
The Unlikely Maestro: Reeves Gabrels on Directing David Bowie’s Tour
Reeves Gabrels candidly reflects on his stint as David Bowie’s Musical Director during the 90s, an experience filled with artistry and ambivalence.

By VIBING
Becoming a Musical Director for a rock icon like David Bowie isn’t an everyday offer. Reputed for his innovative guitar work, Reeves Gabrels delved into this role with a mix of reluctance and resolve.
Becoming a Musical Director for a legendary act comes with its share of spotlights and shadows. For Reeves Gabrels, the guitarist known for his experimental edge, this meant taking on a title he never particularly desired. Despite his reservations, Gabrels embraced the role as Bowie’s right hand on tour, garnering insights into the complexities and charm of the music industry at its pinnacle.
- Money Talks: Gabrels undertook the position with realistic motivations – the allure of a paycheck and the prestige of a title.
- Artistic Alliances: His prior collaborations with Bowie in the band Tin Machine proved instrumental in Bowie’s choice, signifying a trust in Gabrels’ prowess and perspective.
- Behind the Scenes: Serving as a musical director involved juggling the demands of live performance preparation with the nuances of stage dynamics and artist egos.
Despite having a self-professed aversion to the role of musical director, Gabrels’ account serves as an earnest narrative on the intersections of creativity and pragmatism in the music world, offering fans a glimpse into his journey with the Starman himself.