#1
DAVID BOWIE
THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST
& THE SPIDERS FROM MARS
When The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars was released on 16 June 1972 Bowie’s small but loyal London fan base were immediately enthusiastic. The colourful theatricality, the fizzing energy, the entire glam “look” of the band were simply transporting. Soon ever-expanding concert audiences in the UK and the USA got on board.
Yet this was no tale of overnight success. David Bowie had been striving for recognition since he formed his first band, the Konrads, at the age of fifteen. On the way to creating the Ziggy character and fictional-turned-actual band The Spiders From Mars, Bowie (born David Robert Jones) had recorded with the Mannish Boys, the Lower Third, The Buzz, and as part of the Riot Squad. And this all before his largely ignored debut LP came out in June 1967. Yet the journey of trial and error, minor achievements and major setbacks, is essential to understanding Bowie’s breakthrough album, a glittering fantasy about life, the universe, and rock and roll.
Bowie watched, listened and practiced his song-writing craft. His natural charm was deployed to win friends and garner support. The public may have been ignorant of his ambition and the music industry skeptical, but the young performer rarely doubted himself nor his ultimate fate of becoming “a regular superstar”. Blending “Nijinsky and Woolworths” (to quote the songwriter himself), the persona of Ziggy Stardust helped him do just that.
Aspects of Marc Bolan, Lou Reed and particularly Detroit wild man Iggy Pop were observed and analysed, while Bowie’s passion for 2001 and A Clockwork Orange added to the other-worldly show. Bowie stitched together a character as charismatic and memorable as any previously seen in the pop world, a character that would play out the fantasies of both performer and audience.
Although not conceived as a concept album, a (very) loose story does run through The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, a cautionary tale of planetary and personal destruction. “Five Years” opens proceedings with an unspecified threat to the future of the Earth, after which scenes and settings are presented. The touching “Soul Love” more-or-less segues into a raunchy “Moonage Daydream” before the wistful, haunting “Starman” introduces a cosmic beauty… that is then blasted apart with the stomping rocker “It ain’t easy”, the only non-Bowie composition.
The second side offers various perspectives on the character of the frontman, the rockstar, the lead actor. “Lady Stardust”, commonly considered a paean to Marc Bolan, “Star”, and “Ziggy Stardust” offer glimpses of Bowie’s observations on the journey towards fame. “Hang on to Yourself” launches—and raunches—into the rock lifestyle. As the train heads for “Suffragette City”, however, things get messy. “Hey man, my work’s down the drain”. Leading to the inevitable, glorious denouement of “Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide”.
The record may not be crammed with musical innovation or invention, yet it is deeply satisfying. It so overflows with lurid comic book portraits and silver screen melodrama that one forgets the whole package was not just David Bowie, but his collaborators too. Mick Ronson, in particular, played all the piano parts as well as guitar, and worked tirelessly on the arrangements. Bowie had inputs from Freddie Buretti on style and costume while his hairdresser was a key ally in the transformation from vaguely hippy troubadour to the striking new look chronicled by photographer Mick Rock. The merging of man and construct, artifice and emotion, was such a heady vision that when Bowie dramatically retired Ziggy Stardust at the end of the Hammersmith Odeon concerts in July 1973 it was not only the teenage Ziggy-clones in the audience who wept.
“You’re not alone, gimme your hands, you’re wonderful”.
Ziggy was dead but David Bowie was a star.
First published at Discrepancy Records, July 2022. Used with kind permission.
Moonage Daydream: The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust (2002, Anniversary Edition 2022) David Bowie, Photographs by Mick Rock. Genesis Publications, UK.
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Heartfelt thanks to all those who have supported the 72 FROM ’72 journey throughout the year.
vinylconnection.com.au 
When the Stones’ Exile On Main Street didn’t make it to the top of your list, this was my next guess. I *love* the “Nijinsky and Woolworths” descriptor! Bowie was a fascinating man, a real artist, always exploring, changing, reinventing himself…so much more so than many musicians. I can still recall what a shock his death was. This is my favorite album of his. If you can believe it, there’s a 2004 movie in which a character sings several of the songs from this album in Portuguese!
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Glad to have offered some reward for your loyalty, JDB. 🙂
Yes, The Life Aquatic OST is great, isn’t it!
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I wasn’t sure if Wes Anderson’s quirky films got playing time Down Under!
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I’m a cautious fan. Liked Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs too Loathed Fantastic Mr Fox. Do you know Taika Waititi, the NZ director? His work has some of that oddness.
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Loved GBH, haven’t seen either of the others. His style is sometimes a bit too twee for me. I couldn’t finish watching his last film, The French Dispatch. Yes, I know Waititi; also a quirky fellow! Is the cocreator of an excellent TV series, Reservation Dogs.
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What an excellent write-up on this superb album landmark in the musical appreciation development of so many of us. Thank you.
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My pleasure Richard. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
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“Nijinsky and Woolworths”… That’s so Bowie. Lovely piece. Must get the Mick Rock book.
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It’s a treasure trove of images, Lorelei. Bowie’s remembrances are fun too.
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Hmmm. I recently decided that I’m not all that impressed with David Bowie and then you flash Ziggy Stardust before my eyes. Yes, this is a great album and now I’m reminded that it boasts my two favorite Bowie songs. Maybe I shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss him.
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I’d support giving the lad another chance, Jeff. I can’t think of a more important or influential solo artist in the 20th C.
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Well, I’ve thought that for years, but then I realized I was sick of all of the songs I know. Although I’ve recently become a fan of the Stooges Raw Power. I won’t write him off yet.
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That was really fun. Thanks Bruce, wow I can remember when it started earlier this year. A great project, fine wrap-up here.
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Cheers Bill. Now, where’s the 1973 spreadsheet?
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Fantastic finish!! Well done, you, another super great series. Bring on ’73!!
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Thanks so much, JES. Although a trifle daunted by the task, I’m thinking I must tackle 73 From ’73. After all, I have more albums from that year than any other!
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Ausgezeichnet, Bruce! 🙂
Not only is “Ziggy Stardust” among my favorite albums from ’72, along with Neil Young’s “Harvest”, Deep Purple’s “Machine Head”, The Stones’ “Exile on Main St”, Curtis Mayfield’s “Superfly” and Santana’s “Caravanserai” (I landed on these six records after going through my own exercise in the beginning of the year), but it’s also my favorite Bowie album. I dig his glam rock period the most and think there’s no weak tune on “Ziggy Stardust.”
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Fantastic list, Christian. And thank you for going the distance with the project!
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Just don’t ask me to rank them! As a ranking-challenged individual, I could never put them in order, not to speak of 72 albums. That sounds really mind-boggling to me!
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Well that’s a shock to me I would never have guessed Ziggy at number 1. Although it’s hard to argue, you have inspired my i n reflection on 72
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Cool. Look forward to that.
(As far as the rankings go, it’s an arcane rather than scientific process. As I climb up the rankings I try replacing the #1 with something else and see if it works. Ziggy kept bouncing back, and in the end, although CTTE probably has more personal resonance for me, Ziggy was more influential musically and culturally. Now that’s more info than you needed, for sure!)
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No just enough information maybe.
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I kinda figured through process of elimination that Ziggy Stardust would be your number one. It made my top five also but it’s not even my favorite Bowie album. Probably like number four or five. I’m a Diamond Dogs guy now believe it or not. Followed by Station to Station and Low. Then probably Ziggy.
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Sure. I’m similar; not sure Ziggy is my #1 Bowie album though certainly in the top five. But it’s my favourite Bowie album from 1972!
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I predict that in a few years Diamond Dogs is gonna make a comeback in popular opinion. I remember when it was a favorite with Bowie fans when I was a teenager. It was like the ultimate Bowie album. I still think it’s his most Bowie-ish album. But then it fell out of favor for some reason and people started saying it sucks. . Kinda like in the same way that Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road fell out of favor and then Revolver or White Album became the best Beatles album, supposedy. Diamond Dogs is gonna do the same thing. I bet ya a million dollars.
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Watch and see, I guess. Personally, I’ve always thought it was a very interesting album. Perhaps his darkest (until the final one).
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I can’t see many disputing this. Even though there were so many truly brilliant albums out this year, and any number I’d have at #1, you can’t deny the honour going to ‘Ziggy.’
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👍
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Not a bad LP to end on. Personally I’m looking forward most of all to your 99 LPs from 1999.
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Believe me, I’d love to be in a position to fulfil that wish, Joe. At present count, I have 135 line entries in the music catalogue for 1999, so content isn’t the problem. Just keep living the clean and healthy lifestyle, I guess. Cheers! 🍷🍷
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You’d get a big rest the following year …
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😆 True, dat.
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I’m 55 and Ziggy was probably my first rock memory. Watching television with my teen sister and with me around 6 years old. Of course I was confused as hell.
Awesome number 1! I won’t second guess this one!
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And that’s a great little vignette of how powerful Ziggy and the show were. Thanks Max.
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After all these years, to me the album (and the images) are still fresh. True story: two college friends of mine almost came to blows arguing over which album was a better concept: Ziggy or The Lamb. I recall herb being the culprit. I must get the Mick Rock book. Great post, Bruce. – Marty
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That’s exactly the kind of topic that should inflame passions in the young, don’t you think? And yes, I agree. The timeless nature of the entire package – its otherworldliness and its gritty accessibility – they are what keep it fresh.
Thanks martyinstaugustine.
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I have other Bowie albums I prefer (especially Station to Station) and other 1972 albums I prefer (Close to the Edge) but still an excellent choice.
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👍
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Thanks Bruce, a beautifully penned conclusion to the series, and one if my favourite albums.
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Thanks Chris. A popular choice (for once!!).
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To conclude with Bowie is genius. No argument from me, what a classic!
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Surprising. Ive been communicating with you for a while and never saw this coming. Another album that I sent a pic of to Big Earl. His if he’s good.
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I guess I don’t travel down the broad highway of ‘Classic Rock’ that often, CB. But with this project, you kind of have to, I think. ‘Cos they weren’t classics when they were first released, were they?
Anyway, another beauty for Big Earl. (If he stays on the straight and narrow).
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Lots to like on this record. I’m going to use “I wasn’t a classic when I first started” referring to CB. Earl coming over to raid the pile in the next few days. He does return the favor and get the oldman new vinyl of music he’s listening to. His tastes hit my ear no problem.
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Well if the Stones had to cede the #1 spot, I suppose Bowie is an alright candidate for it.
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That’s very fair minded of you, Aaron. 🙂
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It’s still the Stones, though. Just sayin’ 😉
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Thanks for yet another exciting countdown, Bruce! With Bowie as a well deserved #1, if you ask me. Happy holidays!
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Cheers, Guy. All the best for the season and into ’23!
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