Leigh Bowery
March 26, 1961 – December 31, 1994
Leigh Bowery was a popular Australian performance artist, actor, model and pop star whose influence was felt in the ’80s and ’90s London and New York City. After graduating from high school, Bowery moved to London where he began building a following due to his dance and music performances as well as his outlandish costumes. In 1985, Bowery launched his weekly disco club night called Taboo, which quickly became London’s answer to Studio 54. It was also very influential to the city’s fashion scene until it closed in 1987. In 1993, Bowery formed the band, Minty who scored a minor hit in the Netherlands, but failed to ignite much excitement beyond the controversy surrounding the theatrics of their shock-horror laden concerts. Bowery is said to have influenced the likes of Boy George, Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons, and the Scissor Sisters. On New Year’s Eve of 1994, Leigh Bowery died of AIDS related conditions. He was 33 years old.