Just before Christmas in 1971 RCA records released 'Hunky Dory' by David Bowie. While this may now look like perfect timing the truth is that it enjoyed very little publicity and even less success at the time. 

I was convinced the track 'Starman' was on that album. It wasn't. Recorded in February 1972 it was the first single from 'Ziggy Stardust' issued the following June and it became Bowie's first hit single since 'Space Oddity', three years earlier. 

Before that summer, Stardom was still some way off for David Bowie. 

On the 10th February 1972 he played the 'Toby Jug' in Tolworth [see picture above]. A local pub venue of modest proportions. Nice related story if you click here.

On 5th July the video [below] of the Top of the Pops performance of 'Starman' would propel Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars up the singles and also album charts as he blew our minds. 

"Many fans date their conversion to all things Bowie to this Top of the Pops appearance".

Today let's sprinkle a bit of Stardust - and boogie

PS: Don't you just love the gormless guy in the tank-top dancing behind them ? 😁