The Tainted Life of Soft Cell

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!"