WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING IN JUNE - MONTHLY PLANNER
BowieWonderworld is supported by its audience.
If you purchase through links on our website or social media accounts
we may earn a small affiliate commission to help keep this website up and running. Clicking on an affiliate link DOES NOT result
in any additional cost to you. Thank you so much for shopping via any of our links to show your support for this website.
[BOWIEWONDERWORLD SHOP] [LATEST DAVID BOWIE ITEMS ON eBAY]
Have YOU got some DAVID BOWIE related news or a hot scoop?
Well don't just sit there keeping it to yourself - send it in to
All news items are credited if you so wish
• A recently discovered extinct species of wasp has been named after one of DAVID BOWIE's alter egos...During her study on fossil insects of the order Hymenoptera at China's Capitol Normal University, student Longfeng Li visited the SNM of Natural History in Washington, carrying two unidentified wasp specimens that were exceptionally well-preserved in Burmese amber. This type of fossilized tree resin is known for the quality of the fossil specimens which can be preserved inside it. Being 100 million years old, they provide an incredible view into the past. The fossil wasp with living relatives received quite a curious name, Archaeoteleia astropulvis. The species name, astropulvis, translates from Latin to 'star dust'. The discoverers chose the name to refer to both "the ancient source of the atoms that form our planet and its inhabitants", as well as to commemorate the late David Bowie's alter ego - Ziggy Stardust - [Read here]...
• This week will be your last chance to order the DAVID BOWIE GLAMOUR fanzines before sales are suspended on Monday morning until mid-July - [More details]...
• On this day, 46 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at Glastonbury Festival for the first time in 1971...
• On this day, 3 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released the Diamond Dogs 40th Anniversary Picture Disc Single in 2014...
DAVID BOWIE's pianist MIKE GARSON performs Bowie's masterpiece album in its entirety - plus a second set of Bowie favourites.
The opening show - a VIP event at The Water Rats in London takes place on 27th November followed by more dates to be announced shortly.
Band members include: Mike Garson - piano/keyboards / Gaby Moreno - special guest singer / Kevin Armstrong - guitar / Terry Edwards - saxophone/guitar / Ben Ellis - bass / Mat Hector - drums.
You can sign up for updates by visiting the aladdinsanetour.com website.
Released today is DAVID BOWIE's Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74)
This limited edition 2-CD digipak contains a twelve-page booklet featuring notes from the original LA Amphitheatre show programme and a piece about the LA 'Philly Dogs' shows by Rolling Stone magazine Richard Cromelin.
The album released via Parlophone is also be available in hi-res 96/24 and standard downloads.
A standard jewel case 2CD with twelve page booklet will then replace the limited digipak.
Note: The vinyl edition will not be re-pressed or re-released.
The CD tracklisting runs as follows:
Disc: 1
01. Introduction (Live).
02. 1984 (Live).
03. Rebel Rebel (Live).
04. Moonage Daydream (Live).
05. Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise) (Live).
06. Changes (Live).
07. Suffragette City (Live).
08. Aladdin Sane (Live).
09. All The Young Dudes (Live).
10. Cracked Actor (Live).
11. Rock 'N' Roll With Me (Live).
Disc: 2
01. Knock On Wood (Live).
02. It's Gonna Be Me (Live).
03. Space Oddity (Live).
04. Diamond Dogs (Live).
05. Big Brother (Live).
06. Time (Live).
07. The Jean Genie (Live).
08. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (Live).
09. John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (Live).
You can purchase Cracked Actor (Live in Los Angeles '74)
Also released today is Be My Wife
Be My Wife
A-side:
Be My Wife (2017 remaster).
(David Bowie).
Produced by David Bowie and Tony Visconti.
Mixed by Tony Visconti at Hansa by the Wall.
AA-side:
Art Decade (Live Perth '78).
(David Bowie).
Produced by David Bowie.
Recorded live at Perth Entertainment Centre, Perth, Australia on 15th November 1978.
Both photographs used on the disc were shot by Christian Simonpietri. Featuring a still taken during the Stanley Dorfman directed video and the other from a visit to Victor Vasarely studios in June 1977.
• DAVID BOWIE graces the front cover of UNCUT magazine and inside is a special feature on his debut album - [More details]...
• The new MICK RONSON memorial sculpture in Hull is located at the Michael Ronson Garden of Reflection in East Park, Holderness Road, Hull, England HU8 8JU
• BOB SOLLY will be unveiling a blue plaque for DAVID BOWIE and The Manish Boys at Royal Star Arcade, High St, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1JL - [Read here]...
• THE SPIDERS FROM MARS blue plaque is to unveiled in Hull at the train station - [Read here]...
• A third DAVID BOWIE blue plaque is to be unveiled at Trident Studios in Soho, London - [Read here]...
• Check out 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice: DONNY McCASLIN on 'Beyond Now,' 'Blackstar' and DAVID BOWIE' - [Read here]...
Showing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads at Forth - Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, Scotland at 1:55pm.
ADRIAN BERRY's hugely acclaimed hit show tells the tale of a young DAVID BOWIE obsessive on a thrilling journey in the footsteps of his obsession, leading him to discover some long-hidden truths. What follows will change his life forever. Powerful and emotional, music and magic realism collide in this darkly funny and moving production featuring Alex Walton. The life of the pop fan is brilliantly dissected in this tale of unnatural teenage wildlife.
Tickets are available now, please visit pleasance.co.uk for more details and information.
Today marks the anniversary of DAVID BOWIE's first ever lead vocal single release 'Liza Jane' credited to Davie Jones with The King Bees, which was released 53 years ago today, 5th June 1964 on the Vocalion Pop label (V 9221).
Featuring seventeen-year-old Davie Jones (vocals and saxophone), George Underwood (guitar), Roger Bluck (guitar), Francis Howard (bass) and Robert Allen (drums).
Although credited to Leslie Conn, David's then manager who negotiated a one-single deal with Decca Records, George Underwood said the song was originally an old Negro spiritual that the band played around with and came up with this R'n'B song.
Leslie Conn's recollection of the events in 1997:
"I can tell you that I have got a pretty retentive memory, but that is something I can't clearly recall. I used to write songs except that I don't write music and I don't play piano. When the boys were jamming to kind of come up with some ideas to make a record, they came up with some six bar blues, which everyone uses. As they were doing that, I came up with my own idea, which came from nowhere, and we improvised and the song came together. I mean, I would never take credit for something that I never did and I know David wouldn't have agreed for me to sign the contract as writer if he had wrote it himself. I would never have stolen someone else's song on principle. I know that I'm quite vague on that and I can't be absolutely sure how it all came about, but I know that I did come up with a lot of ideas. As for the production of the song that was most certainly me, I arranged and organised the whole thing and I always produced the material I was arranging with Decca at that time. George Underwood is definitely wrong on that point.
"There is a funny story while were still on the subject of 'Liza Jane'. When David and I parted company I went off to live and work in Majorca for a few years and one day I was on the phone to my mother and she said, 'what shall I do with those records I have in the garage' which were a few hundred copies of 'Liza Jane'. So I replied, 'Throw them out', and she did. The last time David came up here he said, 'Have you got any of those records we made, you know they're worth over a hundred pounds each!' I told him I got my mother to throw them all out! We had to laugh."
Backed with 'Louie Louie Go Home', written by Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay, which was incidentally pencilled in as the A-side, both songs were recorded in a seven-hour session at Decca Studios in Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead.
The single was re-released by Decca in September 1978 (catalogue number F 13807) and beware there are counterfeit Vocalion copies in circulation. Produced in the USA in 70s, the tell-tale difference between the original and the illegal pressings is the matrix number. On the original 1964 issue the matrix number is machine stamped on the vinyl and on the fake copies it is handwritten.
The official press release for the single from the press room of the Dick James Organisation in May 1964 read...
INTRODUCING DAVIE JONES WITH THE KING-BEES... AND THEIR FIRST DISC 'LIZA JANE'
Pop Music isn't all affluence. Just ask new seventeen year old recording star Davie Jones. Time was (two months ago, in fact) when he and his group were almost on their uppers. No money, bad equipment. Then Davie had a brainwave. "I had been reading a lot in the papers about John Bloom," says Davie. "So I put pen to paper and wrote him a letter." David told Bloom that he had the chance of backing one of the most talented and up-and-coming groups on the pop scene. All he had to do was advance the several hundred pounds it requires to outfit a pop group with the best equipment.
Davie didn't get the money, but he did get a telegram next day from John Bloom giving the phone number of Artist's Manager Leslie Conn. Davie got in touch, he was rewarded with a booking at Bloom's Wedding Anniversary Party. "We were a dismal failure", recalls Davie. "It was a dinner dress affair and we turned up in jeans and sweat shirts and played our usual brand of rhythm and blues. It didn't go down too well. Still we'll know better next time."
However, all's well that ends well. Leslie Conn liked the earthy type of music the group played, arranged an audition with Decca Records which resulted in a contract and the first release by David Jones with the King-Bees. "Liza Jane", released by Decca (Vocalion 9221) on June 5th.
DAVIE JONES WITH THE KING-BEES MET AT BARBERS
Davie Jones met up with his four member backing group the King-Bees when he visited his local barber shop in Bromley. In between clips he got chatting to the four lads, also there to be sheared, about their musical interests, and before you could say "Short back and sides", they decided to join forces.
The group specialise in hard-driving, uncompromising R & B, a brand of music that has won for them a dedicated following in the London area, a following which should soon be spreading throughout the length and breadth of England on the strength of their first disc.
"LIZA JANE", is a beaty, action packed disc which features the direct no-holds-barred Davie Jones vocal delivery. The King-Bees supply a hard core, R & B backing and the whole thing is crowned by a catchy chorus featuring the line "Little Liza Jane".
DAVIE JONES - Seventeen years old, fair haired Davie first got interested in pop music when he was ten. His father's secretary (Davie's father in P.R.O. for Dr. Barnardo's homes) who had previously worked for a disc company, sent Davie a 'Demo' copy of a new Little Richard disc. As the phrase goes, Davie was "knocked out", and when he had scraped together a few pounds of his pocket money, bought a plastic saxophone. Eventually he progressed on to the real thing. Lessons were the next step. "My idol on saxophone has always been Ronnie Ross", says Davie, "So I looked up his name up in the phone book and asked him if he would give me lessons." Ross agreed, but after Davie played him a few bars Ross's comment was: "Right now we can start working on you, that was bloody awful!" Davie gave up his music to take his G.C.E. at 15, then left school and joined an advertising agency as a commercial artist, where he still works.
When he left school Davie was able to concentrated on his music again, this time mainly as a vocalist, playing dance halls and clubs in and around the Bromley area. Then came the hair-cut and the letter to John Bloom...
Davie's favourite vocalists are Little Richard, Bob Dylan and John Lee Hooker. Apart from the saxophone he also plays the guitar. He dislikes Adams apples, and lists as his interests Baseball, American Football and collecting Boots. A handsome six footer with a warm and engaging personality, Davie Jones has all it takes to get to the show business heights, including... talent.
Released this month is DAVID BOWIE's Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74)
Released on 16th June this limited edition 2-CD digipak will contain a twelve-page booklet featuring notes from the original LA Amphitheatre show programme and a piece about the LA 'Philly Dogs' shows by Rolling Stone magazine Richard Cromelin.
The album released via Parlophone will also be available in hi-res 96/24 and standard downloads.
A standard jewel case 2CD with twelve page booklet will then replace the limited digipak.
Note: The vinyl edition will not be re-pressed or re-released.
The CD tracklisting runs as follows:
Disc: 1
01. Introduction (Live).
02. 1984 (Live).
03. Rebel Rebel (Live).
04. Moonage Daydream (Live).
05. Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise) (Live).
06. Changes (Live).
07. Suffragette City (Live).
08. Aladdin Sane (Live).
09. All The Young Dudes (Live).
10. Cracked Actor (Live).
11. Rock 'N' Roll With Me (Live).
Disc: 2
01. Knock On Wood (Live).
02. It's Gonna Be Me (Live).
03. Space Oddity (Live).
04. Diamond Dogs (Live).
05. Big Brother (Live).
06. Time (Live).
07. The Jean Genie (Live).
08. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (Live).
09. John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (Live).
You can pre-order Cracked Actor (Live in Los Angeles '74)
• Photographer MYRIAM SANTOS has made available a DAVID BOWIE limited edition print as part of the 300 for 300 Project. Fore more details, information and purchasing please visit myriamsantos.com...
• DONNY McCASLIN downunder in Melbourne talks about working with DAVID BOWIE on the Blackstar album - [Read here]...
• On this day, 20 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at the Hanover Grand, London in 1997. He titled this Earthling Tour warm up show 'Little Wonderworld' which is where the name of this website originated...
Available to pre-order now is Be My Wife
The single is released later this month via Parlophone on Friday June 16th.
Be My Wife
A-side:
Be My Wife (2017 remaster).
(David Bowie).
Produced by David Bowie and Tony Visconti.
Mixed by Tony Visconti at Hansa by the Wall.
AA-side:
Art Decade (Live Perth '78).
(David Bowie).
Produced by David Bowie.
Recorded live at Perth Entertainment Centre, Perth, Australia on 15th November 1978.
Both photographs used on the disc were shot by Christian Simonpietri. Featuring a still taken during the Stanley Dorfman directed video and the other from a visit to Victor Vasarely studios in June 1977.
New book scheduled for publication in November is WHEN ZIGGY PLAYED THE MARQUEE: David Bowie's Last Performance as Ziggy Stardust by TERRY O'NEILL.
When Ziggy played The Marquee Club in Soho, London, in October 1973, most of those invited to the small venue did not realise that this would be the last performance David Bowie would ever give as Ziggy Stardust. Terry O'Neill, celebrated photographer, was given unprecedented access to document the event. O'Neill captured Bowie and his crew backstage as they went through costume changes, and Bowie transformed into the character he'd soon put to rest. On stage, dodging television cameras and lights, O'Neill snapped the incredible stage presence for which Bowie and his crew had become renowned. O'Neill remembers of Bowie: "He became a character on stage. As much as a person takes a role in a play for the West End or on Broadway, learning the lines, putting on the costumes - this was, I think, the way Bowie treated his stage. This night at the Marquee, I witnessed a modern-day Hamlet - and it was Ziggy Stardust". Foreword by Gary Kemp.
- Hardcover.
- 208 pages.
- Publisher: ACC Art Books.
- Date: 15th November.
- Foreword: Gary Kemp.
About the Author: Terry O'Neill has had a star-studded career. He has been in the business of capturing the most iconic, candid, and unguarded moments of the famous and infamous for six decades. His reportage photography chronicled the evolution of fashion in the postwar era, and later the emergence of bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Animals, and icons like David Bowie and Elton John. He has been photographer-of-choice for a multitude of celebrities, from Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn to Raquel Welch and Paul Newman, and remains the only photographer to have captured shots not only of every James Bond to date, but also more than 25 Bond girls and a staggering 150 Oscar-nominated actors and actresses. O'Neill was awarded with the Royal Society of Arts' highest honour, the Centenary Medal, in 2012.
You can pre-order When Ziggy Played the Marquee
Swiss company ATHERIS LABORATORIES are sponsoring and publishing an updated special deluxe edition of DAVID BOWIE WORLD 7" RECORDS DISCOGRAPHY 1964 - 1981 book by MARSHALL JARMAN and RETO STÖCKLIN.
The original 1994 much-in-demand Bowie collectors biblical discography has now finally got a complete makeover with this one-off special limited deluxe edition due this month.
- Addendums with dozens of records that weren't featured in the first edition, including many never seen before acetates.
- Most records now photographed in COLOUR.
- 1st printing in a strictly limited deluxe edition.
- A4, 180 pages, hard cover, gloss finish plus jacket, heavy 180g gloss paper.
Each copy will be numbered and signed by the authors with a personalised dedication.
The ONLY way to obtain this special limited deluxe edition is via a special gift deal from MATOXINE - the makers of 'Instant Moonlight' - a revolutionary new cosmetic range developed from the venom of the David Bowie spider.
You will also receive a unique deluxe box, on the cover of which the Instant Moonlight' logo is replaced by a picture of the label of the holy grail David Bowie 7" original acetate of 'Liza Jane', the first David Bowie ever from 1964. The box is also designed to store 7" records.
The box will contain one click-pen of 'Instant Moonlight' plus platinum with applicator and one instant moonlight gold dispenser, for woman or man. Ideal for the handbag or travelling.
To snap up one of the remaining copies please visit indiegogo.com and scroll down to $75 USD - collector's box with 7" book option - where you can order the book now by clicking on the pink 'GET THIS PERK' button.
(Ed. If you are wondering why the company is sponsoring this book, it's because the President and CEO Doctor Reto Stöcklin is a HUGE long-time Bowie fan and collector).
Update: #1
Dear all, we are glad to inform that the book can now be ordered via PayPal. Some of you couldn't buy it because the platform suddenly changed its rules to accept credit cards only. We also had a few requests for split payments, and we are flexible here for those of you who need some time. You can now contact us directly through a dedicated email: with any enquiries.
Alternatively, if you are a Facebook user you can also get in touch via their Closed Group David Bowie World 7" Records - simply click on JOIN GROUP and you will be added.
Update: #2
Dear all, we are amazed by the success and enthusiasm generated by our book project! Our original intention was to limit the edition to the number sold over a few weeks, which we never thought would reach a total of 100. Having 15 pre-reserved, we first offered 85, but orders came so quickly and 99 have been sold in one week, 46 of which just yesterday! As a result many friends of ours were angry that they couldn't order in time and were falling out with us. We hope you don't mind that it's more than 100. We don't want to make Bowie collectors unhappy and loose friends, so decided to offer more. It will in any case remain a very limited edition and we will keep you informed of the progress.
Best regards, Marshall and Reto.
For those of you who use FACEBOOK - I've just set up a DAVID BOWIE Wonderworld Group.
Feel free to join and add yourself. You never know what might get posted...
All set for publication next month on Friday 14th July is BOWIE UNSEEN
This publication collects original and rare photographs from Bowie's debut album shoot, which were released for the first time as fine art prints in 2016. These pictures show Bowie pre-fame, pre-Ziggy Stardust, as a young man unaware of what the future holds A glimpse at the origins of a late great pop-music icon.
Alongside the famous album shot are many completely unknown, unpublished and sought-after 'buried treasures' which were taken at Fearnley's studio in a basement beneath a church in Bryanston Street, near Marble Arch in London. They show a playful side to Bowie 'clowning around' in a superhero jumper, with face paint on, laughing and smiling while throwing shapes.
The link between the two men is Gerald's brother 'Dek', who was the bass player of Sixties band The Buzz. They backed Bowie in 1966-1967 and also featured on his first album. The whole of The Buzz and Bowie & co. would stay at Gerald's house, where they would prepare before their gigs. Bowie often also went there alone to write songs.
Now - fifty years since the original photo session and release of David Bowie's debut album - the unseen photos of Gerald Fearnley are presented here for the first time. These whimsical, youthful images capture the artist as a young man only a few years before he'd transform himself into Ziggy Stardust and launch a career that would become one of the most successful and influential in the history of modern music.
This 80-page hardback publication is sized at 230 mm x 190 mm, with illustrations: 10 colour, 80 black and white and is published via ACC Art Books.
About the Author: Gerald Fearnley is a professional photographer, famous for capturing the front cover shot for Bowie's debut album, David Bowie, in the '60s. The friendship between the Fearnley family and Bowie meant that Bowie spent a lot of time at Gerald's house in Worcester Park, Surrey, both preparing for gigs and writing songs.
You can pre-order Bowie Unseen: Portraits of an Artist as a Young Man
May | April | March | February | January
2016 Bowie News | 2015 Bowie News | 2014 Bowie News | 2013 Bowie News
2012 Bowie News | 2011 Bowie News | 2010 Bowie News | 2009 Bowie News
2008 Bowie News | 2007 Bowie News | 2006 Bowie News | 2005 Bowie News
2004 Bowie News | 2003 Bowie News | 2002 Bowie News | 2001 Bowie News
2000 Bowie News | 1999 Bowie News | 1998 Bowie News | 1997 Bowie News
| Created: June 2017 © Paul Kinder | Last Updated: 23/6/17 |
|
]
NOW.
NOW.
NOW.
and 
as well as the 
