The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars was an unassuming little platter that changed David Bowie from just another rock and roller to legendary pioneer.
Cher, Madonna, Gaga hell just about every poptart on the scene will get refereed to as 'reinvented' as they change their hairdos but Bowie- he rewrote himself. He not only reinvented but he was nearly a schizophrenic day dream.
Forty years ago this album was released- its cover art take on Heddon Street in London and screw the Queens Jubilee, the streets on fire with Ziggy Mania on June 5th.
There will be a Ziggy tribute artist performing live playing the Ziggy album in its entirety as the first set, then classic Bowie as the second set. He will be wearing his homage to Ziggy and wearing a jumpsuit as a near copy of Ziggy's on the album cover. That alone is worth it if only of the laugh. It's one thing to be an Elvis impersonator, but Ziggy? I cant even imagine that one.
Vegetarian restaurant 'tibits' have created a ''Stardust'' cocktail which is made with a rose, cardamom and lemon zest syrup with triple sec and noilly prat. I don't even know what that is but it sounds pretty vile.
Ziggy is said by some to be the pioneer of glam with that spikey do and the spandex suit. Listen to the album now and it sounds so much more pop We're jaded but in its release, it was revolutionary.
Any song that starts with "I'm An Alligator", is cheeky now but profound 40 years ago. "Moonage Daydream" is a tune that has always made me feel a bit alone. I wouldn't call it depressed but just it can totally transport a mood. The spooky' background 'oooo's", really impact me and again I am unsure why.
Bowie is what molded me. My admiration of all things Bowie peaked and dipped as my musical tastes evolved. There was no replacement and there will never be. To cross genders and brain space is a tribute to his brilliance. A rather awkward vocal and innovative approach to his accompaniment can never be replicated. "Freak Out.. Far Out…In Out"
"Starman" has been sung so many time in so many dark scenarios that I could never count. Again, a desolate sadness emits from it, and that may be just be me- but the image of lost is engulfing.
Don't get me wrong, Ziggy isn't a depressing album but its powerful as hell. Again since music and emotion (coupled with my place in the world when I first heard it) mold forever my impression of its sound.
And with Ziggy I remember dragging a friend off a train track in the middle of the night, he drunk and covered in his own vomit- it was fucking freezing out but hell no would I let someone off themselves if I could avoid it. At the time I used to wear this horrid black trench coat and Doc Marten boots and I remember wanting to kick him in the head for trying to commit suicide on me but I didn't want puke on my shoes (I'm no fool that stench never leaves) Could this be the reason that Ziggy Stardust (which hung as a cassette tape in my 74 Cutlass) has such a bleak vibe? "Rock and Roll Suicide" never even came to thought- it does now though.
Ahh, 40 years later such a happy go lucky gal I am that I can listen to this and almost make some devil horns and do the booty shake to "Suffragette City" Wham Bam Thank you Bowie!
See tell me an artist who can pull that crap out of your soul these days.
Happy Anniversary Ziggy! You're Not Alone, You're Wonderful! xooxo