The Cult Recall Being “Ordained” by David Bowie

Since David Bowie’s surprise passing earlier this year, the tributes have continued to pour in from his closest friends, musical allies, those who idolized him from afar, as well as many who feel as if they owe a debt of gratitude to the Thin White Duke.

One of the latest bands to reach out is long-running rock hit makers, The Cult. During a recent appearance on CBC Radio 2’s The Strombo Show, it was unveiled that The Cult has been using Bowie’s Blackstar album as the house music for each venue they play.

When discussing meeting Bowie, The Cult’s Ian Astbury mentioned how the legendary artist embraced his band very early on and – in a way – ordained them.

“[I’ve met him] several times. The first time we met him, we opened for him in ’87​ – Race Track in Paris,” recalled Astbury. “That year was amazing. We opened for Iggy as well at the same time. Bowie was particularly gracious. I mean, he watched the whole show. The audience weren’t really into us. I remember dropping my pants that day and he loved it. He thought it was really, cracked up at that. Then afterwards, we got kind of summoned to his dressing room and hung out and spoke to him for about a hour. It was the first time that an artist of that stature had actually acknowledged us as performers, as young guys coming up. So in many ways, it felt like this kind of ordained by Bowie. He put his hand on you like, “You’re doing a good job, kid.” And that was like, blew me away because the first record that I bought was Life On Mars and obviously devotee of Bowie, David Robert Jones and as a homage, we play Blackstar as our house music. You won’t walk into the room and hear some jams, you’re going to hear that.”

The Cult are touring in support of their new album, Hidden City, which is available now through Dine Alone Records.