69 and still getting things done.

What is it with David Bowie and “getting things done”? About 20 seconds into this 80s hit, he says “get things done”. About three years earlier, he was at No.1 with Ashes to Ashes which repeats the line “My mama said to get things done, you’d better not mess with Major Tom”. A psychiatrist could read a lot into this, inferring an obsession with hard work, constant re-invention and astonishing achievement. The Dame celebrates his 69th birthday today with the release of a brand new album called Blackstar. According to my friend Malcolm Green, a lifelong Bowie Boy, it’s really good. He’s got it, he’s listened to it and he already has an informed opinion on it. But then that’s Malcolm – a bit like Bowie, he’s another one who “gets things done”.