Ziggy Stardust Birthday

In February 1972, David Bowie first appeared onstage as Ziggy Stardust.

ziggy stardust and spiders from mars

On February 10, 1972, the yet-to-be-superstar David Bowie stepped on the stage of The Toby Jug pub in London making his first appearance as Ziggy Stardust. At the time, Bowie had found some popularity with his song “Space Oddity” in 1969 and other work, but he had been searching for his own style and broader success. Bowie’s album about Ziggy, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, would not come out for six months after Ziggy’s first appearance.

Still, at least some of the sixty patrons of the pub recognized something big was happening. One audience member later recalled: “Bowie had brought theatre to a humble pub gig….I couldn’t blink for fear of missing something—nothing would ever be the same again.”

The alien rock star Ziggy arrived at the right time. The music of the album and Ziggy’s story of a rock star coming to earth and finding his destruction was perfect for the time. Rock music was changing, London was facing economic hard times, and the world was embraced by a Cold War. Bowie’s album went to number 5 on the U.K. Albums Charts (and number 75 in the U.S. n the Billboard 200).

Below is another 1972 performance from a little later in the year on June 21, 1972. The video features video from a Dunstable show synced with audio from another 1972 show. Check it out.

For more about Ziggy Stardust and his impact on society and music, check out this BBC documentary, David Bowie & The Story Of Ziggy Stardust. Among the interesting tidbits in the documentary, the narrator explains how Anthony Newley had an impact on Bowie.

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  • Will Ferrell Introduces Bulls & Hornets

    On Wednesday night, actor Will Ferrell did the introductions for the visiting Chicago Bulls and the home team New Orleans Hornets. The introductions are pretty funny (“he majored in Econ but minored in looove”), and the NBA players seemed to take the jokes in good humor.

    The New Orleans fans had fun, at least through the introductions. The Bulls won the game 90-67.

    Was it good fun to have Will Ferrell do the introductions or was it a distraction from the game? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    New Discovery: Sadie Jemmett “Up on the Heath”

    Sadie Jemmett I recently ran across some excellent music by Sadie Jemmett, a British singer-songwriter who claims to be influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. I hear a little Natalie Merchant in there, but I just know I really like her song, “Up On the Heath” and have been listening to it over and over again.

    Below is an acoustic version of the song. Check it out.

    If you like that one, check out the full band arrangement of the song and the rest of the album, The Blacksmith’s Girl (2011), below. Although she has been writing, performing, and recording with others for about a decade, The Blacksmith’s Girl is her first solo CD. Make sure to listen to “I’m Glad You’re Back.”

    Sadie Jemmett – The Blacksmith’s Girl by Sadie Jemmett

    Check out an Acoustic Magazine interview and her website for more music and to learn more.

    Beatles Arrive in America This Date in 1964

    beatles ed sullivan

    On February 7 in 1964, the Beatles landed at New York’s Kennedy airport, arriving in the United States for the first time and taking the country by storm. Two days later, on February 9, Paul McCartney (21), Ringo Starr (23), John Lennon (23), and George Harrison (20) appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in front of screaming fans.

    The four continued on a short American tour before returning to England on February 22. In the next few months, they had several hits in the U.S. and released their film, A Hard Days Night (1964). And then they returned to the U.S. in August to play sold-out arenas.

    On their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, during the first half of the show, the Beatles performed “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You,” and “She Loves You.” They returned later in the program to sing “I Saw Her Standing There” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”

    Before the last two songs, Sullivan announced that Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker had sent the group a congratulations telegram.

    The video below features the Beatles performing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” at this appearance. So, remember when rock was young while watching The Beatles play during their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show around a half century ago.

    What do you think of the performance? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Pop Culture Roundup (for Early February 2012)

    Arrested Development In case you were too busy with watching all of the Super Bowl commercials or with getting dumped from X Factor, here are some of the recent pop culture stories you might have missed.

    – Movies –

    If you are excited about multiple superheroes in the upcoming Avengers film, check out the trailer.

    The Chicago Tribune has a review of Big Miracle, i.e. the whale movie, by Michael Phillips.

    Great Scott! Back to the Future may become a Broadway musical.

    Adam Sandler is in talks to create a film based on the board game Candy Land. Where is the checkers movie?

    Bill Wyman wrote an interesting critique of the films of Steven Spielberg (“he hasn’t said anything new”).

    A new documentary about Bob Marley premieres at SXSW.

    Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin? — check out the new trailer for the movie Game Change.

    Still shaken. . .This year marks 50 years since James Bond first appeared on film. . .

    Monty Python members are reuniting for a science fiction film.

    Sarah Jessica Parker will play Gloria Steinem in biopic, replacing Demi Moore.

    Uggie, the dog in The Artist, is retiring. Unfortunately, the reasons for the retirement is ill health. (thanks @poochface)

    Kermit & Miss Piggy held a press conference to address accusations from Fox Business that they promote a liberal agenda.

    – Music –

    Salon considered how Madonna liberated America.

    R&B singer David Peaston (‘Two Wrongs (Don’t Make a Right)’) passed away at the age of 54 this week.

    A new Graceland exhibit looks at Lisa Marie Presley’s relationship with Elvis.

    Cover Lay Down posted 18 different covers of the Townes Van Zandt classic, “If I needed You.”

    The Flaming Lips sing with Suri from the Apple iPhone.

    Ringo 2012 Ringo Starr Ringo Starr discussed his 17th solo album. Read the Los Angles Times review of Ringo’s new album, Ringo 2012.

    An unreleased ABBA song will be released.

    Soul Train host Don Cornelius has passed away in an apparent suicide. RIP.

    Pres. Obama’s cover of Al Green boosted sales of “Let’s Stay Together” by 490%. Nice job Mr. President, but you can’t top Al Green:

    – Television –

    Roseanne Barr has filed papers for the Green Party’s presidential nomination.

    A video refresher course on why David Letterman is funny.

    How Stephen Colbert is beating the Supreme Court by illustrating the effects of its Citizens United decision.

    Kevin Bacon will star in a serial killer drama pilot for Fox.

    New episodes of Arrested Development are in the works.

    Check out some past stories about life on the set of Saturday Night Live.

    Robert Hegyes, who played Sweathog Juan Epstein on Welcome Back Kotter passed away. I hope he has a note to get into heaven. In other death news, Ian Abercrombie, who played “Mr. Pitt” on Seinfeld, passed away. RIP.

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