Collaboration and influences

‘I have been admiring of so many different people and what they have done. I owe so many people for the way that I think and do things.’ Throughout his career, Bowie acknowledged that his success was achieved through close collaboration with and inspiration from many others.

For his 1975 album, ‘Young Americans’, Bowie reinterpreted the sounds of Black American R&B, funk and soul music, having idolised artists like Little Richard from a young age. Artists Carlos Alomar, Ava Cherry, Robin Clark and Luther Vandross, and producers Harry Maslin and Tony Visconti collaborated with him on the album.

Written by: Madeleine Haddon, Curator of V&A East
Published: September 2025

Museum Number
S.321-2024
Description
Young Americans
Artist/Maker
US Military
Location and Date
United States, 1975
Materials/Techniques
Metal, Velcro, Plastic, Cotton, Machine sewing
Object information
Museum Number
S.297:1 to 6-2024
Description
Young Americans
Artist/Maker
Jan Girard
Location and Date
United States, 1975
Materials/Techniques
Cotton, Satin, Plastic, Metal, Mother of pearl, Felt, Ribbon, Leather, Machine sewing, Hand sewing
Object information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/135
Title/Description
Photograph of Little Richard
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1950s
Materials/Techniques
Black and white 'Star Pic' publicity photograph of Little Richard. The photographic print is partially mended with tape and attached to another photographic print of a woman in a wedding dress. In an interview with Bowie by Vanity Fair published in August 1998, 'The Proust Questionnaire', Bowie described his 'most treasured possession' as 'A photograph held together by cellophane tape of Little Richard that I bought in 1958.'
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/66
Title/Description
Contact sheet of David Bowie recording Young Americans
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1974
Materials/Techniques
Single contact sheet showing a series of photographs taken by the photographer Dagmar. Inscription on the back reads 'Philly session at Sigma Sound'.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/157
Title/Description
Handwritten backing vocal chart for 'Right'
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
David Bowie's handwritten backing vocal chart for 'Right' from the album Young Americans. The song was written by David Bowie, and features Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, Geoff MacCormack, and Luther Vandross on backing vocals. Verso features handwritten notes about the recording and production of the song.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/152
Title/Description
Handwritten Lyrics for 'Fascination'
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
David Bowie's handwritten lyrics for 'Fascination' from the Young Americans album. The song was written by David Bowie and Luther Vandross.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/154
Title/Description
Photograph of Ava Cherry and Geoff MacCormack during <i>The Soul Tour</i>
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1974
Materials/Techniques
Colour photograph of Ava Cherry and Geoff MacCormack on stage during the second leg of The Diamond Dogs Tour , also known as The Soul Tour. Photograph taken by an unidentified photographer.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/153
Title/Description
Photograph of Emir Kassan, Geoff MacCormack and Carlos Alomar during <i>The Soul Tour</i>
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1974
Materials/Techniques
Colour photograph of Emir Kassan, Geoff MacCormack and Carlos Alomar on stage during the second leg of The Diamond Dogs Tour, also known as The Soul Tour. Photograph taken by an unidentified photographer.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/28
Title/Description
Photograph of Young Americans recording session
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1974 - 1975
Materials/Techniques
One polaroid of a recording session for the Young Americans album. L-R Robin Clark, Ava Cherry, Luther Vandross, David Bowie. Photographer unknown.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/26
Title/Description
Sheet music for the song 'Fame'
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
A3 paper with lyrics and chords for David Bowie's 'Fame', featured on the Young Americans album.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/29
Title/Description
David Bowie Diary Entry
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
30 Jan 1975
Materials/Techniques
Loose sheet of paper. Handwritten entry mentions publicity around 'Fame' and working with John Lennon.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/14
Title/Description
Handwritten credits for Young Americans
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
ca. 1975
Materials/Techniques
One page of lined paper titled 'Acknowledgements'; features list of people involved in recording the album Young Americans.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/139
Title/Description
Photograph of David Bowie with an American flag
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
A photograph of David Bowie wearing a flight suit, standing in front of an American flag with a glass of milk.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/141
Title/Description
Contact sheet from 1975 Grammy Awards
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
Black and white contact sheet of David Bowie at the 1975 Grammy Awards. The sheet also includes a photograph of Aretha Franklin posing with a Grammy Award.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/140
Title/Description
Photograph of David Bowie with Don Cornelius on the set of Soul Train
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
Photograph taken by Andy Kent in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/150
Title/Description
Contact sheet, David Bowie on Soul Train
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
Black and white contact sheet featuring 40 photographs taken during David Bowie's performance on Soul Train. Photographs taken by Andy Kent in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Item information