World famous pop magazine Rolling Stone has apologised after mistakenly using a video of a Chester impressionist’s version of David Bowie singing My Way believing it was the real McCoy.
Stevie Riks’ You Tube video was picked up in an online article about a BBC4 series called The People’s History Of Pop which, according to Rolling Stone, had unearthed rarities including Bowie’s version of the Frank Sinatra staple My Way, featuring lyrics co-written by the late singer-songwriter.
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But Rolling Stone has now removed the You Tube video and included this explanation: “Editor’s Note: The original post featured audio that was not David Bowie’s version of My Way. The audio has been removed and Rolling Stone apologises for the error.”
Born in Ellesmere Port but now living in Chester, Stevie impersonates many singing stars including The Bee Gees, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Liam and Noel Gallagher, Ozzy Osbourne and Freddie Mercury.
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Stevie, 48, who appeared on ITV’s New Faces in 1988, told The Chronicle: “OK, well, Billboard, Rolling Stone Magazine, The NME and many more are all using my video thinking it’s Mr Bowie. Now whether it's being used in the new Bowie BBC documentary, I’m not too sure?
"But the wording seems to state that it is. It’s causing quite a stir on the internet and also radio stations all over the world are playing my version of Bowie singing My Way.”
However, the BBC has confirmed Mr Riks’ footage is not in its programme and nor is any version of Bowie singing My Way.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “I can clarify that there has never been any My Way footage in the programme therefore we have not been duped and no re-edit is required. As we’ve said previously, the programme is still being made and there will be some rare and special Bowie material in it.
“The BBC has not given specific details about the Bowie material that will feature and have not released an advance copy. This is the information we have made available about the episode:
“On BBC Four, writer, journalist and broadcaster Danny Baker will present the second episode of People’s History of Pop. The first programme, which aired in April, was presented by Twiggy. This episode covers the mid 60s to early 70s, when fans were discovering new British music at an exhilarating pace.
“This is a time in which Bolan and Bowie changed people’s lives forever, bookish boys found expression through the likes of Pink Floyd, Northern Soulers danced all night at the Wigan Casino, and Bob Marley brought reggae and dreads to the British mainstream.
"The show meets music fans, including some who fell in love with the psychedelic sounds of Sgt Pepper, hippies who discovered peace and love at the Isle of Wight Festival, and Black Sabbath fans who turned to the new sounds of heavy metal.”
The People’s History Of Pop – a four-part series – is being broadcast on Friday nights in April, July, September and November 2016, with each episode covering a decade.
