which resulted in the English music legend’s first U.S. Top 10 charting album of his trailblazing career. Their collaboration on the album’s hit single “Fame,” which Bowie co-wrote alongside Alomar and John Lennon, led the song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1975, knocking Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” from the No. 1 spot. “David was knowledgeable in American lore, in blues, jazz, R&B, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald,” Alomar recalls of his initial meeting with Bowie. “And I asked Bowie about his Spiders from Mars, and had he known the Beatles? I had never met a Brit before.” Young Americans marked a significant milestone in both Bowie and Alomar’s career, and the guitar ace plans to honor their musical partnership with a tour next winter to pay tribute to their successful musical history together. (Variety)