MICHAEL King has spent the last two decades assuming the identity of another man – his hero David Bowie.

The tribute artist has dedicated himself to playing the influential and iconic performer's hits all over the UK and he will be at the Parr Hall on September 2.

So it must have felt strange in January this year when Bowie died.

But Michael reckons that all of his personas like Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Thin White Duke and Major Tom will all live on thanks to the legacy the singer has left.

Michael, who began to idolise Bowie after hearing the Pin Ups album when he was 13, said: "What he gave me I cherish. It’s very special – and he’s still doing that for other people.

"He’ll carry on influencing people and that is what makes him iconic.

"All my children think he’s pretty cool. Since his death a lot of the younger kids have got into Bowie and listened to his older music. He’ll carry on forever."

As a teenager, Bowie quickly became Michael's hero as he was learning guitar. Fantastic Voyage was his favourite song.

He was then inspired to form the nine-piece Starman band after seeing Bowie live for the first time at the old Main Road football stadium in Manchester in 1987 for the Glass Spider tour.

Michael, who grew up in North Wales, camped out at the stadium more than 24 hours before the gig so he could get to the front of the stage.

He added: "It was one of those moments in your life where you see it and you think I’d love to do something like that.

"I was outside the turnstiles of Main Road in Manchester but it was worth it because they eventually opened the gates and I ran through and I got right to the front in the middle.

"It’s weird because there’s some footage of that concert and I can see myself as a 17 or 18-year-old at the front."

Michael went on to see the Glass Spider tour seven times and altogether he has been to see the performer 16 times.

"He was ahead of his time," added Michael, who has had a career in musical theatre since he left school.

"You look at shows these days and they have flashing lights and dancers but that’s what he did all those years ago.

"It was like a show in itself. It wasn’t just someone singing the songs. It was almost like an event and that’s what made it very special.

"Music was always a passion of mine. I was brought up on rock and roll.

"But when I first heard Bowie and saw Bowie I thought: ‘What is this? This is completely different to anything I’ve seen or heard before’.

"The first three albums I bought in quick succession were Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and Pin Ups.

"You only had to look at the cover of those albums to see it was something completely different and then when I listened to the music it blew my mind.

"I don’t think I’m David Bowie in any way, shape or form. There was only one and there only ever will be.

"I still know who I am but I’d like to think we do something that’s different to everything else, has a bit of class and celebrates the man and his music.

"If we can do that then that’s good enough for me."

- Starman is at Parr Hall on September 2. Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345.

DAVID MORGAN