David Bowie With Others

 

David Bowie Live Collaborations

Overview of live recordings, concerts, radio and TV sessions where David Bowie sings together with other artists, or other artists sing live with Bowie (1964–2006). Only genuinely live vocals are included – no mimed TV appearances, no pure studio duets.

Master list (text version)

This is the full plain-text version of the live collaborations list, grouped by era.

1964–1968 — Early live recordings & group vocals

1966 — BBC Radio: David Bowie & The Lower Third
Live in-studio sessions with The Lower Third providing harmonies and backing vocals.
1967 — BBC Radio: David Bowie & The Buzz
Live BBC recordings featuring group vocals and backing harmonies.
1968 — Feathers (Bowie, Hermione Farthingale, John Hutchinson)
Live trio performances and in-studio live sessions with all three singing together.

1969–1971 — BBC live sessions

1969 — BBC Sessions with John "Hutch" Hutchinson
Live duo vocals on songs such as Space Oddity, Janine and Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed.
1970 — The Sunday Show (John Peel)
Live performance with Bowie’s band contributing backing vocals.
1971 — Sounds of the Seventies (Bob Harris)
Live in-studio recordings, multiple tracks with backing vocals from the band.

1972–1973 — Ziggy Stardust era & Jeff Beck guest spot

1972–1973 — David Bowie & The Spiders from Mars
Touring band with strong live group vocals on songs like Moonage Daydream, Suffragette City, Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide and Ziggy Stardust.
3 July 1973 — Hammersmith Odeon (Jeff Beck guest appearance)
Special guest Jeff Beck joins Bowie on stage; live performances of The Jean Genie / Love Me Do and Round and Round with shared vocals and guitar.

1974 — Soul Tour (David Live)

1974 — Soul Tour with Luther Vandross, Ava Cherry & Robin Clark
Luther Vandross provides live duet-style vocals and call-and-response on Young Americans, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Right, Knock on Wood and others, with Ava Cherry and Robin Clark adding gospel and soul harmonies.

1975 — Live television with Cher

1975 — The Cher Show (live)
True live vocal performance with Cher, including a duet on Young Americans and a long medley segment where both sing together.

1976 — Station to Station tour

1976 — Station to Station tour
Live band backing vocals on songs such as Stay, Queen Bitch, Star and Word on a Wing.

1977 — Iggy Pop tour & Bing Crosby

1977 — Iggy Pop "The Idiot" tour
Bowie appears live on stage as keyboard player and backing vocalist with Iggy Pop. His backing vocals can be heard on the live album TV Eye 1977 Live.
1977 — Bing Crosby TV special (live in-studio)
Duet with Bing Crosby on Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy, recorded as a genuine live in-studio performance.

1979 — Saturday Night Live

15 December 1979 — Saturday Night Live (SNL)
Live performances featuring Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias singing with Bowie on The Man Who Sold the World, TVC 15 and Boys Keep Swinging.

1980–1983 — Band vocals on tour

1980–1983 — Scary Monsters / Serious Moonlight tours
No external guest stars, but strong live group vocals from Bowie’s band on songs like Fashion, Ashes to Ashes, Young Americans and Stay.

1985 — Tina Turner & Live Aid

1985 — Tina Turner live in Birmingham
Guest appearance with Tina Turner, singing the duet Tonight live on stage.
1985 — Live Aid (All-Star Finale)
Bowie joins the all-star ensemble at Live Aid, singing live alongside artists including Elton John, members of Queen, Sting, Midge Ure and Bob Geldof.

1986–1989 — Glass Spider & Sound+Vision tours

1986–1989 — Tour band vocals
No additional guest artists, but continued use of live backing vocals on songs such as Heroes, Absolute Beginners and Modern Love.

1990–1993 — Duets & Freddie Mercury Tribute

1990–1993 — Tours with Gail Ann Dorsey
Bowie’s bassist and vocalist Gail Ann Dorsey becomes a key live duet partner, especially on Under Pressure and other songs during the 1990s.
1992 — Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (Wembley)
Live duet with Annie Lennox on Under Pressure, plus participation in the all-star finale with Queen, Elton John, George Michael, Axl Rose and others.

1995–1996 — Outside tour with Nine Inch Nails

1995–1996 — Joint Outside tour sets with Nine Inch Nails
Shared-stage performances with Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, including live versions of Hurt, Reptile, Hallo Spaceboy and transitional medleys like Subterraneans / Scary Monsters.

1996 — Bridge School Benefit

1996 — Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit
Bowie appears at the acoustic charity concert, joining other artists (including Neil Young) in shared live performances and ensemble moments.

1997 — Placebo

1997 — Live performances with Placebo
Duet appearances with Placebo on Without You I’m Nothing in concert settings.

1999–2004 — Heathen & Reality era

1999–2004 — Tours with Gail Ann Dorsey
Extensive live work with Gail Ann Dorsey on backing and duet-style vocals, notably Under Pressure, Sunday and other songs during the Heathen and Reality tours.

2002 — 50th Birthday Concert (Madison Square Garden)

2002 — David Bowie’s 50th Birthday Concert
A major all-star live celebration with guest performances from Lou Reed, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Frank Black, Robert Smith, Sonic Youth and Moby, all sharing vocals and instruments with Bowie on stage.

2006 — David Gilmour & Alicia Keys

2006 — David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) – Royal Albert Hall
Bowie appears as special guest with David Gilmour, singing live on Arnold Layne (lead vocals) and Comfortably Numb (refrain), captured on the concert release Remember That Night.
2006 — Alicia Keys – Black Ball
Live duet with Alicia Keys on Changes at the Black Ball charity event.

Year-by-year timeline

A compact vertical timeline of Bowie’s live collaborations and shared-vocal performances.

1966–1968
BBC radio sessions and live trio work with The Lower Third, The Buzz and Feathers, featuring group vocals and harmonies.
1969–1971
Live BBC sessions with John "Hutch" Hutchinson and Bowie’s band, including Space Oddity and other tracks with shared vocals.
1972–1973
Ziggy Stardust tours with The Spiders from Mars, plus the Hammersmith Odeon farewell show featuring guest guitarist Jeff Beck on The Jean Genie / Love Me Do and Round and Round.
1974
Soul Tour and David Live: rich vocal interplay with Luther Vandross, Ava Cherry and Robin Clark on Young Americans and other soul tracks.
1975
Live TV duet with Cher on the Cher Show, including Young Americans and an extended vocal medley.
1976
Station to Station tour with strong band backing vocals on songs like Stay and Queen Bitch.
1977
Keyboard and backing vocals for Iggy Pop on The Idiot tour, plus the in-studio live duet with Bing Crosby on Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy.
1979
Surreal Saturday Night Live appearance with Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias sharing vocals on three songs.
1980–1983
Tour band backing vocals during the Scary Monsters and Serious Moonlight eras, no external guests.
1985
Live duet Tonight with Tina Turner in Birmingham, and participation in the all-star finale at Live Aid alongside multiple major artists.
1986–1989
Glass Spider and Sound+Vision tours featuring strong internal band harmonies.
1990–1993
Live duets with Gail Ann Dorsey, and the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert duet with Annie Lennox on Under Pressure.
1995–1996
Shared sets with Nine Inch Nails, fronted by Trent Reznor, performing songs like Hurt, Reptile and Hallo Spaceboy together.
1996–1997
Bridge School Benefit with Neil Young and others, plus live duet performances of Without You I’m Nothing with Placebo.
1999–2004
Continued touring with Gail Ann Dorsey providing duet vocals, notably on Under Pressure during the Heathen and Reality tours.
2002
Bowie’s 50th birthday show at Madison Square Garden with guest appearances by Lou Reed, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Frank Black, Robert Smith, Sonic Youth and Moby.
2006
Special guest vocals with David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) at the Royal Albert Hall on Arnold Layne and Comfortably Numb, plus a live duet on Changes with Alicia Keys at the Black Ball.

Table view

A structured table with year, main collaborators, context and short notes.

Year / Period Main collaborators Context / Event Notes
1966 The Lower Third BBC radio sessions Live in-studio recordings with group vocals and harmonies.
1967 The Buzz BBC radio sessions Live recordings featuring band backing vocals.
1968 Hermione Farthingale, John Hutchinson Feathers live shows & sessions Trio performances with all three singing live together.
1969 John "Hutch" Hutchinson BBC sessions Live duo vocals on songs such as Space Oddity.
1970 Bowie’s band The Sunday Show (John Peel) Live BBC session with band backing vocals.
1971 Bowie’s band Sounds of the Seventies (Bob Harris) Multiple live in-studio tracks with backing vocals.
1972–1973 The Spiders from Mars Ziggy Stardust tours Strong live group vocals on multiple songs each night.
1973 Jeff Beck Hammersmith Odeon farewell concert Guest appearance on The Jean Genie / Love Me Do, Round and Round.
1974 Luther Vandross, Ava Cherry, Robin Clark Soul Tour / David Live Live duets and gospel/soul harmonies on Young Americans and more.
1975 Cher The Cher Show True live TV duet on Young Americans and medley.
1976 Bowie’s touring band Station to Station tour Internal band backing vocals on songs like Stay.
1977 Iggy Pop The Idiot tour Bowie on keyboards and backing vocals, documented on TV Eye 1977 Live.
1977 Bing Crosby TV special (in-studio) Live duet Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy.
1979 Klaus Nomi, Joey Arias Saturday Night Live Live shared vocals on three songs.
1980–1983 Bowie’s band Scary Monsters / Serious Moonlight tours Group vocals on Fashion, Ashes to Ashes, etc.
1985 Tina Turner Birmingham concert Live duet on Tonight.
1985 Multiple artists (Queen, Elton John, Sting, etc.) Live Aid finale Bowie sings as part of all-star ensemble.
1986–1989 Bowie’s band Glass Spider / Sound+Vision tours Internal backing vocals on songs such as Heroes and Modern Love.
1990–1993 Gail Ann Dorsey Touring band Regular live duets, notably on Under Pressure.
1992 Annie Lennox, Queen + guests Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Duet on Under Pressure and all-star finale.
1995–1996 Trent Reznor & Nine Inch Nails Joint Outside tour sets Live collaborations on Hurt, Reptile, Hallo Spaceboy, etc.
1996 Neil Young & others Bridge School Benefit Shared live performances in an acoustic charity setting.
1997 Placebo Live performances Duet appearances on Without You I’m Nothing.
1999–2004 Gail Ann Dorsey Heathen / Reality tours Ongoing duet and backing vocals (e.g. Under Pressure, Sunday).
2002 Lou Reed, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Frank Black, Robert Smith, Sonic Youth, Moby 50th Birthday Concert (MSG) All-star live collaborations across multiple songs.
2006 David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) Royal Albert Hall Guest vocals on Arnold Layne and Comfortably Numb, captured on Remember That Night.
2006 Alicia Keys Black Ball charity event Live duet on Changes.

Illustration view

Highlight cards for key live collaborations, TV/radio sessions and shared-vocal performances throughout David Bowie’s career.

1966BBC Radio

Live with The Lower Third

Early BBC sessions with raw mod-era group harmonies.
The Lower ThirdIn-studio live
1967BBC Radio

Sessions with The Buzz

Short-lived band with psychedelic edge.
The BuzzBand vocals
1968Trio

Feathers – Acoustic trio

Folk harmonies with Hermione Farthingale & John Hutchinson.
FeathersTrio shows
1969BBC

Duo with John Hutchinson

Intimate BBC duo vocals including Space Oddity.
John HutchinsonDuo vocals
1970BBC

The Sunday Show – John Peel

Full band BBC session.
Bowie’s bandLive in-studio
1971BBC

Sounds of the Seventies

Ziggy-era material preview.
Bob HarrisBand harmonies
1972–1973Ziggy

Spiders from Mars

Full stage group vocals.
Spiders from MarsTour vocals
1973Guest

Jeff Beck – Hammersmith

Ziggy farewell guest slot.
Jeff BeckFarewell show
1974Soul Tour

Soul Ensemble

Duets with Vandross, Cherry & Clark.
Soul singersTour
1975TV

Bowie & Cher

True live TV duet.
CherTV special
1976Tour

Station to Station Tour (Carlos Alomar)

Internal band harmonies.
Touring bandLive vocals
1977Tour & TV

Iggy Pop & Bing Crosby

Tour backing vocals + TV duet.
Iggy, CrosbyTour & TV
1979SNL

Klaus Nomi & Joey Arias

Avant-garde live TV vocals.
Nomi, AriasSNL
1985Live Aid

Live Aid – All-Star Finale

Bowie sings in global all-star choir.
Queen, Elton, StingStadium broadcast
1986–1989Tours

Glass Spider & Sound+Vision

Large-scale shows with internal harmonies.
Touring bandStadium era
1990–1993Duets

Early Duets with Gail Ann Dorsey

Under Pressure becomes a live centrepiece.
Gail Ann DorseyTour duets
1995–1996Tour fusion

Nine Inch Nails

Shared Outside Tour sets.
NINShared tour
1996Charity

Bridge School Benefit

Acoustic ensemble with Neil Young.
Neil YoungCharity show
1997Duet

Placebo – Without You I’m Nothing

Shared duet performances.
PlaceboDuet shows
1999–2004Tours

Heathen & Reality Tours

Gail Ann Dorsey continues as live vocal foil.
Gail Ann DorseyTour era
2002Event

50th Birthday Concert

All-star collaborations at Madison Square Garden.
Reed, Grohl, CorganMSG event
2006Pink Floyd

With David Gilmour

Arnold Layne & Comfortably Numb.
David GilmourLive concert
2006Duet

Changes with Alicia Keys

Black Ball charity duet.
Alicia KeysCharity show

These cards now represent the complete live collaboration timeline from 1966 to 2006.

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