The Dark Side Of David Bowie: Underage Sex Allegations

In 2019, two women, Dana Gillespie and Lori Mattix, alleged that they had sexual relationships with David Bowie when they were 14 and 15 years old, respectively. Bowie was 17 when he allegedly slept with Gillespie, and in his mid-20s when he allegedly slept with Mattix. Mattix, also known as Lori Maddox or Lori Lightning, was a self-described baby groupie in the 1970s. She claimed that she lost her virginity to Bowie and that the encounter was a threesome involving her friend Sable Starr. Bowie has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations, and there are no known photos of him with Gillespie or Mattix. While some have characterized these incidents as statutory rape, others, including Gillespie and Mattix, have downplayed them as consensual encounters that occurred in a different cultural context. The allegations have sparked discussions about separating artists' personal lives from their art and the impact of the MeToo movement on reevaluating past behaviors.

Lori Mattix's account of her alleged relationship with David Bowie

Lori Mattix (sometimes spelled Maddox or Matrix) is an American former child model and self-described baby "groupie" of the 1970s. Mattix has alleged that she had a sexual relationship with David Bowie when she was 14 or 15 years old, and he was in his mid-20s.

In an interview with Thrillist in 2015, Mattix claimed that she was introduced to Bowie in October 1972 while he was in Los Angeles on his Ziggy Stardust Tour. When Bowie returned to Los Angeles five months later, on the night before he performed at the Long Beach Arena in March 1973, Mattix alleged that Bowie's bodyguard picked her and her friend, Sable Starr, up for a sexual encounter with the singer. Mattix claimed that the three of them went to a hotel, where she lost her virginity to Bowie and then had a threesome with him and Starr. However, Starr gave a conflicting account, claiming that she alone had sex with Bowie that night.

In an interview with The Guardian, Mattix said that she continued to see Bowie many times in the ten years following their initial encounter. She also stated that she didn't view their relationship as exploitative at the time, but the Me Too movement had forced her to reconsider. She said, "I don't think underage girls should sleep with guys... I wouldn't want this for anybody's daughter. My perspective is changing as I get older and more cynical."

Mattix has also stated that she never thought of Bowie as a paedophile, saying, "He would fk anything. If he liked it, he would fk it." She also said that she was not raped by Bowie and that they were just having fun. Mattix's account is disputed, and there is no photographic evidence of their alleged relationship.

The impact of the MeToo movement on Bowie's legacy

In 2015, Lori Mattix (sometimes spelled Maddox or Lightning) gave an interview to Thrillist in which she alleged that she had a sexual encounter with David Bowie when she was 14 or 15 years old. Mattix claimed that Bowie's bodyguard picked her and her friend, Sable Starr, up for a sexual encounter with the singer. Mattix stated that she and Starr met Bowie at a bar before the three went to his hotel suite, where she lost her virginity in a threesome. Starr gave a conflicting account, claiming that she alone had sex with Bowie.

Bowie's sexual history, including accusations of relationships with underage girls, has complicated his legacy, especially in light of the MeToo movement. The MeToo movement, founded by activist Tarana Burke, aims to support survivors and end sexual violence. It has brought attention to powerful men in entertainment and politics accused of sexual misconduct.

On the other hand, some fans and commentators have attempted to whitewash the allegations, with some even arguing that the sexual encounters were consensual. Others have debated the credibility of the accusers, such as Mattix, who has not indicated that she found the experience traumatic.

The MeToo movement has prompted a necessary dialogue about the systematic abuse of women and the glorification of celebrities. It has also shifted the movement's focus from the film industry to the music industry, highlighting the need to address the influence of celebrities with power and the potential consequences of their actions.

Bowie's alleged preference for younger women

David Bowie allegedly had a preference for younger women. In 2019, two former friends of the rock legend spoke out about his alleged preference. Dana Gillespie claimed that she had sex with Bowie when she was 14 and he was 17, after meeting him when he performed at the Marquee in Soho in 1964. Gillespie has said that Bowie "liked bright women". She also stated that she had "never thought of David as someone who liked young girls in particular".

In addition to Gillespie, Lori Maddox, also known as Lori Mattix, claims that she lost her virginity to Bowie when she was 14 and he was in his mid-20s. She has said that she and her friend Sable Starr partied with just about every major rock star that came through LA. Bowie allegedly asked Maddox up to his hotel room, where they had sex, which later turned into a threesome with Starr.

Comedian David Baddiel has also claimed that a woman told him that Bowie had a threesome with her and her friend when she was 16 and he was in his 40s. However, the woman in question has stated that she did not sleep with Bowie.

Bowie has never confirmed or denied the accounts of Gillespie and Maddox.

The ethics of consuming art created by monstrous men

The #MeToo movement has brought to light numerous allegations of sexual misconduct by men in positions of power, including in the entertainment industry. In the wake of these allegations, fans have been left grappling with the ethical dilemma of consuming art created by these "monstrous men". This dilemma has sparked debates and soul-searching among fans who are trying to reconcile their love for the art with the reprehensible actions of its creators.

David Bowie, the iconic musician who passed away in 2016, is one such figure whose legacy has been marred by allegations of sexual relationships with underage girls. Notably, Lori Mattix (also known as Lori Maddox or Lori Lightning) has alleged that she lost her virginity to Bowie when she was just 14 or 15 years old. In addition, Dana Gillespie claimed that she had sex with Bowie when she was 14 and he was 17. While Bowie never confirmed nor denied these accounts, they have sparked outrage and soul-searching among fans, who are struggling to reconcile their love for his music with these disturbing allegations.

This dilemma is not unique to Bowie, as similar allegations have surfaced against other celebrated figures in the entertainment industry, including Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, and Michael Jackson. In each case, fans are forced to reckon with the disconnect between the artist's genius and their monstrous behaviour. It raises the question of whether it is possible to separate the art from the artist, and if so, what that separation entails.

Some argue that the art should be judged separately from the artist, as it is the product of their talent and creativity, not their personal conduct. This view holds that art can be appreciated and valued regardless of the artist's moral character or actions. However, others find it challenging to dissociate the art from the artist, especially when the art is intrinsically linked to the artist's persona, as is often the case with musicians and actors. In such instances, the art may serve as a reminder of the artist's transgressions, making it difficult to enjoy their work without recalling their abusive behaviour.

Furthermore, the consumption of art created by abusive or unethical individuals can be seen as a form of endorsement or support. By continuing to listen to their music, watch their films, or read their books, fans may inadvertently contribute to the perpetuation of their legacy and influence. This can be particularly problematic when the artist continues to profit from their work, potentially rewarding them for their abusive behaviour.

Ultimately, the ethical dilemma of consuming art created by monstrous men is a complex and deeply personal issue. It requires a careful consideration of the separation of art from the artist, the impact of our consumption on the perpetuation of their legacy, and our own individual values and boundaries. As fans, we must grapple with these difficult questions and make choices that reflect our commitment to ethical consumption and our support for survivors of abuse.

The age of consent in the UK

Several sources allege that David Bowie had sexual relationships with girls under the age of consent. One of the girls, Dana Gillespie, claimed that she had sex with Bowie when she was 14 and he was 17. Bowie has also been accused of having sex with Lori Maddox when she was 14 and he was in his mid-20s. Another source mentions a third girl, Sable Starr, who was friends with Maddox and had sex with Bowie when she was 15.

In the United Kingdom, the age of consent for penetrative sex, oral sex, and mutual masturbation is 16 years. This applies regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 in England and Wales, the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 in Scotland, and the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 in Northern Ireland all specify 16 as the legal age of consent. This means that if an individual engages in sexual activity with someone aged 15 or younger, they may be charged with a criminal offence.

During the 1970s, there was political advocacy in favour of lowering the age of consent. The Campaign for Homosexual Equality suggested a basic age of consent of 16, but as low as 12 "in cases where a defendant could prove the existence of meaningful consent". The Sexual Law Reform Society proposed lowering the age to 14, arguing that below 18, the burden of proof for consent should lie with the older participant. The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) also called for an equal age of consent of 14, or even 10.

In more recent years, there have been occasional arguments in favour of reducing the age of consent, typically to an earlier point in adolescence. In 2013, a public health expert, Professor John Ashton, called for the age of consent to be lowered to 15. He cited official figures indicating that up to a third of 14 and 15-year-olds in Britain are sexually active. Ashton argued that a nationwide debate was needed to discuss the benefits of lowering the age of consent to better support younger teenagers with issues related to disease and contraception.

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