What you need to know:
It is the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s last concert under the alter ego of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars. The tape of that show arrives remastered in theaters.
Yes, it is the 50th anniversary of the show in which ‘The rock chameleon’ withdrew his most famous alter ego from the stage. For this reason, the film of the David Bowie’s last concert as Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars.
From the outset, we must say it: Starman fans will really enjoy this remastered installment of one of the most iconic presentations offered by the British idol. There are many things worth keeping an eye on and here, we tell you why.
Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars
It was July 3, 1973 when David Bowie finished one of his biggest, most legendary and at the same time exhaustive tours. Just a year earlier, for his fifth studio album, the English adopted the image of Ziggy Stardust.
That androgynous-looking alien inspired by glam rock would eventually become the most remembered alter ego of not only its creator, but in one of the most emblematic characters in the history of music. The concept was colorful in terms of image and hypnotic if we talk about the musical, making the Brit a revolutionary artist in many ways.
The film of David Bowie’s last concert as Ziggy Stardust sums up all that legacy. Do you want to see it? Well, here is the data: This installment will be screened on July 12 and July 15 in Cinemex theaters. Here’s the trailer so you can have a taste and keep reading that we’ll tell you more…
3 reasons to see David Bowie’s last concert as Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie was tired of Ziggy Stardust, but he knew what it was like to put on a great show
The movie about David Bowie in his last concert as Ziggy Stardust is very special for different reasons.. It is well known that this footage has been circulating everywhere for years, and that it has received its respective reissues on different occasions.
But this new installment by far offers a different experience. But with this, we mean something more than just restoring the image, sound and more… In a strict sense, we see a David Bowie in his prime, at 26 years old, taking the concept of what it is to be a showman to another level.
And there is an important contrast in it: On July 3, 1973, the last concert of the Ziggy Stardust Tour at the Hammersmith Odeon (now known as Eventim Apollo) of London. As we said, this was at the time one of the longest and most exhausting tours for Bowie, who was starting to get a little tired of his alien alter ego.
Understandable if we take into account the chameleonic essence of David, an artist who sought to renew himself with each record release; By that time, he had already made two albums, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Saneunder the tint of glam rock… so it was time to evolve.
The film of David Bowie’s last concert as Ziggy Stardust, we relive that iconic speech at the end of the show where, literally, Bowie said: “Of all the concerts on this tour, this particular show will stay with us. Not only is it the last concert of the tour; It’s the last concert I’ll give“.
This speech scared everyone and it was thought that Bowie was retiring from music. But all he meant was that Ziggy was saying goodbye forever.. Exhausted from keeping the character afloat, the show put on by Bowie and his musicians is a vibrant display that It gives us an idea, for those of us who did not live in that era, of what the Starman was like at that time..
The appearance of Jeff Beck is finally shown
As we told you before, this film about David Bowie and his last concert as Ziggy Stardust, has had different reissues. In the releases it had over the last 50 years, while it was a major collector’s item, there was always the feeling that there was a lot of content to see.
Because? Well, why? Jeff Beck was one of the guests on that show, where he played with David and his band the songs “The Jean Genie”, “Love Me Do” (originally by The Beatles) and “Around and Around” (by Chuck Berry). However, Beck did not allow the sequences where he appears to be shown in past theatrical releases, DVD and more.
It is even said that Jeff (who passed away in January of this 2023) did not even know that this concert was being recorded. But hey, now with this new installment, fans will finally be able to see the appearance of the legendary guitarist in that presentation…
The film of David Bowie’s last concert as Ziggy Stardust and the theatrics of the Starman
There are many reasons why David Bowie is ‘The Chameleon of Rock’. But it is fair to say that it was at that time that he reaffirmed the reason for that nickname. Glances backstage, though brief, give us a more intimate look at Bowie as he changes his outfits.
While the incredible Mick Ronson and the rest of the band rock the stage with spectacular improvisations and smashing guitar solos, Bowie goes backstage for a drink, a cigar, a little chat and at some point, to hang out with Ringo Starr (who only appears for a little while, but it is a moment to remember).
What Bowie shows at the concert, whether backstage or on stage where he even mimes, gives us an idea of how he revolutionized the concept and what it means to perform live. There is a captivating theatricality to it.
