Mick “Woody” Woodmansey
Mick “Woody” Woodmansey is an English drummer best known as a founding member of David Bowie’s legendary backing band The Spiders from Mars. His powerful, straightforward drumming became a defining element of Bowie’s early-1970s sound, particularly during the Ziggy Stardust era.
Woodmansey’s style prioritised drive and clarity over virtuosity, giving Bowie’s songs a solid rhythmic backbone that translated effortlessly from studio to stage.
- Born: 1951, Hull, England
- Instrument: Drums
- With Bowie: 1970–1973
- Band: Spiders from Mars
Early years
Mick Woodmansey grew up in Hull, England, where he developed his drumming style through local bands and early rock influences. He later moved to London, where he crossed paths with guitarist Mick Ronson, forming a musical partnership that would prove crucial to David Bowie’s career.
Joining David Bowie
Woodmansey joined Bowie’s evolving band in the early 1970s, alongside Ronson and bassist Trevor Bolder. Together, they became the core of what would soon be known as The Spiders from Mars.
The Ziggy Stardust era
As Bowie introduced the Ziggy Stardust persona, Woodmansey’s drumming provided the rhythmic stability that allowed Bowie’s theatrical vision to flourish. His playing on tracks such as Suffragette City, Moonage Daydream and Ziggy Stardust balanced raw rock energy with disciplined timing.
Live, Woodmansey’s presence anchored the band, ensuring consistency amid the visual and conceptual chaos of Bowie’s performances.
Spiders from Mars on stage
The Spiders’ live shows between 1972 and 1973 became iconic, with Woodmansey’s drumming driving the momentum of Bowie’s rapidly expanding repertoire. His style remained unflashy, prioritising groove and impact over complexity.
Split and aftermath
In 1973, Bowie abruptly dissolved the Spiders from Mars, bringing the Ziggy Stardust era to an end. Woodmansey, along with Ronson and Bolder, found himself suddenly detached from one of rock’s most visible stages.
Life after Bowie
After leaving Bowie, Woodmansey continued working in music, forming new projects and later participating in Spiders-related reunions and retrospective performances. His contributions remain central to the legacy of Bowie’s early-1970s work.
Legacy
Mick “Woody” Woodmansey’s drumming helped define one of the most influential periods in David Bowie’s career. As part of the Spiders from Mars, he provided the rhythmic foundation for an era that permanently altered the language of rock performance.