Fun Facts about David Bowie:

His first-ever release was Liza Jane/Louie Louie Go Home in June 1964, under the name of Davie Jones with The King-Bees.

He later changed his name to Bowie to avoid confusion with Monkee Davy Jones.

Bowie is pronounced to rhyme with Joey.

At the age of 17, he was interviewed on a BBC programme as the founder of The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-haired Men. He complained: "It's not nice when people call you darling and that".

Around 1967, he wrote songs for actor Paul Nicholas of Just Good Friends fame, who was then recording under the name Oscar.

He released his debut album, the self-titled David Bowie, in 1967 after playing in a host of pub and club bands.

1967 also saw the release of a single, The Laughing Gnome, which many fans argue is the worst song he has ever recorded.

When Bowie suggested that his fans should vote via phone which tracks he should play for his 1990 world tour, The Laughing Gnome was the most requested. He didn't play it.