The ZIGGY STARDUST CompanionThe ZIGGY STARDUST Companion
Home ¦ Index ¦ What's New? ¦ News ¦ FAQ ¦ Encyclopaedia ¦ Timeline ¦ Songs ¦ Gallery ¦ E-mail
 |
News & Rumours | APRIL 2002 |
Starman is 30 years old!
April 2002"Starman" was released (full details and single reviews here) on the 28th April - 30 years ago this month. While sometimes reported as being released on April 14th 1972, the single was actually delayed by a couple of weeks and released on April 28th instead. This year the UK TV show, Top of the Pops 2, celebrated its 250th show with twenty all-time favourite TV performances as voted for on the shows website. Voted in 12th place overall, was the TV performance of Starman. And a new romantic comedy series called "Ted and Alice" has also begun on BBC1 in the UK with its trailer using "Starman" as the theme music. In this comedy Ted is an alien, an outcast on his own planet where he is a rare single-sex being condemned to a life in search of a mate. Alice's life seems set to change when Ted, who is not only looking for love but also a place to hide his spaceship, appears on her doorstep.
"Starman" Mobile Phone ring-tones: 8g1 8a1 2f1 2f2 8e2 8d2 8c2 8d2 4c2 8- 8d2 8e2 8d2 8c2 8d2 8c2 8d2 8c2 8d2 8e2 8d2 8c2 8d2 4c2 8g1 8a1 2f1 2f2 8e2 8d2 8c2 8d2 4c2 8- 8d2 8e2 8d2 8c2 8d2 8c2 8d2 8c2 8d2 8e2 8d2 8e2 8f2 4g2
The 30th Anniversary Ziggy Stardust CD!
April 2002EMI are to reissue the Ziggy Stardust album as a 30th Anniversary Special Edition 2CD set. Due on July 8th in the Uk and 16th July in the US the double CD will consist of the original remastered album, and a second disc of currently unavailable Ziggy-related recordings.
The majority of the songs on CD2 were released as bonus tracks for the 1990 Ryko reissue campaign, but this is the first time they have been collected together on one CD. The tracks, (which include demos and versions of songs that appeared on Ziggy, as well as songs that were recorded during the Ziggy sessions) have been unavailable to fans for several years as the Ryko CDs have been out of print for some time now. The bonus CD2 also includes a take of 'Moonage Daydream' recorded during the Ziggy sessions, but not previously released in any form. This stunning version has been remixed by Alan Moulder. Another treat for fans is the inclusion of studio banter between David and the band at the start of 'Sweet Head'.
The Ziggy Stardust 30th Anniversary Special Edition CD will come in special packaging with rare and unreleased pictures from the period and extensive sleeve notes with contributions from celebrity Bowie fans, and a Ziggy Stardust Time Line by Kevin Cann.
CD 1:
01 Five Years
02 Soul Love
03 Moonage Daydream
04 Starman
05 It Ain't Easy
06 Lady Stardust
07 Star
08 Hang On To Yourself
09 Ziggy Stardust
10 Suffragette City
11 Rock 'N' Roll SuicideCD 2:
01 Moonage Daydream (Arnold Corns version)
02 Hang On To Yourself (Arnold Corns version)
03 Lady Stardust (Demo)
04 Ziggy Stardust (Demo)
05 John, I'm Only Dancing
06 Velvet Goldmine
07 Holy Holy
08 Port Of Amsterdam
09 The Supermen
10 Round And Round
11 Sweet Head (Outtake - Take 5)
12 Moonage Daydream (Alan Moulder Mix)30th Anniversary Ziggy Stardust - 6 June 2002 - news
April 2002What's coming up to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ziggy Stardust?
* The latest update from EMI/Virgin Records is that the Ziggy Stardust 30th Anniversary CD will be delayed until 8th July in the UK and 16th July 2002 in the US.
* Also expect a reissuing bonanza from EMI/Virgin with a number of remastered albums bolstered by bonus tracks, revamped artwork and promotional material. It's believed that the production of the new packages will be overseen by Bowie himself, utilising original master tapes and additional material from his own archives.
* In addition, a multiple-CD box-set of rarities is in the offing.
* Part of the "Ziggy 30th Anniversary package" is rumoured to include previously unseen film footage filmed by Mick Rock that will be released on DVD/Video. Mick's very first promotional film was 'Moonage Daydream' shot on a Bowlex 16mm camera. It's was a collage of live footage from the first Ziggy Stardust UK Tour leg in April 1972. Expect this promotional film to be part of a Ziggy 2002 DVD release.
* D.A. Pennebaker has stated that he is 'keen to revisit' his 1973 live concert movie of Ziggy Stardust (The Motion Picture) and is 'optimistic' to redo a DVD of it totally restoring it.
* On sale now is the limited edition Ziggy 2002 print designed by David Bowie and Rex Ray. 2,002 signed and unsigned versions are available exclusively via the official David Bowie Store.
* The limited edition book from Genesis Publications entitled: 'Moonage Daydream: The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust' co-authored by David Bowie and Mick Rock is also due for ordering in June 2002.
* Bowie also mentioned plans for a movie, stageplay and internet component:
"Immodestly I'm trying to undertake something incredibly complex which is to recreate a "Ziggy" in terms of theatre, film and the internet - its a project for 2002. Its kind of a three parter - the three different mediums will act as an overview - a sum-up of this synthetic, artificial mythology of the late 20th century. Its pretty complicated because all three are completely different.... the theatre piece will be more internal, more reflective of the immediate repercussions of Ziggy and his effect on the people around him...his close intimates, how he thinks and what his perception of the world really is....The film will be the audience's perception of Ziggy's life....an objective piece about how he's viewed and perceived by his audience. "Will I be in the film?" "No, I think my days of portraying him are over. We'll do a massive casting call for the lucky lad, but I'm going to remain on the other side of the camera.....The internet piece will be pure fun, with hypertext links so you can find out who his mum was, and things like that - a huge exploration of his background. It's sort of factground, and startlingly info-packed maps and photographs. - compilation of Bowie statements about Ziggy 2002 at the end of 1999.
NME Covers
April 2002To celebrate it's 50th anniversary, NME is reprinting lots of its front covers, including a two page spread on Bowie, featuring some fantastic Ziggy Stardust cover pages. Plus Bowie's personal comments next to each one.
Ziggy's head in Baltimore
April 2002
"Staring out from the vacant storefront [on Chestnut Avenue] is what the locals have taken to calling the "David Bowie head," for its remarkable resemblance to the singer in his Glam-rock days. It's as if Bowie stepped off the cover of Pin Ups and was instantly decapitated, leaving only his orange hair, pursed lips, and steely eyes intact. No one knows where this sassy spectre came from, or why it graces Chestnut Avenue. A totemic tribute to that long-gone era of free love and androgyny? A hairdresser's relic from a time when the Day-Glo mullet was an acceptable look? Or is someone just trying to creep us out? - Baltimore newspaper
Ozzy likes Ziggy
April 2002Ozzy Osbourne's family are currently high ratings on reality based MTV. An online interview with Ozzy includes a question about his music listening habits. "To be perfectly honest with you, I should listen to more, but there's nothing really that grabs me, you know? I like the older stuff when I was younger like Zeppelin, the Beatles, McCartney, Lennon albums. Early Bowie albums like Ziggy Stardust." - Ozzy Osbourne
New Tribute Band
April 2002"We are a new David Bowie tribute band in Japan. The name of a band is "The Locutus." http://data35.hoops.ne.jp/
Suzi Ronson
April 2002Mick Ronson's wife Suzi is currently working with Rick Rose (singer/songwriter who was produced by Mick in the 80's) and record executive Jaimie Vernon on a tribute CD for Mick. See www.bullseyecanada.com/BullseyeNews.htm then click on upcoming releases or www.rickrosemusic.com. Jon Slaven at www.mick-ronson.com says that it's intended to be a multi-disc tribute to Mick's career, slated for release next year, the 10th anniversary of Mick's death.
Rock Archive features David Bowie
April 2002Rockarchive.com is a site devoted to showing and selling limited edition rock and roll photography by some of the worlds greatest rock photographers. For David Bowie links check out David Bowie search at rockarchive. Jill Furmanovsky, an award wining photographer and the founder of the site in 1998, set up rockarchive.com to unearth a fascinating and hitherto unseen rock and roll history that still lies largely hidden in her own 30 year rock archive as well as those of her colleagues. The website’s aim is to make some of that history available to rock and roll fans around the world in the form of collectable art prints at an affordable price.
"The Jean Genie" by Ian Dickson - new digital prints!
April 2002Ian Dickson is now offering the images from his Bowie box set "The Jean Genie" in digital form. The prints are made on Hahnemule Photo Rag 188gsm digital ink jet paper, which is a specially made acid-free paper, using Epson LightFast inks. Each print is signed and embossed with his personal stamp and he is selling them at £65 a print, inclusive of p&p. Above is the colour image showing borders and proportions to give an idea of the finished article.
Moonage Daydream book on track
April 2002"I am sending this message to all who joined the MOONAGE DAYDREAM interest list at this page on our website: Our heroes have been hard at work, and MOONAGE DAYDREAM is on schedule for launch in June, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original release of the Ziggy Stardust LP. It's been a long and carefully-planned mission, but we are now approaching lift-off. Thank you for staying with us. We expect to start taking orders in June, or (with a good wind) perhaps during May. Full details will be made available then. We shall email everyone on this list, and we shall additionally send a brochure to all earthlings who have supplied their street address too. Rest assured that you will be offered the first chance to order MOONAGE DAYDREAM, because you are on the priority interest list. In the meantime, sit back, relax and enjoy the countdown. Over and out." Oliver Craske, Senior Editor, Genesis Publications
New Pulp single cover features Ziggy's Heddon Street!
April 2002
Released on two CD singles, the cover for "Bad Cover Version" CD1 reproduces the Ziggy Stardust album cover (the title is also written in classic Ziggy Stardust typography) with a colourised black and white photo by Tony Webber of Pulp guitarist Mark Webber (then a 13 year old boy when the picture was taken) posing as "Ziggy" on Heddon Street. CD2 focuses in even more on the young Mark. The DVD release also features a promo video, the making of backstage footage and a photo gallery. Mark Webber also has a very brief cameo in the videos spoof of the Band Aid charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas'. The look-a-likes in the video include David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Robbie Williams, Liam Gallagher, George Michael, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bono, Missy Elliot, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Kylie, Bjork, Gary Numan and Jarvis Cocker.
The Guardian on Aladdin Sane
April 2002Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant selected their top five albums for The Guardian this week. Aladdin Sane was among their choices: "And now for one of my all-time favourites," announces Gervais. "David Bowie's Aladdin Sane. This won out of all the great Bowie albums, because it has melancholy beauty mixed with hope.... Bowie is a brilliant singer, songwriter, musician... He's got it all."
---This page last modified: 02 Oct 2002---
