• On this day, 53 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed two gigs at the Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, USA in 1973...

• On this day, 54 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at Sheffield University in 1972...

Recollections of the 1972 Sheffield University gig...

DR. JURIJ PARASZCZAK (BSc Chemistry 1973, PhD Chemistry 1977).

"One [performer I remember] was the as yet relatively unknown David Bowie. He came into the Lower Refectory, long before the concert, to test out the sound system. As the evening folded over the refectory and darkness came through from the tall glass wall, someone from our lights' team targeted a spotlight on him and from the moment that he sat down on one of those laminated chairs in the middle of the stage all the hubbub of people going to take showers, passing through the refectory to the Union building, ceased. David Bowie commanded attention and it was obvious that he was unique and important to listen to. He came to the University on 18 February 1972."

BARRY EVERARD (owner of Record Collector in Broomhill).

"I was on the entertainment committee and very excited that he'd been booked. He was not scheduled to go on until about 1.30am. I was quite shocked to get into the room to find a guy manning the bar, and standing next to it four rather drunken lecturers chatting up four slightly inebriated girl students. I found myself the only member of the audience paying him any attention. It was amazing that somebody who would later be so central, and vital, in music, I had a virtual one-to-one with. When every David Bowie album came out, it was an event."

GLENN GREGORY (Heaven 17 and Woody Woodmansey's Holy Holy).

"I was about 12 when I first started listening to Bowie along with Bolan (Tyrannosaurus Rex) as well as bands like The Sweet and even Slade, I was a budding Glam Rocker, but Bowie's music always seemed to me to be something extra terrestrial. Words and meanings and hidden in poetic strangeness allowing personal interpretation and perfect for an impressionable eager music listener like me.

"I met Martin Ware and Ian Craig Marsh when I was about 14 and we had identical musical tastes. Bowie being one of the artists we were all most interested in. We found out that he was playing live at Sheffield University but that we were unable to get to see the gig, as you had to be a member of the Student Union to get in!

"However this did not deter us. With the aid of, can you believe it, a John Bull children's printing set and a trip to Boots in town to use the photo booth we set about making fake Student Union ID's. Actually, they were quite good and not only did they get us into the Bowie gig, we carried on using them for quite some time and saw some other amazing bands there. But I can honestly say none touched me as much as seeing David Bowie on stage that first time. It was a life changing experience. It made me want to part of the music industry, buy a pair of sky blue dungarees and dye my hair blue, it made me want to be David Bowie. Now all this time later I have the chance to live a boyhood dream."

Here is the news... according to the latest world official chart releases for DAVID BOWIE...

The 50th Anniversary LP limited editions of STATION TO STATION released three weeks ago have dropped out of the majority of charts worldwide.

Although in Switzerland their Album Vinyl chart positions have just been announced, STS entered at a healthy #4.

A huge shout-out to Croatia, where the album remains at #1. Besides claiming the top spot for the second week running, ZIGGY STARDUST has also entered their album chart last week at #22.

Disappointingly, the only charts where the album commanded a second-week placement were Croatia and UK Physical at #96.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars album is placed in various official album charts, namely: UK Physical Albums at #78, UK Albums Sales at #81 and in Scotland at #93.

Legacy is placed at #55 in the UK Album Chart, the UK Albums Streaming Chart at #47, and in the Irish Album Chart at #58.

The Labyrinth OST remains in the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart, this week climbs a place to #17.

On this day, 52 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his anthemic 'Rebel Rebel' single in 1974.

Originally scheduled for release on 1st February, it was delayed by two weeks. The RCA music press advertisement stated: 'A Valentine Day Release', but in reality it was available the following day.

Despite no official promotional video or live appearance on Top Of The Pops, the song entered UK charts at #6 on 17th February, (one place behind Lulu's cover of 'The Man Who Sold The World'), and the following week (24th) it climbed one place to peak at #5, where it remained for another week.

The single was "played" twice on Top Of The Pops 28th February and 7th March. In case you were wondering, no we didn't get the now famous AVRO Toppop Dutch TV show performance.

David was scheduled to perform live on Top Of The Pops on 21st February, but was unable to appear. Earlier on 18th February, Robin Nash (TOTP producer) contacted Ronnie Fowler (head of EMI promotion) stating that he urgently needed a live replacement. So we got an unknown band named Queen performing 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' instead.

The single spent a total of 7 weeks on the Top 50 UK Singles Chart.

#6 - 17th Feb / #5 - 24th Feb / #5 - 3rd March / #13 - 10th March / #16 - 17th March / #36 - 24th March / #47 - 31st March.

Over on the MAINMAN website: Podcast episode #69 is now available...

You can listen to the podcast now where TONY DEFRIES recalls his first meetings and interactions with DAVID BOWIE in early 1970.

This second episode in the mini-series Tony Defries has titled 'It Begins With Us' continues Tony's recollections from 56 years ago when he was first introduced to David Robert Jones, better known as David Bowie. At the time, David was just 22 years old. At the meeting David explained how he wasn't happy with his existing manager Ken Pitt and the arrangements he had in place and was keen to explore other options.

The MainMan group of companies was a first of its kind rights management organisation formed by entrepreneur and impresario Tony Defries in 1972, that supported and helped to develop the careers of various artistes including David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Mick Ronson, Mott The Hoople, Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Dana Gillespie, Amanda Lear, Wayne/Jayne County, John Cougar Mellencamp and many others.

MainMan official social media accounts: Website | Facebook | X | YouTube Channel | Instagram

HOLY HOLY have announced their 2026 UK Tour - The Final Tour - 'A Celebration of Bowie'.

So far six gigs have been announced at the following venues:

SEPTEMBER
3rd: Glasgow O2 Academy
4th: Leeds O2 Academy
5th: Liverpool O2 Academy
10th: London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
11th: Bristol O2 Academy
12th: Manchester O2 Ritz

Tickets are available via the Ticketmaster.co.uk website.

DAVID BOWIE: YOU'RE NOT ALONE opens 22nd April at Lightroom, Kings Cross in London.

Be transported into the many worlds of David Bowie. Through iconic performances, rarely-seen interviews and never-before-exhibited material, discover the creative mind, spirit and soul of one of the world's greatest, most visionary artists. Featuring Bowie himself as its sole voice, You're Not Alone is both a multimedia spectacle and an intimate and revealing self-portrait.

Whether you're reliving the magic or discovering it for the very first time: this is your ticket to the landmark Bowie performances that changed culture forever.

Tickets on sale now for 22nd April - 28th June 2026, with more dates to be announced.

Venue: Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, London, United Kingdom, N1C 4DY.

For more details and information, please visit: lightroom.uk website.

Some rather good news concerning the very latest charts positions announced in various countries over the past two days, well worthy of a separate news piece.

The Limited Edition DAVID BOWIE STATION TO STATION 50th Anniversary Half-Speed Mastered Vinyl and Picture Disc LP, that were released last week 23rd January has hit the #1 spot in Croatia, top #3 in Hungary (Physical) and top ten in Denmark (Vinyl) at #7.

Here's the full run-down of chart positions announced so far:

  #1 - Croatia
  #3 - Hungary Physical
  #4 - Switzerland Vinyl Albums
  #6 - UK Vinyl Albums
  #7 - Denmark Vinyl
  #9 - Finland Physical Album Chart
 #10 - UK Album Sales
 #10 - UK Physical Albums
 #13 - UK Vinyl Record Store Chart
 #14 - Scotland Album Chart
 #27 - Dutch Vinyl 33 Chart
 #53 - Spain Top 100 Vinilos Chart
#100 - Belgium (Wallonie)
#176 - Belgium (Flanders)

Forthcoming chart updates for the Station To Station 50th Anniversary releases will be updated in the Special Features section.

• Happy Birthday wishes to ★ bass guitarist TIM LEFEBVRE - have a really fabulous day...

• Sending Happy Birthday greetings to Spiders From Mars drummer WOODY WOODMANSEY - wishing you the very best...

The V&A Storehouse East have announced that a ticket is no longer required to visit the DAVID BOWIE CENTRE...

We are happy to announce that from Tuesday 3rd February you can visit the David Bowie Centre without the need to book a timed ticket.

As we're initially expecting a high number of visitors, you can find below some useful information to help you have the best possible experience.

We look forward to seeing you, and thank you for your patience during the first few months of opening.

Important Information:
The David Bowie Centre is, first and foremost, a working archive with reading areas and a study room.

Even though you can now visit without booking a ticket, the best way to experience the David Bowie Centre is to plan ahead, explore the archive and book items you would like to spend time with. Read the section below for tips on how to do this.

If you are simply visiting to see the space, please keep in mind this is not a large-scale V&A exhibition. Only a small proportion of the archive is on view across a series of 9 mini displays, and most visitors spend about 30 minutes at the centre.

When you visit, our teams will be working hard to welcome everyone, but please be aware that you might need to queue, especially during weekends and school holidays. There is no separate queue for V&A Members.

There is currently no gift shop at V&A East Storehouse. You can buy items from the David Bowie range online, or in the V&A South Kensington shop.

Just like the artist, the David Bowie Centre will also continue to evolve over time. Please stay subscribed to our emails for updates.

How do I book to see items that are in the archive?
Bookings to see 3D items from the David Bowie archive, including costumes, musical instruments, models, props and scenery, can be made through the V&A's seven-day-a-week Order an Object service. Visitors can book up to five items per visit at a time that suits them.

Please note that Order an Object is very popular. Bookings must be confirmed and booked well in advance, and are dependent on a number of factors. These include the requested time of the booking, availability of the objects and the space available in the Study Room.

Paper-based items including sketches, designs, writings, lyrics, press cuttings, and photographic prints, negatives and transparencies can be viewed by scheduling advance appointments with the Archives team. Paper-based items are available to view on Thursdays and Fridays only.

For more details and information, please visit vam.ac.uk/info/david-bowie-centre-faqs where you can read through and plan your visit.

Updated: Here is the news... according to the latest world official chart releases for DAVID BOWIE...

The 50th Anniversary LP limited editions of STATION TO STATION released last week claimed places in several album charts, namely: UK Vinyl Albums #6, UK Vinyl Record Store Chart #13, UK Album Sales #10 and UK Physical Albums #10. In Scotland Album Chart it placed at #14. The Dutch Vinyl 33 Chart it entered at #27 and in Finland Physical Album Chart at #9. In the two charts in Belgium (Flanders) #176, Belgium (Wallonie) #100 and enters Spain Top 100 Vinilos Chart at #53. In Croatia it claims top position #1, Denmark (Vinyl) hits #7 and in Hungary (Physical) at #3.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars album is placed in various official album charts, namely: UK Physical Albums at #66, UK Albums Sales at #66 and in Scotland at #69.

Legacy is placed at #49 in the UK Album Chart, the UK Albums Streaming Chart #37, and in the Irish Album Chart at #58.

The Labyrinth OST is still placed well in the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart, this week at #18.

"Heroes" still features in UK Singles Chart at #84 and in Ireland Singles Chart at #67.

The Bowie / Jagger Live Aid duet Dancing In The Street is placed this week in the UK Physical Singles Chart at #67.

For those of you who use FACEBOOK - check out the private DAVID BOWIE WONDERWORLD Group.

Feel free to join in with the other 105,100 plus members, add yourself and invite your Bowie fan friends. You never know what might get posted, or who you might meet...

The official website have announced details of the DAVID BOWIE releases scheduled for RECORD STORE DAY 2026.

The two releases are: HALLO SPACEBOY 12" in Neon Pink EP and EXCERPTS FROM OUTSIDE Half-Speed Remastered 1LP on clear vinyl.

You can read more release details at davidbowie.com website.

RSD 2026 takes place on Saturday 18th April.

Check out recordstoreday.com website later for all the information you'll require.

• HOLY HOLY 2026 UK Tour - The Final Tour - 'A Celebration of Bowie' gigs in September in Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Bristol and Manchester - tickets on sale now more details

• BOWIE TAKES AMERICA: The Making of a Rock Icon by MICK WALL, hardcover, 304-pages - to be published on 21st May - more details

• DAVID BOWIE: YOU'RE NOT ALONE opens on 22nd April at Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, Kings Cross, London - more details

• RECORD STORE DAY 2026 two DAVID BOWIE releases: Hallo Spaceboy 12" Neon Pink EP and Excerpts From Outside Half-Speed Remastered 1LP clear vinyl - RSD takes place on 18th April - more details

• BOWIE ODYSSEY 76 (SPECIAL EDITION) by SIMON GODDARD, hardcover, 200-pages - to be published on 9th April - more details

• BOWIE ODYSSEY 76 by SIMON GODDARD, paperback, 200-pages - to be published on 9th April - more details

• DAVID BOWIE: LEGACY: THE ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY by CAROLYN McHUGH, hardcover, 160-pages - to be published on 6th April - more details

Limited Edition DAVID BOWIE - STATION TO STATION 50th Anniversary Half-Speed Mastered Vinyl and Picture Disc LP with poster - released on 23rd January - more details

DAVID BOWIE AND THE SEARCH FOR LIFE, DEATH AND GOD by PETER ORMEROD, hardcover, 256-pages - published on 15th January - more details

LAZARUS: THE SECOND COMING OF DAVID BOWIE by ALEXANDER LARMAN, hardcover, 384-pages - published on 1st January - more details

All numbered copies SOLD OUT! Handful of unnumbered copies remaining. DAVID BOWIE - THE YEAR OF THE SCAVENGER luxury collector's book from MAYAK PUBLISHING covering the 1974 period - available to purchase now - to claim your exclusive £10 discount use WONDER10 at checkout, 710-pages - mayakpublishing.co.uk

Exclusive DAVID BOWIE lino-cut print available to PURCHASE - don't hang around, these are ALL the remaining original left-over stock from 42 years ago, once they've gone, they've gone!