On this day, 52 years ago, DAVID BOWIE and his band played The Friars Club, in Aylesbury in 1971.

This was first gig that featured all three future Spiders From Mars, Ronno, Woody and Trevor. (They were also joined by ex-Animal Tom Parker on piano).

David wore his huge dark blue Oxford Bags, knee length boots, a white silk jacket and a large patterned shirt.

Support band America didn't perform due to other commitments. Other support acts were Lol Coxhill and Mick Softley.

After the 250 capacity sold-out gig, manager Tony Defries insists that they must be paid in cash for this performance. Owner/Promoter David Stopps pays the full amount... all in 50p pieces!

You can read the whole transcription of this particular show here.

• On this day, 28 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his 1.Outside album in 1995...

• On this day, 8 years ago, saw the release of DAVID BOWIE Five Years 1969-1973 Box Set in 2015...

• Happy Birthday to MARY ANGELA JONES (nee Barnett), born on this day in 1949...

NACHO has put together a new restoration of the DAVID BOWIE and CHER live vocal duet of Bowie's ballad, Can You Hear Me, which was recorded for the Cher show on 18th September 1975.

There was no in-studio audience for the Cher show, the applause and laughter was all dubbed on in post-production. On this version, that embellishment has been removed.

Everyone has been looking for a decent quality copy of this episode - big thanks to Tyler.

• On this day, 15 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his iSelect album via EMI in 2008...

• On this day, 9 years ago, DAVID BOWIE re-released his Sound+Vision 4CD Box Set in 2014...

• On this day, 9 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released the 40th Anniversary picture disc single Knock On Wood in 2014...

• Happy Birthday wishes to TONI BASIL (aka Antonia Christina Basilotta). Choreographer for DAVID BOWIE's The Year of The Diamond Dogs in 1974 and The Glass Spider Tour in 1987..

On this day, 58 years ago, DAVIE JONES officially changed his 'stage' name to 'DAVID BOWIE'.

David said: "Back in 1965, I seriously wanted a name change. The first attempt of several. This one was adopted for about three weeks, I even did a photo session for it apparently. The name? TOM JONES."

He chose the name 'Bowie' because it was "The ultimate American knife. It is the medium for a conglomerate of statements and illusions."

The main reason for the change of stage name was because of the emerging fame of Davy Jones on the London theatre stage, who later became the lead singer of The Monkees.

Published today is BOWIE AT THE BBC: A LIFE IN INTERVIEWS by DAVID BOWIE and TOM HAGLER.

The life of an icon, in his own words.

David Bowie had a unique relationship with the BBC, making more appearances on 'the Beeb' than any other broadcaster throughout his career. An anonymous pre-fame teenager, a blossoming starlet, a white-hot rock star and a veritable elder statesman of pop: the BBC had the inside scoop on it all.

In this fascinating collection of BBC television and radio transcripts, Bowie's life story is told in his own words, across more than 35 appearances spanning over forty years. Each provides an illuminating snapshot of moments in a remarkable career. But read together, they offer a completely new take on Bowie himself, a first-person look at the rise and rise of a star.

Compiled and guided by David Bowie expert and BBC journalist Tom Hagler, Bowie at the BBC is the complete story of an incredible life lived on the airwaves.

About the author: Tom Hagler is the author of We Could Be: Bowie and his Heroes. A reporter on the BBC's World Service, Tom has conducted interviews with a wide range of politicians, musicians and cultural figures, with a roll call as diverse as President Joe Biden, Kofi Annan, Buzz Aldrin and Grandmaster Flash.

Available in hardcover and Kindle with 464-pages, you can purchase now.

• On this day, 43 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) album in 1980...

• On this day, 76 years ago, DAVID BOWIE's parents Haywood Stenton Jones and Margaret Mary Burns got married at Brixton Register Office, Lambeth, South London in 1947...

Heads up: Check out the DAVID BOWIE lots in today's OMEGA AUCTIONS sale, which includes lot 424 'DHEAD XXVI', (1995) painting.

An original work by David Bowie, 1995, acrylic and computer collage on canvas. 24x19cm. In frame. With original gallery sticker affixed to back of frame. Framers sticker reads 'F. Dufey Maison Du Cadre, Lausanne'. Signed and dated by David Bowie to reverse of canvas. Purchased by the vendor from 'BowieArt' in December 2008. The vendor has supplied original delivery note and printed correspondence with 'BowieArt'.

Estimate is £10,000 - £15,000 GBP.

Other Bowie highlighted items in this auction include: 70s autograph, Bowie collectable books, fan scrapbooks, Hammersmith 73 ticket stub, signed 1995 lithograph and signed Space Oddity RCA LP.

For more details on lots and how to bid, please visit omegaauctions.co.uk website.

Update: Lot 424: DHead XXVI sold for £10,00 GBP.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of DAVID BOWIE's 1973 covers album PIN UPS there is a limited edition half-speed mastered vinyl LP to be released next month on 20th October.

The tracklisting runs as follows:

       01. Rosalyn
       02. Here Comes The Night
       03. I Wish You Would
       04. See Emily Play
       05. Everything's Alright
       06. I Can't Explain
       07. Friday On My Mind
       08. Sorrow
       09. Don't Bring Me Down
       10. Shapes Of Things
       11. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
       12. Where Have All The Good Times Gone

This pressing of Pin Ups was cut on a customised late Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics from 192kHz restored masters of the original master tapes, with no additional processing on transfer. John Webber cut the half-speed at AIR Studios.

You can pre-order the album now.

The first announcement from the DUBLIN BOWIE FESTIVAL 2024 is that GERRY LEONARD, MARK PLATI and STERLING CAMPBELL are to join the amazing RTE CONCERT ORCHESTRA to perform the Songs of DAVID BOWIE as part of the 9th edition of DBF.

Join three of the key Bowie alumni with very special guest vocalists and the 45 piece RTE Concert Orchestra for an unforgettable night of Bowie. Arrangements/musical director: Gerry Leonard. Tickets on sale from Friday.

The 9th Dublin Bowie Festival will take place from 7th-11th February - celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Year of The Diamond Dogs.

Full line-up announcing soon.

For more details and information, please visit dublinbowiefestival.ie website.

Next week BBC FOUR are showing the second DAVID BOWIE interview on PARKINSON. First broadcast on 29th November 2003, he performs 'Ziggy Stardust' and 'The Loneliest Guy'.

Showing on Saturday 9th September at 22.30 and Wednesday 13th at 00.30.

As you know, Michael Parkinson sadly passed away last month on 16th August, aged 88.

Check out what else is happening on the BW September Planner.

Update: The programme is now available via the BBC iPlayer - [View here] - the programme is also repeated in the early hours tomorrow night 13th at 00.30.

Also available now on the iPlayer is the GEOFF MACCORMACK interview from THE ONE SHOW from Wednesday 6th where Geoff was interviewed by Angelica Bell talking about DAVID BOWIE - [View here].

The eagerly awaited English language version of DAVID BOWIE RAINBOWMAN 1967-1980 by JÉRÔME SOLIGNY is published this week on 5th September.

Published by Monoray, this hardcover edition contains a whopping 704-pages and is distributed by Hachette Book Group.

David Bowie Rainbowman 1967-1980 by Jérôme Soligny is a meticulously detailed history of the moments that shaped Bowie's musical career told by the people who were actually "in the room" with him.

The book publishes September 5th in the US and September 8th in the UK - the 50th anniversary of the release of Aladdin Sane. First published in France in 2019 as the first of two volumes, Rainbowman is appearing now in English for the very first time.

This uniquely exhaustive work on Bowie's 1967-1980 albums draws on over 150 extensive interviews with some of the most significant people in David Bowie's life - the musicians, producers and friends who knew Bowie best, including Ken Scott, Hermione Farthingale, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, George Underwood, Mick Ronson, Carlos Alomar, Trevor Bolder, Mike Garson, Woody Woodmansey and many, many others.

Hermione Farthingale calls it "a book unlike any other, the definitive analysis of David's music, told in a quiet natural way, but with absolute authenticity, by the people around him."

Tony Visconti says: "Jérôme Soligny is one of the best authorities in the world of David Bowie's career and life in general... His new biography Rainbowman is a thorough and honest account of the great man."

According to Tony Visconti, Jérôme Soligny was David Bowie's favourite French journalist and over 25 years, he spent time getting to know the artist and his fellow musicians.

"Not long ago, "Jérôme told me something that I find very true: 'David played saxophone, guitar, a bit of keyboards, but above all, he played musicians!' I think he really hit the nail on the head." - Mike Garson.

With an essay by Soligny on each album, followed by oral histories from the most trusted and influential figures in Bowie's musical life, David Bowie Rainbowman: 1967-1980 is the definitive guide to the musical development of a singular and mercurial genius - the Rainbowman himself.

The essential book is completed by a foreword by Tony Visconti and an introduction by Mike Garson, with a cover photo by Mick Rock, and an iconic cover design by Barnbrook.

About the Author: Jérôme Soligny is a musician, writer and journalist based in Le Havre, France. Over the course of 25 years, Jérôme spoke with Bowie many times, and interviewed him on numerous occasions for Rock&Folk magazine. Jérôme is one of the five worldwide Bowie experts chosen to write in Chris Duffy's book, Aladdin Sane 50 Years, about the iconic photo session for the cover of Aladdin Sane, shot by Chris' father, Brian Duffy. Jérôme was made Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2019 Visconti and is described by Bryan Ferry as "one of the great French authorities on contemporary music."

Jérôme Soligny said: "It's an honour and privilege for me to realise that Rainbowman is going to be published in English, the language of rock music and also David Bowie's. The whole project took five years of my life, but as my closest friend say 'There was 40 years of passion before this'. I hope the true lovers of David's music will be as happy to read the book as I've been to write it. Sure, Rainbowman is a heavy brick of paper full of information but also a tribute to musicians and music people - famous and those who stayed in the shadow - who helped David craft his songs and albums. Funnily enough, it's a musician who brought me to Monoray and no, it can't be chance. Some things are written in the stars."

David Bowie Rainbowman 1967-1980 by Jérôme Soligny
Foreword by Tony Visconti
September 5, 2023
Monoray, Distributed by Hachette Book Group
ISBN: 9781800960633
Monoray is an imprint of Octopus Publishing.

You can pre-order David Bowie Rainbowman 1967-1980 NOW and receive an 8% discount!

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

Feel free to join in with the other 90,500 plus members, add yourself and invite your Bowie fan friends. You never know what might get posted, or who you might meet...

The highly anticipated illustrated deluxe hardback book DAVID BOWIE AND CRACKED ACTOR. THE FLY IN THE MILK is to be published later this month on 28th September via Red Planet Books.

Created by SUSAN COMPO and MARK WARDEL, including a foreword by producer ALAN YENTOB, this book details in depth the documentary film 'Cracked Actor: A Film about David Bowie'.

On September 2, 1974 David Bowie opened a week-long engagement at Universal Amphitheatre which was captured by a film crew led by Alan Yentob making a film for the BBC. The documentary first aired on 26th January 1975 as 'Cracked Actor: A Film about David Bowie' in the Omnibus documentary series.

It was a unique look at David Bowie post-Ziggy Stardust and stands today as an extraordinary achievement and a remarkable insight into David Bowie.

This deluxe hardback book is the back story of Cracked Actor with access to BBC archives and many people involved behind the scenes.

It is illustrated with artwork by artist Mark Wardel and rarely-seen photographs by 17-year-old photographer David Stratford.

More details can be found at redplanetmusicbooks.com website.

Both the deluxe hardback and limited edition box (with mask and book) are available for pre-ordering now.

Update: Red Planet Books are really excited that the book is looking amazing and production is well underway. They had hoped to be dispatching copies in the first week of September but they have been making some changes to include new material to make it even better. The books will now be dispatched on Thursday 28th September and should arrive within 2-10 days depending where you are in the world.

From Mark Neeter (Publisher).

• THE DAVID BOWIE WORLD FAN CONVENTION 2024 in Liverpool next year on 26th-28th July - tickets are on sale now via bowieconvention.com

• DUBLIN BOWIE FESTIVAL 2024 takes place from 7th-11th February - celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Year of The Diamond Dogs - dublinbowiefestival.ie

• New book DAVID BOWIE, ENID BLYTON and the sun machine by Nicholas Royale, hardcover and paperback, 264-pages - to be published on 28th November - more details

• New book DAVID BOWIE: MIXING MEMORY & DESIRE: Photography by KEVIN CUMMINS, hardcover, 256-pages - to be published on 9th November - more details

• DAVID BOWIE 50th Anniversary of PIN UPS to be released as a limited edition half-speed mastered vinyl LP on 20th October - more details

• New book ABSOLUTE BEGINNER: Memoirs of the World's Best Least-Known Guitarist by Kevin Armstrong, paperback, 288-pages - to be published on 17th October - more details

• New book DAVID BOWIE AND CRACKED ACTOR... THE FLY IN THE MILK by SUSAN COMPO and MARK WARDEL available in deluxe hardback and limited edition box with mask and book, to be published by Red Planet Books on 28th September - more details.

New book BOWIE AT THE BBC: A LIFE IN INTERVIEWS by DAVID BOWIE and TOM HAGLER, hardcover and Kindle, 464-pages - published 14th September - more details

English version of DAVID BOWIE RAINBOWMAN 1967-1980 by JÉRÔME SOLIGNY, hardback, 704-pages, published 5th September - more details

ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS: THE MOTION PICTURE - 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray / Audio 2-CD and 2-LP Limited Edition Gold Vinyl Set all released 11th August

New book SILHOUETTES AND SHADOWS: The Secret History of David Bowie's Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) by ADAM STEINER, paperback, 298-pages, published 15th July - more details

DAVID BOWIE IN THE SOVIET UNION exhibition of Geoff MacCormack photographs at the Wende Museum, Culver City, CA 90230, USA. Opened 1st April through 22nd October. Free entry - more details

DAVID BOWIE - WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA'AM! by IVOR JONES, limited edition of #300, special collector's publication is now sold out. There are some unnumbered copies available which you can purchase at a reduced price - more details

Exclusive DAVID BOWIE lino-cut print available to PURCHASE - don't hang around, these are ALL the remaining original left-over stock from 39 years ago, once they've gone, they've gone!