“David Bowie may have saved my life.” How a head-hunting phone call from David Bowie helped one of alternative rock’s most influential musicians pull back from the abyss during his darkest hours
In 1999, David Bowie invited Helmet frontman Page Hamilton to join his touring band after guitarist Reeves Gabrels left. Hamilton later said the opportunity may have saved his life, arriving while he was divorcing, sleeping on his manager’s sofa and caught in a destructive cycle of drinking and late nights. The call gave him a demanding purpose and helped pull him away from what he described as one of the worst periods of his life.
Hamilton had met Bowie at a German festival two years earlier, where Bowie said he was a fan of Helmet. Preparing for the Hours world tour, Hamilton practised for up to 16 hours a day and learnt 30 songs, including Cracked Actor, Rebel Rebel and Changes. Bowie, who had been sober for 12 years at the time, did not know Hamilton’s circumstances, but his example and the work he offered left a lasting impression.
- Bowie’s touring offer gave Page Hamilton direction during a personal crisis.
- Hamilton learnt 30 Bowie songs through intensive practice.
- He later said Bowie “might have saved” his life.