In June, 2002, David Bowie and his band were rehearsing in a Manhattan warehouse for an appearance on the show A&E's "Live By Request." An Associated Press reporter stopped by to speak to the affable, then-55-year-old musician. Here's what he revealed:

FAMILIAR THEMES:
"My entire career, I've only really worked with the same subject matter. The trousers may change, but the actual words and subjects I've always chosen to write with are things to do with isolation, abandonment, fear and anxiety — all of the high points of one's life."

PROUD LEGACY:
"What I'm most proud of is that I can't help but notice that I've affected the vocabulary of pop music. For me, frankly, as an artist, that's the most satisfying thing for the ego."

ON DELEGATING:
"If I have an option of playing something myself or turning it over to a qualified, card-carrying musician, I'll usually opt for the latter. Then I'll kick myself, because it never quite sounds the way I would have done it."

CROWD AVOIDANCE:
"I don't enjoy performing terribly much. Never have. I can do it and, if my mind's on the situation, do it quite well. But five or six shows in, I'm dying to get off the road and go back into the studio."

PLAYING OLD HITS TO FANS:
"I capitulate every now and again and give them what they want but I get mad at myself because that's not really what I do, or what I like. I'm very selfish about what I want to do, and as I get older I get more selfish."

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture