jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (10/18/84)
I've noticed that Peter Schilling's 1983 hit single, "Major Tom (Coming
Home)" is exactly the same story as David Bowie's 1969 song "Space Oddity",
with even the same name for the central character, Major Tom. My question
is, did Schilling borrow the idea from Bowie or did both of them borrow the
idea from the same third party? If it's the latter, then who is the third
party and did Bowie get the idea for "Ashes To Ashes", which also features
Major Tom, from the same source? If it's the former, did Shilling have
Bowie's permission and could Bowie successfully sue Schilling for using
his story and character without permission, even though Shilling didn't
copy any actual lyrics or music?
--
Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073
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