Warren Peace (born Geoffrey Alexander MacCormack in February 1947) is an English vocalist, composer, and dancer. He is best known for his longtime friendship with David Bowie, beginning in childhood, and for providing backing vocals on Bowie's 1970s albums including Aladdin Sane (1973) and Diamond Dogs (1974), as well as co-writing the song "Rock 'n' Roll with Me".[1][2]In 2023, MacCormack published David Bowie: Rock 'n' Roll with Me, a collection of his photographs documenting their travels and adventures together.[3]
Early life
Childhood in Bromley
Geoffrey Alexander MacCormack, professionally known as Warren Peace, was born in February 1947 and raised in Bromley, Kent, during the post-war period of suburban expansion in Britain.[4] His family led a modest life in this working-class enclave on the outskirts of London, though specific details about his parents and any siblings remain limited in public records.[5] This environment reflected the austere yet hopeful atmosphere of mid-20th-century Britain, where rationing had recently ended and communities focused on rebuilding everyday stability.MacCormack's early years were shaped by local institutions in Bromley, including attendance at Burnt Ash Primary School, a typical state-funded institution for children in the area.[6] It was here, in the mid-1950s at the age of eight, that he first encountered David Bowie (then David Jones), who had recently relocated to the neighborhood; this chance meeting laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship.[6] Beyond academics, MacCormack participated in community activities such as the local Church of England choir and the Scouts, where he and Bowie performed informal song-and-dance routines for peers, fostering his initial artistic inclinations without any formal training.[5]His exposure to music began casually through the era's burgeoning rock 'n' roll wave, transmitted via radio broadcasts and emerging local youth culture in the late 1950s.[7] These non-professional pursuits, including casual singing and group performances, highlighted an early creative spark in a setting far removed from professional artistry, setting the stage for his later endeavors. No records indicate pursuit of higher education following primary school, as MacCormack transitioned directly into exploratory creative and vocational paths in his teens.[8]
Friendship with David Bowie
Geoff MacCormack, professionally known as Warren Peace, first met David Bowie at Burnt Ash Primary School in Bromley during the mid-1950s, when both boys were approximately eight years old.[9] Despite orbiting different social groups within the school, they quickly bonded over mutual passions for music, art, and theater, laying the foundation for a friendship that would endure for over six decades.[10]As teenagers immersed in Bromley's vibrant youth scene, MacCormack and Bowie frequently hung out together, attending local gigs and discussing influential artists such as Little Richard and jazz musicians.[11]Bowie's family home often served as a central gathering spot, where they explored American rock 'n' roll records and shared their enthusiasm for mod fashion and emerging cultural trends.[10] One notable anecdote from their early years involves MacCormack excitedly bringing a copy of Little Richard's album to Bowie's house, which sparked animated discussions and deepened their creative connection.[11]Their bond proved resilient through life's changes, with MacCormack providing a steadying presence as Bowie achieved international fame in the 1970s, offering emotional support amid the pressures of stardom.[12] One illustrative incident highlights their closeness: in 1971, following Bowie's near-fatal car accident outside a police station in Lewisham—where his 1932 Riley Gamecock lurched forward while cranking, pinning him against another vehicle and narrowly missing a main artery—MacCormack and George Underwood visited him in LewishamHospital a couple of days later. Upon seeing Bowie's pale face, they sang Clarence Carter's "Patches," prompting an ironic smile from him.[12] Even after their intensive collaborative period, the pair maintained regular contact, exchanging visits and encouragement for each other's independent pursuits well into the 2010s.[13] This lifelong friendship, marked by unwavering mutual encouragement, transitioned naturally into professional musical endeavors in the early 1970s.[10]
Musical career
Collaborations with David Bowie
Geoffrey MacCormack, performing under the stage name Warren Peace, provided backing vocals on several David Bowie albums during the early to mid-1970s, marking his initial musical integration into Bowie's recordings. His contributions began with Aladdin Sane (1973), where he sang backing vocals on tracks including "Time," alongside percussion on "Panic in Detroit."[10][14] He continued with backing vocals on Pin Ups (1973), Diamond Dogs (1974)—notably on "1984"—Young Americans (1975), and Station to Station (1976), including prominent layers on "Golden Years."[15][16][17] These vocal additions helped shape Bowie's evolving sound, from glam rock to soul-infused experimentation.[10]Peace's live performances with Bowie commenced during the 1973 Aladdin Sane Tour, encompassing the US, Japan, and UK legs, where he served as a backing vocalist and percussionist. He participated in the tour's climactic event, Bowie's farewell to the Ziggy Stardust persona at London's Hammersmith Odeon on July 3, 1973.[18] The following year, Peace joined the Diamond Dogs Tour as both a dancer and vocalist, incorporating choreographed elements into elaborate stage productions; his performances were documented on the live album David Live (1974), recorded at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.In addition to vocal and performance roles, Peace co-wrote "Rock 'n' Roll with Me" for Diamond Dogs, contributing the verse melody, chord sequences, and portions of the lyrics during the Aladdin Sane Tour in 1973; the track was formalized in sessions at Olympic Studios in early 1974.[2] Earlier that year, Peace and Bowie had recorded unreleased demos of the song at Olympic Studios, reflecting their collaborative songwriting process amid the tour's intensity. This partnership highlighted Peace's creative input beyond support roles.Peace's involvement evolved from percussion and backing vocals to a more dynamic stage presence as a choreographed performer, particularly evident in the theatrical Diamond Dogs Tour. His shared enthusiasm for Philadelphia soul music with Bowie during the 1974 tour—listening to records on the tour bus—influenced Bowie's shift toward soul styles in subsequent albums like Young Americans.[10][19]
Work with Iggy Pop and the Astronettes
In the mid-1970s, Warren Peace (real name Geoffrey Alexander MacCormack) contributed backing vocals and keyboards to Iggy Pop's album Lust for Life (1977), produced by David Bowie during sessions at Hansa Studio in Berlin.[20] His vocal support enhanced the album's experimental art-rock sound amid Pop's transition from punk roots.[21] On Lust for Life, Peace also provided keyboards and backing vocals specifically for "Turn Blue," a track co-written by Pop, Bowie, and himself during 1975 sessions in Los Angeles.[22]The lyrics of "Turn Blue," which Peace helped develop, explore themes of introspection, isolation, and inner turmoil, often interpreted as reflections on personal struggle and metaphorical self-destruction, such as references to heroin use and emotional "turning blue."[23] Originally titled "Moving On" and debuted live during Pop's 1977 tour, the song's contemplative tone contrasted the album's energetic anthems, drawing from Peace's collaborative input on its structure and wording.[22] This work marked Peace's direct songwriting involvement in Pop's catalog, bridging his roles as performer and creative contributor under Bowie's production oversight.[24]Earlier, in 1973, Peace co-formed the Astronettes with singers Ava Cherry and Jason Guess, a vocal group assembled during Bowie's Young Americans era and produced by Bowie himself at Olympic Studios in London.[25] As a key vocalist and co-performer, Peace shared lead duties on several tracks, contributing to the group's harmonious, improvisational style that blended his soulful delivery with Cherry's R&B influences and Guess's rhythmic flair.[26] The sessions overlapped with Bowie's exploration of Philadelphia soul and funk, yielding a psychedelic soul sound that fused Afro-American vocal traditions with Latin rhythms and experimental elements.[27]The resulting album, People from Bad Homes (released in 1995 as Ava Cherry and the Astronettes), compiled material from those 1973 tapes, including standout tracks like "I Am a Laser" and the title song "People from Bad Homes," which showcased the group's avant-garde blues-rock edges and thematic nods to urban alienation.[28] Other highlights featured Peace's prominent vocals on "Having a Good Time" and "God Only Knows," numbers that circulated as bootlegs for years before official release, capturing the raw, unreleased energy of the Olympic sessions.[29] The project's delayed issuance preserved its cult status, illustrating Peace's foundational role in a short-lived but influential ensemble tied to Bowie's mid-1970s creative pivot.[30]
Other early musical projects
Before joining David Bowie's inner circle in the early 1970s, Geoff MacCormack, who later adopted the stage name Warren Peace, engaged in modest musical pursuits rooted in his Bromley upbringing. As a child in Bromley, Kent, he developed an early interest in music alongside school friends, including Bowie, whom he met at age eight in primary school, where they bonded over American rock 'n' roll and mod culture.[10] In the late 1950s, MacCormack sang in the St. Mary's Church Choir in Bromley, an experience that honed his vocal abilities during his formative years.[31] By the late 1960s, he was groomed for a professional singing career, though he later reflected that his passion for it waned.[32]These early efforts remained informal, with no formal releases; MacCormack participated in amateur musical activities and casual songwriting, often exchanging creative ideas with Bowie, who gifted him an unreleased song titled "How Lucky You Are" as a gesture of their friendship.[12] Relocating to London in his teens further immersed him in the vibrant music scene, where exposure to soul artists like Bill Withers and eclectic works such as Van Morrison's Astral Weeks shaped his vocal style and appreciation for rhythmic, emotive performance.[12]In the early 1970s, MacCormack's stage presence emerged through select television appearances, including a role as a backing vocalist and dancer in Bowie's The 1980 Floor Show, a 1973 NBC special filmed at London's [Marquee Club](/page/Marquee Club), where he contributed to the production's campy, theatrical flair.[33] He also provided percussion on some of Bowie's initial recordings during this period, supporting the transition from demo stages to full collaborations. These activities laid the groundwork for his more prominent involvement in Bowie's projects.[34]
Later career
Songwriting and production
Following the conclusion of his touring commitments with David Bowie in 1976, Geoff MacCormack, performing under the stage name Warren Peace, established his own independent songwriting and music production company. This venture marked a transition from onstage performance to behind-the-scenes creative work, emphasizing the composition of pop songs and advertising jingles tailored for commercial media.[35][13]MacCormack's commercial output gained significant recognition, particularly through prestigious awards in the advertising music sector. In 1991, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Best Theme from a TV or Radio Commercial for "Only You," a jingle co-written with Simon Goldenberg for the Fiat Tempra automobile advertisement. Additionally, he earned a Gold Clio Award for his contributions to commercial themes, highlighting his skill in crafting memorable, concise musical pieces that enhanced brand campaigns. These accolades underscored his growing influence in the niche of advertising composition during the late 1980s and early 1990s.[36][37][38][39]Beyond awards, MacCormack's key works included scoring themes for various television advertisements and achieving a notable milestone with a national TV theme that reached number 3 in the charts—a rare accomplishment for such specialized music. His production roles extended to early support for emerging artists, evolving into broader contributions in media scoring that bordered on film applications without encompassing full feature-length projects. This phase built on his earlier collaborative songwriting experiences, such as co-writing tracks with Bowie in the 1970s, but shifted focus toward independent commercial endeavors.[39][12]
Film scores and media contributions
Geoff MacCormack, performing under the stage name Warren Peace, extended his musical talents into film and media production through a long-term partnership with composerSimon Goldenberg, which produced award-winning work for advertising and visual media.[40] Their collaboration, spanning over two decades from the late 1970s, included compositions for high-end commercials that earned a Gold Clio Award for advertising excellence and an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting achievement, with a notable 1991 win for Best Theme from a TV/Radio Commercial for the track "Only You."[41][42]In film, MacCormack served as composer for the 1989 erotic thriller Wild Orchid, directed by Zalman King, where he co-wrote key tracks such as the "Main Title" with Goldenberg and contributed to the overall soundtrack featuring a blend of original scores and licensed music. Earlier, he provided additional music composition and mixing for the 1988 British drama For Queen & Country, starring Denzel Washington, enhancing its thematic underscore.[43] For the 1994 crime drama Boca, MacCormack worked in the music department, supporting production elements including supervision alongside Goldenberg.[44]MacCormack's film contributions culminated in the 1998 surfing adventure In God's Hands, where he is credited on the soundtrack as Geoffrey MacCormack, including the track "Paradise" co-composed with Goldenberg, which captured the film's themes of exploration and freedom.[45] This body of work built on his earlier award-winning advertising successes, transitioning his production expertise into cinematic soundscapes that emphasized atmospheric and narrative-driven compositions.[40]
Personal life and legacy
Family and relationships
Geoffrey Alexander MacCormack, known professionally as Warren Peace, is the father of singer, songwriter, DJ, and model Iraina Mancini. Music has been a central thread in their family life, with MacCormack providing guidance and inspiration drawn from his own experiences in the industry. He has supported his daughter's career through collaborative appearances, including featuring in her 2022 music video for "Undo the Blue."[46][47]In 2010, MacCormack married Jo in Glasgow, Scotland, marking a personal milestone after decades in the music world. The couple has since built a quiet family life together, with MacCormack prioritizing stability and creative pursuits outside the spotlight following his intensive touring years in the 1970s.[48]MacCormack and his family reside in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK, where he maintains a low-profile lifestyle focused on photography, book projects, and occasional exhibitions rather than ongoing public engagements. Despite occasional health reflections on the excesses of his earlier rock career, such as in discussions of 1970s touring demands, he has shared little publicly about personal challenges, emphasizing resilience and privacy.[49][48]Beyond his lifelong friendship with David Bowie, MacCormack developed enduring personal and professional bonds with fellow musicians, notably Ava Cherry during the mid-1970s Astronettes era. As part of this soul-oriented trio, which included Cherry, MacCormack, and Jason Guess under Bowie's production, their collaboration fostered a non-romantic camaraderie centered on harmonious vocals and creative experimentation in Philadelphia's music scene.[26]Throughout his life, MacCormack has expressed a strong preference for privacy, particularly regarding family matters, even amid his public associations with iconic figures; he has avoided detailed personal disclosures in interviews, allowing his creative work to stand independently.[13]
Publications, photography, and tributes
Geoff MacCormack, known professionally as Warren Peace, authored From Station to Station: Travels with Bowie 1973-76 in 2007, a memoir illustrated with personal photographs documenting his travels and experiences alongside David Bowie during the musician's mid-1970s tours.[38] The book draws on MacCormack's firsthand accounts, including rare images from the 1973-1976 period, capturing off-stage moments and the entourage's dynamics.[50]In 2023, MacCormack released David Bowie: Rock 'n' Roll with Me, a photographic memoir spanning over five decades of his friendship with Bowie, featuring intimate, candid shots from their shared childhood through professional collaborations.[51] The volume emphasizes previously unpublished images that highlight Bowie's personal side, serving as a visual tribute to their enduring bond.[40]As Bowie's longtime friend and touring companion, MacCormack served as a personal documentarian, capturing candid photographs during the 1970s tours that revealed unguarded moments away from the spotlight.[12] These images, often taken with a simple camera amid the chaos of travel, include scenes from the 1973 Diamond Dogs tour and the 1976 Isolar tour, showcasing Bowie's vulnerability and camaraderie.[50] His photography has been exhibited internationally, such as the 2023 "David Bowie in the Soviet Union" show at the Wende Museum in Culver City, California, which focused on Trans-Siberian Express journey photos from 1973,[33] and the Nailsworth exhibition in Gloucestershire, England, displaying tour snapshots that underscored their close friendship.[52] Further displays include the December 2024 exhibition at Artspace in Woodbridge, Suffolk, featuring selections from his Bowie collection.[53]Following Bowie's death in 2016, MacCormack has contributed to tributes through reflective interviews, such as a 2021 discussion with The Herald Scotland on navigating the excesses of 1970s rock life with Bowie, offering insights into their resilient partnership in the years leading up to the loss.[48] In a 2023 BBC feature tied to his Nailsworth exhibition, he shared memories of Bowie's transformative influence, emphasizing the personal void left by his passing.[52] MacCormack's perspectives have also appeared in Bowie-related media, including contributions to the 2022 documentary Moonage Daydream, where his recollections as a key collaborator illuminated Bowie's creative process and inner circle.[54]MacCormack's legacy endures through the ongoing accessibility of his photographic archives, which continue to inform Bowie scholarship and public appreciation, with exhibitions persisting into 2025. Notable 2025 displays include the May exhibition at Canvas Gallery in Poole, Dorset, and the October-November show at Lilford Gallery in Canterbury, Kent, among others. No major new releases, such as books, have been announced as of November 2025.[55][56][57] These works preserve intimate glimpses of Bowie's life, ensuring MacCormack's role as a chronicler remains a vital part of the artist's posthumous narrative.[10]
Discography
Performer credits
Warren Peace provided backing vocals on David Bowie's Aladdin Sane (1973), credited as G.A. MacCormack, appearing on tracks such as "Drive-In Saturday" and "Panic in Detroit" alongside Juanita Franklin and Linda Lewis.[58] He also contributed backing vocals to Pin Ups (1973), again credited as G.A. MacCormack. On Diamond Dogs (1974), Peace delivered backing vocals on several tracks, including "Sweet Thing" and "1984," supporting the album's theatrical sound.Peace's live performances with Bowie included backing vocals and percussion on the 1974 Diamond Dogs Tour, captured in the album David Live (1974), where he is credited alongside Gui Andrisano on selections like "Aladdin Sane" and "Rock 'n' Roll with Me."[59] He appeared as a backing vocalist on Young Americans (1975), contributing to the track "Right," part of the ensemble with Luther Vandross and Ava Cherry. For Station to Station (1976), Peace provided vocals across the album, enhancing the record's atmospheric tracks like "Golden Years" and "Wild Is the Wind."In addition to studio work, Peace performed as a dancer and backing vocalist with the Astronettes (alongside Ava Cherry and Jason Guess) during Bowie's 1973 Ziggy Stardust Tour and in the television specialThe 1980 Floor Show (filmed October 1973, broadcast November 1973), featuring on performances of "1984/Dodo" and "Big Brother." The Astronettes' unreleased 1973 sessions were later issued as People from Bad Homes (1995), where Peace sang lead and backing vocals on all tracks, including "I Am Divine" and the title song.Peace extended his collaborations beyond Bowie with Iggy Pop on Lust for Life (1977), providing backing vocals and keyboards on "Turn Blue," a track he co-composed. Additional minor performer roles include uncredited backing vocals on early 1970s TV specials tied to Bowie's tours, though no solo recordings or post-1970s major performances have been documented.[10]
Songwriting credits
Warren Peace, whose real name was Geoffrey MacCormack, contributed to songwriting primarily through collaborations with David Bowie and later in commercial and group projects. His credits reflect a blend of rock and soul influences from the 1970s onward, often tied to Bowie's orbit before branching into advertising music.One of his earliest notable co-writes was "Rock 'n' Roll with Me," composed with David Bowie during sessions at Bowie's home in London, where MacCormack provided the initial chord sequence and verse melody on piano. The song appeared on Bowie's album Diamond Dogs, released in May 1974 by RCA Records.[2]In 1977, Peace co-wrote "Turn Blue" with Bowie for Iggy Pop's album Lust for Life, released by RCA Records; the track credits Bowie and Peace (as MacCormack) as composers, with Pop handling lyrics.[60]Later, under his own name, MacCormack co-formed the group Praise with Simon Goldenberg and Miriam Stockley, writing tracks for their self-titled debut album released in 1992 by Virgin Records. A key example is "Only You," co-written by MacCormack and Goldenberg, which gained prominence after its use in a 1991 Fiat Tempra television advertisement in the UK. The single, remixed for commercial release, reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.[61]
Geoff MacCormack, professionally known as Warren Peace, contributed to music production and arrangements primarily in the realms of film scores, advertisements, and select recording sessions. His production work includes composing original scores for films and providing music department support, often in collaboration with partners like Simon Goldenberg under the Paradise banner. For instance, he served as composer for the 1989 erotic thriller Wild Orchid, directed by Zalman King, where his contributions underscored the film's atmospheric tension.[62] Similarly, MacCormack handled music department duties for the 1994 drama Boca, starring Rae Dawn Chong, and the 1988 British crime film For Queen & Country, featuring Denzel Washington.[63][64] These roles encompassed scoring, arrangement, and oversight of musical elements to align with narrative needs.In addition to film work, MacCormack earned recognition for his production on television advertisements, securing a Gold Clio Award for excellence in advertising creativity, alongside an Ivor Novello Award tied to his broader compositional efforts in media.[38] His ad musicproduction emphasized thematic jingles and sound design, though specific campaigns like Schweppes remain undocumented in primary sources. Beyond scoring, he provided uncredited session contributions in the 1980s and 1990s, including auxiliary production support on various projects, reflecting his versatile role in London's musicscene.[12]MacCormack also assisted with vocal arrangements on David Bowie's 1975 single "Golden Years" from the album Station to Station, enhancing the track's layered harmonies during a period of intense collaboration. While not formally credited as a choreographer, his involvement as a dancer on Bowie's 1974 Diamond Dogs tour included participatory elements in staged routines devised by Toni Basil.[65] In the 2000s and beyond, his credits tapered, with minor involvements in family-related projects, such as indirect support for his daughter's musical endeavors, though without direct production roles. In the 2020s, MacCormack has focused on photography exhibitions featuring his Bowie-era images, with no new major musicproduction credits as of November 2025.[10][66]