David Bowie’s iconic 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is to receive the re-release treatment for its 50th anniversary this year. Pre-orders are not yet available, however you can view more details of the upcoming re-issue here.
On the day that we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of the Starman 45, it is with pleasure that we can announce the issue of two 50th anniversary vinyl versions of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album via Parlophone, on 17th June 2022. https://t.co/OH2kScVM44 pic.twitter.com/07YER606Ia
— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) April 28, 2022
The record will be released as an LP and picture disk, and will feature the same promotional poster that was released alongside the original album.
A press release regarding the re-issue stated: “This new pressing…was cut on a customised late Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics from 192kHz restored masters of the original Trident Studios master tapes, with no additional processing on transfer. The half speed was cut by John Webber at AIR Studios.” The press release went on to describe the beloved album, calling it “the breakthrough album that catapulted David Bowie into the international spotlight…has remained a touchstone record, growing in stature with each passing year.”
The classic single “Starman” turned 50 on the 28th of April, and a new lyric video has emerged ahead of the Ziggy Stardust re-release. You can watch it at the link below.
The iconic record was originally released on June 16th, 1972 via RCA Records, and features some of the legendary musician’s greatest hits, including “Starman”, “Moonage Daydream” and “Hang On to Yourself”. The record is described as being a sort-of concept album, and focused on one of Bowie’s well-known alter-egos; Ziggy Stardust, a queer, extra-terrestrial rock ‘n’ roller sent to save the world from aa looming apocalypse. Bowie assumed numerous characters besides Stardust throughout his career, such as Arnold Corns, Major Tom, Aladdin Sane and the White Duke.
In other news regarding David Bowie, reports back in November revealed that director Brett Morgen, the man behind the 2015 documentary Montage of Heck, that focused on the life of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, had spent the last few years working on a Bowie film that involves a great deal of archival concert footage, some of which has yet to be seen by the public.
The track listing for The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars can be viewed down below.
SIDE A
‘Five Years’
‘Soul Love’
‘Moonage Daydream’
‘Starman’
‘It Ain’t Easy’
SIDE B
‘Lady Stardust’
‘Star’
‘Hang On To Yourself’
‘Ziggy Stardust’
‘Suffragette City’
‘Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide’
