David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

RCA

June 16th, 1972.

The fifth studio album from David Bowie helped reach new heights of stardom. Does it take a 'far out' mindset to mold and make it? Or has it been festering within since day one? Ziggy Stardust would signal the start of a signature sound of Bowie and co. The ties to the otherworldly alter ego of Ziggy Stardust would welcome a sea change in style and sound.

The artistic side of Bowie's repertoire is on full show on Ziggy Stardust - the flair is firing on all cylinders - red hot. From start to finish, Ziggy Stardust is a complete journey. The highs, the lows and everything between is what makes it such a compelling record.

It has been 50 years since Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars descended upon us. Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, and his band, The Spiders From Mars, consisting of Mick Ronson on guitar and piano, Trevor Bolder on bass and Mick Woodmansey on drums, welcomes the listener to succumb to a cinematic experience. Creeping to life through visions of market squares, mothers sighing and teachings of earths dying - what a surprise! - the opening scenes set up the album to be something of a religious experience. There isn’t a moment of waste, all elements serve a purpose in the grander scheme of things. Ziggy Stardust is about as heavenly, fulfilled and realized as they come. All recording artists spend their careers trying to make their own Ziggy Stardust.

You're a rock n' roll suicide x

June 16th, 1972.