David Bowie BBC Radio Sessions

DAVID BOWIE BBC RADIO SESSIONS

Complete History of David Bowie Live Radio Sessions at the BBC

1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1991 | 1997 | 1999 | 2002 | Misc

1967 - TOP GEAR

Recorded:

18th December 1967
Broadcast: 24th December 1967
Producer:

Bernie Andrews
Engineer:

Dave Tate
Studio:

Piccadilly 1 Studios, 201 Piccadilly, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

plus The Arthur Greenslade Orchestra (seven piece)

Songs:

01. Love You Till Tuesday

02. In The Heat Of The Morning

03. Silly Boy Blue

04. When I Live My Dream

05. Little Bombardier

Other Info:

David did not record 'Something I Would Like To Be' at this session.

'Love You Till Tuesday' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1968 - JOHN PEEL IN TOP GEAR

Recorded:

13th May 1968
Broadcast: 26th May 1968
Producer:

Bernie Andrews
Engineers:

Pete Ritzema and Alan Harris
Studio:

Piccadilly 1 Studio, 201 Piccadilly, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

plus The Tony Visconti Orchestra - fourteen musicians including:

Herbie Flowers (bass)

Barry Morgan (drums)

John McLaughlin (guitar)

Alan Hawkshaw (keyboards)

Tony Visconti and Steve Peregrin Took (backing vocals)

Songs:

01. London Bye Ta Ta

02. In The Heat Of The Morning

03. Karma Man

04. When I'm Five

05. Silly Boy Blue

Other Info:

'Silly Boy Blue' was not originally broadcast.

'In The Heat Of The Morning' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1969 - DLT (DAVE LEE TRAVIS) SHOW

Recorded:

20th October 1969
Broadcast: 26th October 1969
Producer:

Paul Williams
Engineer:

Pete Ritzema
Studio:

Studio 2, Aeolian Hall, New Bond Street, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, acousitc 12-string guitar)

plus Junior's Eyes:

Mick Wayne (guitar)

Tim Renwick (rhythm guitar)

John Lodge (bass)

John Cambridge (drums)

Songs:

Interview (with Brian Matthew)

01. Let Me Sleep Beside You

02. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed

03. Janine

Other Info:

'Let Me Sleep Beside You' and 'Janine' were not originally broadcast.

'Let Me Sleep Beside You' and part of the interview also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

Let Me Sleep Beside You (2'50"), the Brian Matthew Interview, Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed (4'00") and Janine (3'25") all appear on the BBC Transcription Services Disc 'Top Of The Pops - 261' (Week 48) (Cat. No. 125078).

Read interview transcription with Brian Matthew.

1970 - THE SUNDAY SHOW: INTRODUCED BY JOHN PEEL

Recorded:

5th February 1970
Broadcast: 8th February 1970
Producer:

Jeff Griffin
Sound:

Tony Wilson. Assistant: Chris Lycett
Studio:

BBC Paris Studio, Lower Regent Street, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar, keyboard)

plus The Tony Visconti Trio:

Tony Visconti (bass)

Mick Ronson (guitar)

John Cambridge (drums)

Songs:

01. Amsterdam

02. God Knows I'm Good

03. Buzz The Fuzz

04. Karma Man

05. London Bye Ta Ta

06. An Occasional Dream

07. Width Of A Circle

08. Janine

09. The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud

10. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed

11. Fill Your Heart

12. I'm Waiting For The Man (not broadcast)

13. The Prettiest Star

14. Cygnet Committee

15. Memory Of A Free Festival

Other Info:

The rehearsal and recording started at 15:30 and ended at 24:00 on 5th February 1970. 'I'm Waiting For The Man' was recorded after 'Fill Your Heart' but was edited out of the final broadcast due to time restrictions. 'Memory Of A Free Festival' was recorded as a 6' 40" track but faded out after 3' 15", again due to time restrictions. The one hour long programme was broadcast on 8th February 1970 at 16:00 until 17:00. The programme number was TLN 05 PM1451 Q. The original master tape to this session has been lost by the BBC.

1970 - SOUNDS OF THE 70s: ANDY FERRIS

Recorded:

25th March 1970
Broadcast: 6th April 1970
Producer:

Bernie Andrews
Engineer:

Nick Gomm
Studio:

The Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

plus The Tony Visconti Trio:

Tony Visconti (bass)

Mick Ronson (guitar, vocal)

John Cambridge (drums)

Songs:

01. I'm Waiting For The Man

02. Width Of A Circle

03. The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud

04. The Supermen

Other Info:

'The Supermen' was not originally broadcast.

'The Supermen' remained unreleased until the limited edition 4-LP Bowie At The Beeb vinyl box set released 26th February 2016.

'The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1971 - IN CONCERT: JOHN PEEL

Recorded:

3rd June 1971
Broadcast: 20th June 1971 (repeated on 23rd June 1971)
Producer:

Jeff Griffin
Sound:

Chris Lycett. Assistant: John Etchells
Studio:

BBC Paris Studio, Lower Regent Street, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar, keyboard)

Mick Ronson (guitar, vocals)

Trevor Bolder (bass)

Mick Woodmansey (drums)

Mark Carr Pritchett (rhythm guitar)

George Underwood (vocals)

Dana Gillespie (vocals)

Geoffrey Alexander (aka Geoffrey MacCormack) (vocals)

Songs:

01. Queen Bitch

02. Bombers

03. The Supermen

04. Looking For A Friend

05. Almost Grown (lead vocals Geoffrey Alexander)

06. Kooks

07. Song For Bob Dylan (lead vocals George Underwood)

08. Andy Warhol (lead vocals Dana Gillespie)

09. It Ain't Easy (lead vocals David Bowie, Geoffrey Alexander and George Underwood)

Other Info:

The rehearsal and recording started at 15:30 and ended at midnight on 3rd June 1971. Geoffrey Alexander takes the lead vocal on 'Almost Grown', George Underwood takes the vocal for 'Song For Bob Dylan', and Dana Gillespie takes lead vocal for 'Andy Warhol'. For 'It Ain't Easy' David Bowie sings the first verse, Geoffrey Alexander sings the second and George Underwood sings the third. 'Oh! You Pretty Things' was also recorded but dropped from the broadcast due to time restrictions. The one hour long programme was broadcast on 20th June 1971 on Radio One at 19:00 until 20:00. The programme number was TLN 22/IEI311 Q. The broadcast was repeated again on the 23rd June 1971. Unfortunately the original master tape to this session has been lost by the BBC and is now no longer on archive.

Four tracks 'Bombers', 'Looking For A Friend', 'Almost Grown' and 'Kooks' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1971 - SOUNDS OF THE 70s: BOB HARRIS

Recorded:

21st September 1971 (7:30pm - 11:00pm)
Broadcast: 4th October 1971 (10:00pm till 12 midnight)
Producer:

John F. Muir
Engineers:

John White and Bill Aitken
Studio:

T1, Kensington House, Shepherds Bush, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar, piano)

Mick Ronson (bass, lead guitar, vocal)

Songs:

01. The Supermen

02. Oh! You Pretty Things / Eight Line Poem

03. Kooks

04. Fill Your Heart

05. Amsterdam

06. Andy Warhol

Other Info:

'The Supermen' was not originally broadcast.

'Oh! You Pretty Things' previously exclusive to the Japanese release of the Bowie At The Beeb CD. Now available on the Bowie At The Beeb vinyl box set released 26th February 2016.

'The Supermen' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1972 - SOUNDS OF THE 70s: JOHN PEEL

Recorded:

11th January 1972
Broadcast: 28th January 1972
Producer:

John F. Muir
Engineer:

Nick Gomm
Studio:

T1, Kensington House, Shepherds Bush, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

Mick Ronson (guitar, piano, vocals)

Trevor Bolder (bass)

Mick Woodmansey (drums)

Songs:

01. Ziggy Stardust

02. Queen Bitch

03. I'm Waiting For The Man

04. Lady Stardust

Other Info:

'Hang On To Yourself' is also rumoured to have been recorded at this session. Every bootleg (and even the Trident BBC Sessions sampler) list this track from the 11th January session which is incorrect, as they are all the same version from the 18th January session. The BBC has now lost this complete session from the archive.

1972 - SOUNDS OF THE 70s: BOB HARRIS

Recorded:

18th January 1972
Broadcast: 7th February 1972
Producer:

Jeff Griffin
Sound:

Chris Lycett. Assistant: John Etchells
Studio:

Studio 5, Maida Vale, Delaware Road, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

Mick Ronson (guitar, vocals)

Trevor Bolder (bass)

Mick Woodmansey (drums)

Songs:

01. Hang On To Yourself

02. Ziggy Stardust

03. Queen Bitch

04. I'm Waiting For The Man

05. Five Years

Other Info:

'Ziggy Stardust' and 'Five Years' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1972 - SOUNDS OF THE 70s: JOHN PEEL

Recorded:

16th May 1972
Broadcast: 23rd May 1972
Producer:

Pete Ritzema
Engineer:

Nick Gomm
Studio:

Studio 4, Maida Vale, Delaware Road, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

Mick Ronson (guitar, vocals)

Trevor Bolder (bass)

Mick Woodmansey (drums)

Nicky Graham (piano)

Songs:

01. White Light / White Heat

02. Moonage Daydream

03. Hang On To Yourself

04. Suffragette City

05. Ziggy Stardust

Other Info:

'White Light / White Heat' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1972 - JOHNNIE WALKER LUNCHTIME SHOW

Recorded:

22nd May 1972
Broadcast: 5th - 9th June 1972
Producer:

Rodger Pusey
Engineer:

Nick Gomm
Studio:

Studio 2, Aeolian Hall, New Bond Street, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

Mick Ronson (guitar, vocals)

Trevor Bolder (bass)

Mick Woodmansey (drums)

Nicky Graham (piano)

Songs:

01. Starman

02. Space Oddity

03. Changes

04. Oh! You Pretty Things

Other Info:

'Starman' was broadcast over five consecutive days as Johnnie Walker's single of the week.

'Starman' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1972 - SOUNDS OF THE 70s: BOB HARRIS

Recorded:

23rd May 1972
Broadcast: 19th June 1972
Producer:

Jeff Griffin
Sound:

Chris Lycett. Assistant: John Etchells
Studio:

Studio 5, Maida Vale, Delaware Road, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

Mick Ronson (guitar, vocals)

Trevor Bolder (bass)

Mick Woodmansey (drums)

Songs:

01. Andy Warhol

02. Lady Stardust

03. White Light / White Heat

04. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

Other Info:

'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide' also appeared on the 1988 'Bowie At The Beeb' (Cat. No. CN 5155/S) set of three BBC Transcription Services discs backed with three sides of 'Bolan At The Beeb'.

1991 - MARK GOODIER'S EVENING SESSION

Recorded:

13th August 1991
Broadcast: 13th August 1991 (live from the studio)
Producer:

Mike Robinson
Engineers:

Paul Long and Adam Askew
Studio:

Studio 5, Maida Vale, Delaware Road, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, guitar)

Reeves Gabrels (guitar)

Tony Sales (bass, backing vocals)

Hunt Sales (drums, vocals)

Songs:

Introduction

Interview

01. A Big Hurt

Interview

02. Baby Universal

03. Stateside

04. If There Is Something

05. Heaven's In Here

Other Info:

1997 - CHANGESNOWBOWIE

Recorded:

7th January 1997
Broadcast: 8th January 1997
Producer:

Engineers:

Studio:

SIR Studios, 520 West 25th Street, New York City, USA

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals)

Reeves Gabrels (guitar)

Gail Ann Dorsey (bass, vocals)

Mike Garson (piano)

Zachary Alford (drums)

Songs:

Introduction

Interview

01. The Man Who Sold The World

02. The Supermen

Interview and Birthday messages

03. Andy Warhol

04. Repetition

Interview and Birthday messages

05. Lady Stardust

06. White Light / White Heat

Interview and Birthday messages

07. Shopping For Girls

Interview and Birthday messages

08. Quicksand

09. Aladdin Sane

10. I Can't Read

Other Info:

Session recorded during rehearsals for David's 50th Birthday show at Studio Instrumental Rentals Studios in New York City, USA. 'I Can't Read' was edited out of the show due to time restrictions, however it was later broadcast on Mark Goodier's show.

1999 - THE MARK AND LARD SHOW (Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley)

Recorded:

25th October 1999
Broadcast: 25th October 1999 (live from the studio)
Producer:

Will Saunders
Engineer:

Mike Robinson
Studio:

Studio 4, Maida Vale, Delaware Road, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals)

Mike Garson (keyboards)

Gail Ann Dorsey (bass, vocals)

Page Hamilton (lead guitar)

Mark Plati (rhythm guitar)

Sterling Campbell (drums)

Emm Gryner (backing vocals)

Holly Palmer (backing vocals)

Songs:

Introduction

01. Survive

Bit and Piece Competition

Chat

02. Drive In Saturday

Interview

03. Something In The Air

Tombola

04. Can't Help Thinking About Me

05. Repetition

Other Info:

David's son Duncan Jones and Geoffrey MacCormack were in the studio, along with a specially invited audience.

1999 - THE SATURDAY MUSIC MIX

Recorded:

25th October 1999
Broadcast: 6th November 1999
Producer:

Chris Whatmough
Engineer:

Mike Robinson
Studio:

Studio 4, Maida Vale, Delaware Road, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals)

Mike Garson (keyboards)

Gail Ann Dorsey (bass, vocals)

Page Hamilton (lead guitar)

Mark Plati (rhythm guitar)

Sterling Campbell (drums)

Emm Gryner (backing vocals)

Holly Palmer (backing vocals)

Songs:

Interview with Billy Bragg

01. Survive

02. China Girl

Other Info:

2002 - LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE

Recorded:

18th September 2002
Broadcast: 5th October 2002
Exec Producer:

Lewis Carnie
Engineer:

Studio:

Studio 3, Maida Vale, Delaware Road, London, England

Musicians:

David Bowie (vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar)

Mike Garson (keyboards)

Gail Ann Dorsey (bass, vocals)

Earl Slick (lead guitar)

Gerry Leonard (lead guitar)

Catherine Russell (backing vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar)

Mark Plati (rhythm and acoustic guitar)

Sterling Campbell (drums, percussion)

Songs:

Introduction

01. Sunday

02. Look Back In Anger

03. Cactus

04. Survive

05. 5:15 The Angels Have Gone

06. Alabama Song

07. Everyone Says Hi

08. Rebel Rebel

09. The Bewlay Brothers

10. Heathen (The Rays)

Other Info:

Introduced by Radio 2 DJ Jonathan Ross. Specially invited guest audience of 100. David used a hand-held camera to capture parts of the show for his two-year-old daughter Alexandria back home with his wife Iman in New York. "This is just to show my daughter exactly what sort of person I associate with," he said, focusing his lens on the fans.

The crowd for the invitation-only show included comedian Ricky Gervais, writer David Baddiel and BBC chairman Gavyn Davies.

1979 - STAR SPECIAL - RADIO ONE

Recorded:

20th May 1979
Broadcast: 20th May 1979
Producer:

-
Engineer:

-
Studio:

London, England

Guest DJ:

David Bowie

Songs:        Introduction
                   Love Street - The Doors
                   TV Eye - Iggy Pop
                   Remember - John Lennon
                   96 Tears - ? & The Mysterians
                   The Nursery Suite (extract) - Elgar
                   Inchworm - Danny Kaye
                   Trial Prison - Philip Glass
                   Sweet Jane - The Velvet Underground
                   Helen Fordsdale - Mars
                   He's My Star - Little Richard
                   21st Century Schizoid Man - King Crimson
                   Warning Sign - Talking Heads
                   Beck's Bolero - Jeff Beck
                   Try Some, Buy Some - Ronnie Spector
                   20th Century Boy - Marc Bolan
                   Where Were You? - The Mekons
                   Big City Cat - Steve Forbert
                   We Love You - The Rolling Stones
                   2HB - Roxy Music
                   It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City - Bruce Springsteen
                   Fingertips - Stevie Wonder
                   Rip Her To Shreds - Blondie
                   Beautiful Loser - Bob Seger
                   Boys Keep Swinging - David Bowie
                   Yassassin - David Bowie
                   Book I Read - Talking Heads
                   For Your Pleasure - Roxy Music
                   Something On Your Mind - King Curtis
                   Lies - The Staple Singers
                   Outro (Speed Of Life - David Bowie)

Other Info:

David is the special guest disc jockey for the show, whereby he selects his favourite songs. Read the full radio show transcription

1993 - THE DAVID BOWIE STORY

Recorded:

April / May 1993
Broadcast: May 1993
Producer:

Kevin Howlett
Engineer:

-
Studio:

London, England

Written:

Pete Frame and Kevin Howlett
Presenter:

Paul Gambaccini

Part 1:        The Apprenticeship
Part 2:        One Man Against The World
Part 3:        Fame
Part 4:        Don't Normalise It!
Part 5:        Out Of Characters, Into Suits
Part 6:        Falling Down, Standing Up

Other Info:

A six-episode six-hour documentary written by Pete Frame and Kevin Howlett, and presented by Paul Gambaccini. Specially recorded contributions from David Bowie, Tony Visconti, Carlos Alomar, Brian Eno and others.

2000-2016 - OFFICIAL RELEASES: BOWIE AT THE BEEB

OFFICIAL RELEASES:

Bowie At The Beeb 4-LP Limited Edition 180g 4-LP Vinyl Box Set - [released: 26th February 2016]. This vinyl version features 'Oh! You Pretty Things' from the Sounds Of The 70's: Bob Harris session broadcast in September 1971 which was previously exclusive to the Japanese release of the CD. Completely exclusive to the set is the once lost 'The Supermen' from Sounds Of The 70's: Andy Ferris session broadcast in March, 1970. This recording was only rediscovered during the research for the original CD set and remained unreleased until 2016.

Bowie At The Beeb 3CD Limited Edition 3CD Set. Includes extra disc featuring 'Bowie At The BBC Radio Theatre' recorded 27th June 2000 - [released: 25th September 2000]. Initial pressings of the 3CD set featured a mispressing. Tracks 4 and 12 on the second disc, 'Ziggy Stardust' were identical. EMI mistakenly used the version from Sound Of The 70s: John Peel sessions from the 16th May 1972 twice. Anybody who purchased a copy of this initial batch was able to claim a free single-track replacement CD (Cat. No. EMI BEEBREP 2) containing the missing version of Ziggy. Future pressings of the 3CD set contained all the correct versions.

Bowie At The Beeb 2CD - [released: 2nd April 2002].

Bowie At The Beeb/Sampler (Cat. No. BEEBPRO 6872) 8-track promo CD housed in box - [released August 2002].

For all releases, promo items, Japanese exclusive CD and foreign issues, your best bet is to check out the eBay listings

Last Updated: 17/2/16