In 1972 David Bowie was at the peak of his Ziggy Stardust phase. Around this time, a mesmerizing moment of rock and roll history was captured during the making of Bowie’s iconic music video, “The Jean Genie”. Today, we take a look back at this iconic collaboration between Bowie and the equally enigmatic Cyrinda Foxe.
The Genesis of ‘The Jean Genie’
David Bowie’s “The Jean Genie” was the lead single from his 1973 album “Aladdin Sane”. The accompanying music video, shot in October 1972, was a kaleidoscope of concert and studio footage mixed with edgy street scenes. In Bowie’s own words, he aimed to depict “Ziggy as a kind of Hollywood street-rat” with a “consort of the Marilyn brand.” This vision led to the inclusion of the alluring Cyrinda Foxe.
Enter Cyrinda Foxe: Bowie’s ‘Marilyn’
Cyrinda Foxe, who had relationships with both Bowie and James Williamson of The Stooges, was more than a muse. She was a force in her own right, working as a publicist for MainMan, Bowie’s management company. When Bowie called her to be a part of “The Jean Genie” video, Foxe didn’t hesitate. She hopped on a flight from New York to San Francisco and made her way to the Mars Hotel, where the video was to be filmed.
In Bowie’s eyes, no one could have embodied the Marilyn-inspired consort better than Foxe. With her blonde hair and glamorous style, she perfectly captured the aesthetic of a bygone Hollywood era, providing a sharp contrast to Bowie’s edgy Ziggy Stardust persona.
‘The Jean Genie’: A Visual Spectacle
The video for “The Jean Genie” was a blend of high fashion aesthetics and gritty realism. As Bowie described it, the aim was to achieve a “graphic, white, almost Vogue look – big faces, big bits of faces, eyes against stark white backdrops.” This striking visual style was juxtaposed against the raw backdrop of the Mars Hotel, lending the video an edgy, surreal quality.
Foxe, in the role of Bowie’s consort, added an extra layer of glamour to the video. Her chemistry with Bowie was palpable, making their on-screen relationship believable and adding a layer of intrigue to the video. The resulting visual spectacle, with Foxe and Bowie at its heart, became a memorable part of rock and roll history.
An Enduring Bond
Years later, Foxe fondly recalled her time with Bowie, referring to him as a “great lover” and stating that she “really cherished her time” with him. Even though their professional paths diverged, their shared experience during the making of “The Jean Genie” served as a testament to their unique bond.
In retrospect, the collaboration between Bowie and Foxe on “The Jean Genie” was a masterstroke. It perfectly encapsulated Bowie’s daring artistic vision, while showcasing Foxe’s charismatic screen presence. Today, the video stands as a vibrant snapshot of a moment when two distinctive personalities came together to create something truly unforgettable.
