VH1 Storytellers set due on vinyl in October

“And so the story goes”

This Friday (23rd August) sees the 20th anniversary of David Bowie’s hugely entertaining musical performance with hilarious spoken interludes at The Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York for the VH1 Storytellers series.

In celebration, Parlophone will release a limited edition double vinyl LP on 11th October, 2019, with four bonus recordings not included on the original 2009 CD.

Keep reading for more details.

#BowieStorytellers

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

DAVID BOWIE - VH1 STORYTELLERS

AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON STRICTLY LIMITED DOUBLE VINYL 

RELEASED ON PARLOPHONE 11th October 2019

On the 23rd of August 1999, David Bowie played an intimate set for invited guests at The Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York for the VH1 Storytellers series. Ten years later in 2009 a CD/DVD/Download of the evening was released, and now 20 years on the most complete version available will be released as a strictly limited edition double vinyl LP.

The VH1 Storytellers TV series debuted in 1996 and featured several of music’s biggest names performing in front of a live audience while telling stories about the inspirations and memories associated with each song. Among the artists the show has hosted are Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Bee Gees, Kanye West & Steely Dan.

The Bowie set has long been regarded as one of the most memorable episodes in VH1 Storytellers history, with David delving deep in to his catalogue to perform tracks such as ‘Can’t Help Thinking About Me’ for the first time in 33 years, Aladdin Sane’s ‘Drive-In Saturday' which he had not performed since 1974 and ‘Word On A Wing’ which received its first outing in 23 years.

Bill Flanagan, Executive Producer of the VH1 Storytellers “We were used to dealing with legendary musicians. Still, landing David Bowie was more than a big booking. There’s no way to say this without being corny: it was an honour. Bowie has a unique place in rock & roll. He is not only one of the most influential musicians of the era, he does nothing unless he is fully committed”.

DAVID BOWIE VH1 STORYTELLERS

Side 1:

1. Life On Mars?

2. Rebel Rebel (truncated)

3. Thursday’s Child

Side 2:

1. Can’t Help Thinking About Me

2. China Girl

3. Seven

Side 3:

1. Drive-In Saturday

2. Word On A Wing

3. Survive*

Side 4:

1. I Can’t Read*

2. Always Crashing In The Same Car*

3. If I’m Dreaming My Life*

*Bonus recordings not included on the original CD.

DAVID BOWIE ‘VH1 STORYTELLERS’ is released on Parlophone 11th October 2019

Bowie Bandstand gets Grade II listing on 50th Anniversary

“It was ragged and naïve, It was Heaven”

On the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s historic appearance at the Growth Summer Festival on 16th August, 1969, the bandstand in Croydon Recreation Ground in Beckenham (on which he performed on the day), has received Grade II listing status on the advice of Historic England.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), Rebecca Pow, said:

“David Bowie is a cultural icon and 50 years on from his performance at the ‘Bowie Bandstand’ in Beckenham it is right that we remember his influence on music and culture in this way. Our country's music industry is a huge success story and artists like David Bowie will always play an important role in how the rest of the world views the UK, helping us to attract millions of visitors each year to experience and enjoy our rich history and culture."

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said:

“Walking past this typical yet characterful bandstand, you probably wouldn’t expect it was once the stage for a young man who would become one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century. It is a rare survival from a historic iron foundry in its own right, but its significance as a site that inspired David Bowie shows us how powerful our historic places can be and how important it is that we protect them so they will continue to inspire people for years to come.”

The bandstand itself was built in 1905, to the design of the McCallum and Hope Iron Foundry and is thought to be the only bandstand from this foundry still standing in Britain. Today it is owned by Bromley Council and watched over by the Friends of Croydon Road Recreation Ground.

The bandstand was the stage from which the 22-year-old Bowie performed a set and compered proceedings at the one-day festival. The event inspired him to write Memory Of A Free Festival, a seven minute song recorded for his second album (released in November 1969), and issued as a two-part single in June the following year.

Croydon Road Recreation Ground has played host to a one-day festival in August for many years since the Growth Summer Festival of 1969. Today known as Bowie’s Beckenham Oddity, this year’s festival takes place tomorrow (Saturday 17th August), 50 years and a day since Bowie’s original appearance.

Many thanks to the organisers of Bowie’s Beckenham Oddity Festival and Members of the Friends of Croydon Rec, Wendy Faulkner and Brian Blandford, and everybody else involved with the recognition of the Bowie Bandstand’s significance.

BOWIE’S BECKENHAM ODDITY is an annual fundraiser which was supported by David Bowie when he provided signed items for auction at the event. This year the Bowie Archive has donated a postcard signed by him on the 40th anniversary of the event in 2009.

FOOTNOTE: The montage here is an amalgamation of David Bebbington’s original photograph of David Bowie performing on the bandstand 50 years ago today and Sara Captain 's painting of that picture.

#bowiesbeckenhamoddity  #bowiesbandstand  #SpaceOddity50

Bowie By O'Neill retail edition due Thursday

“Yes, I’ve read the morning papers”

The long-awaited retail edition of Bowie by O'Neill: The definitive collection with unseen images by Terry O'Neill is published this Thursday, 8th August.

With more than 500 photographs including contact sheets published here for the first time and an introduction from Terry discussing in detail his experiences of working with David, this is the ultimate portrait of an inspiring, challenging and ever-changing artist. O’Neill had a close working relationship with David Bowie, including photographing the iconic “Jumping Dog” image used for the promotion of Diamond Dogs.

David once said: “The great thing about Terry was that I was always guaranteed a centrespread in the papers after a photo session with him.”

A picture from the particular session illustrated here was first published in the Daily Mirror in January 1975. For UK  fans at least, these spreads were always a very welcome first glimpse of a new Bowie look.

Terry O’Neill said: “When I first started to collect all my images and contact sheets of David Bowie, I didn’t realize how many I had! That first phone call I received to work with Bowie resulted in a real partnership between us; I was lucky enough to get that call and smart enough to say yes. He was a one-of-a kind, always changing and a true genius. It gives me great pleasure to be able to share with the world the images I captured and my memories of working with this extraordinary artist. He has the most loyal fans I’ve ever come across and I truly hope this book brings them a lot of joy.”

The Iconic Images store is offering just 300 copies of Bowie by O’Neill signed by Terry.

@terryoneillofficial @iconicimagesnet

#BOWIEbyONEILL 

Iman honoured with the Franca Sozzani Award

“Give my children sunny smiles”

Congratulations to Iman with the news that she will be honoured with the Franca Sozzani Award for her humanitarian work and efforts to make the fashion industry more diverse.

The accolade was established by the family of the late Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and recognises women for their careers in the arts and their dedication to charitable organisations.

The 64-year-old model will receive the award at an event at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice on 27 August. It will be hosted by Sozzani's son, photographer and film director Francesco Carrozzini, who established the award with his wife Bee Shaffer, daughter of U.S. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

“Iman's work has disrupted the fashion industry in a way similar to Franca's: bold, innovative and inclusive," Carrozzini said in a statement. "Using her platform to the best of its potential, Iman's work from lobbying the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) for an increase of diversity on the runway to impactful humanitarian work, displays her true passion and focus. We are truly honoured for her to accept the Franca Sozzani Award.”

Iman follows in the footsteps of Julianne Moore, who was the first-ever recipient of the award back in 2017, and Salma Hayek, who was feted last year.

The supermodel began her career in 1975 and was a muse of designers Gianni Versace, Halston, Calvin Klein, and Yves Saint Laurent. She went on to develop her make-up collection, IMAN Cosmetics, which caters specifically for women of colour.

Iman has also been involved in humanitarian work for the Children's Defense Fund, Action Against Hunger, and the Raise Hope For Congo campaign. (Source)

FOOTNOTE: David and Iman are pictured here at the 2007 Food Bank of New York Can-Do Awards Dinner.

#DavidAndIman 

Remembering Haywood Stenton 'John' Jones

“When the father steps aside, At the wrong time”

Fifty years ago today on the 5th of August 1969, David Bowie's father, Haywood Stenton 'John' Jones, died of pneumonia (aged just 56), at the family home in Bromley.

In 1993, David spoke to writer and fellow one-time Bromley resident, Hanif Kureishi, about the loss of his father.

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

“It was at a point when I was just beginning to grow up a little bit and appreciate that I would have to stretch out my hand a little for us ever to get to know each other. He just died at the wrong damn time, because there were so many things I would have loved to have said to him and asked him about.

All those stereotypical regrets when your father dies and you haven’t completed your relationship. I felt so...Damn! Wrong time! Not now, not now!”

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

David is pictured with both parents (John and Margaret Mary 'Peggy' Jones) top left in our montage and bottom left with his father and cousin Kristina.

Haywood Stenton "John" Jones - 21 November 1912 to 5 August 1969

First ever full-page Bowie press advert is fifty

“Me, I’m fresh on your pages”

The first ever David Bowie full-page press advert appeared fifty years ago today (2nd August 1969), in the American trade magazine, Billboard.

Not the most exciting advert visually, but it conveyed the message well enough. The folks at Mercury were serious about their new boy and they wanted to show it.

This was in celebration of the release of the Space Oddity 45 on Mercury in the US, and it was certainly a lot more than Philips in the UK were doing to promote the new record at this point.

If you think you know of an earlier David Bowie full-page press advert, published anywhere in the world, please let us know about it.

#DBAOTW

Official Bowie 2020 A3 wall calendar pre-order

“Hang him on my wall”

Pre-order here.

#BowieA3Calendar2020 

Official Bowie 2020 limited wall calendar pre-order

“It burns my wall with time”

Pre-order here.

#BowieLtdCalendar2020 

Denis O’Regan opens gallery in Hammersmith

“I'd like to launch a gallery, Put you all inside my show”

On the evening that the UK recorded its hottest day ever (Thursday 25th July), the new Denis O'Regan Gallery W6 was successfully launched in London. Here’s a bit of info:

As one of Britain’s top rock photographers, Denis O’Regan has collaborated with legendary artists including David Bowie, Queen and the Rolling Stones, creating iconic images and capturing both the grit and the glamour of rock star life.

His illustrious 45 year career has seen him serve as official photographer at international festivals such as Glastonbury, Download & Coachella, and on tour for legendary performers including Duran Duran, Thin Lizzy, Spandau Ballet and Pink Floyd.

His astounding archive serves as a social history of contemporary music, documenting the emergence and growth of movements such as Punk & New Wave, New Romantic, Heavy Metal and Grunge.

Famous for his deceptively relaxed approach, Denis’s easy-going personality ensured Access All Areas on lengthy world tours with a host of seminal musicians and bands, and the natural intimacy of his photographs is due to the friendships he forged in the process. His comprehensive back catalogue features hundreds of thousands of photographs, taken during travels through more than half the world’s nations.

Many of Denis’s iconic images will be shown at the gallery - David Bowie in Thailand & Singapore, Freddie Mercury and Queen at Wembley Stadium and their final ever show, at Knebworth, and Spandau Ballet and Pink Floyd images from their international tours.

Long before drones were used for crowd shots, Denis took his life in his hands and climbed the scaffolding at Milton Keynes Bowl for his famous shot of David Bowie’s Serious Moonlight show, capturing the 63,000 audience of smiling faces as far as the eye could see.

And now, for the first time ever, he’s bringing this entire rock & roll archive under one roof with the opening of the Denis O’Regan Gallery in Hammersmith.

The gallery will serve as a retail space with a large selection of Denis’s limited edition prints for sale as well as unique pieces available only at the gallery. His signed limited edition boxed set ‘Ricochet : David Bowie 1983’ which is the only David Bowie book in the permanent collection in London’s V&A Museum, and Duran Duran’s ‘Careless Memories’ will also be available to purchase.

Denis O’Regan

271 King Street

London

W6 9QF

#GalleryW6  #DavidBowieRicochet

Space Oddity (2019 Mix) video online at midday UK

“Commencing countdown, engines on”

As promised yesterday, the new David Bowie video for Space Oddity (2019 mix) that premiered at The Kennedy Center in Washington a few hours ago, and shortly afterwards in Times Square in New York, will be available to view online from midday UK time (BST), today.

The video will be viewable on the David Bowie YouTube channel and you can watch it for the first time with other fans by tuning in live at 12:00pm.

The chat is open now so follow this link to interact with other fans while you wait:

#SpaceOddity50  #Apollo50th

Space Oddity video in Washington and Times Square tonight

“Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight”

As you know, the new David Bowie video for Space Oddity (2019 mix) will be premiered at a NASA event at The Kennedy Center in Washington this evening. The premiere will commemorate 50 years since Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, as well as the 50th anniversary of Space Oddity’s original release.

Shortly afterwards (somewhere between 22:30 and 23:00 ish local time (EST)), the video (without sound) will be aired in Times Square. It was originally to be shown with sound, but due to the extreme heat advisory for today (20th July), the City of NY has cancelled all outdoor events for the health and safety of the public.

Space Oddity 2019 will be available to view online tomorrow from midday UK time (BST), stay tuned for more details tomorrow morning.

The video features footage of David Bowie performing Space Oddity at his 50th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden in 1997 (directed by Tim Pope), married to footage shot and directed by Édouard Lock (the founder and choreographer of the Montreal dance troupe La La La Human Steps), for the onscreen back drop of Bowie’s 1990 Sound & Vision tour.

Go here for the full press release regarding the video for Space Oddity (2019 mix).

#SpaceOddity50  #Apollo50th

Space Oddity and Apollo 11 head for success

“Here am I sitting in a tin can, Far above the world”

Though the early signs weren't looking so good for Space Oddity on 17th July, 1969, Apollo 11 was well on its way to a successful mission following a perfect lift off the previous day.

Even with the BBC’s use of Space Oddity as unofficial theme song for the Apollo 11 mission, it would be a few more months before the single would peak on the UK singles chart.

However, the crew of Apollo 11 would land successfully on the moon on 20th July 1969, an event being celebrated with a new David Bowie video which will be premiered at the NASA event at The Kennedy Center in Washington on 20th July.

Check out a series of teaser videos on the Official David Bowie Facebook page. 

#SpaceOddity50

One Giant Step – David Bowie’s Space Oddity on R2 tonight

“Do you remember a guy that's been, In such an early song”

Though not officially sanctioned, Tris Penna and Sue Clark’s latest Bowie-related production for BBC Radio 2 airs at 21:00 this evening, and is well worth a mention here.

We’re sure you remember their award-winning Exploring Life On Mars? documentary, presented by Martin Kemp and originally broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on January 9th, 2017. The programme won the BBC’s Radio & Music Awards BEST MUSIC PRODUCTION gong last year.

Tonight’s look at the evolution of Space Oddity and the continuing saga of Major Tom is surely destined for similar accolades.

Listen here: https://smarturl.it/OneGiantStepBBCR2

Keep reading for the full blurb.

#BowieOneGiantStep  #SpaceOddity50  #BowieAtTheBBC  #ExploringLifeOnMars 

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

One Giant Step – David Bowie’s Space Oddity

BBC Radio 2

Tx: Saturday 13th July 2019 at 9 pm

Presenter: Tris Penna

July is the fiftieth anniversary of the release of David Bowie’s first hit single 'Space Oddity' in 1969 and One Giant Step examines in detail arguably Bowie’s most famous song - one which was to have a vital, brooding presence throughout his career.

We look at why on the back of 9 flop singles and many attempts at fame - Space Oddity was written, and examine the influences that led to this career igniting song, with new interviews with his then duet partner John Hutchinson and good friend Dana Gillespie.

We hear the earliest known full demo of Space Oddity - performed as a duo with Hutch, but with differing lyrics and arrangements. We have unheard archive interview of Bowie’s manager at the time, Ken Pitt, discussing the unaired TV special 'Love You Till Tuesday' for which the song was written, and we hear a previously unheard studio outtake of the TV recording of the song from February 1969.  

We learn about his multi-media trio Feathers - which became Bowie and Hutch, one of the origins for the song (having been conceived as a duet) - plus other significant influences such as Stanley Kubrick’s movie ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. 

We learn how Bowie admits that 'Gee I am Major Tom' and how the invention of the Major Tom character would be the very first of many character creations in his career. We reveal what Tony Visconti thought of the song and why he gave it to Gus Dudgeon to produce. Bassist Herbie Flowers who played on the track tells us about the original recording session. We also hear from Philips Records executive Olav Wyper on how he helped make the record - against all odds - a hit.  

We discover how David Bowie’s first UK number one single was a re-issue of Space Oddity in 1975 and hear the 1979 bleak Lennonesque remake. We hear from video director David Mallet - who made the startling video for Space Oddity 1979 which presaged the award winning video for Ashes To Ashes - the song of course prominently features 'Major Tom' who is by now a junky.

We have exclusive archive of Bowie talking about Ashes to Ashes and the continuing story of Major Tom. In a brand new interview Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant tells us how they came to remix ‘Hallo Spaceboy’ - and how it was his idea to 'cut up' the original Space Oddity lyrics and sing them with Bowie on the hit. 

We also hear audio of the very last time Bowie performed the song in 2002 in Denmark. Space Oddity has by now become such a part of popular culture that it was no surprise when astronaut Chris Hadfield performed Space Oddity live from the Space Station. And in an exclusive interview superstar film director Johan Renck tells us about the creative process of working with Bowie on the Blackstar video - the video that sees Major Tom finally laid to rest, made only months before Bowie’s untimely death.

The programme is presented by Tris Penna, who as a record executive and producer knew and worked with David Bowie. Produced by Tris Penna and Sue Clark Productions for BBC Radio 2.

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

Space Oddity goes gold on day of box release

“You’ve really made the grade”

On the very day that the BPI in the UK have announced that Space Oddity has gone gold (again), you’re most likely aware that Parlophone also released a 50th anniversary double 7” box set of Space Oddity today (12th July).

Single 1 features both the original mono version of the song plus the original mono B-side, Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud and it’s contained in a replica of the ultra-rare original promotional UK single sleeve.

Single 2, which boasts superb new 2019 mixes of both songs by Tony Visconti, comes in a new sleeve with a Ray Stevenson shot of David taken on stage during a performance of Space Oddity at the ‘Save Rave ‘69’ concert at the London Palladium on 30th November, 1969, in front of a backdrop featuring a NASA astronaut.

The single edit of the new 2019 Tony Visconti mix of Space Oddity is also available for streaming and digital download now.

The box also contains a double-sided poster featuring an alternative version of aforementioned Ray Stevenson shot at the London Palladium and an original Space Oddity print advertisement, alongside an information card and a print featuring an alternative shot by Jojanneke Claassen from the Space Oddity promo single cover session. All this is housed within a sturdy and quite delicious purple, mirror-board box.

Reading some of the comments on Bowie socials, it seems that most are in agreement that this box is a thing of beauty.

Get yours here.

#SpaceOddity50

Barbie as Bowie available now

“Ain’t that close to love? Well, ain’t that poster love? Well, it IS that Barbie doll...”

In the year that Barbie celebrates her 60th and on the very day that Space Oddity hit half a century, toymakers Mattel have announced a new collectable doll inspired by Bowie’s post-Ziggy Stardust creation, Aladdin Sane.

Dubbed Barbie as Bowie, the doll is dressed in one of the popular costumes sported by Bowie on his 1973 tour, including the iconic red platform boots, a Schwarzkopf ‘Red Hot Red’ mane of hair and gold disc on the forehead.

It’s not yet known if Ken will follow suit, but we reckon he would look great as Halloween Jack or The Thin White Duke.

More here.

#Barbie  #BarbieAsBowie 

Space Oddity x Unlock The Moon Experience

“I shoot at a full moon”

DAVID BOWIE - “SPACE ODDITY x UNLOCK THE MOON EXPERIENCE”

WEBSITE LAUNCHES IN CONJUNCTION WITH 50th ANNIVERSARY OF MOON LANDING

As you’re possibly already aware, this month marks the 50th anniversary of two historic cosmic events that shaped the course of history: David Bowie’s classic single “Space Oddity”, originally released 50 years ago today on 11th July, 1969, and the inaugural moon landing.

To celebrate these events, Parlophone has launched the new David Bowie “Space Oddity x Unlock The Moon Experience” today. The website, www.spaceoddity50.com, allows users to direct their phone’s camera towards the moon and, once perfectly aligned, unlock the brand new 2019 Tony Visconti mix of “Space Oddity” a day before the track is released as a digital single for streaming and digital download.

The new “Space Oddity” video  will be premiered in its entirety on 20th July during Apollo 11: A 50th Anniversary Celebration—One Small Step, One Giant Leap, a one-night-only tribute to the 1969 moon landing from the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), in collaboration with NASA on Saturday, 20th July at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

Parlophone will release a double 7-inch single of “Space Oddity” tomorrow, 12th July, featuring both the original “Space Oddity” mono version plus the original B-side “Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud” and brand new 2019 mixes of each by Tony Visconti.  The single edit of the new 2019 Tony Visconti mix of “Space Oddity” will also be available for streaming and digital download tomorrow.

Photo © Ray Stevenson

#UnlockTheMoon  #SpaceOddity50

Space Oddity single is fifty today

“Blastoff…”

David Bowie’s 1969 breakthrough single, Space Oddity, is fifty today (Thursday 11th July).

The review in our montage from the July 12 1969 UK magazine Disc and Music Echo, was by Penny Valentine (a long-time champion of the unknown David Bowie), who starts her appreciation thusly:

“I have a bet on in the office that this is going to be a huge hit and knock everyone senseless. There are disbelievers among us!”

Well, Penny may have worried she was going to lose her wager for the first few months, but hopefully she collected big time when the record eventually peaked at #5 on the official UK singles chart in November 1969. As you know, her predictions would be further cemented when the 1975 reissue of the song gave Bowie his first #1 in the UK.

Stay tuned here and to the official David Bowie social pages for some fun Space Oddity related goings on.

Official David Bowie Socials:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

#SpaceOddity50

Paul Smith anniversary edition Space Oddity LP

“And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear...”

Paul Smith is delighted to announce another collaboration with David Bowie in the shape of a multi-colour vinyl version of Bowie’s 1969 album, Space Oddity, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark release.

This limited edition of 3000 copies worldwide will be released tomorrow (11th July, 2019), 50 years to the day from the UK release of the original ‘Space Oddity’ single. The album will be priced at £25 and available from selected Paul Smith shops and online.

To accompany the release, a small-scale exhibition of limited edition photographic prints by Vernon Dewhurst and Ray Stevenson offers the opportunity to see some intimate portraits of Bowie at a crucial point in his career. These prints will be on show at Paul Smith’s shop in London’s Mayfair at No. 9 Albemarle Street from July 11th to August 6th.

Keep reading for the full press release.

#PaulSmithBowie  #SpaceOddity50

PAUL SMITH CREATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF DAVID BOWIE’S ‘SPACE ODDITY’ ALBUM LIMITED TO 3000 COPIES WORLDWIDE

PAULSMITH.COM

The British designer has created a multi-colour vinyl version of David Bowie’s 1969 album Space Oddity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark release.

This extremely limited edition pressing of 3000 copies will be released on July 11th, 2019, 50 years to the day from the July 11th, 1969 UK release of the original ‘Space Oddity’ single.

The front cover of this special edition features the original 1969 UK Philips release of the album. It features the British photographer Vernon Dewhurst’s famous portrait of David Bowie, merging into a colourful optical art background of blue dots inspired by the work of Victor Vasarely. The rear cover is decorated with a surrealist image from another of Bowie’s regular collaborators, the illustrator George Underwood, titled ‘The Depth of a Circle’.

In reference to the album’s famous opening track, ‘Space Oddity’, the new 12” record comes with a vibrant blue and yellow starburst pattern. This unique design is created by hand, making each vinyl a one-off piece of art.

To accompany the release, a small-scale exhibition of limited edition photographic prints by Vernon Dewhurst and Ray Stevenson offers the opportunity to see some intimate portraits of Bowie at a crucial point in his career. These prints will be on show at Paul Smith’s shop in London’s Mayfair at No. 9 Albemarle Street from July 11th to August 6th.

The new release is the latest chapter in an on-going partnership between Paul Smith and David Bowie, which has continued after the artist’s sad passing in 2016. Friends for many years, David and Paul collaborated on projects including creating a special red vinyl version of David Bowie’s album The Next Day in 2013 and a series of special edition T-shirts for David Bowie’s final album, ★ (Blackstar) in 2016.

3000 copies of this limited edition release will be produced worldwide, priced at £25 and available from selected Paul Smith shops and online from July 11th, 2019.

PaulSmith.com

D.J. follows suit and enters today’s U.K. chart at #1

“I've got believers“

Following the trend started when the Official UK Vinyl Singles Chart started in April 2015, D.J. (the latest David Bowie 40th Anniversary 7” vinyl picture disc issued by Parlophone), has entered today’s new chart at #1, after its release last week.

Of the 40th Anniversary discs, the only one not to hit the top spot so far is Be My Wife, though it still managed a very respectable second place. It’s also fair to assume that had the chart been around at the time, all of the other 40th Anniversary discs from Starman onward would have performed similarly well.

Currently the Official Vinyl Singles Chart covers the period from 12th April 2015 to 11th July 2019. All releases listed below are 40th Anniversary 7” vinyl picture discs, unless otherwise stated.

#1 - D.J. (2017 Tony Visconti mix - single edit) - July 2019

#1 - Boys Keep Swinging (2017 Tony Visconti Mix) - May 2019

#1 - The Rebels - David Bowie’s Revolutionary Song - April 2019 - RSD (Music On Vinyl - Numbered sleeve, transparent blue vinyl 7”)

#1 - Breaking Glass EP - November 2018

#2 - Let's Dance (Full Length Demo) - April 2018 – RSD (Black vinyl 12")

#1 - Beauty And The Beast - January 2018

#1 - "Heroes" (Single Version) - September 2017

#2 - Be My Wife - June 2017

#1 - No Plan EP - April 2017 – RSD - (Sony Music - Numbered sleeve, transparent blue marbled vinyl 12”)

#8 - Placebo Featuring David Bowie ‎- Without You I'm Nothing - April 2017 - RSD - (Universal Music - picture disc 12”)

#1 - Sound And Vision (2017 Remastered Version) - February 2017

#1 - TVC15 (Original Single Edit) - April 2016

#1 - Golden Years (Single Version) - November 2015

#1 - Space Oddity (UK Single Edit) - October 2015

#1 - Fame (Original Single Edit) - July 2015

#1 - Changes - April 2015 - RSD

#2 - Tom Verlaine Kingdom Come - David Bowie Kingdom Come - April 2015 - RSD (Elektra/Parlophone Side By Side series - translucent white 7")

D.J. joins Boys Keep Swinging in today’s top ten (currently #9 on its way down from the top spot) along with the Breaking Glass EP which has re-entered the chart at #34.

The week after Bowie’s passing (in January 2016), the Official Vinyl Singles Chart top 20 was dominated by 13 different Bowie singles.

Of course, not only is this an indication of how Bowie’s music endures, it’s also a reflection of how faithful Bowie fans are, for it is you that have made the David Bowie 40th Anniversary 7” vinyl picture disc series the success it is. Thank you.

#BowieVinyl  #BowieOCC  #DBDJ40 

Mercury Demos now available to stream

“And as the sparrow sings, Dawn chorus for, Someone else to hear”

Following on from recent announcements that both the Spying Through A Keyhole (STAK) set and the Clareville Grove Demos (CGD) are available to stream, we can now tell you that The ‘Mercury’ Demos set is also available from today, 5th July, via the usual streaming outlets.

The ‘Mercury’ Demos are 10 early Bowie recordings captured live in one take to a Revox reel to reel tape machine in David’s flat in spring 1969, with Bowie on vocals, guitar and Stylophone and with accompaniment from John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson on guitar and vocals.

 Space Oddity

Janine

An Occasional Dream

Conversation Piece

Ching-a-Ling

I’m Not Quite (aka Letter To Hermione)

Lover To The Dawn

Love Song

When I’m Five

Life Is A Circus

The vinyl version of the ‘Mercury’ Demos comes in a beautiful replica of the original tape box featuring a mono 33 1/3 rpm vinyl LP, a print, two photo contact sheets and sleeve notes by Mark Adams. The labels of the LP feature the same EMIDISC acetate styling as Spying Through A Keyhole and Clareville Grove Demos with the song titles in David’s own handwriting. Read more about the release here.

#BowieTheMercuryDemos