The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
A landmark concept album about a doomed alien rock star.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, often called simply Ziggy Stardust, is the fifth studio album by English musician David Bowie. It came out on 16 June 1972 in the United Kingdom through RCA Records. Bowie co-produced it with Ken Scott, and his backing band, the Spiders from Mars, played on it: Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Mick Woodmansey on drums. The album is a loose concept album and rock opera. Its story follows Bowie’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous and bisexual rock star sent to Earth as a saviour before an apocalyptic disaster. Ziggy wins over fans but falls from grace after his own ego destroys him. The character was inspired by several musicians, including Vince Taylor. Most of the album’s concept was developed after the songs were already recorded. Musically, it blends glam rock and proto-punk, influenced by Marc Bolan, Iggy Pop, and the Velvet Underground. The lyrics tackle the artificiality of rock music, politics, drug use, sexuality, and stardom. The album cover, a monochrome photo later recoloured, was taken on Heddon Street in London, outside the furriers “K. West.”
The single “Starman” preceded the album. Ziggy Stardust reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart. Critics were positive—some praised the music and concept, while others found it hard to grasp. Shortly after the album’s release, Bowie performed “Starman” on Britain’s Top of the Pops in early July 1972, which launched him to stardom. He kept the Ziggy character for the Ziggy Stardust Tour; performances from that tour appear on live albums and a 1979 concert film. Bowie described his next album, Aladdin Sane (1973), as “Ziggy goes to America.” Over time, Ziggy Stardust became regarded as Bowie’s masterpiece, appearing on many lists of the greatest albums ever. Bowie had ideas for a musical based on it, but that never happened; those ideas later turned up on Diamond Dogs (1974). The album has been reissued several times and was remastered in 2012 for its 40th anniversary.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- David Bowie
- Studio
- Trident, London
- Genre
- Glam rock; proto-punk
- Label
- RCA Victor
- Producer
- Ken Scott; David Bowie
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The album was recorded from November 1971 to February 1972 at Trident Studios in London. Most of the album's concept was developed after the songs were recorded. The first song recorded for the album was the Ron Davies cover 'It Ain't Easy' on 9 July 1971. The sessions officially began on 8 November 1971, using the same personnel as Bowie's previous album Hunky Dory minus Rick Wakeman. The band recorded initial versions of 'Star' and 'Hang On to Yourself' on 8 November, both deemed unsuccessful, and rerecorded them three days later along with 'Ziggy Stardust', 'Looking For a Friend', 'Velvet Goldmine', and 'Sweet Head'. After a break for the holiday season, the band reconvened on 4 January 1972 for rehearsals at Underhill Studios in Blackheath, London. The final sessions included 'Suffragette City' and 'Rock 'n' Roll Suicide'. After RCA executive Dennis Katz complained the album lacked a single, Bowie wrote 'Starman', which replaced 'Round and Round' on the track listing at the last minute on 2 February.
Reader's Guide
Preceded by the single 'Starman', Ziggy Stardust reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart. Shortly after its release, Bowie performed 'Starman' on Britain's Top of the Pops in early July 1972, which propelled him to stardom. The Ziggy character was retained for the subsequent Ziggy Stardust Tour. In later decades, the album came to be regarded as Bowie's masterpiece, appearing on numerous professional lists of the greatest albums of all time. In 2017, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, being deemed 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. The album has been reissued several times and was remastered in 2012 for its 40th anniversary. Bowie had ideas for a musical based on the album, though this project never came to fruition; ideas were later used for Diamond Dogs (1974).
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