1972 DAVID BOWIE IN TECHNICOLOR | CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

When David Bowie burst onto the scene in the early ’70s in full Technicolor Ziggy Stardust Glitter Rocker Regalia– he forever changed the Rock ‘n’ Roll landscape, and revolutionized a new genre of pop star and multi media artist like no one before.  His influence was felt and reflected in music, culture, dress and attitude.  The doors of self-expression and exploration were thrown wide open– with musical and artistic avenues never before explored now becoming ripe, new territory for a young and hungry generation.

BBC considers David Bowie’s 1972 performance of Starman on Top of the Pops nothing short of…

An iconic moment. Broadcast on July 6th, 1972 but recorded the day before, this performance caused a bit of a stir up and down the country. It was the first time many had seen Bowie, and the sight of him camping it up in a multicoloured jumpsuit (with his arm curled limply around Mick Ronson’s shoulder) infuriated some and delighted others. Ian McCulloch (Echo and the Bunnymen): “All my other mates at school would say, ‘Did you see that bloke on Top Of The Pops?’ He’s a right faggot, him!’ And I remember thinking, ‘You pillocks’…It made me feel cooler.”

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1974, New York — David Bowie performs as Ziggy Stardust on TV in a room at the Delmonico Hotel. — Image by © Henry Diltz/Corbis

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1972 — David Bowie, as Ziggy Stardust, in concert in the US. — Image by © Neal Preston/Corbis

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David Bowie & Mick Ronson.  Mick (in white on the Les Paul) was a major collaborator w/Bowie through 1973. — Image by © Michael Ochs Archives/Corbis

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1973, LA — Rocker David Bowie backstage with fans — Image by © Michael Ochs Archives/Corbis

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Glitter Rocker David Bowie Performing as Ziggy Stardust — Image by © Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis

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David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) — Image by © Mick Rock

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1973, NY — David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) at Radio City Music Hall. With him is guitarist Mick Ronson. — Image by © Neal Preston/Corbis

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1973, Los Angeles — Rocker David Bowie signing autographs for fans.

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1973, NY — David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) at Radio City Music Hall. With him is guitarist Mick Ronson. — Image by © Neal Preston/Corbis

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1973, NY — David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) at Radio City Music Hall. — Image by © Neal Preston/Corbis

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1973, NY — David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) at Radio City Music Hall. — Image by © Neal Preston/Corbis

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1973, NY — David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) at Radio City Music Hall. — Image by © Neal Preston/Corbis

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1973, Long Beach, CA — David Bowie Onstage — Image by © Michael Ochs Archives/Corbis

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July 9th, 1973 — Rock music legend David Bowie — Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis

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July 4th, 1973, London — At the party given by pop star David Bowie at the Cafe Royal here following Bowie’s “final” public concert.  Lou Reed, Mick Jagger and David Bowie.  Standing is Lulu. —  Bettmann/Corbis

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1972 — Legendary Rockers David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust), Iggy Pop & Lou Reed  – Image by © Mick Rock

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1972, Santa Monica — David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) live in concert — Image by © Jon Levicke

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1972 — David Bowie & Mick Ronson in concert, live in Santa Monica — Image by © Jon Levicke

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David Bowie & guitar great Mick Ronson

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1973 — David Bowie and Mick Ronson enjoy lunch on the train. — Image by © Mick Rock