"I'd been a Bowie fan before punk and used to get no end of trouble. I was always getting knocked about and having to run up the street, getting chased by people. It was horrible"

In this quote, Gary Numan reviews his individual experience as a dedicated fan of David Bowie before the increase of the punk movement. Numan's words highlight the social challenges and physical dangers he faced due to the fact that of his musical preferences. Within this context, Numan recommends that being a Bowie fan subjected him to ridicule and violence from those who did not share or accept his taste in music. This harsh treatment led to physical run-ins, where he frequently found himself needing to avert assailants by getting away from the scene, often described as "adding the street."

This personal account underscores a wider cultural tension of the time. David Bowie was known for his innovative and flamboyant design, which typically challenged conventional standards and expectations. By aligning himself with Bowie, Numan, maybe unwittingly, welcomed a countercultural position that many individuals discovered hard to accept, echoing a period where music and style were more than just individual preferences-- they were statements of identity and disobedience.

Numan's experience as explained in the quote speaks with the bigger narrative of how music can be a divisive force, efficient in sparking conflict and argument amongst different groups. It also highlights the courage required to preserve one's uniqueness in the face of social pressure and hostility. Regardless of the negative experiences, Numan, like numerous others, continued to identify with Bowie's music, indicating the deep and enduring impact that Bowie's artistry had on his fans, even amid adversity.

This recount of difficulty dealt with by Numan and his steadfast commitment to Bowie despite external pressures may have affected his own path as an artist, strengthening his willpower to produce music that was unique and resonated with his personal identity, similar to Bowie's impact on his passion. Such experiences maybe formed his empathy towards his audience, understanding firsthand the obstacles of being a fan of misunderstood music.