David Bowie Reclaims Crown Atop British Charts, Tour Rumors Resume

David Bowie has scored his first number one album in the UK in 20 years, with the added cherry of being the fastest selling record of the year so far.

The Next Day, Bowie’s 27th studio album, vaulted to the top of the Brit charts on Sunday. The last time the iconic rock star topped the album charts there was in 1993 with his album Black Tie White Noise.

According to the UK Official Charts, The Next Day has sold 94,000 copies since its March 8 release, beating Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro’s Opposites which sold 71,600 copies when it was released in January.

After a decade of total silence Bowie put the music industry on notice when he unwrapped new singles “Where Are We Now?” in January on his 66th birthday, which was followed by “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” — his first releases since his 2003 studio album Reality.

In past years, rumors that the “Heroes” star was suffering from health-wise and had retired with his wife — Somalian model, Iman, and the couple’s daughter Alexandria Zahra Jones — in New York. However, the artist had merely been biding his time, and had returned to the studio to record his new album.

Co-produced by long-term collaborator Tony Visconti — producer of 12 of his 24 albums — Bowie secretly began work on his now chart-topping opus two years ago.

Meanwhile, despite persistent rumors that Bowie would not tour in support of The Next Day, his wife hinted strongly last week that her husband may well tour this year.

Iman made the comment in an interview with Grazia Live, while discussing the couple’s 12-year-old daughter, Alexandria.

“We’ll have to go visit [David], but we won’t be on tour with him because she’s in school,” the supermodel said. “Our schedule is around her, so I don’t know.”

Here’s hoping it’s true.

Are you a fan of David Bowie’s music, will you be buying his new album if you haven’t already?