In January 2016, the unexpected death of David Bowie rocked the globe. For millions of people, he was an icon celebrated for his music, his film and theatrical roles, and his trendsetting influence on fashion and gender norms. But no one from her inner circle has told the story of how David Jones--a young folksinger, dancer, and aspiring mime--became one of the most influential artists of our time.

Drummer Woody Woodmansey is the last surviving member of Bowie's band The Spiders from Mars which helped launch his Ziggy Stardust persona and made David Bowie a sensation.

In this...