Gail Ann Dorsey: David Bowie's Bassist on "Under Pressure" & Going Solo Again

For nearly 20 years, Gail Ann Dorsey held down bass and vocals in David Bowie's live band — including singing the Freddie Mercury part in "Under Pressure." Now, 21 years after her last solo album, she's releasing The Appearance of Life and stepping back to center stage.Gail talks about the terror of being asked to sing "Under Pressure" for the first time, what she's actually thinking about mid-performance when a show is really working, and how it feels to perform Bowie's music now with the Blackstar Symphony — for audiences still carrying his loss. She also opens up about the night she opened solo at The Vogue in Indianapolis before joining Thomas Dolby's band, and what it costs — and gives — to finally walk out as herself.Stage Vault goes behind the curtain of live music: the nerves, the rituals, and the moments that never make it to the setlist. Hosted by Chuck Fields.New episodes every other week. Follow the show so you never miss one.The show ends. The vault opens.Photo of Gail by Jimmy Fontaine.Sponsored by Musicologie – simply delightful music lessons at ⁠⁠⁠⁠musicologie.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.