Stereophonics reveal how David Bowie inspired 'Dakota'
They hit the road with Bowie on his final tour
Last updated 9th Mar 2020
Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones has revealed how David Bowie inspired him to write their blockbuster smash hit ‘Dakota’ in the early noughties.
Released in February 2005, ‘Dakota’ became the first and only Stereophonics song to reach Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and is a staple of their live shows where it’s often performed as the final track of the encore.
Speaking on stage at London’s The O2 on Friday night (6th March) as part of their UK arena tour, Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones said he wrote ‘Dakota’ when they supported David Bowie on his North American ‘A Reality Tour’ in 2003 - 2004. It proved to be Bowie’s final tour.
Explaining to The O2 audience that the late-great David Bowie attended their soundchecks during the tour, Kelly said, "David Bowie would be watching, so we didn’t want to waste too much of his time.
“So, we’d play a song for maybe 45 seconds, and then another song for like a minute, and then maybe another song for a minute, and then maybe 30 seconds of a song.”
According to NME, Kelly continued, "And then I would walk off the stage and I would walk towards the dressing room, and (Bowie) would put his arm on my shoulder and he would walk with me and say, 'You know, if you extended a few of those songs, you might be f---ing onto something'.
“So, I wrote this song, this is called ‘Dakota’.”
Speaking to Wales Online shortly after Bowie’s death in 2016, Kelly Jones said of the 2003/2004 tour, "Watching (Bowie) work different audiences with different styles of music across the many, very different states of America showed a huge range of work and I loved it.
“He even dedicated 'Life On Mars' to me one night after I'd asked for it the whole tour, and he also happily read a story I'd written while on tour and gave me his opinion - he'd just sit in our dressing room with us some nights, chatting away.
"We also headlined the Isle of Wight festival together after the tour ended - it was a time which had been a huge impacting experience on me.”
Stereophonics continue their UK arena tour at Newcastle Utilita Arena tonight (Monday 9th March) before playing shows in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Manchester and two nights at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena.
Following these arena dates, Stereophonics play outdoor gigs at Inverness Bught Park (Saturday 11th July) and Bangor Vaynol Park (Saturday 25th July) this summer. Tickets are on sale from Aloud.com.
Stereophonics released their eleventh studio album ‘Kind’ last autumn, which includes, ‘Fly Like an Eagle’ and ‘Bust This Town’.
See Stereophonics at the following upcoming shows:
MARCH 2020
Newcastle Utilita Arena – Mon 9th
Aberdeen P & J Live Arena – Tue 10th
Glasgow The SSE Hydro – Wed 11th
Manchester Arena – Fri 13th
Cardiff Motorpoint Arena – Sat 14th
Cardiff Motorpoint Arena – Sun 15th
JULY 2020
Inverness Bught Park - Sat 11th
Bangor Vaynol Park - Sat 25th
Now take a look at other tours to look forward to this year:
Rick Astley - 'Greatest Hits Tour 2020'
Following the release of his career-spanning compilation album 'The Best Of Me', Rick will embark on an sizeable arena tour in May 2021.
Simple Minds - 'The 40 Years Of Hits Tour'
Due to phenomenal demand Simple Minds added five extra UK arena dates to their world tour in 2020 celebrating 40 iconic years.
Following their previously announced shows in April being rescheduled to February and August 2021.
Crowded House
New Zealand-Australian music icons Crowded House have reunited for their first European tour in a decade.
Founding members Neil Finn and Nick Seymour will be joined by Mitchell Froom, Liam Finn and Elroy Finn on the 2021 trek that includes six headline UK shows.
Eagles - 'Hotel California'
Eagles are bringing their highly acclaimed 'Hotel California' tour to London Wembley Stadium in August 2021.
Flanked by an orchestra and choir, Eagles - Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, with Deacon Frey and Vince Gill - will perform the iconic album 'Hotel California' in its entirety followed by an additional set of the band's greatest hits.
The band performed three sold-out performances of the iconic album Hotel California in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The highly acclaimed concerts were the first time the Eagles have ever performed the Hotel California album in its entirety and featured 77 musicians on stage, including a 46-piece orchestra and a 22-voice choir.
Diana Ross - 'The Diamond Diana Top of the World Tour'
Following her 'Legend' spot at The 50th Anniversary of Glastonbury, Diana Ross will embark on the UK leg of her 'Diamond Diana Top of the World Tour' in 2021.
Diana said, "I look forward to coming to the UK to be with all my fans, friends and family, it is an honour and a privilege to sing and dream, every concert is a blessing and a gift, I am filled with excitement and huge appreciation. Dreams do come true."
The 'Diamond Diana Top of the World Tour' is an electrifying tour of music, memories and career magic. These arena concert performances will be a thrilling evening of great fun, music, glamour and love. With all of her spectacular costume changes.
Queen + Adam Lambert - 'The Rhapsody Tour'
Queen + Adam Lambert have now postponed the UK leg of their tour to 2021.
'The Rhapsody Tour' was set for 27 dates across the UK and Europe, but in a tweet the band have revealed, 'Queen + Adam Lambert regretfully announce that their upcoming 27-date UK & European Rhapsody tour is being postponed due to the on-going global coronavirus outbreak'.
The tour will now take place in June 2021.
Elton John - 'The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour'
Elton John's tour has sold out!
Speaking of the UK dates Elton John said, "The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour will take us to many places that have meant a lot to me over the last fifty years, but these UK shows will be incredibly special. The UK is home, and where my heart will always be."
Deacon Blue - 'The Cities of Love Tour'
Deacon Blue announced a new album 'City of Love' which sees the multi-million selling band deliver eleven brilliant new tracks tethered by a singular belief - that even in the corners of a town or a life where no light falls, hope can prevail.
Supported by a huge tour, the band will be touring in November and December 2020.
Barry Manilow - 'MANILOW UK 2020 tour'
After triumphing at his 17 sold out concerts on Broadway, singing legend Barry Manilow has confirmed his return to the UK for seven arena shows.
The 'MANILOW UK 2020' tour has now be postponed until May and June 2021 when the singer will perform in at Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, London, Leeds and Glasgow.
Barry Manilow's unparalleled career encompasses virtually every area of music, including performing, composing, arranging and producing.
Celine Dion - 'Courage World Tour'
Supporting Celine's current album 'Courage', the music megastar will kick off her UK tour at Manchester Arena on 15th April 2021 before playing two nights apiece at Birmingham Arena, Glasgow The SSE Hydro, and London The O2.
The Courage World Tour dates are Celine's first in the UK since her triumphant headline slot at British Summer Time Hyde Park in July 2019.
It's also her first tour in the UK since the critically acclaimed Celine Dion Live in 2017 which garnered much praise across the nation and cemented her status as one of the most renowned performers in the world.
Bryan Adams - 'Shine a Light' tour
Bryan Adams announced two UK dates for his 'Shine a Light' tour, taking place in April 2021. The Canadian singer is known for his hits such as, 'Run to You', 'Summer of '69', and 'Heaven', having had four decades of success in the charts.
Pet Shop Boys - 'Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live'
Pet Shop Boys will embark on their first ever greatest hits tour – Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live – in May and June 2021.
Taking in a total of seven arenas, the major tour calls in at London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Newcastle and Glasgow.
Simply Red
Simply Red will embark on a gargantuan UK arena tour in October 2021.
Hailed as one of the most successful live acts ever to come out of the UK, they will be firing on all cylinders delivering their all-time classic hits from a stellar career, such as 'Stars', 'Holding Back The Years', 'Fairground' and 'Money's Too Tight To Mention', as well as some raw and soulful grooves from new album 'Blue Eyed Soul'.
a-ha - 'Hunting High and Low Tour'
Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy will be performing in An Evening With format, with an interval. For the first half of the concert, they will play new and old, familiar and less-familiar songs. Then, after returning to the stage, they will play the ten songs of their 1985 debut album Hunting High And Low in the running order of the original release. The album spawned their defining anthem 'Take On Me'.
Kim Wilde - 'Greatest Hits Tour'
Kim Wilde will be performing her biggest anthems on tour in September 2021.
The 80s icon's Greatest Hits Tour takes in a total of 10 headline shows, calling in at Gateshead, York, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Southend and London.
Kim will be joined by special guests China Crisis at all dates.
Billy Ocean
Taking in 21 shows throughout September and October 2021, Billy Ocean will be performing the best of his greatest hits and songs from his upcoming new studio album 'One World'.
Sting - 'My Songs' World Tour
Sting has revealed he'll be bringing his 'My Songs' World Tour to the UK in June 2021 for just two dates. The singer will perform in London for an exclusive run of limited shows at the iconic Palladium, his only UK shows.
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons have announced they will be taking to the road in the UK this summer! The band, who are known for their songs, 'Big Girls Don't Cry', 'Sherry' and 'Who Loves You', will be playing in Nottingham and Liverpool in July 2021.
Genesis
Almost 13 years on from their last concert, Genesis have reformed for a November and December 2020 UK & Ireland arena tour.
The core Genesis trio will be joined by Phil Collins' teenage son Nic on drums and long-standing guitarist Daryl Stuermer at the upcoming shows.
Blondie - 'Against All Odds' UK tour
Blondie will be taking to the road in November 2021 for their 'Against All Odds' UK tour, supported by Garbage and performing in Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Hull, Nottingham, Brighton, Cardiff, London, Glasgow and Leeds.
OMD - 'Architecture & More'
OMD are known for their hits 'Locomotion' and 'Sailing on the Seven Seas', which were both Top 5 hits in the UK, along with their 1982 song 'Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc)'.
And their tour in November 2021 will see OMD perform songs from their iconic 1981 album 'Architecture & Morality', plus many more hits from their legendary back catalogue.
You can hear songs by these artists on Greatest Hits Radio.
Listen to Greatest Hits Radio on the free Rayo app, online or on your DAB digital radio. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying “Play Greatest Hits Radio”.