Tom Dunne: The real story behind Bowie's Heroes revealed at last 

After decades of speculation, it seems a lunchtime tryst in Berlin inspired the classic Bowie single

David Bowie on the cover of his Heroes album, recorded in Berlin. 

For the record: I was always suspicious. Tony Visconti, producer to the stars sitting at a studio desk, and saying, “Yes, I inspired Bowie’s ‘Heroes’. That was me. I did it.” It was just too smooth. A stolen lunch time smooch inspires that epic track! Nah, Not buying it, Tony.

The story was that during the recording of the Heroes album in Berlin’s Hansa studios in September 1977, Bowie was at an impasse. “Look,” explained Tony, “You stay here and write your lyrics, I’ve to, em, go out. I’ll be back.”