Kevin Armstrong
Kevin Armstrong says David Bowie gave him the best moment of his career.
It was the morning of July 13th 1985, and guitarist Kevin Armstrong was making his way to the helipad at Battersea Power Station, and the streets were uncannily quiet.
His final destination? Live Aid.
Just a few weeks earlier, Kevin, a guitarist already well-established in the British music world, had been in a South London recording studio recording the soundtrack to the film Absolute Beginners with David Bowie.
A feat in itself, these sessions proved to be the most important of Kevin's career.
“David said to me, 'Bob Geldof has asked me to do a charity concert – do you want to play with him?'”
“I had a hunch that it was going to be a big job, but the true impact of the day only gradually became clear.
Kevin Armstrong
Wembley Stadium: Aerial view of Kevin, Bowie and the band
“I don't remember much about the trip to be honest,” says Kevin, who now lives in St Leonards, East Sussex, “but I do remember David being very nervous and hating being on a plane.
“We were flying over the stadium. That's when it finally hit me.”
Kevin had a cheap compact camera.
Kevin Armstrong
David Bowie on a nervous helicopter ride to Live Aid in 1985
“There are images of David and Freddie Mercury lighting cigarettes, and Paula Yates, Bob Geldof and Brian May with guitars around their necks.
“Neil, the drummer, and I went to the top of the stairs leading up to the stage and looked out through the PA stacks to get a feel for the atmosphere and see what it would be like.
Kevin Armstrong
Bowie (second from left) smoking a cigarette with Freddie Mercury backstage at Live Aid
“Playing in a stadium means there's a big crowd, it's very special.”
Kevin recalled that he and the band were “painfully aware” that they were operating so soon after Queen.
“They got the place going and then the crowd went wild when they saw David. I just started jumping around like Tigger so it was very embarrassing.”
Kevin Armstrong
Kevin said he grew close to Bowie while working with him.
“It was totally unexpected, but David introduced us all by name. It was a defining moment for me in my career as a musician.
“When people ask me, 'What have you done in your life?' I say, 'Well, I played at Live Aid with David Bowie.' Seriously, very few people can top that. It was like living a dream.”
After that show, Kevin's life changed forever.
He joined Bowie's Tin Machine band and played with him in the Bahamas, Switzerland and New York, toured the world with Sinead O'Connor, recorded an album with Iggy Pop and still tours with Iggy today.
Kevin Armstrong
Kevin tours the world with Iggy Pop
However, the party collapsed eight years ago.
“When I heard on the radio that David had died I was totally shocked and over the course of the day I just felt worse and worse.
“His death came as a real shock to me as I felt I knew him well from our time working together.
“I've since overcome the difficulties and realised that the way he dealt with the end of his life and death was far more impressive than anyone I can think of out there.”
Bowie released Black Star on his 69th birthday, January 8, 2016. He died two days later.
Listen to Kevin Armstrong's interview with BBC Sussex as part of our Secret Sussex series below.
A glimpse behind the scenes of the greatest rock concert on earth
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