Tomorrow night (Wed 5th June 2019) I'm leading my Rock'n'Roll London Pub walk with LIVE Music. Join me at 7pm Tottenham Court Road tube.
The 5th June 1964 saw the release of David Bowie's first record – Liza Jane on the famous blue Decca label, under the billing of Davie Jones and The King Bees.
One of my favorite areas of the Rock'n'Roll London tour is always the "pre-history" of David Bowie – the years before Ziggy when the plain old Jones boy was finding his way.
It's not a period that has gained many critical plaudits. Even hardcore Bowie acolytes often view it has having little more than curio value.
But for me it holds a continuing fascination - not merely because we can see within the songs and the image-changes the seeds of the 70s superstar to come.
It's a period when Jones/Bowie belonged to London. He was London's secret and his work is a mirror to the city at the time.
If you're unfamiliar with the period, here's my "Best Of" playlist featuring 10 Bowie tracks recorded between 1964 and 1969.
Track 10 is, of course, very famous – Space Oddity, year zero for most Bowie fans.
And I've left out The Laughing Gnome (although its blend of 1967 lyrical whimsy and the danceable Mod joy of the pilled-up, amphetamine bass line and THAT oboe make it a fascinating record) in favour of its B-side, The Gospel According to Tony Day - a taut, quasi-blues with an almost thuggish vocal delivery from Bowie.
If I only had to pick one of the tracks, it would be The London Boys, an achingly beautiful song that has gone on to become something of a London gay anthem. I'd go so far as to include this among the top ten tracks of Bowie's entire career.
The Rock'n'Roll London Pub Walk with LIVE Music
A rock & pop history tour with LIVE music from your guide
Wednesday 5th June 2019
Meet at Tottenham Court Road Tube (exit 1) 7pm
£10/£8 Pay on the day or book now…
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