David Bowie & Jeff Beck – Hammersmith Odeon Farewell (1973)
On 3 July 1973, David Bowie closed the final concert of the Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars era at the Hammersmith Odeon in London — a night that has become one of the most iconic moments in rock history.
The already legendary atmosphere intensified when Bowie invited guest guitarist Jeff Beck to join him for the final section of the show. Beck, one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of his generation, delivered a fierce, electrifying performance that contrasted beautifully with the glam-rock spectacle unfolding around him.
Their on-stage chemistry, although brief, remains one of the great “what if” scenarios in rock music — a collision of Bowie’s theatrical imagination and Beck’s raw, expressive virtuosity.
Quick Facts
| Year | 1973 |
| Main Artist | David Bowie |
| Guest Artist | Jeff Beck |
| Event | Ziggy Stardust Farewell Concert |
| Venue | Hammersmith Odeon, London |
| Surviving Media | Professional video, audio releases, bootlegs |
Background
Jeff Beck was already a towering figure in the British rock scene by the early 1970s. After redefining electric guitar language in The Yardbirds, Beck pushed boundaries with the Jeff Beck Group, blending blues, proto-metal, jazz phrasing and high-gain expression.
Bowie admired Beck’s fearlessness and unpredictability, while Beck respected Bowie’s artistic reinvention and theatrical boldness. Despite coming from different musical worlds, the two artists shared a restless creative energy — which made their brief live collaboration so powerful.
Beck’s appearance at the farewell Ziggy concert was kept largely hidden until the day itself. Even many of Bowie’s own band members were surprised when Beck walked onto the stage. What followed was an explosive cross-genre fusion: glam rock meeting London blues-rock firepower.
Performance Details
- Venue: Hammersmith Odeon, London
- Date: 3 July 1973
- Guest songs: The Jean Genie / Love Me Do, Round and Round
- Film status: Professionally filmed, later partially released
Beck’s Contribution & Influence
Jeff Beck’s performance added a completely different character to the final part of the show. His guitar tone was sharp, explosive and blues-driven — the opposite of Mick Ronson’s thick, theatrical glam style. This contrast gave the songs an entirely new energy, almost a dialogue between two generations of British rock guitar.
While Beck and Bowie never pursued a longer collaboration, the Hammersmith appearance is often cited as a missed opportunity for a groundbreaking partnership. It stands as one of the most powerful “guest moments” in Bowie’s live history.
Surviving Audio & Video
The farewell concert survives in excellent quality, captured by a full professional film crew. Beck originally requested that his segments be removed from some early releases, which has added to the mythology surrounding the footage.
David Bowie | feat. Jeff Beck | The Jean Genie-Love Me Do Excerpt | Hammersmith Odeon | 3 July 1973
David Bowie with Jeff Beck – Around And Around – Hammersmith Odeon – London – 3rd July 1973
Historical Importance
The Ziggy Stardust farewell show marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. Jeff Beck’s presence amplified the emotional intensity of Bowie’s final moments as Ziggy, adding a raw, almost chaotic brilliance to an already historic night.
Today, their brief collaboration is remembered as an iconic crossroads of British rock — the moment when two of the most influential musicians of their generation shared a stage, if only for a few precious songs.
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