David Bowie 1997 – Earthling Tour

The David Bowie Earthling Tour opened on 7 June 1997 at Flughafen Blankense – Lübeck, Germany, continuing through Europe, North America and South America before concluding in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 7 November 1997.

History

Bowie and his band began rehearsing for the tour in April 1997, and expected the tour to last “from May through Christmas” (1997). Bowie expected it to be “really extensive, a long, long tour.”

The original concept of the tour was to perform two separate set lists, one regular, and one dance-oriented incorporating drum and bass. That plan was abandoned after the Muziekcentrum Vredenburg performance on 11 June 1997, with elements of each combined into one set.

The 19 July 1997 Phoenix Festival performance was billed as Tao Jones Index in the BBC Radio 1 dance tent, and preceded the regular show the following day.

The 14 October 1997 Capitol Theatre show was broadcast on MTV’s Live From The 10 Spot and was added due to a Rolling Stones cancellation.

The following performance on 15 October 1997 at Radio City Music Hall was part of the GQ Awards.

The set list during the tour included a version of the Laurie Anderson piece O Superman with lead vocals by Gail Ann Dorsey.

Tour publicist: Tony Michaelides handled press, radio & television for Bowie.

Tour band

• David Bowie – vocals, guitar, alto & baritone saxophone
• Reeves Gabrels – guitar
• Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, vocals, keyboards
• Zachary Alford – drums, percussion
• Mike Garson – keyboards