In her conversation for Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians series, Monáe recalls going back to the 1970s to see Bowie perform The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Some music fans spend their entire lives regretting the shows they never got to see. Concert movies help ease that pain a little, but Janelle Monáe found an even better solution: time travel.
In conversation with Lucy Dacus for the series Musicians on Musicians from the Rolling Stone, Monae recalled his experience of seeing David Bowie to present The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars live — approximately a decade before he was born.
.@JanelleMonae is a certified time traveler and saw David Bowie on stage. 🛸
“Yeah, I was backstage and I was like ‘this is what I want to do.’” pic.twitter.com/8UKt5bTWiy
—Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) October 20, 2025
It all started with a question about the Halloweena date that Monae plan two years in advance. The celebration responds to the creative impulse he feels for transformation and world-building in music. “I think that was when I saw David Bowie,” she said — before Dacus interrupt, asking for clarification: “Did you see him?”
“Yes, I saw it”, he confirmed Monae. “I went back to the 1970s and saw him do ‘Ziggy Stardust‘ and ‘Spiders From Mars‘. It was incredible.” There was more to the story, but Dacus I wanted to make sure I was hearing correctly. “Did you travel to the past?” he asked again.
“Yes, I was behind the scenes,” he replied Monae. “I thought, this is what I want to do. I flew back to the 2000s and realized I could have the musical, do the music, create the lyrics and a community around transformation and being queer — not just in terms of sexuality, but in the way we see the world.” Monae had already mentioned Ziggy Stardust as an influence on her debut album, The ArchAndroid2010.
How did we even get to this subject? Ah yes—Halloween. “I think that’s the synergy with Halloween,” he said. Monaeresuming the thread of the conversation. “I feel like people give themselves permission to get on my frequency.”
Dacus got it… sort of — in a “what the hell, it’s okay” spirit.
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david bowie
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janelle monáe
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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Source: Rollingstone

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