David Bowie 1972-1973 Ziggy Stardust Tour

In February Bowie started out on an extensive tour of the UK. He played in tiny halls at first,mainly colleges,but his audience grew at a dazzling rate thanks to the Ziggy Stardust character he produced. He had declared himself bisexual,which had increased interest in Ziggy still further,along with some more of his eccen­tric utterances. Ziggy,with orange hair,make-up,dressed in tight jumpsuits,radiating sexuality,presented a sensational act with some 10 costume changes which attracted ever growing numbers of – especially British – youngsters , When the Ziggy Stardust album came out in June that meant Bowie’s great break-through. The audience and the media agreed that a rare talent was born

 

 

 

THE ZIGGY STARDUST TOUR

In February Bowie started out on an extensive tour of the UK. He played in tiny halls at first,mainly colleges,but his audience grew at a dazzling rate thanks to the Ziggy Stardust character he produced. He had declared himself bisexual,which had increased interest in Ziggy still further,along with some more of his eccen­tric utterances. Ziggy,with orange hair,make-up,dressed in tight jumpsuits,radiating sexuality,presented a sensational act with some 10 costume changes which attracted ever growing numbers of – especially British – youngsters , When the Ziggy Stardust album came out in June that meant Bowie’s great break-through. The audience and the media agreed that a rare talent was born. Mean­ while the UK tour proceeded,and since the colleges and universi­ties had become too small,a series of larger halls were booked from May onward. Most of those concerts were booked not more than one third,but those who did come to the concerts out of interest were bound to become constant fans.Bowie proved his immense powers as a performer. In June and Juny the bigger halls started to fill up as well, and by August , September the Ziggy-mania had taken on such proportions that the demand amply outran the supply. Ziggy grew and grew and grew,as well as the number of Ziggy-clones who went about dressing extravagantly,with make-up and all that. Apart from all the rest there was also this mysterious atmosphere maintained with respect to Ziggy that contributed to his success. “Is he from Mars?”,”What is this red-haired creature?”;  such were the queslions asked,and when a reporter wanted to interview him to get the answers to those questions he would be refused admittance. Two body-guards by his side kept Ziggy unapproachable,which enchanced the mystery,and the interest still further.

Ziggy was accompanied by the spiders from Mars

THE 1972 USA TOUR

After his long and successful tour of the UK Bowie crossed the ocean on the Queen Elisabeth II for his first tour of the USA. Mike Garson,piano,had been added to the Spiders,and the group Fum­ble had been hired for the support acts. The original idea was for the theatrical show performed by Bowie in the Rainbow Theatre to be maintained throughout the tour,but this was made impossible by the excessive cost. Anyway,the tour was an overwhelming success; sellout concert almost everywhere; 17 additional concerts were in­serted.Bowie got a chance to take a good look at America,and from what he experienced during this tour he drew the inspiration for the songs which were later to appear on the Aladdin Sane album.

THE ALADDIN SANE TOUR

After the successful first tour of the USA and a short tour of the UK,Bowie started out in February on his 2nd US tour. During the first tour Bowie had taken a look at the inside of the New York luxury theatre Radio City Music Hall, and had declared “One day I’ll be playing here” – that wish came true on 14 February,when in New York City the tour began wjth one of the most spectacular of all Ziggy shows. The band had been enlarged with,among others,gui­tarists,so that Bowie need not play so much himself,but could con­ centrate on the singing.

 

 

THE 1973 UK TOUR

On 12th May 1973, after having swept through Japan wi th nine con­certs and left it completely bedazzled,Bowie started off on a long tour of no less than sixty concerts through the UK. In Japan Bowie had met with the fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto again,who designed a completely new stage outfit for him consisting of nine beautiful costumes which he amply used during the present tour.All the shows,from the disastrous first to the drama-stricken last,were sold out way in advance.

Bowie during the Ziggy Stardust Tour.
Tour by David Bowie
Start date 29 January 1972
End date 3 July 1973
Legs 6
Shows 182

The band

David Bowie – vocals, guitar, harmonica
Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
Trevor Bolder – bass
Mick “Woody” Woodmansey – drums
Matthew Fisher – piano (20/04/72 – 27/05/72)
Robin Lumley – piano (2/06/72 – 15/07/72)
Nicky Graham – piano (1/08/72 – 7/09/72)
Mike Garson – piano, mellotron, organ (22/09/72 – end of tour)
John Hutchinson – rhythm guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar (8/04/73 – 20/04/73)
Aynsley Dunbar – additional drums (8/04/73 – 20/04/73)
Geoffrey A. MacCormack – backing vocals, percussion (19/01/73 – end of tour)
Ken Fordham – saxophone (19/01/73 – end of tour)
Brian Wilshaw – saxophone, flute (19/01/73 – end of tour)

Tour Dates

Europe 
29 January 1972 Aylesbury,England,Borough Assembly Hall
10 February 1972 London,Tolworth, Toby Jug
12 February 1972 Imperial College
14 February 1972 Brighton Dome,
18 February 1972 SheffieldUniversity Rag
23 February 1972 Chichester,Chichester College
24 February 1972 London,Wallington, Public Hall
25 February 1972 Eltham, Avery Hill College
26 February 1972Sutton ,Coldfield,Belfry Hotel
01 March 1972 Bristol,University
04 March 1972 Portsmouth,Southsea Pier Pavilion
07 March 1972 Yeovil,Yeovil College
11 March 1972 Southampton,Guild Hall
14 March 1972 Bournemouth,Chelsea Village
18 March 1972 Birmingham,Town Hall
24 March 1972 Newcastle upon Tyne,Mayfair Ballroom
20 april 1972 HarlowT,he Playhouse
21 april 1972 Manchester,Free Trade Hall
30 april 1972 Plymouth,Guild Hall
03 May 1972 Aberystwyth,Wales,University
06 May 1972 London,England,Kingston Polytechnic
07 May 1972 Hemel Hempstead,Pavilion
11 May 1972 Worthing,Assembly Hall
12 May 1972 London,Polytechnic of Central London
13 May 1972 SloughTechnical College
19 May 1972 Oxford,Polytechni
25 May 1972 Bournemouth,Chelsea Village
27 May 1972 Epsom,Ebbisham
02 June 1972 Newcastle upon Tyne,City Hall
03 June 1972 Liverpool,Stadium
04 June 1972 Preston,Public Hall
06 June 1972 Bradford,St George’s Hall
07 June 1972 Sheffield,City Hall
08 June 1972 Middlesbrough,Town Hall
13 June 1972 Bristol,Colston Hall
16 June 1972 Torquay,Town Hall
17 June 1972 Oxford,Town Hall
19 June 1972 Southampton,Civic Centre
21 June 1972 Dunstable,Civic Hall
25 June 1972 Croydo,nGreyhound
01 July 1972 Weston-super-MareWinter Gardens Pavilion
02 July 1972 Torquay,Rainbow Pavilion
08 July 1972 London,Royal Festival Hall
15 July 1972 Aylesbury ,Friars Borough Hall
18 July 1972 Aylesbury ,Friars Borough Hall
19 august 1972 Londo,Rainbow Theatre
20 august 1972 Londo,Rainbow Theatre
27 august 1972 Bristol,Locarno Electric Village
30 august 1972 London,Rainbow Theatre
31 august 1972 Boscombe,Royal Ballroom
01 september 1972 Doncaster,Top Rank Suite
02 september 1972 Manchester,Hard Rock
30 september 1972 Manchester,Hard Rock
04 september 1972 Liverpool,Top Rank Suite
05 september 1972 Sunderland,Top Rank Suite
06 september 1972 Sheffield,Top Rank Suite
07 september 1972 Hanley, Staffordshire T,op Rank Suite
22 september 1972 Cleveland, Ohio,United States,Music Hall
24 september 1972 Memphis, Tennessee,Ellis Auditorium
28 september 1972 New York City, New York,Carnegie Hall
01 October 1972 Boston, Massachusetts, Music Hall1
07 October 1972 Chicago, Illinois, Auditorium Theater
08 October 1972 Detroit, Michigan ,Fisher Theater
11 October 1972 St. Louis, Missouri,Kiel Auditorium
15 October 1972 Kansas City, Kansas Memory Hall
20 October 1972 Los Angeles, CA ,Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
21 October 1972 Los Angeles, CA ,Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
27 October 1972 San Francisco, California ,Winterland Auditorium
28 October 1972 Los Angeles, CA ,Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
01 november 1972 Seattle, Washington ,Paramount Theater
04 november 1972 Phoenix, Arizona ,Celebrity Theater
11 november 1972 Dallas, Texas ,Majestic Theater
12 november 1972 Houston, Texas, Music Hall
14 november 1972 New Orleans, Louisiana ,Layola University
17 november 1972 Miami, Florida,Jai Alai Fronton
20 november 1972 Nashville, Tennessee,The Municipal Auditorium
22 november 1972 New Orleans, Louisiana,The Warehouse
25 november 1972 Cleveland, Ohio,Public Auditorium
26 november 1972 Cleveland, Ohio,Public Auditorium
28 november 1972 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Stanley Theater
30 november 1972 Philadelphia, Pennsylvani,aTower Theater
01 december 1972 Philadelphia, Pennsylvani,aTower Theater
02 december 1972 Philadelphia, Pennsylvani,aTower Theater

Europe
23 december 1972 London,England,Rainbow Theatre
24 december 1972 London,England,Rainbow Theatre
28 december 1972 Manchester,Hard Rock
29 december 1972 Manchester,Hard Rock
05 January 1973 Glasgow,Scotland,Green’s Playhouse
06 January 1973 Edinburgh,Empire Theatre
07 January 1973 Newcastle, upon Tyne,EnglandCity Hall
09 January 1973 Preston,Guild Hall
14 February 1973 Cleveland, Ohio,Public Auditorium
15 February 1973 Cleveland, Ohio,Public Auditorium
16 February 1973 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Tower Theater
17 February 1973 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Tower Theater 2 shows
18 February 1973 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Tower Theater 2 shows
19 February 1973 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Tower Theater 2 shows
23 February 1973 Nashville, Tennessee,War Memorial Auditorium
26 February 1973 Memphis, Tennessee,Ellis Auditorium 2 shows
01 March 1973 Detroit, Michigan,Masonic Temple
02 March 1973 Michigan,Masonic Temple
10 March 1973 Los Angeles, California,Long Beach Arena
12 March 1973 Hollywood, Palladium

Asia
08 april 1973 Tokyo,Shinjuku, Koseinenkin KaikanJapan
10 april 1973 Tokyo,Shinjuku, Koseinenkin KaikanJapan
11 april 1973 Tokyo,Shinjuku, Koseinenkin KaikanJapan
12 april 1973 Nagoya,Kokaido
14 april 1973 Hiroshima,Yubin Chokin Kaikan
16 april 19 73 KobeKobe Kokusai Kaikan
17 april 1973 Osaka,Koseinenkin Kaikan
18 april 19 73 Tokyo,Shibuya Kokaido
20 april 1973 Tokyo,Shibuya Kokaido

Europe
12 May 1973 London,England,Earl’s Court
16 May 1973 Aberdeen,Scotland,Music Hall
17 May 1973 Dundee,aird Hall
18 May 1973 Glasgow,Green’s Playhouse 2 shows
19 May 1973 Edinburgh,Theatre
21 May 1973 Norwich,England,Theatre Royal 2 shows
22 May 1973 Romford,Odeon Theatre
23 May 1973 Brighton Dome

24 May 1973 Lewisham Odeon
25 May 1973 Bourn emouth Winter Gardens
27 May 1973 Guildford Civic Hall 2 shows
28 May 1973 Wolverhampton Civic Hall
29 May 1973 Hanley Victoria Hall
30 May 1973 Oxford New Theatre
31 May 1973 Blackburn King George’s Hall
1 June 1973 Bradford St George’s Hall
3 June 1973 Coventry New Theatre
4 June 1973 Worcester Gaumont
6 June 1973 Sheffield City (Oval) Hall 2 shows
7 June 1973 Manchester Free Trade Hall 2 shows
8 June 1973 Newcastle upon Tyne City Hall 2 shows
9 June 1973 Preston Guild Hall
10 June 1973 Liverpool Empire Theatre 2 shows
11 June 1973 Leicester De Montfort Hall
12 June 1973 Chatham Central Hall 2 shows
13 June 1973 Kilburn Gaumont
14 June 1973 Salisbury City Hall
15 June 1973 Taunton Odeon 2 shows
16 June 1973 TorquayTown Hall 2 shows
18 June 1973 Bristol Colston Hall 2 shows
19 June 1973 Southampton Guild Hall
21 June 1973 Birmingham Town Hall 2 shows
22 June 1973 Birmingham Town Hall 2 shows
23 June 1973 Lincoln Boston Gilderdrome
24 June 1973 Croydon Fairfield Hall 2 shows
25 June 1973 Oxford New Theatre 2 shows
26 June 1973 Oxford New Theatre
27 June 1973 Doncaster Top Rank
28 June 1973 Bridlington Spa Ballroom
29 June 1973 Leeds Rolarena 1st show at 5:30
29 June 1973 Leeds Rolarena 2nd show at 5:30
30 June 1973 Newcastle upon Tyne Civic Hall 2 shows
2 July 1973 London Hammersmith Odeon
3 July 1973 London Hammersmith Odeon

 

 

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3 thoughts on “”

  1. He did neither mainland Europe nor Australia, in his Ziggy tours, which is unfortunate considering his rising popularity and worldwide interest in him and his band. Music is the 60’s and 70’s was simply phenomenal. For example, where the Beatles left off, he took over with technology, such as ‘Space Oddity’, ‘Starman’ and ‘Ziggy and the Spider’s from Mars’. A truly one of a kind performer and creative talent. And he came out of the closet decades before it was fashionable or commonplace. He redefined genres in multiple aspects of society: music, fashion and the alternative gender possibilities.

  2. I live in Arizona USA. I would like to be able to listen to the shows but have nothing to trade. I would gladly purchase but not sure if that is allowed. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you,

    Robert

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