• On this day, 20 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed the first of two gigs at Palais Omnisports, Bercy, Paris, France during his A Reality World Tour in 2003...

• On this day, 21 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at the Beacon Theatre, Broadway, New York, USA during his Heathen Tour in 2002. David named this last leg 'The New York Marathon Tour', as they were playing in each of New York City's five boroughs. He said: "I could get home from all the gigs on roller skates."...

• On this day, 22 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at the 'Concert for New York City' Benefit show at Madison Square Garden, New York City in 2001. David performed two songs, Paul Simon's 'America' and his own anthemic classic "Heroes"...

• On this day, 27 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed the second of two shows for The Bridge School Benefit Concert at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, California, USA. This acoustic and bottle caps show for the Neil Young Charity saw David perform, alongside Reeves Gabrels and Gail Ann Dorsey in 1996...

• On this day, 40 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed the first of three shows at the Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan during his Serious Moonlight Tour '83...

• On this day, 49 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at the Michigan Palace in Detroit, USA during his 'Soul/Philly Dogs' Tour in 1974...

• On this day, 50 years ago, saw the final day of filming by NBC TV of The Midnight Special. DAVID BOWIE's 'The 1980 Floor Show' was filmed over three days at The Marquee, in Soho, London in 1973...

• On this day, 51 years ago, DAVID BOWIE and The Spiders From Mars played the first of two gigs at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA, USA in 1972.

This first show was broadcast live on a local FM radio station and also recorded by RCA Records for a planned Ziggy Stardust live double album. The shows at Boston and Santa Monica were also recorded and the artwork created by George Underwood.

The live FM radio broadcast introduced by Steve Martin went as follows: "Steve Martin here, backstage at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. It's a cool night in Los Angeles, and as you may know or not know, the Santa Monica Civic is about a hundred yards from the beach so we have a cool breeze blowing off the ocean through the stage at our backs. The auditorium is packed, as a matter of fact, for the first David Bowie concert in the Los Angeles area. There will be one more tomorrow night, this is the concert tonight which will be recorded by RCA for the next David Bowie album and we expect to hear some new material by this British superstar. David and his group, the Spiders From Mars will enter from the other side of the stage. The auditorium is completely blacked out except for flashing strobe lights. Now the entrance music will be the Ode, or should I say the Ode To Joy which is featured in the movie A Clockwork Orange and the house lights are starting to dim... here's David Bowie." - [More details]...

• On this day, 55 years ago, TURQUOISE performed at The Country Club, Haverstock Hill, Hampstead, London NW3. The short-lived mixed-media trio Turquoise were: DAVID BOWIE, Hermione Farthingale and Tony Hill. Also appearing at this 1968 Time Out/Free Bank Benefit gig were: Third Ear Band, Doris Henderson, George Smith and Mike Vernon, Pegasus Blues, Mimi and Mouse, Simon Stable and Pete Drummond on Plastic Dream Machine, plus others.

David had placed an advertisement in the International Times way back in June. It stated 'David Bowie needs acoustic guitarist singing/speaking for exciting project, must be alive'. The name 'Turquoise' lasted for only a small number of appearances before Tony Hill's final performance. Tony left to join 'High Tide', a group that David was later to support. His replacement was ex-Buzz member John 'Hutch' Hutchinson. Shortly after the name was changed to FEATHERS...

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of DAVID BOWIE's 1973 covers album PIN UPS the limited edition half-speed mastered vinyl LP was released today..

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 purchase the album now.

• On this day, 50 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his Pin Ups album in 1973, featuring cover versions of some of his favourite songs from the '64-'67 period London club scene.

One of his original ideas for this album was to reinforce the evocation of times past by also linking in his own song 'The London Boys'...

DB: "Probably half a verse will be used between songs. It will be a newly recorded version. That dates from the first Deram album. It's about a young boy who comes up to London, gets pilled out of his head, all those things.

"I used to do that - get dressed up, go up to town on Friday night, see what was going on, stay for the night."

• Happy Birthday wishes to MARK PLATI...

Check out the upgraded 4K version of DAVID BOWIE performing Jacques Brel's 'My Death' from the Hammersmith Odeon on 3rd July 1973.

Taken from the recently released ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS: THE MOTION PICTURE - 50th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray / Audio 2-CD and 2-LP Limited Edition Gold Vinyl Set.

'Kevin does what I pretend to do. Kevin's a proper musician.' David Bowie.

Published today is ABSOLUTE BEGINNER: Memoirs of the World's Best Least-Known Guitarist by KEVIN ARMSTRONG.

Growing up in a world of punk squats and the London pub-rock scene, suburban rookie guitarist Kevin Armstrong found himself signed to EMI as a solo artist in the early 80s, but fate had other plans for him, his life and career changing in an instant when he was called for a studio date with an unnamed star at Abbey Road.

That unnamed star was soon revealed to be DAVID BOWIE, and that afternoon's recording catapulted this unlikely lad onto the world's grandest stages alongside some of the biggest names in the business. Kevin has gone on to carve out a singular career as a producer, songwriter, and guitarist, touring and recording with everyone from Grace Jones to Paul McCartney, Iggy Pop to Roy Orbison, Sandie Shaw to Alien Sex Fiend.

Absolute Beginner is the story of what it takes to survive as a self-taught musician. It provides an honest and funny glimpse into the backstage world of the artists Kevin has worked with, and is packed with acerbic, laugh-out-loud observations on popular music and musicians from someone who has had a prime seat at the high table of rock 'n' roll for more than forty years.

Reviews:

'This is a frank, revealing, and often very funny memoir of a life playing with other people and at the same time being yourself.' - David Quantick.

'An absolute whirlwind - a wonderfully funny, cleverly observed account of real life spent touring or recording with musicians on every level.' - Mark Ellen.

'Kevin Armstrong has written a beautifully gentle tale of a life spent playing guitar with some of the hardest rockers around - a must for anyone who loves music, or even just ... loves.' - Will Self.

About the Author:
Kevin Armstrong began his musical life on Charlie Gillett's Oval Records in 1981 with his own band, Local Heroes SW9. After two albums, his career began thriving as a writer, producer, bandleader, and, above all, bulletproof guitarist. Most notably, Kevin met David Bowie in late 1984 and worked with him on various projects, from Live Aid to his acclaimed 1. Outside album. Bowie also introduced Kevin to Iggy Pop during sessions for his 1986 album Blah-Blah-Blah, and Kevin promptly became Iggy's bandleader. He also led Iggy's touring band from 2014 to 2019. In between times, he has worked with Paul McCartney, Morrissey, Grace Jones, Sinéad O'Connor, Prefab Sprout, Thomas Dolby, Transvision Vamp, Brian Eno, Sandie Shaw, Gil Evans, Alien Sex Fiend, Keziah Jones, and many, many more. This is his first book.

You can purchase Absolute Beginner: Memoirs of the World's Best Least-Known Guitarist now!

• On this day, 33 years ago, DAVID BOWIE and IMAN had their first ever date in Los Angeles, USA in 1990. The blind-date was set up by their mutual friend and hairdresser Teddy Antolin...

• On this day, 46 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his "Heroes" album. Recorded at Hansa Tonstudio, Berlin in July and August of 1977, this is the only true album of the so-called "Berlin Trilogy" - (Low was predominantly recorded in France and Lodger in Montreux, Switzerland and NYC). Produced by Tony Visconti and David Bowie, the album also featured: Carlos Alomar, Dennis Davis, George Murray, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp and Antonia Maass.

RCA marketed the album with the blurbs: "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming" and "There's Old Wave. There's New Wave. And there's David Bowie..." It reached number #3 in the UK and stayed in the charts for a total of 26 weeks. Both the NME and Melody Maker named it as their 'Album of the Year'. Surely, the highest praise came from JOHN LENNON who stated in a 1980 interview - whilst recording his 'Double Fantasy' album - that his ambition was to "do something as good as "Heroes"."

On this day, 54 years ago, DAVID BOWIE appeared for the first time on Top Of The Pops performing 'Space Oddity' in 1969.

Hosted by Pete Murray, Bowie had performed the song in Studio G, which was separate from the main studio audience. This was pre-recorded on 2nd October.

The line-up for this episode was as follows:

(#1) TOTP Orchestra - Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus (and charts)
(#NE) Esther Ofarim - Saturday Night At The World
(#11) Lou Christie - I'm Gonna Make You Mine
(#13) David Bowie - Space Oddity
(#16) The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
(#2) Bobbie Gentry - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (film)
(#20) The Temptations - Cloud Nine (crowd dancing) (and credits)

The following week (16th) there was a repeat Space Oddity showing introduced by Alan Freeman, as the song had climbed from #13 to #8.

Check out the upgraded 4K version of DAVID BOWIE's 'Hang On To Yourself' from the Hammersmith Odeon on 3rd July 1973.

Taken from the recently released ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS: THE MOTION PICTURE - 50th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray / Audio 2-CD and 2-LP Limited Edition Gold Vinyl Set.

For this year's RECORD STORE DAY Black Friday there are two DAVID BOWIE connected releases.

The SCARLETT JOHANSSON album 'Anywhere I Lay My Head', first released in 2008 - featuring guest appearances by David Bowie on two tracks - gets a RSD Black Friday 2023 exclusive release.

Anywhere I Lay My Head is released on Asbestos Records, limited to 2,000 copies, on green 150 gram vinyl, printed insert and single-pocket jacket.

The tracklisting runs as follows:

Side A:
01. Fawn
02. Town With No Cheer
03. Falling Down (featuring David Bowie)
04. Anywhere I Lay My Head
05. Fannin Street (featuring David Bowie)
06. Song For Jo

Side B:
07. Green Grass
08. I Wish I was In New Orleans
09. I Don't Wanna To Grow Up
10. No One Knows I'm Gone
11. Who Are You

Anywhere I Lay My Head is the debut studio album by American actress and singer Scarlett Johansson, released on 16th May 2008 by Atco Records. She recorded it over five weeks in Spring 2007 at Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana. It was produced by Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio and includes collaborations with David Bowie and members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Celebration.

It contains four songs by Tom Waits, six songs by Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan, and one original composition, 'Song for Jo'. The album received mixed reviews, and saw moderate commercial success. 'Falling Down' was released as its lead single.

Another Bowie related release is The Warm Covers LP by JD MCPHERSON on New West Records label, in a limited edition release.

In 2014, JD McPherson released The Warm Covers EP on CD and digitally. This EP featured covers of songs by Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Hughes, Nick Lowe and Alabama. A diverse set of songs to say the least. In 2022 McPherson digitally released The Warm Covers Vol. 2 featuring covers of songs by DAVID BOWIE, Iggy Pop, Big Al Downing, Broncho, Lou Reed, Art Neville, Naomi Neville and Charles Thompson.

For RSD Black Friday, the two EPs are being put together and pressed on red, white and blue swirl vinyl for the one and only time.

The tracklisting runs as follows:

Side A:
01. Just Around The Corner
02. Lust For Life / Sixteen
03. Let's Rock
04. Manta Ray
05. It's Raining

Side B:
06. White Light/White Heat
07. I Wish You Would
08. Steal Away
09. Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
10. Why Lady Why
11. Get In My Car

RSD Black Friday takes place on 24th November.

For more details on releases please visit recordstoreday.com to check which countries and stores are stocking these releases.

• Birthday memories of MARGARET 'PEGGY' JONES who was born on this day in 1913...

• On this day, 8 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released 'Space Oddity' 40th Anniversary picture disc 7" single in 2015...

• On this day, 21 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at the Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London, during his 'Heathen' Promo Tour in 2002...

• On this day, 36 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed the second of two gigs at St. Paul Civic Centre in Minneapolis, USA during his Glass Spider World Tour in 1987...

• On this day, 59 years ago, DAVIE JONES and The Manish Boys performed in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire in 1964...

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 later this 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.

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

Feel free to join in with the other 91,000 plus members, add yourself and invite your Bowie fan friends. You never know what might get posted, or who you might meet...

• THE DAVID BOWIE WORLD FAN CONVENTION 2024 in Liverpool on 26th-28th July - tickets 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

50th Anniversary of PIN UPS 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 - 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, 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

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!