The Companion

Home ¦ Index ¦ FAQ ¦ Encyclopaedia ¦ Timeline ¦ Songs ¦ Gallery ¦ E-mail

"Johnnie Walker Show": 5, 6-9 June 1972

Radio/TV/Film/Video Index

Recorded: 22 May 1972
Broadcast: 5 & 6-9 June 1972
Venue: Aeolian Hall Studio 2, New Bond Street.
Producer: Roger Pusey
Musicians: David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder & Mick "Woody" Woodmansey

This session featured excellent versions of "Oh! You Pretty Things" (broadcast on 5 June 1972), and "Starman" (broadcast four times from 6 June 1972 to 9 June 1972). "Starman" featured Bowie adding live vocal and guitar overdubs to the original backing track. Although recorded, the songs "Changes" and "Space Oddity" were not broadcast on these dates. The four songs were:

"Oh! You Pretty Things"
"Starman"
"Changes"
"Space Oddity"¹

¹ Included on the DAVID BOWIE BBC SESSIONS 1969-1972 (1996). Of interest is the additional lyrics Bowie adds for this version.  He sings  "just a Rocket-Man" at the end of one verse, apparently in jest at Elton John's recent single release "Rocket Man" - which borrowed heavily in concept from Bowie's "Space Oddity". Elton's response?: "Bowie is having a hit with Space Oddity because I had a hit with Rocket Man" (16 August 1973)

---This page last modified: 13 Feb 2000---