O ne Saturday morning at the beginning of the summer away from 1971, Suzi Ronson are active of working during the Evelyn Paget locks health spa to the Beckenham Standard when two wandered earlier moving a pram. New woman is actually sporting black trousers and you can a hairy coat, the person was in a flowing gold midi dress. “People rushed off to have a look,” remembers Ronson, just who upcoming went by their maiden identity Fussey. “Citizens were like nudging, poking each other, asking, ‘Who may have one?’ Upcoming anybody whispered, ‘It’s David Bowie.’”

He slept that have anyone

Ronson had vaguely observed Bowie: the success of their Room Oddity unmarried got made him a beneficial regional celebrity while the singer’s mom is actually a client. But she remembers: “He had been in a keen arty clique, perhaps not my industry.” But not Ronson would end to-be section of Bowie’s community, really the only functioning woman within his traveling group – due to the fact their particular the newest memoir Me personally and you will Mr Jones applies.

I put Schwarzkopf Red hot. Goodness understands why we had it on day spa – not one person more inside Beckenham might have desired they

Bowie along with his partner Angie resided on center floors away from a mansion called Haddon Hall, about south London area from Beckenham. Stepping inside felt like typing another type of community. “I’d never satisfied individuals in this way ahead of,” claims Ronson. “There were gay dudes – I’d never ever satisfied some body overtly gay before – so there are Daniella, who had been West Indian that have good cockney feature, hair colour from a keen eggs yolk that have large brownish eyes. I happened to be only about three miles at home however it you’ll while the really were a different house.”

‘He had been a dick to possess maybe not telling his bandmates he was eliminating out-of Ziggy’ … Ronson now. Photograph: Alecsandra Dragoi/The brand new Protector

And also at the newest centre of it all was basically this new Bowies. Ronson got allowed in order to Haddon Hallway by Angie, whoever tresses she got slash. “They wanted to alter David’s search,” says Ronson, “and you will Angie realized I became happy to test.” Bowie showed Ronson a papers photo out-of a model utilized by japan designer Kansai Yamamoto. The latest model had quick, purple spiky hair while the artist expected if the she you will content you to. Therefore Ronson reached performs. “It actually was along with that really sold all of them,” she says. “We made use of fantasy Banga hot girl colours – Schwarzkopf Red-hot – throughout the health spa. Goodness knows the reason we got them within the Beckenham. Not one person made use of all of them.” One to date, the fresh new Ziggy Stardust hairstyle came to be.

David marked his territory

Ronson is actually asked towards Bowie’s system, looking it both unsettling and you will intoxicating. “I did not have an especially pleased youngsters,” she states. “My children was in fact a tiny banged up thus i remaining college within 15 and is constantly shopping for a getaway.” Bowie considering one to stay away from and soon Ronson was on the payroll because hairdresser towards ring. It’s clear out of Myself and you can Mr Jones how important Angie is with the Bowie’s and you may Ronson’s lifetime and you can professions.

“Angie is actually Western, she are significant, cool and as ambitious while the brass,” recalls Ronson. “We failed to believe how unbelievable she try.” Angie championed Ronson, to ensure she gotten a made updates from the Bowie’s director – putting some fact Ronson slept which have Bowie somewhat awkward. Bowie had anticipate their so you’re able to Haddon Hall basically getting a good haircut however, had almost every other objectives. “It absolutely was scary given that hell,” says Ronson. “I could have lost my employment basically slept with him, or if I did not. I am talking about, everyone slept that have David – and you will Angie seemed to encourage it.”