The BBC reports that video of Bowie performing "Jean Genie" has been recovered. Recorded for Britains "Top of The Pops".
Camera man John Henshal was smart enough to snag a copy never thinking the tape would be erased and stated "I just couldn't believe that I was the only one with it. I just thought you wouldn't be mad enough to wipe a tape like that." he continued with, "I didn't realise that it had been wiped by the BBC. "They'd been looking for it for years, hoping that somebody had maybe pointed an 8mm home movie camera at the screen, because there was no VHS in those days. "I didn't realise that anybody wanted it. I'd just had it because it was my Fisheye. "I had loads of ideas for optical effects back then."
A 1973 performance by Bowie is a magical thing, How wonderful that this gem was found. How forthright of Henshal to give so freely of it- I'd have held the thing ransom. But dont go searching Youtube just yet.
The first showing will be in a BBC4 documentary, Tales of Television Centre, to be broadcast in the new year.