This Grafton acrylic saxophone was the first musical instrument owned by David Bowie when he was 14-years-old. It’s now in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Title: David Bowie’s First Instrument: The Grafton Acrylic Saxophone at the V&A Museum
Meta Description: Discover the story behind David Bowie’s first musical instrument – a rare Grafton acrylic saxophone, acquired at age 14. Now housed in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
David Bowie’s Grafton Acrylic Saxophone: The Origin of a Legend
Before Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, or the Thin White Duke, there was a 14-year-old David Robert Jones clutching an unconventional instrument that would plant the seeds of his musical genius: a Grafton acrylic saxophone. This eye-catching cream-colored sax, now a prized artifact in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), marks the starting point of Bowie’s revolutionary journey into music and art. Its unique story blends innovation, destiny, and the humble beginnings of a global icon.
The Teenager and His First Saxophone
In 1961, a young David Bowie, still known as David Jones, yearned to join his school’s jazz band. His stepbrother Terry Burns – a jazz aficionado – inspired him to pick up the saxophone. Determined, Bowie earned money delivering newspapers and took odd jobs to save £45 (roughly £1,200 today) for his first instrument. He later traded a collection of American vinyl records for the Grafton alto sax, an unusual choice made of cream-colored acrylic plastic instead of traditional brass.
The Grafton wasn’t just unusual in material – it was a niche product. Produced in the UK during the 1950s, its lightweight plastic body and affordability made it popular among beginners and experimental musicians. Little did teenage Bowie know his quirky sax would one day symbolize the start of a career that redefined music.
Why the Grafton Saxophone Matters
Beyond its link to Bowie, the Grafton saxophone was groundbreaking in its design. Made by the Grafton Company between 1949 and 1967, it stood out for its futuristic aesthetic and affordability. Jazz legend Ornette Coleman famously used a Grafton on his 1958 debut album, Something Else!. But Bowie’s connection gave it a rock ‘n’ roll legacy.
For Bowie, the sax became more than an instrument – it was a creative outlet. He played it in early bands like The Konrads and The King Bees, and it appears on his 1967 debut solo album, David Bowie. Though he later switched to guitar as his primary instrument, the saxophone’s influence lingered. The wailing sax solos in “Young Americans” and “Lazarus” owe a debt to those teenage practice sessions.
From Attic to Museum: The V&A Acquisition
After decades out of the spotlight, Bowie’s Grafton sax resurfaced in 2011. His former drummer, George Underwood, had stored it for years before donating it to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2013. The sax joined over 300 Bowie artifacts in the V&A’s blockbuster exhibition David Bowie Is, which toured globally before its permanent home at the V&A East Storehouse in London.
The museum highlights the saxophone as a critical piece of Bowie’s origin story. Its display includes archival photos, handwritten lyrics, and costumes, contextualizing how Bowie’s teenage passion ignited a genre-defying career.
A Symbol of Reinvention
The Grafton saxophone embodies themes central to Bowie’s legacy: rebellion, innovation, and reinvention. Plastic saxophones were mocked by purists, yet Bowie embraced the unconventional – a trait that defined his music and persona.
In a 1989 interview, Bowie recalled his early obsession:
“The saxophone represented freedom. It was loud, flashy, and nothing like the stiff music I’d grown up with.”
Visiting Bowie’s Sax at the V&A
Today, fans can see the Grafton acrylic saxophone at the V&A East Storehouse alongside other Bowie memorabilia. The instrument shows visible wear – scratches, discoloration, and a repaired neck – but its cultural significance shines brighter than its flaws.
Location:
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) East Storehouse
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Exhibition Highlights:
- The saxophone displayed with Bowie’s 1960s notebooks.
- Audio clips of Bowie’s early saxophone recordings.
- Interactive exhibits exploring his creative process.
Conclusion
David Bowie’s Grafton acrylic saxophone isn’t just a relic – it’s a testament to the power of youthful dreams. From a teenager’s makeshift jazz aspirations to the V&A’s hallowed halls, this unassuming instrument captures the moment a legend began. For Bowie fans, music historians, and pop culture enthusiasts, it remains a tangible link to the boy who became Starman.
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Explore more Bowie history at the V&A’s official website or plan your visit to see the Grafton saxophone – an irreplaceable piece of music history.
