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The Tainted Life of Soft Cell

Ian Gittins, Q, 2004

IN 1973 A 16-YEAR-OLD Marc Almond travelled from his hometown of Southport to Liverpool to see David Bowie on his Aladdin Sane tour. Having suffered a beating en route, thanks to the facial make-up and silver-streaked hair he considered essential for the gig, an excited Almond climbed over the crush barrier as Bowie performed mock-fellatio on guitarist Mick Ronson. As Bowie crooned the climax of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide’ – "C’mon, give me your hand!" – Almond reached for his idol, who grabbed his fingers and held them. "I was touched by my God!" Almond was to later marvel. "Hail, hail the idol!"

Total word count of piece: 2512

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