It was 27 years ago to the day that the second David Bowie tour of the US opened with the first of two nights at the New York Radio City Music Hall. Billed as the 'Bowie US Tour II' on posters advertising the shows, (click on the image below to see a trade journal ad.) this is the tour that showcased songs from Aladdin Sane that eventually reached the UK via Japan in what eventually became a 100-day world tour.
Although known among fans as the Aladdin Sane tour it was never officially called that. The UK leg of the '73 tour was the one that Bowie famously killed off the Ziggy phenomenon, apart from a final dusting off at the Marquee later in the year for the 1980 floor show.
This first show at Radio City on Valentines Day was a landmark show for David with glowing reviews that put the Bowie name firmly on the map in the US. David unveiled many new costumes for these shows and new band members to boot, including the familiar face of pianist Mike Garson. Other additions for this tour were old friend John Hutchinson from the Feathers days on rhythm guitar, Geoffrey MacCormack on backing vocals and Ken Fordham on saxophone.
The concert was famous for Bowie collapsing onstage during Rock 'n' Roll Suicide. Reasons for his collapse ranged from reports of exhaustion, naked fear at the sound of a gunshot, and problems with his make up, but who are we to set the record straight once and for all?
Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)