Remembering The ISP That David Bowie Ran For Eight Years
1 min read
Summary
David Bowie was not only an iconic musician but also an internet entrepreneur,predating many others with the creation of his ISP, Bowienet
Launched in the US on September 1st 1998 at a cost of $19.95 a month, with 5MB of personal web hosting and an email address, the service peaked with 100,000 subscribers
Users were able to chat directly with Bowie, as well as accessing audio and video clips, and exclusive tracks and concert tickets
The service finally closed in May 2006, unable to retain traction despite Bowie’s celebrity, as it proved too expensive a service for most of his fans, who merely wanted easier access to his music and postings
It is perhaps a precursor to the modern fan-based websites and apps that many celebrity artists have today, as it proved the desire for direct personalised communication with artists.
