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Laurie Brown on interviewing Bowie: "He was so friggin' smart"

A select few journalists have had the chance to interview David Bowie — but Laurie Brown had the honour six times.
Journalist Laurie Brown interviews David Bowie about his concept album Outside, released in 1995. (CBC )

David Bowie was famously difficult to pin down for an interview — but Canadian broadcaster Laurie Brown had the honour six times. 

The veteran music journalist joins guest host Tom Power to share memories of an artist she says "could have done anything he wanted," and describe how he surprised and challenged her as an interviewer. She compares Bowie's lens on the world to an ever-changing kaleidoscope. 

"All these different personas that he had, they really weren't about him. They were about us," says Brown. "Every time he put out something new, it was a way for us to look at ourselves differently." 

The journalist also recalls eating grilled cheese sandwiches with the disarming superstar.