David Bowie, one of the greatest icons in rock history, left a lasting legacy in Berlin, Germany. He lived there during the 1970s, a period during which he wrote and recorded music that transformed not only his career but also the city’s history. This reciprocal influence continues to resonate with fans and admirers who feel his presence as they walk through the streets of Berlin.
I love visiting places tied to an artist’s history. They always have a certain magic, helping us understand more about their inspirations and motivations. Seeing the pilgrimage of fans is also something that moves me – it’s why we’ve mapped out so many landmark suggestions on Travel 2 Concert that tell the story of rock around the world.
Today, we’re highlighting some of David Bowie’s steps in Berlin. 🙂
Where David Bowie lived in Berlin?
David Bowie lived in an apartment in Berlin at 155 Hauptstraße, on the second floor, in the Schöneberg district. It’s an easily accessible spot for fans by public transport and a great place for a walk. Schöneberg is an interesting part of the city, with residences and businesses that reflect its multicultural character.
Interestingly, Bowie’s friend and fellow musician Iggy Pop also lived in the same building for a time. They were neighbors and often went out together, including taking car rides through East Berlin and nearby small villages.
Today, you can see a bust on the wall in front of the building, next to the entrance, along with a plaque honoring Bowie.
Every day, fans from around the world visit this site to celebrate his art. You’ll find lit candles and notes left behind, keeping his memory alive. It’s definitely worth a visit.
How to get do Bowie’s apartment
Neues Ufer: one of Bowie’s spots in Berlin
Neues Ufer is a historic café and bar in Berlin that opened in 1977, originally named Anders Ufer.
The café is right next to David Bowie’s apartment, at 157 Hauptstraße. This was one of his favorite places, especially for the freedom and diversity of its patrons. Anders Ufer/Neues Ufer was the first gay café in Europe, with large windows open to the street, making it visible to everyone passing by.
Today, you’ll find references to Bowie in the décor, including photos and objects. Take note of the small sculpture of his face on the façade.
David Bowie had several marriages and relationships with women throughout his career, and he declared himself bisexual a few times. But regardless of his sexuality, he became a symbol of freedom, especially after creating his character Ziggy Stardust.
Why did Bowie go to Berlin?
David Bowie moved to West Berlin because he was going through a severe personal and professional crisis at the time. Living in Los Angeles, he was caught up in a difficult lifestyle, marked by heavy cocaine use, poor diet, lack of sleep, hallucinations, and a frenetic work pace that pushed his physical and mental health to the brink of collapse.
Berlin, despite being divided by the Wall, surrounded by the Cold War, and known as Europe’s heroin capital, offered a kind of refuge for his creativity and a chance to start anew with some level of anonymity. The political and social conflict in Germany at that time also provided a deep well of inspiration for his art.
Bowie was already drawn to electronic music, particularly the sound of Kraftwerk, one of the leading German groups in that genre, as well as European cinema, photography, and theater. He was also fascinated by Germany’s history. These influences were already shaping his work in the U.S., and the opportunity to experience them firsthand in Europe deepened his attraction to the city.
In an interview with Uncut, David Bowie said: “Berlin was one of the few cities where I could move around in virtual anonymity. I was going broke, it was cheap to live. For some reason, Berliners just didn’t care. Well, not about an English rock singer…”
How long did David Bowie live in Berlin?
David Bowie lived in Berlin for about two years, from 1976 to 1978, moving there just before his 30th birthday.
During this time, he created his famous “Berlin Trilogy” of albums: Low (1977), Heroes (1977), and Lodger (1979). While not all of them were entirely made in Berlin, they deeply mark this phase of his career.
Living in Berlin was such a transformative period for Bowie that, decades later, in 2013, he released the song “Where Are We Now?” in which he referenced important places in Berlin for him (like Nürnberger Strasse, the Potsdamer Platz train station, and the KaDeWe department store building) from the perspective of an older person, reflecting on the passage of time with melancholy.
Hansa Studios: the birthplace of “Heroes”
Hansa Studios is a historic studio in Berlin, near the famous Potsdamer Platz, where major rock artists like David Bowie, R.E.M., Depeche Mode, and U2 recorded. The space remains one of Germany’s main creative and musical hubs.
Visiting it today evokes mixed emotions. The façade features a large image of David Bowie’s face that shifts depending on where you stand to view it. His presence feels alive and playful.
In the 1970s, the windows of Hansa Studios offered a view of a section of the Berlin Wall. It’s said that Bowie saw a couple kissing by the Wall, inspiring him to write “Heroes“. The lyrics, which speak of isolation and fear, also say: “I, I can remember (I remember) / Standing, by the wall (by the wall) / And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads) / And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall) / And the shame, was on the other side.”
It’s no surprise that the song later became an anthem for Berlin, with its longing for freedom. Bowie even recorded a German version of the song, titled “Helden.”
In June 1987, just a few years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, David Bowie returned to the city and performed an emotional concert in front of the Reichstag, the former German Parliament building. The people of East Berlin joined in by climbing onto rooftops and gathering near the Wall, as the sound was intentionally turned up loud. It was a moment when music brought people together, despite the physical borders that separated them.
Who was David Bowie?
David Bowie was born in London on January 8, 1947. He was a multi-artist known for his innovations and has influenced musicians of all generations. He was nicknamed “The Chameleon” for reinventing himself as an artist multiple times, making it his signature.
His career spanned various phases and styles, with most of his life spent between England and the United States. But few periods were as transformative as the years he spent in Berlin, which is why we emphasize how worthwhile it is to feel Bowie’s presence in the streets of Germany.
The years in Berlin not only revitalized his career but also deeply changed his personal and artistic life.
He had an unmistakable voice, a striking stage presence, and a profound sensitivity for writing and composing. Bowie began his music career professionally in the late 1960s and remained active, even while ill, until his final days.
David Bowie passed away in New York on January 10, 2016, shortly after his 69th birthday, due to liver cancer. As per his will, his body was cremated in the United States, and his ashes were scattered in Bali, Indonesia, following Buddhist rituals.
Walking Tour: David Bowie in Berlin
Want to know more about David Bowie’s time in Berlin? A guided walking tour is also a great way to do it. 😀
