David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars - 50th Anniversary Edition (2CD)

David Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust, his most famous alter-ego, in front of 5000 stunned fans at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Now, the fully restored film and soundtrack will be released for the first time for the 50th anniversary of the show.

"Of all the shows on this tour, this particular show will remain with us the longest, because not only is it the last show of the tour, but it's the last show that we'll ever do.” David Bowie, 1973

“A truly great star knows not only how to make a grand entrance, but a grand exit.” 
Charles Shaar Murray 2023

On July 3rd, 1973, David Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust, his most famous alter-ego, in front of 5000 stunned fans at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Now, the fully restored film and soundtrack will be released for the first time for the 50th anniversary of the show. Renowned filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker (Monterey Pop, Bob Dylan - Don’t Look Back, Depeche Mode - 101) captured the momentous event by filming Bowie and The Spiders From Mars backstage and onstage. The digital  restoration of the new version of the film has been overseen by his son, Frazer Pennebaker with remastered audio. 

Although filmed 50 years ago, the film was not widely seen for over a decade. However, the film and its soundtrack have been newly remastered with the medley of ‘The Jean Genie/Love Me Do’ medley and ‘Round And Round’ featuring the late legendary Jeff Beck reinstated - the latter track making its very first appearance anywhere. Both performances were newly mixed by long-time Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti.

The show featured Bowie’s famous speech just before the final encore, "Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide," where he revealed that he was retiring the Ziggy Stardust persona. The shocking announcement came as a surprise to all in attendance – including members of his band and was the first proclamation of its kind in rock and roll.

Tracklist

CD 1
01. Part 1 Introduction (Incorporating: Beethoven Ninth Symphony (Arranged and Performed by Wendy Carlos)
02. Hang On To Yourself
03. Ziggy Stardust
04. Watch That Man
05. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
06. All The Young Dudes
07. Oh! You Pretty Things
08. Moonage Daydream
09. Changes
10. Space Oddity
11. My Death

CD 2
01. Part 2 Introduction (Incorporating: The William Tell Overture by Rossini) (Arranged and Performed by Wendy Carlos)
02. Cracked Actor
03. Time
04. The Width Of A Circle
05. Let’s Spend The Night Together
06. Suffragette City
07. White Light/White Heat
08. Medley: The Jean Genie / Love Me Do / The Jean Genie (feat. Jeff Beck)
09. Round And Round (feat. Jeff Beck)
10. Farewell Speech
11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide (Finale: Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar)