David Bowie Space Oddity - Fame (1979 Italy) estimated value € 20,00
Label: RCA – TPBO 7013, RCA Victor – TPBO 7013
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
Recorded at: Trident Studios in St Anne's Court, Soho, London
Recorded date: June 20, 1969
Released: 1979
Country: Italy
Note 1: David Bowie's song "Space Oddity" was the theme song for the television show Jet Quiz. The song was reissued as a single due to its use in the show.
Note 2: Same picture on both sides of sleeve.
"Space Oddity"is a song written and recorded by David Bowie. It was first released as a 7-inch single on 11 July 1969. It was also the opening track of his second studio album, David Bowie. It became one of Bowie's signature songs and one of three of his songs to be included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll:
Tracklist
Side A – Space Oddity – 5:15
Written-By – David Bowie
Side B – Fame – 4:12
Written-By – David Bowie, John Lennon
Description
Media & Sleeve Condition
Media: Very Good (VG+)
Sleeve: Good (VG+)
Ring wear: No
All seams perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve near mint: Yes
Creases/folds: No
Stamps or writing: No
Key Details
Album: Opening track of the album David Bowie (1969), later retitled Space Oddity.
About: The song is about the fictional astronaut Major Tom. Released around the Apollo 11 moon landing, it became one of Bowie's signature tracks and his first UK No. 1 single (1975 re-release).
Legacy: Bowie revisited Major Tom in "Ashes to Ashes", "Hallo Spaceboy", and the "Blackstar" video. Chris Hadfield famously performed it in space in 2013.
Recording and Release
Three main studio versions exist: early version (Feb 1969), album version (June 1969), and 1979 re-recording.
Early version recorded for promotional film Love You Till Tuesday (available 1984).
Album version recorded at Trident Studios, with overdubs, featuring Rick Wakeman (Mellotron), Mick Wayne (guitar), Herbie Flowers (bass), and Terry Cox (drums).
Produced by Gus Dudgeon; Tony Visconti declined production of this track.
Personnel
David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar (12 strings), Stylophone
Mick Wayne – lead guitar
Herbie Flowers – bass guitar
Terry Cox – drums
Paul Buckmaster – string arrangement
Tony Visconti – flutes, woodwinds
Rick Wakeman – Mellotron
Technical – Gus Dudgeon, record production
Instrumentation
Famous for Stylophone usage, acoustic guitar, and orchestral string arrangements. Bowie performed the Stylophone himself.
Release History
Original UK single: July 11, 1969.
Re-releases: 1973 US single, 1975 UK maxi-single (first UK No. 1), digital EP in 2009 (40th anniversary).
International impact: Top 5 UK on first release, first US hit single, later popularized globally.