Perfectly fabulous.

Two words that come very close to describing my feelings for the 1972 David Bowie rock masterpiece The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. Unlike anything heard before or since (disregarding previous and future brilliant works from the talented innovator), Ziggy Stardust proved that Bowie was an amazingly talented lyricist and musician.

Hailing from Brixton, England the young yet eccentric Bowie (born David Jones) began to play music at the age of 13. It took little time for him to become enthralled with rock. Bowie soon began to perform as a member of a variety of now forgotten mod bands. The first of his singles were released in 1966, but were largely ignored. It took until three years later for anybody to really take notice.

In 1969, Bowie (who changed his name in lieu of Davy Jones’ success as a Monkee) signed with major label Mercury. He soon released his first full-length LP. Man of Words, Man of Music wasn’t a massive success but yet it did produce the still-classic single Space Oddity. Just one short year later, he returned to the studio and recorded the uncharacteristically hard rock album The Man Who Sold The World. Again, few people caught on to Bowie…he was a bit too much to digest at that time.

Late 1971 welcomed yet another Bowie album. The prolific songwriter calmed down for just long enough to record the pop-folk-rock album Hunky Dory. An impressive album, but the whimsical and stylish album did give him an idea. It was soon after this release that Bowie “became” Ziggy Stardust and his backing band adopted the name The Spiders From Mars.

He wore wigs, claimed to be gay, and was exceptionally flamboyant in every sense of the word. Bowie’s wild caricature was a hit and managed to create a great stir in both the UK and America. So when The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust… finally hit shelves in 1972, it was successful. Americans talked about the strange glam rocker, the British thought him sensational. Today, that album and those eleven tremendous tracks continue to be relevant musically and important to the evolution of rock and roll.

Since Bowie’s experiments with Ziggy Stardust, he’s released no fewer than twenty sometimes great and sometimes disappointing albums. His career has been amazing, his impact on the music world undeniable. And the fact remains that despite his earliest musical tampering it was Ziggy Stardust that really put him on the map in America and solidified his dominant position in the UK.

Ziggy Stardust is an unpredictable, amazing, effervescent album. A concept album, the songs are almost all supposed to have some connection to the asexual alien rock star Ziggy Stardust. In the end, the concept is somewhat lost, but the fact remains that Bowie’s lyrics are strange and compelling, paranoid and insane. Aside from Bowie’s writing, words, guitar, keyboards, and production, there were a few other collaborators on this brilliant release. Mick Ronson also offered up guitars and piano. Trevor Bolder added in the bass and Mick Woodmansey the drums. The end result of this collaboration fulfills the fantasies of every rock fan. Ziggy Stardust is one of a very select few albums in which every song is recognizable and most still get airplay even on today’s radio.

As already mentioned, Ziggy Stardust came chock full of eleven songs. In 1990, Rykodisc released a version of the album with five added tracks. Two are exclusive to the Ryko edition (John, I’m Only Dancing and Velvet Goldmine), one is a rarity (Sweet Head), and two are alternate versions (Ziggy Stardust, Lady Stardust). This is a wonderful addition to an already stellar release. Listeners should be overwhelmed by the greatness of the sixteen tracks and swept up in the world occupied by none other than Bowie and Ziggy Stardust himself.

The grandeur of Ziggy Stardust is unquestionable throughout, but songs like Suffragette City, Five Years, Ziggy Stardust, and Starman best reflect the true perfection of Bowie’s fantastic, sweeping masterpiece. This isn’t to say that the other seven original tracks aren’t amazing…they are better than about 95% of the music released today. This is an album meant to be appreciated on the whole, and even the newest Bowie converts should find something extra special when wholly digesting the LP or CD.

One of the most special of the moments can be experienced from the first words yelped in ecstasy on Suffragette City. This is the song that recall first hearing as a child and the song that still stands out as one of the albums most flawless. Ringing guitars, incessant drumming, and emotional singing all help this song to shine and to seem absolutely perfect. But it’s one line that always reminds me of the fascinating nature of Suffragette City…you know the one…

Ohhh, Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am!

Light and flowing, Lady Stardust also calls out to me. The piano, slow pace, and methodical arrangement combined with the unpredictable energy possessed by Bowie makes the track all that more impressive. The fact that the eleven original tracks on this album can be this varied yet still remain clear and creatively tight proves the perfection of Ziggy Stardust. This is probably the most thoughtful and emotionally riveting song.

I smiled sadly for a love I could not obey
Lady stardust sang his songs
Of darkness and dismay

Five Years is one of the most perfect album beginnings in history. It sets the mood, tunes the ear, and is perfect on a musical level. Rock guitars and drums seamlessly blend with the lovingly played piano and various orchestral instruments. Five Years is easy to fall in love to and with. It would be impossible to not listen to the rest of Ziggy Stardust if you began your journey from this, the first song. As the song progresses, more layers and energy are added until a nearly frenzied pace that introduces the second track, Soul Love.

Your face, your race, the way that you talk
I kiss you, you're beautiful, I want you to walk

Uniquely gorgeous, Starman again impresses upon listeners the talent of Bowie. Sparsely arranged, little is necessary aside from the acoustic guitars, light percussion, a light bass, an occasional keyboard and the radiant violin. Starman is fantastically assembled. Bowie is truly the master of his medium. The lyrics here aren’t necessarily profound, but the way in which they are sung makes them seem absolutely essential to understanding Bowie. He seems to be having fun…and listeners should have an equally pleasant listening experience.

Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

Ziggy Stardust as a title track remains one of Bowie’s most important musical contributions. The lyrics are outlandish, yet help to define the persona that Bowie adopted in the early 1970’s. The guitars are grinding, driving, intelligent and creatively free. These guitars paired with timeless drums, unexpected instrumentation, and the talented artist’s unique vocals and vocal arrangement push the track to apex of the album. If Ziggy Stardust had consisted of nothing more than the title track, I would have been at least somewhat pleased. The fact that there are ten additional amazing tracks makes it a necessary evil in any rock collection.

Making love with his ego Ziggy sucked up into his mind
Like a leper messiah
When the kids had killed the man I had to break up the band.

There are a few bonuses to having the Rykodisc edition (1990). I already mentioned the presence of the extremely rare track, Sweet Head. But that’s not the real thing that makes this printing extra special. Not even John, I’m Only Dancing and Velvet Goldmine can equal the treat offered by the alternate versions of Ziggy Stardust and Lady Stardust.

The second version of Ziggy Stardust is much sparser. Populated by just a single acoustic guitar and Bowie’s thoughtful vocals, the song rethinks the rock style of the classic Ziggy. It is with this less refined Ziggy that listeners truly get a feel for the artist and his song’s intention. Much the same generalizations can be made about track sixteen, Lady Stardust. Bowie sits in front of nothing more than a piano and sings with great care. It’s difficult not to completely adore these two very special bonuses…not to mention the three extra tracks.

Do you consider yourself a fan of rock music? If so, then Ziggy Stardust is a most necessary part of your collection (regardless of size). Had it not been for Bowie’s ability to create new kinds of music other bands and much of the punk movement couldn’t have ever become famous. Ziggy Stardust is musical perfection, David Bowie is a master.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Track Listing:
01. Five Years
02. Soul Love
03. Moonage Dream
04. Starman
05. It Ain’t Easy
06. Lady Stardust
07. Star
08. Hang on to Yourself
09. Ziggy Stardust
10. Suffragette City
11. Rock & Roll Suicide
12. John, I’m Only Dancing
13. Velvet Goldmine
14. Sweet Head
15. Ziggy Stardust (alternate)
16. Lady Stardust (alternate)


Recommended: Yes