David Bowie 1978 Isolar 2 Era – The Chronology
David Bowie 1978 Isolar 2 Era
Songs performed were (Total 25 songs):
Alabama Song (Bertold Brecht song) / Art Decade / Be My Wife / Beauty And The Beast / Blackout / Breaking Glass / Fame / Five Years / Hang On To Yourself / “Heroes” / Rebel Rebel / Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide / Sense Of Doubt / Soul Love / Sound And Vision / Speed Of Life / Star / Station To Station / Stay / Suffragette City / The Jean Genie / TVC 15 / Warszawa / What In The World / Ziggy Stardust
Tour by David Bowie
Associated album: Low & “Heroes”
Start date: 29 March 1978
End date: 12 December 1978
Legs: 4
Shows: 77
Tour band
- David Bowie – vocals, chamberlain
- Adrian Belew – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- George Murray – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Dennis Davis – drums, percussion
- Roger Powell – keyboards, synthesizer, backing vocals (except 11–14 November 1978)
- Dennis Garcia – keyboards, synthesizer (11–14 November 1978 only)
- Sean Mayes – piano, string ensemble, backing vocals
- Simon House – electric violin
The Isolar II world tour begins – January 1978
>📅 1978-01-05
📍 West Berlin, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ 🗒️ Note: Space
🎸 Event: Early Band Concept Sessions
🗒️ Note: David and Carlos Alomar begin refining the musical direction for the upcoming tour. The challenge is translating the ambient textures of ‘Low‘ and ‘”Heroes“‘ into a powerful live format. (Exact date not confirmed)
🏛️ 🗒️ Note: Space
🎸 Event: Early Band Concept Sessions
🗒️ Note: David and Carlos Alomar begin refining the musical direction for the upcoming tour. The challenge is translating the ambient textures of ‘Low‘ and ‘”Heroes“‘ into a powerful live format. (Exact date not confirmed)
The “Beauty and the Beast” single release – January 1978
📅 1978-01-06
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ RCA Records (PB-11190)
🎸 Event: Single release: ‘Beauty and the Beast’
🗒️ Notes: The opening track of ‘”Heroes“‘ is issued as a single, featuring ‘Sense of Doubt’ as the B-side. Released in distinctive picture sleeves across Europe, the song reaches number 39 in the UK charts. Its unconventional structure and Robert Fripp’s jagged guitar work represent the more aggressive, industrial side of David’s Berlin output.
🏛️ RCA Records (PB-11190)
🎸 Event: Single release: ‘Beauty and the Beast’
🗒️ Notes: The opening track of ‘”Heroes“‘ is issued as a single, featuring ‘Sense of Doubt’ as the B-side. Released in distinctive picture sleeves across Europe, the song reaches number 39 in the UK charts. Its unconventional structure and Robert Fripp’s jagged guitar work represent the more aggressive, industrial side of David’s Berlin output.
📅 1978-01-10
📍 West Berlin, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Hotel Berlin / Film Set
🎸 Event: Costume Design Meetings
🗒️ Note: Between filming scenes for ‘Just a Gigolo’, David meets with designer Natasha Kornilof. They spend hours scribbling costume ideas on the backs of envelopes. These sketches eventually evolve into the baggy white trousers and snakeskin jacket used for the Isolar II Tour.
🏛️ Hotel Berlin / Film Set
🎸 Event: Costume Design Meetings
🗒️ Note: Between filming scenes for ‘Just a Gigolo’, David meets with designer Natasha Kornilof. They spend hours scribbling costume ideas on the backs of envelopes. These sketches eventually evolve into the baggy white trousers and snakeskin jacket used for the Isolar II Tour.
📅 1978-01-15
📍 New York City / Dallas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Travel & Integration
🎸 Event: Adrian Belew Joins the Ranks
🗒️ Note: Following his “recruitment” from Frank Zappa’s band, guitarist Adrian Belew officially joins the rehearsals. His unconventional style becomes the “secret weapon” for the 1978 sound.
🏛️ Travel & Integration
🎸 Event: Adrian Belew Joins the Ranks
🗒️ Note: Following his “recruitment” from Frank Zappa’s band, guitarist Adrian Belew officially joins the rehearsals. His unconventional style becomes the “secret weapon” for the 1978 sound.
📅 1978-01-15
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ RCA Records (JD-11204)
🎸 Event: Promotional 12-inch release
🗒️ Notes: For the American market, a special promotional 12-inch version is distributed featuring an extended 5:18 mix of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. This edition, backed with ‘Fame’, is designed to target club DJs and FM radio stations, emphasizing the track’s rhythmic and danceable avant-garde qualities.
🏛️ RCA Records (JD-11204)
🎸 Event: Promotional 12-inch release
🗒️ Notes: For the American market, a special promotional 12-inch version is distributed featuring an extended 5:18 mix of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. This edition, backed with ‘Fame’, is designed to target club DJs and FM radio stations, emphasizing the track’s rhythmic and danceable avant-garde qualities.
📅 1978-01-24
📍 Irving, Texas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Full Scale Production Rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: The band moves to Texas for intensive rehearsals. Work begins on the minimalist stage design, featuring the iconic neon fluorescent tubes that will define the Isolar II aesthetic.
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Full Scale Production Rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: The band moves to Texas for intensive rehearsals. Work begins on the minimalist stage design, featuring the iconic neon fluorescent tubes that will define the Isolar II aesthetic.
Final rehearsals & Berlin departure – February 1978
📅 1978-02-10
📍 Irving, Texas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Intensive Musical Rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: The band works on the complex arrangements of the ‘Low‘ and ‘”Heroes“‘ material. David insists on a “mechanical but soulful” sound, integrating George Murray’s solid bass with Adrian Belew’s wild guitar textures.
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Intensive Musical Rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: The band works on the complex arrangements of the ‘Low‘ and ‘”Heroes“‘ material. David insists on a “mechanical but soulful” sound, integrating George Murray’s solid bass with Adrian Belew’s wild guitar textures.
📅 1978-02-15
📍 West Berlin, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Café Wien / Kurfürstendamm
🎸 Event: Final Scenes of ‘Just a Gigolo’
🗒️ Notes: David completes his final days of filming for ‘Just a Gigolo’. David spends his last Berlin evenings photographing his own artworks, creating a Polaroid archive of his transition before flying out to the intense US tour rehearsals.
🏛️ Café Wien / Kurfürstendamm
🎸 Event: Final Scenes of ‘Just a Gigolo’
🗒️ Notes: David completes his final days of filming for ‘Just a Gigolo’. David spends his last Berlin evenings photographing his own artworks, creating a Polaroid archive of his transition before flying out to the intense US tour rehearsals.
📅 1978-02-22
📍 Irving, Texas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Stage & Lighting Tests
🗒️ Notes: The first full technical run-through with the neon light cage. David explores the visual impact of the stark, white fluorescent lighting, which he believes mirrors the “European” atmosphere of his recent work.
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Stage & Lighting Tests
🗒️ Notes: The first full technical run-through with the neon light cage. David explores the visual impact of the stark, white fluorescent lighting, which he believes mirrors the “European” atmosphere of his recent work.
📅 1978-02-28
📍 Irving, Texas, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Finalizing the Setlist
🗒️ Notes: The tour structure is finalized. The show will be divided into segments: starting with the stark ‘Berlin’ material, followed by a selection of 1972-1976 classics, and ending with an encore of ‘Ziggy’ era favorites.
🏛️ The Studios at Las Colinas
🎸 Event: Finalizing the Setlist
🗒️ Notes: The tour structure is finalized. The show will be divided into segments: starting with the stark ‘Berlin’ material, followed by a selection of 1972-1976 classics, and ending with an encore of ‘Ziggy’ era favorites.
The Isolar II tour launch – March 1978
📅 1978-03-06
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Single release: ‘Beauty and the Beast’
🗒️ Notes: Issued as the second single from the ‘”Heroes“‘ album during the final weeks of tour rehearsals. Despite its dense electronic production and avant-garde guitar textures, the track achieves a respectable chart position, signaling a successful commercial transition alongside David’s artistic reinvention.
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Single release: ‘Beauty and the Beast’
🗒️ Notes: Issued as the second single from the ‘”Heroes“‘ album during the final weeks of tour rehearsals. Despite its dense electronic production and avant-garde guitar textures, the track achieves a respectable chart position, signaling a successful commercial transition alongside David’s artistic reinvention.
📅 1978-03-23
📍 San Diego, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Arrival and production setup
🗒️ Notes: David and the touring party arrive at the first venue to oversee the complex installation of the Isolar II stage. The technical crew begins the arduous task of mounting the 66-tube neon light cage, a design that demands unprecedented electrical stability from the arena’s aging power grid.
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Arrival and production setup
🗒️ Notes: David and the touring party arrive at the first venue to oversee the complex installation of the Isolar II stage. The technical crew begins the arduous task of mounting the 66-tube neon light cage, a design that demands unprecedented electrical stability from the arena’s aging power grid.
📅 1978-03-24
📍 San Diego, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Sound balancing and strategic media promotion
🗒️ Notes: The full ensemble conducts an essential sound balance session to integrate the complex Berlin-era electronic layers into the arena environment. While local radio stations intensify promotion for the tour premiere, David deliberately avoids television interviews, opting for select press photography to allow the minimalist stage aesthetic to maintain its own visual impact.
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Sound balancing and strategic media promotion
🗒️ Notes: The full ensemble conducts an essential sound balance session to integrate the complex Berlin-era electronic layers into the arena environment. While local radio stations intensify promotion for the tour premiere, David deliberately avoids television interviews, opting for select press photography to allow the minimalist stage aesthetic to maintain its own visual impact.
📅 1978-03-25
📍 San Diego, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Lighting programming and neon system tests
🗒️ Notes: The technical crew spends the day programming the elaborate 66-tube neon lighting system. This clinical, high-intensity visual architecture is central to the tour’s aesthetic, requiring precise calibration to achieve the desired stark, futuristic atmosphere.
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Lighting programming and neon system tests
🗒️ Notes: The technical crew spends the day programming the elaborate 66-tube neon lighting system. This clinical, high-intensity visual architecture is central to the tour’s aesthetic, requiring precise calibration to achieve the desired stark, futuristic atmosphere.
📅 1978-03-26
📍 San Diego, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Full production run-through
🗒️ Notes: A comprehensive rehearsal encompassing the entire concert sequence is conducted. This run-through ensures that the transition between the atmospheric Berlin material and the re-arranged classics is seamless before the final dress rehearsal.
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Full production run-through
🗒️ Notes: A comprehensive rehearsal encompassing the entire concert sequence is conducted. This run-through ensures that the transition between the atmospheric Berlin material and the re-arranged classics is seamless before the final dress rehearsal.
📅 1978-03-27
📍 San Diego, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Press Conference / Travel
🎸 Event: The Chicago Tribune interview
🗒️ Notes: David grants a significant interview where he famously declares the retirement of his theatrical alter-egos. Stating that he has “finished with characters,” he defines the new tour as a transparent musical experience, presenting himself simply as a performer for the first time in years.
🏛️ Press Conference / Travel
🎸 Event: The Chicago Tribune interview
🗒️ Notes: David grants a significant interview where he famously declares the retirement of his theatrical alter-egos. Stating that he has “finished with characters,” he defines the new tour as a transparent musical experience, presenting himself simply as a performer for the first time in years.
📅 1978-03-28
📍 San Diego, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Final technical and dress rehearsal
🗒️ Notes: The final closed-set rehearsal is conducted to test the full production under concert conditions. This session marks the first time the complete 66-tube neon lighting rig is operated at maximum intensity, leading to significant technical anxieties regarding the arena’s electrical capacity and the potential for a power grid failure during the premiere.
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Final technical and dress rehearsal
🗒️ Notes: The final closed-set rehearsal is conducted to test the full production under concert conditions. This session marks the first time the complete 66-tube neon lighting rig is operated at maximum intensity, leading to significant technical anxieties regarding the arena’s electrical capacity and the potential for a power grid failure during the premiere.
📅 1978-03-29
📍 San Diego, California, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Archival Recording – ‘San Diego Sailor’
🗒️ Note: The opening night was captured using high-quality audience footage, which later became famous as the bootleg “San Diego Sailor.” David introduces a minimalist stage with 66 neon tubes. The show opens, famously, with “Warszawa,” performed behind a semi-transparent gauze screen to emphasize the atmosphere of the Berlin era.
🏛️ San Diego Sports Arena
🎸 Event: Archival Recording – ‘San Diego Sailor’
🗒️ Note: The opening night was captured using high-quality audience footage, which later became famous as the bootleg “San Diego Sailor.” David introduces a minimalist stage with 66 neon tubes. The show opens, famously, with “Warszawa,” performed behind a semi-transparent gauze screen to emphasize the atmosphere of the Berlin era.
📅 1978-03-30
📍 Phoenix, Arizona, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The tour’s second stop. Musicians and critics note the immediate impact of Adrian Belew’s avant-garde guitar style. The setlist successfully bridges the gap between ‘Low‘/'”Heroes“‘ and soul-era tracks like ‘Stay’.
🏛️ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Note: The tour’s second stop. Musicians and critics note the immediate impact of Adrian Belew’s avant-garde guitar style. The setlist successfully bridges the gap between ‘Low‘/'”Heroes“‘ and soul-era tracks like ‘Stay’.
📅 1978-03-31
📍 Phoenix, Arizona, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Hotel Leisure
🎸 Event: Poolside Fan Encounter
🗒️ Note: During a rare day off, David is documented relaxing by the hotel pool in turquoise trunks. Sean Mayes (pianist) later recalled in ‘We Can Be Heroes‘ how fans huddled behind fences just to catch a glimpse of a “character-less” Bowie.
🏛️ Hotel Leisure
🎸 Event: Poolside Fan Encounter
🗒️ Note: During a rare day off, David is documented relaxing by the hotel pool in turquoise trunks. Sean Mayes (pianist) later recalled in ‘We Can Be Heroes‘ how fans huddled behind fences just to catch a glimpse of a “character-less” Bowie.
North America & Canada – April 1978
📅 1978-04-02
📍 Fresno, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Selland Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II tour continues its trajectory through California, bringing the stark, neon-lit production to the Selland Arena as the ensemble further refines the complex musical transitions of the setlist.
🏛️ Selland Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II tour continues its trajectory through California, bringing the stark, neon-lit production to the Selland Arena as the ensemble further refines the complex musical transitions of the setlist.
📅 1978-04-03
📍 Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Forum / Backstage
🎸 Event: Strategic meeting with Iggy Pop
🗒️ Notes: Following the performance at The Forum, David meets with Iggy Pop to discuss their collaborative future. They evaluate the commercial trajectory of ‘The Idiot’ and ‘Lust For Life’ while David reaffirms his support for Iggy’s solo career, despite their creative paths beginning to transition into different directions.
🏛️ The Forum / Backstage
🎸 Event: Strategic meeting with Iggy Pop
🗒️ Notes: Following the performance at The Forum, David meets with Iggy Pop to discuss their collaborative future. They evaluate the commercial trajectory of ‘The Idiot’ and ‘Lust For Life’ while David reaffirms his support for Iggy’s solo career, despite their creative paths beginning to transition into different directions.
📅 1978-04-04
📍 Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The residency at The Forum continues, showcasing the disciplined and healthy new stage persona David has developed since his relocation to Europe.
🏛️ The Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The residency at The Forum continues, showcasing the disciplined and healthy new stage persona David has developed since his relocation to Europe.
📅 1978-04-05
📍 Oakland, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Coliseum Arena / KSAN-FM
🎸 Event: Radio interview and live performance
🗒️ Notes: David records a significant and candid interview for the Bay Area station, articulating his transition away from previous theatrical personas. Later that evening, he delivers a high-energy performance at the Coliseum Arena, showcasing the touring band’s increasing musical cohesion.
🏛️ Coliseum Arena / KSAN-FM
🎸 Event: Radio interview and live performance
🗒️ Notes: David records a significant and candid interview for the Bay Area station, articulating his transition away from previous theatrical personas. Later that evening, he delivers a high-energy performance at the Coliseum Arena, showcasing the touring band’s increasing musical cohesion.
📅 1978-04-06
📍 Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: David returns to Los Angeles for the final night of this residency, concluding a successful run of shows in a city that previously represented a period of personal crisis.
🏛️ The Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: David returns to Los Angeles for the final night of this residency, concluding a successful run of shows in a city that previously represented a period of personal crisis.
📅 1978-04-09
📍 Houston, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Summit
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour arrives in Texas, where the minimalist visual aesthetic of the fluorescent light cage continues to starkly contrast with the expectations of the American arena rock audience.
🏛️ The Summit
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour arrives in Texas, where the minimalist visual aesthetic of the fluorescent light cage continues to starkly contrast with the expectations of the American arena rock audience.
📅 1978-04-10
📍 Dallas, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Dallas Convention Centre
🎸 Event: Live concert, TV filming and radio recording
🗒️ Notes: A pivotal day for tour documentation as six tracks are professionally filmed for the ‘Bowie on Stage’ television special. Simultaneously, the entire performance is captured for the ‘King Biscuit Flower Hour’ radio broadcast. Due to technical camera glitches, ‘What In The World’ is performed twice to ensure a perfect take, while a full multi-track audio recording is also secured for internal production review.
🏛️ Dallas Convention Centre
🎸 Event: Live concert, TV filming and radio recording
🗒️ Notes: A pivotal day for tour documentation as six tracks are professionally filmed for the ‘Bowie on Stage’ television special. Simultaneously, the entire performance is captured for the ‘King Biscuit Flower Hour’ radio broadcast. Due to technical camera glitches, ‘What In The World’ is performed twice to ensure a perfect take, while a full multi-track audio recording is also secured for internal production review.
📅 1978-04-11
📍 Baton Rouge, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ LSU Assembly Centre / Production Offices
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Review of Dallas archival material
🗒️ Notes: While the band performs at Louisiana State University, the production staff conducts a review of the footage and multi-track recordings from the previous night in Dallas to evaluate the material for archival and television purposes.
🏛️ LSU Assembly Centre / Production Offices
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🎸 Event: Review of Dallas archival material
🗒️ Notes: While the band performs at Louisiana State University, the production staff conducts a review of the footage and multi-track recordings from the previous night in Dallas to evaluate the material for archival and television purposes.
📅 1978-04-13
📍 Nashville, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Municipal Auditorium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II production visits the Tennessee capital, where the ensemble’s tight execution of the instrumental Berlin tracks continues to serve as a cornerstone of the performance.
🏛️ Municipal Auditorium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II production visits the Tennessee capital, where the ensemble’s tight execution of the instrumental Berlin tracks continues to serve as a cornerstone of the performance.
📅 1978-04-14
📍 Memphis, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Mid-South Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: David brings his sophisticated art-rock production to Memphis, maintaining the rigorous pace of the North American leg.
🏛️ Mid-South Coliseum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: David brings his sophisticated art-rock production to Memphis, maintaining the rigorous pace of the North American leg.
📅 1978-04-15
📍 Kansas City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Municipal Auditorium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour proceeds through the Midwest, where the band’s musical chemistry reaches new heights of precision and energy.
🏛️ Municipal Auditorium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour proceeds through the Midwest, where the band’s musical chemistry reaches new heights of precision and energy.
📅 1978-04-17
📍 Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Arie Crown Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The first of two nights in Chicago commences, with the intimate theater setting allowing for a more nuanced appreciation of the show’s complex soundscapes.
🏛️ Arie Crown Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The first of two nights in Chicago commences, with the intimate theater setting allowing for a more nuanced appreciation of the show’s complex soundscapes.
📅 1978-04-18
📍 Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Arie Crown Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Chicago residency concludes, with the ensemble successfully navigating the technical demands of the Isolar II production in a theater environment.
🏛️ Arie Crown Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Chicago residency concludes, with the ensemble successfully navigating the technical demands of the Isolar II production in a theater environment.
📅 1978-04-20
📍 Detroit, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Cobo Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour arrives in Detroit for a two-night engagement, a city that has historically been one of David’s strongest North American strongholds.
🏛️ Cobo Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour arrives in Detroit for a two-night engagement, a city that has historically been one of David’s strongest North American strongholds.
📅 1978-04-21
📍 Detroit, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Cobo Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The second night in Detroit reinforces the band’s power, with the industrial atmosphere of the city providing a fitting backdrop for the ‘Berlin’ repertoire.
🏛️ Cobo Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The second night in Detroit reinforces the band’s power, with the industrial atmosphere of the city providing a fitting backdrop for the ‘Berlin’ repertoire.
📅 1978-04-22
📍 Cleveland, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Richfield Coliseum
🎸 Event: Live concert and ‘Stage’ photography session
🗒️ Notes: During the performance at the Richfield Coliseum, photographer Andrew Kent captures a series of definitive images of David in his Natasha Kornilof designed stage wardrobe. One of these high-contrast shots, framed by the intensive neon lighting, is later selected as the iconic cover art for the ‘Stage’ live album.
🏛️ Richfield Coliseum
🎸 Event: Live concert and ‘Stage’ photography session
🗒️ Notes: During the performance at the Richfield Coliseum, photographer Andrew Kent captures a series of definitive images of David in his Natasha Kornilof designed stage wardrobe. One of these high-contrast shots, framed by the intensive neon lighting, is later selected as the iconic cover art for the ‘Stage’ live album.
📅 1978-04-23
📍 Cleveland to Milwaukee, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Tour Transit
🎸 Event: Tour Travel Day
🗒️ Note: Travel and equipment relocation between shows during the North American leg of the Isolar II tour.
🏛️ Tour Transit
🎸 Event: Tour Travel Day
🗒️ Note: Travel and equipment relocation between shows during the North American leg of the Isolar II tour.
📅 1978-04-24
📍 Milwaukee, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Mecca Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II production visits Milwaukee, maintaining the high standards of execution that have characterized the entire 1978 tour.
🏛️ Mecca Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II production visits Milwaukee, maintaining the high standards of execution that have characterized the entire 1978 tour.
📅 1978-04-26
📍 Pittsburgh, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Pittsburgh Civic Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour moves into Pennsylvania for a performance at the Civic Arena, as the technical crew prepares for the upcoming live recording sessions.
🏛️ Pittsburgh Civic Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The tour moves into Pennsylvania for a performance at the Civic Arena, as the technical crew prepares for the upcoming live recording sessions.
📅 1978-04-27
📍 Washington, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-04-27
📍 Washington, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎸 Event: Recording logistics preparation
🗒️ Notes: Behind the scenes of the Washington performance, the technical production team finalizes the complex logistics for the imminent arrival of the RCA mobile recording unit in Philadelphia. This coordination is essential for ensuring the sonic quality of the official live album sessions.
🏛️ Capital Centre
🎸 Event: Recording logistics preparation
🗒️ Notes: Behind the scenes of the Washington performance, the technical production team finalizes the complex logistics for the imminent arrival of the RCA mobile recording unit in Philadelphia. This coordination is essential for ensuring the sonic quality of the official live album sessions.
📅 1978-04-28
📍 Philadelphia, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-04-28
📍 Philadelphia, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎸 Event: Recording ‘Stage’ (Night 1)
🗒️ Notes: Tony Visconti initiates the professional live recording process utilizing the RCA Mobile Unit. The initial production strategy aims to preserve the authentic chronological sequence of the concert, capturing the atmospheric shift from the Berlin-era material to the re-envisioned classics.
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎸 Event: Recording ‘Stage’ (Night 1)
🗒️ Notes: Tony Visconti initiates the professional live recording process utilizing the RCA Mobile Unit. The initial production strategy aims to preserve the authentic chronological sequence of the concert, capturing the atmospheric shift from the Berlin-era material to the re-envisioned classics.
📅 1978-04-29
📍 Philadelphia, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-04-29
📍 Philadelphia, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎸 Event: Recording ‘Stage’ (Night 2)
🗒️ Notes: The final tracking for the official live album is completed during the second night at The Spectrum. These recordings successfully document the peak musical chemistry and rhythmic precision of the Isolar II touring ensemble, providing the primary source material for the eventual double-album release.
🏛️ The Spectrum
🎸 Event: Recording ‘Stage’ (Night 2)
🗒️ Notes: The final tracking for the official live album is completed during the second night at The Spectrum. These recordings successfully document the peak musical chemistry and rhythmic precision of the Isolar II touring ensemble, providing the primary source material for the eventual double-album release.
North America & Canada – May 1978
The North American honors – May 1978
📅 1978-05-01
📍 Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦
🏛️ Maple Leaf Gardens / RCA Canada
🎸 Event: Presentation of gold record for “Heroes“
🗒️ Notes: During the Canadian leg of the Isolar II tour, David is officially honored by RCA President Ed Preston. He receives a gold record certification for the “Heroes” album, a testament to his sustained commercial success and the growing North American appreciation for his European-influenced output.
🏛️ Maple Leaf Gardens / RCA Canada
🎸 Event: Presentation of gold record for “Heroes“
🗒️ Notes: During the Canadian leg of the Isolar II tour, David is officially honored by RCA President Ed Preston. He receives a gold record certification for the “Heroes” album, a testament to his sustained commercial success and the growing North American appreciation for his European-influenced output.
📅 1978-05-01
📍 Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦
🏛️ Maple Leaf Gardens
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Maple Leaf Gardens
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-02
📍 Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦
🏛️ Ottawa Civic Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Ottawa Civic Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-03
📍 Montreal, Canada 🇨🇦
🏛️ Montreal Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Montreal Forum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-05
📍 Providence, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Providence Civic Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Providence Civic Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-06
📍 Boston, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ New Boston Garden Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ New Boston Garden Arena
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-07
📍 New York, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-07
📍 New York, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Madison Square Garden / Backstage
🎸 Event: Meeting with Dustin Hoffman
🗒️ Note: After the first MSG show, David meets with Dustin Hoffman to discuss a possible film collaboration following ‘Just a Gigolo’.
🏛️ Madison Square Garden / Backstage
🎸 Event: Meeting with Dustin Hoffman
🗒️ Note: After the first MSG show, David meets with Dustin Hoffman to discuss a possible film collaboration following ‘Just a Gigolo’.
📅 1978-05-08
📍 New York, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Madison Square Garden / RCA Offices
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Stage’ Album Strategy
🗒️ Notes: Between the MSG shows, David meets with RCA executives. David insists on a chronological structure for the ‘Stage’ live album, prioritizing the artistic narrative over commercial flow.
🏛️ Madison Square Garden / RCA Offices
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Stage’ Album Strategy
🗒️ Notes: Between the MSG shows, David meets with RCA executives. David insists on a chronological structure for the ‘Stage’ live album, prioritizing the artistic narrative over commercial flow.
📅 1978-05-08
📍 New York, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-09
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎸 Event: Reference Performance for Live Album
🗒️ Note: The final Madison Square Garden performance is later noted as an important reference point during planning and selection for the ‘Stage’ live album.
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎸 Event: Reference Performance for Live Album
🗒️ Note: The final Madison Square Garden performance is later noted as an important reference point during planning and selection for the ‘Stage’ live album.
📅 1978-05-09
📍 New York, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-10
📍 New York City, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎸 Event: North American Leg Completed
🗒️ Note: Following the final Madison Square Garden show, the first major leg of the Isolar II tour officially concludes.
🏛️ Madison Square Garden
🎸 Event: North American Leg Completed
🗒️ Note: Following the final Madison Square Garden show, the first major leg of the Isolar II tour officially concludes.
David Bowie narrates Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf – May 1978
📅 1978-05-12
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ RCA Red Seal (ARL1-2743)
🎸 Event: Album release: ‘Peter and the Wolf’
🗒️ Notes: David’s narration of Prokofiev’s classic orchestral piece is released on the RCA Red Seal label. Recorded in late 1977 as a gift for his son Duncan, the first pressing is famously issued on translucent green vinyl. This project demonstrates David’s vocal versatility and his ability to move between avant-garde rock and traditional storytelling.
🏛️ RCA Red Seal (ARL1-2743)
🎸 Event: Album release: ‘Peter and the Wolf’
🗒️ Notes: David’s narration of Prokofiev’s classic orchestral piece is released on the RCA Red Seal label. Recorded in late 1977 as a gift for his son Duncan, the first pressing is famously issued on translucent green vinyl. This project demonstrates David’s vocal versatility and his ability to move between avant-garde rock and traditional storytelling.
📅 1978-05-13
📍 New York City → Frankfurt
🏛️ Tour Transit
🎸 Event: Departure for European Leg
🗒️ Note: Bowie and the touring crew travel to Europe to begin the next phase of the Isolar II World Tour.
🏛️ Tour Transit
🎸 Event: Departure for European Leg
🗒️ Note: Bowie and the touring crew travel to Europe to begin the next phase of the Isolar II World Tour.
EUROPEAN LEG BEGINS – MAY 1978
📅 1978-05-14
📍 Frankfurt, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Festhalle
🎸 Event: European Tour Kick-off
🗒️ Notes: The first show on European soil. David appears visibly relaxed returning to Germany, and the neon cage lighting proves highly effective in the venue.
🏛️ Festhalle
🎸 Event: European Tour Kick-off
🗒️ Notes: The first show on European soil. David appears visibly relaxed returning to Germany, and the neon cage lighting proves highly effective in the venue.
📅 1978-05-15
📍 Hamburg, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Kongress Zentrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Kongress Zentrum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-16
📍 Düsseldorf, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Philipshalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie (CANCELLED)
🏛️ Philipshalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie (CANCELLED)
📅 1978-05-16
📍 Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Hilton Hotel
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Arena Rock’
🗒️ Notes: During a brief stop in Cologne, David participates in an extensive filmed conversation with Alan Yentob. He provides deep insights into the creative philosophy of the Berlin Trilogy and his personal recovery.
🏛️ Hilton Hotel
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Arena Rock’
🗒️ Notes: During a brief stop in Cologne, David participates in an extensive filmed conversation with Alan Yentob. He provides deep insights into the creative philosophy of the Berlin Trilogy and his personal recovery.
📅 1978-05-16
📍 Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Hilton Hotel
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Arena Rock’
🗒️ Notes: During a brief stop in Cologne, David participates in an extensive filmed conversation with producer Alan Yentob. In this significant interview, he provides deep insights into the creative philosophy of the Berlin Trilogy and his personal recovery, which is eventually broadcast on BBC Two later in the month.
🏛️ Hilton Hotel
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Arena Rock’
🗒️ Notes: During a brief stop in Cologne, David participates in an extensive filmed conversation with producer Alan Yentob. In this significant interview, he provides deep insights into the creative philosophy of the Berlin Trilogy and his personal recovery, which is eventually broadcast on BBC Two later in the month.
📅 1978-05-16
📍 Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Deutschlandhalle / Hansa Studios
🎸 Event: Berlin Homecoming
🗒️ Notes: A highly emotional night as David performs in his adopted home city. The setlist, heavy on Berlin-era material, receives a strong audience response.
🏛️ Deutschlandhalle / Hansa Studios
🎸 Event: Berlin Homecoming
🗒️ Notes: A highly emotional night as David performs in his adopted home city. The setlist, heavy on Berlin-era material, receives a strong audience response.
📅 1978-05-18
📍 Essen, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Grugahalle / Hotel Breidenbacher Hof
🎸 Event: Press Session: Bravo Magazine
🗒️ Notes: David grants an interview and photo session emphasizing his healthier lifestyle during the tour.
🏛️ Grugahalle / Hotel Breidenbacher Hof
🎸 Event: Press Session: Bravo Magazine
🗒️ Notes: David grants an interview and photo session emphasizing his healthier lifestyle during the tour.
📅 1978-05-18
📍 Essen, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Grugahalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Grugahalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-19
📍 Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Kölner Sporthalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Kölner Sporthalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-20
📍 Munich, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Olympiahalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Olympiahalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-21
📍 Bremen, 🇩🇪 Germany
🏛️ Radio Bremen Studios
🎸 Event: TV Special: Musikladen Extra
🗒️ Notes: David and the band record a 45-minute special that captures the raw power of the tour.
🏛️ Radio Bremen Studios
🎸 Event: TV Special: Musikladen Extra
🗒️ Notes: David and the band record a 45-minute special that captures the raw power of the tour.
📅 1978-05-22
📍 Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹
🏛️ Stadthalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Stadthalle
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
Promotion in Cannes – May 1978
📅 1978-05-23
📍 Cannes, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ 31st International Film Festival
🎸 Event: Film promotion: ‘Just a Gigolo’
🗒️ Notes: While the touring party travels to Paris, David makes a strategic appearance at the prestigious film festival to support David Hemmings’ latest production. To avoid the overwhelming crowds gathered for the screening and the themed promotional event, he famously navigates through the venue’s kitchens to make his entrance, highlighting the intense public interest in his cinematic endeavors.
🏛️ 31st International Film Festival
🎸 Event: Film promotion: ‘Just a Gigolo’
🗒️ Notes: While the touring party travels to Paris, David makes a strategic appearance at the prestigious film festival to support David Hemmings’ latest production. To avoid the overwhelming crowds gathered for the screening and the themed promotional event, he famously navigates through the venue’s kitchens to make his entrance, highlighting the intense public interest in his cinematic endeavors.
The Paris residency begins – May 1978
📅 1978-05-24
📍 Paris, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris
🎸 Event: Opening night of the French tour leg
🗒️ Notes: Following a night of social engagements at the Cannes Film Festival, David returns to the French capital to reunite with his touring ensemble. After an intensive late-afternoon soundcheck at the venue, he prepares for the first of three consecutive sold-out performances, marking his triumphant return to the city after the Berlin recording sessions.
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris
🎸 Event: Opening night of the French tour leg
🗒️ Notes: Following a night of social engagements at the Cannes Film Festival, David returns to the French capital to reunite with his touring ensemble. After an intensive late-afternoon soundcheck at the venue, he prepares for the first of three consecutive sold-out performances, marking his triumphant return to the city after the Berlin recording sessions.
📅 1978-05-24
📍 Paris, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris / TV Studios
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Un sur Cinq’
🗒️ Notes: David records a segment for French television, engaging in a discussion regarding the avant-garde influences of European art and electronic music on his current creative direction.
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris / TV Studios
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Un sur Cinq’
🗒️ Notes: David records a segment for French television, engaging in a discussion regarding the avant-garde influences of European art and electronic music on his current creative direction.
📅 1978-05-24
📍 Paris, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-25
📍 Paris, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Pavillon de Paris
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-26
📍 Lyon, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ Palais des Sports de Gerland
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Palais des Sports de Gerland
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-05-27
📍 Marseille, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ Palais des Sports
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Originally scheduled for the outdoor Parc Chanot, the performance is relocated to the Palais des Sports. This adjustment ensures the atmospheric neon lighting of the Isolar II production maintains its intended visual impact within a controlled indoor environment.
🏛️ Palais des Sports
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Originally scheduled for the outdoor Parc Chanot, the performance is relocated to the Palais des Sports. This adjustment ensures the atmospheric neon lighting of the Isolar II production maintains its intended visual impact within a controlled indoor environment.
📅 1978-05-27
📍 Marseille, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ Palais des Sports
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Palais des Sports
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
The Arena rock broadcast – May 1978
📅 1978-05-29
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ BBC Two Television
🎸 Event: Television broadcast: ‘Arena Rock’
🗒️ Notes: The extensive interview filmed earlier in the month with Alan Yentob is transmitted to the British public. This pivotal broadcast provides an intimate look at David’s artistic evolution and his life in Berlin, effectively bridging the gap between his experimental studio years and his return to the global touring stage.
🏛️ BBC Two Television
🎸 Event: Television broadcast: ‘Arena Rock’
🗒️ Notes: The extensive interview filmed earlier in the month with Alan Yentob is transmitted to the British public. This pivotal broadcast provides an intimate look at David’s artistic evolution and his life in Berlin, effectively bridging the gap between his experimental studio years and his return to the global touring stage.
The Musikladen extra television session – May 1978
📅 1978-05-30
📍 Bremen, Germany 🇩🇪
🏛️ Radio Bremen Studios
🎸 Event: Television recording: ‘Musikladen Extra’
🎵 Setlist: Sense Of Doubt / Beauty And The Beast / Heroes / Stay / The Jean Genie / TVC 15 / Alabama Song / Rebel Rebel (encore) / What In The World (encore – not broadcast)
🗒️ Notes: David and his tour ensemble record a comprehensive studio performance for German television. The setlist effectively balances the atmospheric ‘Berlin’ material with established hits, providing a definitive visual and sonic document of the Isolar II band’s capabilities. While the majority of the performance is prepared for a later broadcast in August, certain encore tracks remain un-aired, preserving the exclusivity of the live session.
🏛️ Radio Bremen Studios
🎸 Event: Television recording: ‘Musikladen Extra’
🎵 Setlist: Sense Of Doubt / Beauty And The Beast / Heroes / Stay / The Jean Genie / TVC 15 / Alabama Song / Rebel Rebel (encore) / What In The World (encore – not broadcast)
🗒️ Notes: David and his tour ensemble record a comprehensive studio performance for German television. The setlist effectively balances the atmospheric ‘Berlin’ material with established hits, providing a definitive visual and sonic document of the Isolar II band’s capabilities. While the majority of the performance is prepared for a later broadcast in August, certain encore tracks remain un-aired, preserving the exclusivity of the live session.
📅 1978-05-30
📍 Stockholm, 🇸🇪 Sweden
🏛️ Grand Hotel / Radio Sweden
🎸 Event: Radio Interview: Swedish National Radio
🗒️ Notes: On a day off, David records an interview discussing his move to Berlin and artistic reinvention.
🏛️ Grand Hotel / Radio Sweden
🎸 Event: Radio Interview: Swedish National Radio
🗒️ Notes: On a day off, David records an interview discussing his move to Berlin and artistic reinvention.
📅 1978-05-31
📍 Copenhagen, Denmark 🇩🇰
🏛️ Falkoner Teatret
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Falkoner Teatret
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
European Tour Continued – June 1978
📅 1978-06-01
📍 Oslo, 🇳🇴 Norway
🏛️ Ekeberghallen
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Ekeberghallen
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-01
📍 Copenhagen, 🇩🇰 Denmark
🏛️ Falkoner Teatret / Backstage
🎸 Event: Press Interview: Danish Radio
🗒️ Notes: David discusses the minimalist design of the Isolar II stage and its visual concept.
🏛️ Falkoner Teatret / Backstage
🎸 Event: Press Interview: Danish Radio
🗒️ Notes: David discusses the minimalist design of the Isolar II stage and its visual concept.
📅 1978-06-02
📍 Stockholm, 🇸🇪 Sweden
🏛️ Kungliga Tennishallen
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Originally scheduled for the outdoor Skansen venue, the performance is relocated to the Royal Tennis Hall to ensure the atmospheric integrity of the production’s lighting system.
🏛️ Kungliga Tennishallen
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Originally scheduled for the outdoor Skansen venue, the performance is relocated to the Royal Tennis Hall to ensure the atmospheric integrity of the production’s lighting system.
📅 1978-06-04
📍 Gothenburg, 🇸🇪 Sweden
🏛️ Scandinavium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Scandinavium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-05
📍 Oslo, 🇳🇴 Norway
🏛️ Ekeberghallen
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Ekeberghallen
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-06
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Tour Arrival
🎸 Event: Arrival for Rotterdam Shows
🗒️ Note: Touring crew and production arrive ahead of the filmed Rotterdam concerts.
🏛️ Tour Arrival
🎸 Event: Arrival for Rotterdam Shows
🗒️ Note: Touring crew and production arrive ahead of the filmed Rotterdam concerts.
📅 1978-06-07
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy / Hilton Hotel
🎸 Event: TV Preparation: AVRO / Toppop
🗒️ Notes:: Crew and broadcaster finalize plans for professional filming of the Rotterdam shows.
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy / Hilton Hotel
🎸 Event: TV Preparation: AVRO / Toppop
🗒️ Notes:: Crew and broadcaster finalize plans for professional filming of the Rotterdam shows.
📅 1978-06-07
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-08
📍 Hilversum / Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ AVRO Toppop Studios / Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎸 Event: TV Recording: AVRO Toppop
🗒️ Notes: David visits the Toppop studios before the evening show, which is professionally filmed for later broadcast.
🏛️ AVRO Toppop Studios / Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎸 Event: TV Recording: AVRO Toppop
🗒️ Notes: David visits the Toppop studios before the evening show, which is professionally filmed for later broadcast.
📅 1978-06-08
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-09
📍 Rotterdam, 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Sportpaleis Ahoy
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-11
📍 Brussels, 🇧🇪 Belgium
🏛️ Vorst Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Vorst Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-12
📍 Brussels, 🇧🇪 Belgium
🏛️ Vorst Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Vorst Nationaal
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-12
📍 Brussels, 🇧🇪 Belgium
🏛️ Forest National / Backstage
🎸 Event: Meeting with Iggy Pop
🗒️ Notes: Iggy Pop visits David backstage in Brussels. They spend the evening discussing Iggy’s upcoming London shows. Pianist Sean Mayes recalls the relaxed atmosphere as David prepares to take the tour to the UK.
🏛️ Forest National / Backstage
🎸 Event: Meeting with Iggy Pop
🗒️ Notes: Iggy Pop visits David backstage in Brussels. They spend the evening discussing Iggy’s upcoming London shows. Pianist Sean Mayes recalls the relaxed atmosphere as David prepares to take the tour to the UK.
📅 1978-06-14
📍 Newcastle upon Tyne, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall / RCA Press Office
🎸 Event: Business: Tour Expansion Announcement
🗒️ Notes: Management announces expansion of the Isolar II tour to Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall / RCA Press Office
🎸 Event: Business: Tour Expansion Announcement
🗒️ Notes: Management announces expansion of the Isolar II tour to Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
📅 1978-06-14
📍 Newcastle upon Tyne, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-15
📍 Newcastle upon Tyne, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-16
📍 Newcastle upon Tyne, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Newcastle City Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 19-06-1978 – 1978-06-22
📍 Glasgow, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Apollo Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Apollo Theatre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-24
📍 Stafford, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ New Bingley Hall / Mobile Unit
🎸 Event: Archival Audio Recording
🗒️ Notes: The first Stafford show is recorded for archival purposes, capturing the aggressive live sound of the venue.
🏛️ New Bingley Hall / Mobile Unit
🎸 Event: Archival Audio Recording
🗒️ Notes: The first Stafford show is recorded for archival purposes, capturing the aggressive live sound of the venue.
📅 24-06-1978 – 1978-06-26
📍 Stafford, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ New Bingley Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ New Bingley Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-28
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎸 Event: Technical Reset & Setup
🗒️ Note: Final technical preparations and stage setup before the Earl’s Court residency begins.
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎸 Event: Technical Reset & Setup
🗒️ Note: Final technical preparations and stage setup before the Earl’s Court residency begins.
📅 1978-06-29
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-06-29
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Earl’s Court / Backstage
🎸 Event: Live Album Filming & Recording
🗒️ Notes: The opening of the six-night London residency. Tony Visconti and a filming crew are present to capture footage and audio. These sessions are intended to supplement the Philadelphia recordings for the ‘Stage’ project.
🏛️ Earl’s Court / Backstage
🎸 Event: Live Album Filming & Recording
🗒️ Notes: The opening of the six-night London residency. Tony Visconti and a filming crew are present to capture footage and audio. These sessions are intended to supplement the Philadelphia recordings for the ‘Stage’ project.
📅 1978-06-30
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Earl’s Court / Dressing Room
🎸 Event: TV Interview & ‘Stage’ Movie Filming
🗒️ Notes: Just minutes before the show, David is interviewed backstage by Janet Street-Porter for London Weekend Television. Simultaneously, director David Hemmings continues filming the concert for the intended (but unreleased) ‘Stage’ movie.
🏛️ Earl’s Court / Dressing Room
🎸 Event: TV Interview & ‘Stage’ Movie Filming
🗒️ Notes: Just minutes before the show, David is interviewed backstage by Janet Street-Porter for London Weekend Television. Simultaneously, director David Hemmings continues filming the concert for the intended (but unreleased) ‘Stage’ movie.
📅 1978-06-30
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-07-01
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Earl’s Court
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-07-01
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Earl’s Court / Backstage
🎸 Event: European Tour Finale & Post-Show Party
🗒️ Notes: The 77th and final show of the European leg. A star-studded audience including Bianca Jagger and Princess Margaret. After the show, a massive wrap party is held where David celebrates the tour’s success with the band and crew.
🏛️ Earl’s Court / Backstage
🎸 Event: European Tour Finale & Post-Show Party
🗒️ Notes: The 77th and final show of the European leg. A star-studded audience including Bianca Jagger and Princess Margaret. After the show, a massive wrap party is held where David celebrates the tour’s success with the band and crew.
The Alabama song studio session – July 1978
📅 1978-07-02
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Good Earth Studios (Soho)
🎸 Event: Studio recording: ‘Alabama Song’
🗒️ Notes: Following its success as a standout moment during the Isolar II tour, David takes his touring band into Tony Visconti’s studio to record a studio version of the Brecht/Weill classic. The session reflects David’s deep fascination with the cabaret traditions of the Weimar Republic, a theme that significantly informed the atmospheric backdrop of his Berlin period.
🏛️ Good Earth Studios (Soho)
🎸 Event: Studio recording: ‘Alabama Song’
🗒️ Notes: Following its success as a standout moment during the Isolar II tour, David takes his touring band into Tony Visconti’s studio to record a studio version of the Brecht/Weill classic. The session reflects David’s deep fascination with the cabaret traditions of the Weimar Republic, a theme that significantly informed the atmospheric backdrop of his Berlin period.
📅 1978-07-05
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK / Kenya, 🇰🇪 Africa
🏛️ Travel & Vacation
🎸 Event: African Safari with Zowie
🗒️ Notes: Following the tour’s conclusion, David takes a well-earned break. David travels to Kenya for a safari holiday with his son, Zowie. This period of reflection marks the end of his intensive 1978 touring schedule until November.
🏛️ Travel & Vacation
🎸 Event: African Safari with Zowie
🗒️ Notes: Following the tour’s conclusion, David takes a well-earned break. David travels to Kenya for a safari holiday with his son, Zowie. This period of reflection marks the end of his intensive 1978 touring schedule until November.
The London Weekend Show broadcast – July 1978
📅 1978-07-09
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ ITV Network (LWT)
🎸 Event: Television broadcast: ‘The London Weekend Show’
🗒️ Notes: A dedicated feature hosted by Janet Street-Porter is transmitted nationally. Integrating recent backstage interviews with high-quality performance footage from Earl’s Court, the program provides the British public with an intimate look at David’s renewed creative focus and stable mental state.
🏛️ ITV Network (LWT)
🎸 Event: Television broadcast: ‘The London Weekend Show’
🗒️ Notes: A dedicated feature hosted by Janet Street-Porter is transmitted nationally. Integrating recent backstage interviews with high-quality performance footage from Earl’s Court, the program provides the British public with an intimate look at David’s renewed creative focus and stable mental state.
📅 1978-07-15
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK / Worldwide
🏛️ RCA Records Press Office
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Stage’ Album Announcement
🗒️ Notes: While David is on holiday, RCA officially confirms the September release date for the ‘Stage’ live album. the label begins preparing the global marketing campaign, using photos taken by Andrew Kent during the tour.
🏛️ RCA Records Press Office
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Stage’ Album Announcement
🗒️ Notes: While David is on holiday, RCA officially confirms the September release date for the ‘Stage’ live album. the label begins preparing the global marketing campaign, using photos taken by Andrew Kent during the tour.
📅 1978-07-20
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK / New York, 🇺🇸 USA
🏛️ Hemmings Production Office
🎸 Event: Review of ‘Stage’ Concert Footage
🗒️ Notes:: Director David Hemmings and David’s management review the footage filmed at Earl’s Court. Although the footage was intended for a theatrical release, David remains dissatisfied with the ‘clinical’ look of the film, leading to the project being shelved indefinitely.
🏛️ Hemmings Production Office
🎸 Event: Review of ‘Stage’ Concert Footage
🗒️ Notes:: Director David Hemmings and David’s management review the footage filmed at Earl’s Court. Although the footage was intended for a theatrical release, David remains dissatisfied with the ‘clinical’ look of the film, leading to the project being shelved indefinitely.
Domestic break & legal matters – August 1978
📅 1978-08-10
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Domestic Break & Legal Matters
🗒️ Notes: David spends the majority of the month at his home in Switzerland. He uses this quiet period to deal with ongoing legal complexities regarding his previous management and to spend time with his son before the tour resumes in the autumn.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Domestic Break & Legal Matters
🗒️ Notes: David spends the majority of the month at his home in Switzerland. He uses this quiet period to deal with ongoing legal complexities regarding his previous management and to spend time with his son before the tour resumes in the autumn.
Promotional campaign for Stage – August 1978
📅 1978-08-25
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK / Worldwide
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Promotional Campaign: ‘Stage’
.The label focuses on the “live and raw” aspect of the recordings, distributing promotional posters featuring Andrew Kent’s photography to record stores worldwide.
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Promotional Campaign: ‘Stage’
.The label focuses on the “live and raw” aspect of the recordings, distributing promotional posters featuring Andrew Kent’s photography to record stores worldwide.
📅 1978-08-31
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland / Worldwide
🏛️ RCA Records / Legal Office
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Stage’ Final Mastering Approval
🗒️ Notes: David gives the final approval for the ‘Stage’ live album mastering from his base in Switzerland. The album is now fully ready for its worldwide release in September, marking the end of David’s summer hiatus.
🏛️ RCA Records / Legal Office
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Stage’ Final Mastering Approval
🗒️ Notes: David gives the final approval for the ‘Stage’ live album mastering from his base in Switzerland. The album is now fully ready for its worldwide release in September, marking the end of David’s summer hiatus.
The Lodger sessions & high fashion – September 1978
📅 1978-09-01
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Vogue Magazine (UK Edition)
🎸 Event: Publication of the Snowdon portraits
🗒️ Notes: A significant feature by Jonathan Mantle appears in the British edition of Vogue, accompanied by a series of striking portraits captured by Lord Snowdon. The imagery reflects David’s sophisticated and healthy new persona, further cementing his status as a cultural icon whose influence transcends the traditional boundaries of rock music.
🏛️ Vogue Magazine (UK Edition)
🎸 Event: Publication of the Snowdon portraits
🗒️ Notes: A significant feature by Jonathan Mantle appears in the British edition of Vogue, accompanied by a series of striking portraits captured by Lord Snowdon. The imagery reflects David’s sophisticated and healthy new persona, further cementing his status as a cultural icon whose influence transcends the traditional boundaries of rock music.
📅 1978-09-05
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Commencement of the ‘Lodger‘ recording sessions
🗒️ Notes: Following a two-month hiatus from the stage, David reconvenes with Tony Visconti and his touring ensemble in his new country of residence. These initial sessions at Mountain Studios mark the beginning of the final installment of the Berlin Trilogy, characterized by a return to more experimental, ethnically-influenced song structures and spontaneous creative techniques.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Commencement of the ‘Lodger‘ recording sessions
🗒️ Notes: Following a two-month hiatus from the stage, David reconvenes with Tony Visconti and his touring ensemble in his new country of residence. These initial sessions at Mountain Studios mark the beginning of the final installment of the Berlin Trilogy, characterized by a return to more experimental, ethnically-influenced song structures and spontaneous creative techniques.
📅 1978-09-08
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK / Worldwide
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Album Release: Stage
🗒️ Notes: David’s second live album is released. The controversy over the chronological tracklist and the “clinical” sound. Despite mixed reviews, it reaches No. 5 in the UK charts, further cementing the success of the Isolar II tour.
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Album Release: Stage
🗒️ Notes: David’s second live album is released. The controversy over the chronological tracklist and the “clinical” sound. Despite mixed reviews, it reaches No. 5 in the UK charts, further cementing the success of the Isolar II tour.
📅 1978-09-15
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges / NME Interview
🎸 Event: Press: ‘Stage’ Promotional Interview
🗒️ Notes: David grants an interview to Charles Shaar Murray for NME. That David defends the clinical sound of the live album, stating he wanted to capture the “honesty” of the performance rather than a polished studio-like sound. (Exact date not confirmed)
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges / NME Interview
🎸 Event: Press: ‘Stage’ Promotional Interview
🗒️ Notes: David grants an interview to Charles Shaar Murray for NME. That David defends the clinical sound of the live album, stating he wanted to capture the “honesty” of the performance rather than a polished studio-like sound. (Exact date not confirmed)
📅 1978-09-22
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland / Tokyo, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Business: Tour Logistics
🎸 Event: Business: Far East Tour Finalization
🗒️ Notes: From his home in Switzerland, David finalizes the logistical plans for the tour’s final legs. Visas and transport for the massive “neon cage” stage are secured for the upcoming dates in Australia and Japan.
🏛️ Business: Tour Logistics
🎸 Event: Business: Far East Tour Finalization
🗒️ Notes: From his home in Switzerland, David finalizes the logistical plans for the tour’s final legs. Visas and transport for the massive “neon cage” stage are secured for the upcoming dates in Australia and Japan.
The release of Stage – September 1978
📅 1978-09-29
📍 Worldwide
🏛️ RCA Records (PL 02913 / CPL2 2913)
🎸 Event: Global release of the live album ‘Stage’
🗒️ Notes: David’s second official live double album is issued, capturing performances from the North American leg of the Isolar II tour. Notable for its chronological sequencing and the inclusion of significant ‘Berlin’ material, the record achieves substantial chart success, peaking at number 5 in the United Kingdom and number 44 in the United States, providing a definitive audio document of his 1978 ensemble.
🏛️ RCA Records (PL 02913 / CPL2 2913)
🎸 Event: Global release of the live album ‘Stage’
🗒️ Notes: David’s second official live double album is issued, capturing performances from the North American leg of the Isolar II tour. Notable for its chronological sequencing and the inclusion of significant ‘Berlin’ material, the record achieves substantial chart success, peaking at number 5 in the United Kingdom and number 44 in the United States, providing a definitive audio document of his 1978 ensemble.
Promotional releases for Stage – September 1978
📅 1978-09-29
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ RCA Records (DJL1-3016 / DJL1-3255)
🎸 Event: Release of ‘An Evening With David Bowie’
🗒️ Notes: To coincide with the launch of the ‘Stage’ live album, RCA issues a highly collectible promotional-only LP in the United States. Pressed on distinctive white vinyl, the record features live tracks and excerpts from a scripted interview. The cover art utilizes a striking Tom Kelley portrait from the 1975 ‘Young Americans‘ era, creating a visual contrast with the contemporary Berlin-influenced material contained within the grooves.
🏛️ RCA Records (DJL1-3016 / DJL1-3255)
🎸 Event: Release of ‘An Evening With David Bowie’
🗒️ Notes: To coincide with the launch of the ‘Stage’ live album, RCA issues a highly collectible promotional-only LP in the United States. Pressed on distinctive white vinyl, the record features live tracks and excerpts from a scripted interview. The cover art utilizes a striking Tom Kelley portrait from the 1975 ‘Young Americans‘ era, creating a visual contrast with the contemporary Berlin-influenced material contained within the grooves.
📅 1978-09-29
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK / Worldwide
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Single Release: Breaking Glass (Live)
🗒️ Notes: A live version of ‘Breaking Glass’ is released to promote the ‘Stage’ album.
🏛️ RCA Records
🎸 Event: Single Release: Breaking Glass (Live)
🗒️ Notes: A live version of ‘Breaking Glass’ is released to promote the ‘Stage’ album.
British chart success for Stage – October 1978
📅 1978-10-10
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland / Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Business: Australian Tour Promotion
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Bowie Down Under’ Press Launch
🗒️ Notes: While David remains in Switzerland, his Australian promoters launch a massive media blitz. The tour is marketed as the biggest musical event in Australian history, with tickets for the outdoor stadium shows selling out in record time.
🏛️ Business: Australian Tour Promotion
🎸 Event: Business: ‘Bowie Down Under’ Press Launch
🗒️ Notes: While David remains in Switzerland, his Australian promoters launch a massive media blitz. The tour is marketed as the biggest musical event in Australian history, with tickets for the outdoor stadium shows selling out in record time.
📅 1978-10-14
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ UK Official Albums Chart
🎸 Event: Peak chart position: ‘Stage’
🗒️ Notes: Two weeks after its initial release, the live double album reaches its highest position at number 4 in the United Kingdom. This achievement underscores the high demand for David’s current musical direction and the critical success of his transition from studio experimentalist back to a dominant global live performer.
🏛️ UK Official Albums Chart
🎸 Event: Peak chart position: ‘Stage’
🗒️ Notes: Two weeks after its initial release, the live double album reaches its highest position at number 4 in the United Kingdom. This achievement underscores the high demand for David’s current musical direction and the critical success of his transition from studio experimentalist back to a dominant global live performer.
📅 1978-10-15
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland / London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ Business: Tour Logistics
🎸 Event: Business: Band Coordination
🗒️ Notes: David coordinates with Carlos Alomar to regroup the tour band. That despite the long break since July, the core line-up remains intact for the upcoming legs, with the technical crew beginning the shipment of the ‘neon cage’ to Australia.
🏛️ Business: Tour Logistics
🎸 Event: Business: Band Coordination
🗒️ Notes: David coordinates with Carlos Alomar to regroup the tour band. That despite the long break since July, the core line-up remains intact for the upcoming legs, with the technical crew beginning the shipment of the ‘neon cage’ to Australia.
📅 1978-10-28
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland / Kenya, 🇰🇪 Africa
🏛️ Travel & Transition
🎸 Event: Travel: Departure for the Southern Hemisphere
🗒️ Notes:: David officially leaves his Swiss residence to begin the long journey toward Australia. David uses this travel period to mentally prepare for the final 15 shows of the year.
🏛️ Travel & Transition
🎸 Event: Travel: Departure for the Southern Hemisphere
🗒️ Notes:: David officially leaves his Swiss residence to begin the long journey toward Australia. David uses this travel period to mentally prepare for the final 15 shows of the year.
The Oz Tour – Australia & New Zealand – November + December 1978
📅 1978-10-30
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Tour Logistics
🎸 Event: Production Arrival in Australia
🗒️ Note: Stage equipment and technical crew arrive ahead of Bowie for setup of the Australasian leg.
🏛️ Tour Logistics
🎸 Event: Production Arrival in Australia
🗒️ Note: Stage equipment and technical crew arrive ahead of Bowie for setup of the Australasian leg.
📅 1978-11-04
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Airport Arrival
🎸 Event: Arrival in Australia
🗒️ Notes: David arrives in Australia ahead of an extensive schedule of rehearsals and promotional activities. This arrival marks the beginning of his first ever tour of the Southern Hemisphere, generating massive national media interest.
🏛️ Airport Arrival
🎸 Event: Arrival in Australia
🗒️ Notes: David arrives in Australia ahead of an extensive schedule of rehearsals and promotional activities. This arrival marks the beginning of his first ever tour of the Southern Hemisphere, generating massive national media interest.
📅 1978-11-05
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Sebel Town House / ABC Studios
🎸 Event: Press: The ‘Bowie Down Under’ Press Conference
🗒️ Notes: Upon arrival, David holds a major press conference at the Sebel Town House. David appears healthy and tanned, famously charming the Australian press while discussing his transition from the ‘thin white duke’ to his current ‘clean’ lifestyle.
🏛️ Sebel Town House / ABC Studios
🎸 Event: Press: The ‘Bowie Down Under’ Press Conference
🗒️ Notes: Upon arrival, David holds a major press conference at the Sebel Town House. David appears healthy and tanned, famously charming the Australian press while discussing his transition from the ‘thin white duke’ to his current ‘clean’ lifestyle.
📅 1978-11-05
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Rehearsal Space
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Rehearsal Space
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
Arrival and rehearsals in Sydney – November 1978
📅 1978-11-06
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎸 Event: Full-scale production rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: The touring ensemble initiates intensive technical preparations for the Oceanic leg of the Isolar II tour. Working from late afternoon into the early morning hours, the crew utilizes a fully constructed stage to calibrate the complex neon lighting rig and ensure the sonic precision of the Berlin-era arrangements in a new arena environment.
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎸 Event: Full-scale production rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: The touring ensemble initiates intensive technical preparations for the Oceanic leg of the Isolar II tour. Working from late afternoon into the early morning hours, the crew utilizes a fully constructed stage to calibrate the complex neon lighting rig and ensure the sonic precision of the Berlin-era arrangements in a new arena environment.
📅 1978-11-06
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Double Jay (2JJ) Radio Studios
🎸 Event: Radio: The ‘Double Jay’ Interview
🗒️ Notes: David grants a long, candid interview to the alternative station ‘Double Jay’. David is in high spirits, discussing everything from his love for Kraftwerk to his fascination with the Australian landscape.
🏛️ Double Jay (2JJ) Radio Studios
🎸 Event: Radio: The ‘Double Jay’ Interview
🗒️ Notes: David grants a long, candid interview to the alternative station ‘Double Jay’. David is in high spirits, discussing everything from his love for Kraftwerk to his fascination with the Australian landscape.
📅 1978-11-06
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Rehearsals.
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Rehearsals.
📅 1978-11-07
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Sebel Town House
🎸 Event: Oceanic media junket
🗒️ Notes: Over a period of two days, David conducts a series of structured press conferences and interviews from his hotel suite. Orchestrated by Paul Dainty’s publicity team, these sessions introduce the Australian media to his healthy, rejuvenated persona and the artistic evolution of the trilogy, effectively building momentum for the upcoming outdoor performances.
🏛️ Sebel Town House
🎸 Event: Oceanic media junket
🗒️ Notes: Over a period of two days, David conducts a series of structured press conferences and interviews from his hotel suite. Orchestrated by Paul Dainty’s publicity team, these sessions introduce the Australian media to his healthy, rejuvenated persona and the artistic evolution of the trilogy, effectively building momentum for the upcoming outdoor performances.
📅 1978-11-07
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Rehearsal Space
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Rehearsal Space
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
The Countdown interview – November 1978
📅 1978-11-08
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Countdown’
🗒️ Notes: Between final tour preparations at the pavilion, David participates in a significant conversation with host Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum. This interview, later broadcast to a national audience, captures David’s enthusiasm for the Oceanic leg and his successful transition into the most physically and creatively stable period of his career to date.
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Countdown’
🗒️ Notes: Between final tour preparations at the pavilion, David participates in a significant conversation with host Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum. This interview, later broadcast to a national audience, captures David’s enthusiasm for the Oceanic leg and his successful transition into the most physically and creatively stable period of his career to date.
📅 1978-11-08 – 1978-11-09
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎸 Event: Full-scale production rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: David and the band continue intensive rehearsals at the Hordern Pavilion. These closed sessions are essential for fine-tuning the complex interplay between the live instruments and the sophisticated neon-lighting system before the tour’s official opening.
🏛️ Hordern Pavilion
🎸 Event: Full-scale production rehearsals
🗒️ Notes: David and the band continue intensive rehearsals at the Hordern Pavilion. These closed sessions are essential for fine-tuning the complex interplay between the live instruments and the sophisticated neon-lighting system before the tour’s official opening.
📅 1978-11-10
📍 Adelaide, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ Adelaide Oval
🎸 Event: Charity: Public Soundcheck/ Rehearsals finsh
🗒️ Notes: A day before the official tour start, David opens the gates for a public soundcheck. David proceeds from the $1 tickets are donated to the Adelaide Children’s Hospital, a rare gesture of public accessibility.
🏛️ Adelaide Oval
🎸 Event: Charity: Public Soundcheck/ Rehearsals finsh
🗒️ Notes: A day before the official tour start, David opens the gates for a public soundcheck. David proceeds from the $1 tickets are donated to the Adelaide Children’s Hospital, a rare gesture of public accessibility.
📅 1978-11-11
📍 Adelaide, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Adelaide Oval Cricket Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Adelaide Oval Cricket Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
The Countdown broadcast and transit – November 1978
📅 1978-11-12
📍 Adelaide / Perth, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ ABC Television Network / Transit
🎸 Event: Television broadcast: ‘Countdown’ special
🗒️ Notes: A comprehensive feature is televised nationally as the tour party travels to Western Australia. The segment integrates the recent Sydney interview with rehearsal footage, introducing the public to David’s current artistic identity.
🏛️ ABC Television Network / Transit
🎸 Event: Television broadcast: ‘Countdown’ special
🗒️ Notes: A comprehensive feature is televised nationally as the tour party travels to Western Australia. The segment integrates the recent Sydney interview with rehearsal footage, introducing the public to David’s current artistic identity.
📅 1978-11-14
📍 Perth, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Perth Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Perth Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-11-15
📍 Perth, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Perth Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Perth Entertainment Centre
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
The Breaking Glass live EP release – November 1978
📅 1978-11-17
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ RCA Records (BOW 1 / PB 9337)
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Breaking Glass’ (Live EP)
🎵 Tracklist: Breaking Glass / Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust
🗒️ Notes: A three-track extended play featuring live recordings from the ‘Stage’ album is issued to the European market. The release marks a significant milestone as the first single on the new ‘BOW’ prefix in the United Kingdom. It effectively juxtaposes the stark, minimalist ‘Berlin’ sound with the enduring legacy of the glam era, reaching number 59 in the British charts.
🏛️ RCA Records (BOW 1 / PB 9337)
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Breaking Glass’ (Live EP)
🎵 Tracklist: Breaking Glass / Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust
🗒️ Notes: A three-track extended play featuring live recordings from the ‘Stage’ album is issued to the European market. The release marks a significant milestone as the first single on the new ‘BOW’ prefix in the United Kingdom. It effectively juxtaposes the stark, minimalist ‘Berlin’ sound with the enduring legacy of the glam era, reaching number 59 in the British charts.
📅 1978-11-18
📍 Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Melbourne Cricket Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Melbourne Cricket Ground
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
Transit to the sunshine state – November 1978
📅 1978-11-19
📍 Melbourne / Brisbane, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Travel and transit
🎸 Event: Internal tour relocation
🗒️ Notes: Following a series of highly successful engagements in the southern territories, the touring party travels north to Queensland. This transition day allows the technical crew to prepare for the upcoming outdoor performance at Lang Park, as David and the ensemble maintain the momentum of the Oceanic leg’s rigorous schedule.
🏛️ Travel and transit
🎸 Event: Internal tour relocation
🗒️ Notes: Following a series of highly successful engagements in the southern territories, the touring party travels north to Queensland. This transition day allows the technical crew to prepare for the upcoming outdoor performance at Lang Park, as David and the ensemble maintain the momentum of the Oceanic leg’s rigorous schedule.
📅 1978-11-21
📍 Brisbane, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Lang Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Lang Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-11-24
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ RAS Showgrounds / ABC TV
🎸 Event: TV Filming: ‘Bowie Down Under’
🗒️ Notes: The first Sydney show is professionally filmed by the ABC, this footage is used for news segments and promotional clips, capturing the massive scale of the outdoor production and the ‘neon cage’ in the Australian night.
🏛️ RAS Showgrounds / ABC TV
🎸 Event: TV Filming: ‘Bowie Down Under’
🗒️ Notes: The first Sydney show is professionally filmed by the ABC, this footage is used for news segments and promotional clips, capturing the massive scale of the outdoor production and the ‘neon cage’ in the Australian night.
📅 1978-11-24 & 1978-11-25
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia
🏛️ RAS Showgrounds
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ RAS Showgrounds
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
The Willesee at Seven television interview – November 1978
📅 1978-11-28
📍 Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
🏛️ Seven Studios (Epping)
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Willesee at Seven’
🗒️ Notes: During the final phase of the Australian leg, David participates in a high-profile conversation for the national current affairs program. In this session, he reflects on his creative journey through Berlin and his newfound physical and mental clarity, providing the Oceanic audience with a rare, candid glimpse into the artist behind the sophisticated Isolar II production.
🏛️ Seven Studios (Epping)
🎸 Event: Television interview: ‘Willesee at Seven’
🗒️ Notes: During the final phase of the Australian leg, David participates in a high-profile conversation for the national current affairs program. In this session, he reflects on his creative journey through Berlin and his newfound physical and mental clarity, providing the Oceanic audience with a rare, candid glimpse into the artist behind the sophisticated Isolar II production.
📅 1978-11-28
📍 Sydney, 🇦🇺 Australia / Christchurch, 🇳🇿 New Zealand
🏛️ Tasman Sea Crossing
🎸 Event: Travel: Trans-Tasman Journey
🗒️ Notes: After the massive Sydney shows, the tour party flies to New Zealand. David uses this travel day for a brief period of recovery, as the intensity of the outdoor stadium shows has been physically demanding.
🏛️ Tasman Sea Crossing
🎸 Event: Travel: Trans-Tasman Journey
🗒️ Notes: After the massive Sydney shows, the tour party flies to New Zealand. David uses this travel day for a brief period of recovery, as the intensity of the outdoor stadium shows has been physically demanding.
📅 1978-11-29
📍 Christchurch, 🇳🇿 New Zealand
🏛️ Queen Elizabeth II Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Queen Elizabeth II Park
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-12-02
📍 Auckland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand
🏛️ Western Springs Stadium
🎸 Event: Record: World Attendance Milestone
🗒️ Notes: The final show of the Australasian leg. This concert sets a world record for the largest concert attendance per head of population, with over 41,000 fans in attendance.
🏛️ Western Springs Stadium
🎸 Event: Record: World Attendance Milestone
🗒️ Notes: The final show of the Australasian leg. This concert sets a world record for the largest concert attendance per head of population, with over 41,000 fans in attendance.
📅 1978-12-02
📍 Auckland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand
🏛️ Western Springs Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Western Springs Stadium
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
The Isolar II finale in Japan – December 1978
📅 1978-12-06
📍 Osaka, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Koseinenkin Kaikan / Royal Hotel
🎸 Event: Japanese tour debut and press launch
🗒️ Notes: Upon arrival in Osaka, David holds a press conference at the Royal Hotel expressing his deep affection for Japanese culture. The day includes an appearance on the ‘Star Sen Ichi Ya’ television show and an intimate performance at Koseinenkin Kaikan which is broadcast on local radio, introducing his refined Berlin-era persona to the Japanese public.
🏛️ Koseinenkin Kaikan / Royal Hotel
🎸 Event: Japanese tour debut and press launch
🗒️ Notes: Upon arrival in Osaka, David holds a press conference at the Royal Hotel expressing his deep affection for Japanese culture. The day includes an appearance on the ‘Star Sen Ichi Ya’ television show and an intimate performance at Koseinenkin Kaikan which is broadcast on local radio, introducing his refined Berlin-era persona to the Japanese public.
📅 1978-12-06
📍 Osaka, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Koseinenkin Kaikan
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Koseinenkin Kaikan
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-12-07
📍 Osaka, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Koseinenkin Kaikan
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Koseinenkin Kaikan
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-12-09
📍 Osaka, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Banpaku Kinen Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🏛️ Banpaku Kinen Hall
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
📅 1978-12-11
📍 Tokyo, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Nippon Budokan / Mobile Unit
🎸 Event: Archival Recording: Budokan Night
🗒️ Notes: The penultimate show is recorded for archival purposes. The acoustics of the Budokan provided a “massive” sound for the ‘Heroes‘ and ‘Station To Station‘ segments, which was later captured on high-quality bootlegs.
🏛️ Nippon Budokan / Mobile Unit
🎸 Event: Archival Recording: Budokan Night
🗒️ Notes: The penultimate show is recorded for archival purposes. The acoustics of the Budokan provided a “massive” sound for the ‘Heroes‘ and ‘Station To Station‘ segments, which was later captured on high-quality bootlegs.
📅 1978-12-11
📍 Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵
🏛️ Budokan Arena
🎸 Event: Live performance at the Budokan
🗒️ Notes: The production moves to the legendary martial arts arena for a high-profile engagement. The scale of the venue allows for the full visual impact of the Isolar II neon light cage, providing a stark and futuristic backdrop for the final week of the world tour.
🏛️ Budokan Arena
🎸 Event: Live performance at the Budokan
🗒️ Notes: The production moves to the legendary martial arts arena for a high-profile engagement. The scale of the venue allows for the full visual impact of the Isolar II neon light cage, providing a stark and futuristic backdrop for the final week of the world tour.
📅 1978-12-12
📍 Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵
🏛️ NHK Hall
🎸 Event: Final performance of the world tour
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II tour reaches its conclusion with a professionally filmed concert for NHK’s ‘The Young Music Show’. Despite the fatigue of an extensive global schedule, the ensemble delivers a high-energy performance, particularly during the encore. The evening concludes with a celebratory ‘Just a Gigolo’ themed event at the Bee Club in Roppongi.
🏛️ NHK Hall
🎸 Event: Final performance of the world tour
🗒️ Notes: The Isolar II tour reaches its conclusion with a professionally filmed concert for NHK’s ‘The Young Music Show’. Despite the fatigue of an extensive global schedule, the ensemble delivers a high-energy performance, particularly during the encore. The evening concludes with a celebratory ‘Just a Gigolo’ themed event at the Bee Club in Roppongi.
📅 1978-12-12
📍 Tokyo, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ NHK Hall
🎸 Event: TV Special: ‘The Last Show’ (NHK)
🗒️ Notes: The final concert of the Isolar II World Tour. The show is professionally filmed for the Japanese TV special ‘David Bowie on Stage’. This was a emotional finale, with David addressing the audience in Japanese to thank them for the 78-date journey.
🏛️ NHK Hall
🎸 Event: TV Special: ‘The Last Show’ (NHK)
🗒️ Notes: The final concert of the Isolar II World Tour. The show is professionally filmed for the Japanese TV special ‘David Bowie on Stage’. This was a emotional finale, with David addressing the audience in Japanese to thank them for the 78-date journey.
📅 1978-12-13
📍 Tokyo / Kyoto, 🇯🇵 Japan
🏛️ Travel & Cultural Reflection
🎸 Event: Post-Tour Retreat & Sightseeing
🗒️ Notes: Immediately after the tour’s conclusion, David spends a few quiet days in Japan. David visit to Kyoto, where he reflects on the massive 78-date journey and his growing obsession with Japanese traditional arts, which will soon influence the ‘Lodger‘ project.
🏛️ Travel & Cultural Reflection
🎸 Event: Post-Tour Retreat & Sightseeing
🗒️ Notes: Immediately after the tour’s conclusion, David spends a few quiet days in Japan. David visit to Kyoto, where he reflects on the massive 78-date journey and his growing obsession with Japanese traditional arts, which will soon influence the ‘Lodger‘ project.
📅 1978-12-19
📍 Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland / Montreux
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Planning: The ‘Lodger‘ Sessions
🗒️ Notes: Back in Switzerland, David meets with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti. While the world is still listening to ‘Stage’, David is already sketching out the ‘nomadic’ concepts for his next album, ‘Lodger‘, marking the beginning of the end for the Berlin Trilogy era.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Planning: The ‘Lodger‘ Sessions
🗒️ Notes: Back in Switzerland, David meets with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti. While the world is still listening to ‘Stage’, David is already sketching out the ‘nomadic’ concepts for his next album, ‘Lodger‘, marking the beginning of the end for the Berlin Trilogy era.
📅 1978-12-25
📍 Kyoto, Japan 🇯🇵
🏛️ Private residence
🎸 Event: Christmas in Kyoto
🗒️ Notes: Following the tour’s end, David remains in Japan for a period of rest and cultural immersion. He celebrates the holiday in the historic city of Kyoto alongside his son and close associates, utilizing the time to conceptualize the visual aesthetics for his next studio project.
🏛️ Private residence
🎸 Event: Christmas in Kyoto
🗒️ Notes: Following the tour’s end, David remains in Japan for a period of rest and cultural immersion. He celebrates the holiday in the historic city of Kyoto alongside his son and close associates, utilizing the time to conceptualize the visual aesthetics for his next studio project.
📅 1978-12-31
📍 West Berlin, 🇩🇪 Germany / Blonay, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Private Residence
🎸 Event: Year-End: 1978 Achievement
🗒️ Notes: David concludes his most successful touring year to date. Having played to over a million people and successfully launched ‘Stage’, David enters 1979 with total creative control and a renewed focus on studio experimentation.
🏛️ Private Residence
🎸 Event: Year-End: 1978 Achievement
🗒️ Notes: David concludes his most successful touring year to date. Having played to over a million people and successfully launched ‘Stage’, David enters 1979 with total creative control and a renewed focus on studio experimentation.
I think the show in the film is Earl´s Court. Absolutely fantastic, quite possibly the best performance I’ve ever seen.
Jesus Christ, just saw Moonage Daydream & the Heroes footage blew me away. I’ve re-watched it up to 20 times. Don’t know which show that’s from but I know it’s Adrian Belew on guitar. The drumming kills me, Dennis Davis is phenomenal. Anyone know which show this is from?
Great site!