1972 - June: David Bowie “Ziggy Stardust”

The actual title of David Bowie's fifth studio album is The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. This influential album from the highly creative David Bowie would become the standard bearer of early 70's glam rock. This genre was outrageous, decadent, and a departure from the heavier, revolutionary political tone of late 70's rock music. Bowie created a character named Ziggy Stardust - an androgynous, bisexual rock star channeling aliens to save the earth from destruction which was only 5 years away. Bowie would later struggle to keep his own identity from being lost in that of Stardust. We hope you enjoy this journey into this iconic glam rock work.
“Ziggy Stardust”
The title track introduces the character, but doesn't appear to have actually been released as a single. However, it received significant airplay on the FM rock radio stations.
 
“Hang On to Yourself”
This track is less glam rock and more punk rock. The Ziggy Stardust album wasn't written as a concept album from the start, but morphed into that somewhat organically. That means that the songs themselves stand alone well, and there is variety in the type of songs you hear.
 
“Starman”
This song was the last to be recorded for the album, and was the first single released. Supposedly the powers-that-be had not "heard a single" from the album, which led to the addition of Starman.
 
“Suffragette City”
Believe it or not, this most famous of the tracks from the Ziggy Stardust album was the B-side to the "Starman" single. Bowie originally offered this song to the band "Mott the Hoople" when they were having difficulties but they didn't take it. They did record "All the Young Dudes," also by Bowie.
 
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“The Candy Man” by Sammy Davis, Jr.
This cover from the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" released the prior year would become one of Sammy Davis Jr's. biggest hits.
 
STAFF PICKS:
“Hold Your Head Up” by Argent
Rod Argent, formerly of The Zombies, formed this group who played this rock anthem. It was released as a single in 1972 before making it to an album, and was their only U.S. hit.
 
“Old Man” by Neil Young
Brian's staff pick takes a mellow and reflective approach with lyrics inspired by Young's relationship with an older owner of a ranch that Young bought. This is off the Harvest album.
 
“Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)” by The Hollies
Wayne brings us some swamp rock with his pick. This is one of the more rocking songs by The Hollies, with lyrics inspired by bootlegging days of the Prohibition era.
 
“Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
This is a cover of a song released and written by Charlie Ryan back in 1955. It has been recorded a number of times, but this one is the most popular version.
 
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“Amazing Grace” by The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
This spiritual piece actually made it on the top 40 at the time.