"Cracked Actor" by David Bowie

David Bowie's song Cracked Actor was originally released on his 1973 album Aladdin Sane; this footage of him performing it is derived from a 1974 documentary of the same name, made by Alan Yentob for the BBC series Omnibus.

The song's shocking story and frank lyrics are as redolent of the 1970s as Bowie's costumes and cocaine-addled demeanour, and point to the genius of the man which continues to grow, even as he passes his 64th birthday today.
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