David Bowie's Unlikely Philly Superfans Get Exclusive Listening Party Invite
In the late 1970s, an unlikely group of teenagers found themselves at the center of David Bowie's universe. Marla Kanevsky, then just 14 years old, was one of a handful of devoted fans who had been camping out outside his temporary Philadelphia home, waiting to catch a glimpse of their idol.
The group, known as the Sigma Kids, had been gathering information about Bowie's plans for his upcoming live album at Sigma Sound Studios. With parents in tow – Kanevsky's "very cool" ones being particularly accommodating – the teens would stake out the block, braving rain and nightfall until Bowie reemerged.
Their persistence paid off when they received an exclusive invitation to a secret listening party. On a rainy summer evening, the group was ushered into the recording studio where Bowie was working on his album "Young Americans." The 23-year-old guitarist Carlos Alomar had become like a friend, sharing updates with the teens and helping them feel more connected.
As they listened to the raw tracks, Bowie promised the fans he'd have something special in store for them. When it came time for the second playthrough, the group joined forces with Bowie, dancing and socializing together. It was an unforgettable night that left a lasting impression on all who attended – especially Kanevsky.
"I think I was in shock probably for the first hour of it," she recalls. "And then, yeah, we sat there silently. We were listening and taking it all in. It was just like a dream. He had been working, we were standing outside for almost two weeks and then to be invited in to hear it was just iconic."
The Sigma Kids' close bond with Bowie eventually led to them being part of the inner circle. Their story has since become an integral part of Philly Loves Bowie Week, an annual tribute that began after the legendary musician's passing in 2016.
Today, Kanevsky and Patti Brett – another member of the group – share their experiences in a documentary titled "The Sigma Kids," which has been screened at various events across Philadelphia. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of music to bring people together and create unforgettable memories.
In the late 1970s, an unlikely group of teenagers found themselves at the center of David Bowie's universe. Marla Kanevsky, then just 14 years old, was one of a handful of devoted fans who had been camping out outside his temporary Philadelphia home, waiting to catch a glimpse of their idol.
The group, known as the Sigma Kids, had been gathering information about Bowie's plans for his upcoming live album at Sigma Sound Studios. With parents in tow – Kanevsky's "very cool" ones being particularly accommodating – the teens would stake out the block, braving rain and nightfall until Bowie reemerged.
Their persistence paid off when they received an exclusive invitation to a secret listening party. On a rainy summer evening, the group was ushered into the recording studio where Bowie was working on his album "Young Americans." The 23-year-old guitarist Carlos Alomar had become like a friend, sharing updates with the teens and helping them feel more connected.
As they listened to the raw tracks, Bowie promised the fans he'd have something special in store for them. When it came time for the second playthrough, the group joined forces with Bowie, dancing and socializing together. It was an unforgettable night that left a lasting impression on all who attended – especially Kanevsky.
"I think I was in shock probably for the first hour of it," she recalls. "And then, yeah, we sat there silently. We were listening and taking it all in. It was just like a dream. He had been working, we were standing outside for almost two weeks and then to be invited in to hear it was just iconic."
The Sigma Kids' close bond with Bowie eventually led to them being part of the inner circle. Their story has since become an integral part of Philly Loves Bowie Week, an annual tribute that began after the legendary musician's passing in 2016.
Today, Kanevsky and Patti Brett – another member of the group – share their experiences in a documentary titled "The Sigma Kids," which has been screened at various events across Philadelphia. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of music to bring people together and create unforgettable memories.
they got to hang out with carlos alomar and even dance together w bowie i mean what more could u ask for?! it's so beautiful to see how music can bring ppl together like that 
. I mean, these kids were dedicated fans, camping out for days just to catch a glimpse of him, and then they get invited into the recording studio for an exclusive listening session? It's wild! 
... those kids must've had some major connections with Bowie's team for them to get that invite, right? Like, how did they even know he was working on a new album? And what's up with Carlos Alomar being such a buddy with these teenagers? Was it just a coincidence or is there more to the story than we're seeing here? 
I'm not saying anything shady happened, but this just feels like too much of a convenient plot twist... maybe we should dig deeper? 
. And can you blame them? The guy was a total rockstar (pun intended)! It's amazing how music can bring people together like that – even if it means braving the elements and sneaking into a recording studio 
. I'm loving this documentary, btw! Can't wait to see more behind-the-scenes peeks at Bowie's life 
I mean, they basically camped out outside his house to get an invite to a secret listening party? That's dedication right there! But let me tell you, if they had done their research, they would've known that Sigma Sound Studios was actually where The O'Jays recorded most of their hits, not just David Bowie. 
They were like, totally devoted, braving rain & nightfall for hours on end 
. That exclusive listening party invite was lit 
, and it's so cool they got to hang with Carlos Alomar 
. The Sigma Kids' bond is still strong, even years later 
. Their story is a reminder that music can bring people together in the most amazing ways 
? 
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. I love how Marla Kanevsky describes the night as like a dream - it's crazy to think about her and those other teens just showing up to the studio and becoming part of Bowie's inner circle 
. And now, all these years later, they're sharing their stories in a doc? It's amazing how music can bring people together like that 
.
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David Bowie's old fans get a listening party invite... big whoop. I mean, I guess it's cool that some teenagers were obsessed with him back in the day, but let's be real, this is just a bunch of nostalgic fluff. And don't even get me started on how outdated this article feels - like, when are we going to move on from 70s rock legends? 
Can we please focus on something more relevant... like the latest social media trends or celebrity controversies? 
]
and they totally SLAYED it 
[GIF of someone doing a cool dance move]
and their dedication paid off 
]
I'm definitely going to check out this documentary and learn more about these talented teens who brought joy to Bowie's life. 
. it was all about the thrill of the unknown, right? but what's even cooler is that those same teenagers who were lucky enough to meet David Bowie are now sharing their stories with a new generation 
.
i mean i get it he was a legend but come on marla kanevsky was 14 when she met him woooo that's creepy 
anyway i'm glad these kids got to experience something special but also not sure how cool their parents were being 
.
And then they get invited to an exclusive listening party? 
!