DAVID BOWIE - First TV appearance 1970 - SPACE ODDITY

Although he released an album and numerous singles earlier, David Bowie first caught the eye and ear of the public in the autumn of 1969, when his space-age mini-melodrama "Space Oddity" reached the top five of the UK singles chart. After a three-year period of experimentation he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam-rock era as a flamboyant, androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust, spearheaded by the hit single "Starman" and the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The relatively short-lived Ziggy persona epitomised a career often marked by musical innovation, reinvention and striking visual presentation.
In 1975 Bowie achieved his first major American crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the hit album Young Americans, which the singer identified as "plastic soul". The sound constituted a radical shift in style that initially alienated many of his UK devotees.[citation needed]
He then confounded the expectations of both his record label and his American audiences by recording the minimalist album Low -- the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno. His most experimental works to date, the so-called "Berlin Trilogy" nevertheless produced three UK top-five albums. The anthem-like, towering title track of the second work "Heroes" (1977) is widely regarded as a milestone in rock and pop.
After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had UK number ones with the 1980 single "Ashes to Ashes" and its parent album, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). He paired with Queen for the 1981 UK chart-topper "Under Pressure", but consolidated his commercial -- and, until then, most profitable -- sound in 1983 with the album Let's Dance, which yielded the hit singles "China Girl", "Modern Love" and, most famously, the title track.
Since the mid-80s only a handful of Bowie's recordings have entered public consciousness. In the British Broadcasting Corporation's 2002 poll of the 100 Greatest Britons, Bowie ranked 29. Throughout his career he has sold an estimated 136 million albums, and ranks among the ten best-selling acts in UK pop history.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #39 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[2].

[@laurih.t.8723]

The introvert who forced the extrovert exterior. Most beloved person in my time on this planet. Not ashamed to say he changed my life. And will forever adore him.

[@monicapushkin3274]

The audience had no idea how lucky they were at the time.

[@saturnsun203]

I saw him in 78 on stage

[@jadecunningham4414]

He was quite shy until he created personas to hide behind. I remember he said on a chat show once that he was so shy that Ziggy was a way of putting himself out there. He knew people would react strongly to a controversial figure so it was his way of forcing himself to beat his shyness by creating a situation that he then had to deal with. Unique angle. Unique person.

[@cranecitytramp]

+Jade Cunningham The big smile at the end. I think its a mixture of shyness and gratefulness. He'd been trying since 1965, his 1967 album had flopped leading to his record company dropping him. The success of Space oddity was big for him, giving him the confidence at just the right time to achieve what he did later.

[@pauledeneau1616]

+cranecitytramp Also when he points his finger toward the orchestra to do the M. Ronson guitar slide..but no Mick, so he cringes a bit, turns head away and returns a tad late to next lyric. Then at @ 2:33 after another guitar attempt from orchestra we see Bowie mutter something under his breath../Im guessing something like"wankers" but smiles again and finishes like a pro. No wonder he smiled at the end, partially forgiving the band possibly included in that finale?

[@cranecitytramp]

Paule Deneau Yes, the eccentric backing band probably also contributed to it. It would be interesting to know what happened to the award they gave him at the end. Maybe its still in a box of treasured objects in the loft of his New York mansion where he died, or did he bin it on the way out of the auditorium that day. :)

[@dowen679]

+cranecitytramp i think the MOR backing highlights the strength of the material (if it can survive this.....)

[@arwensiriustinuvieljoestar6149]

I am one of those people, he help me a lot he is only always there. I painted him in the top of my bed so I can always see him when I'm sad, it will sound weird but I talk whiy it 'cause is reconfortable

[@DeborahDebNickrand]

22 years old, and a visionary.

[@norahherbie8537]

+Deb Nickrand yeah..and still great as ever.

[@arwensiriustinuvieljoestar6149]

yes hahahahha

[@vampguy]

throughout almost the whole video he's pretty stiff and shy, but then you see at around 3:07 he starts to loosen up and get comfortable. i'm so proud of how far he's come.

[@yeehaw23smitty]

Wow...pure unadulterated talent right here. He did not need the studio "sound effects' to make him sound good. I still can't believe that he said (regarding himself) "I didn't believe that I could sing well".

[@madgemuso7314]

Yes his phrasing is perfect and you can hear every word. Lovely sweet sound in the “for here” parts especially. ❤️

[@chrisridenhour]

I have a bottle of wine from 1970. I'm thinking of opening and drinking it to this song

[@Rebel1972x]

Are you still alive?

[@marcymcmillan6297]

He did very well for his first TV performance...you can see near the very end....he is smiling so big, he's a little shy and happy with his performance and gets into it more....so cute

[@missbeevan]

But it's not his first TV appearance though, he was on BBC in 64,65,also ITV, German TV, Dutch TV, Irish TV and more.

[@creeperhun7er332]

I think he's smiling because the orchestra and solo was kinda botched. You can see during the orchestra part he's kinda embarrassed

[@romill6424]

agreed he was certainly on the tonight program introduced by cliff michelmore and performing spacce oddity possibly 2 years before this @@missbeevan

[@pproferes]

its tough not to tear up watching this. His talent was immense from the very beginning...and a glorious smile. Yes, an enormous loss

[@cyndibear5]

One of the most distinctive voices in rock and roll history. We'll miss you David, rest in peace.

[@gazsmash]

Never has there been a loss so great to the music world since Lennon RIP David Jones .

[@Jessica-fo7mv]

+gazsmash I think the world stopped when Freddie Mercury died, too. Icons like these could never ever be replaced, especially Bowie. He is definitely one of my top heroes, and I hope his legacy lives on with the younger generations for years to come.

[@PapagenoMF]

+gazsmash Not true. Just depends on the kind of music you listen to. I'd say Irving Berlin had a much greater impact on 20th century music than David Bowie. Not to say he's not good, but most people couldn't name a single Bowie song. He wasn't exactly a hit maker.

[@rogerbarrett9920]

+Mo - depends on your age and musical tastes- I started with Space oddity when it came out and also bought changes, low. lodger, ziggy stardust etc as they were released final album was Tin man- but then I'm 67, the 60's onward were great times for progressive artists and groups-RIP David

[@lamalacabeza3557]

+Mo He wasn't exactly a hit maker.? Bowie had a million hits,this song is one of them,go to google idiot.

[@PapagenoMF]

La Malacabeza Hits are relative, dude. Again, I'll repeat. Walk down the sidewalk and ask random people to name a David Bowie song. You won't get many. BTW I googled "idiot" and got an image of a pack of Marlboros and a black-lunged toothless moron named "La Malacabeza" who reeked of idiocy and cigarette smoke.

[@RobynRind]

A major piece of me died with you........ Thank you for being a life preserver for this 14 yr old misfit, weirdo, freak, we were/are one love. RIP Starman

[@pietajanssenvanelst2167]

Voor de kameleon tevoorschijn kwam en er nog een verlegen jonge man op het podium stond! De grootste PopArtArtiest van alle tijden! R.I.P. Mr. David Bowie.

[@TDDWEST]

40 years later, it's still a great song with relevance. Bowie is a great Artist,..

[@cadburyenglishman]

Bowie's talent and gifting is absolutely magnetic! No one quite like him! He could never give a bad performance....

[@TheQ97]

too soon to name my fav song, BUT . . . for now . . . GOLDEN YEARS!!!!! DAVID . . . Thanks For Making The World A BETTER PLACE!!! R.I.P.

[@AndreasWiedow]

. . . and may God's love be with you . . .

[@JasonDarrell]

+Andreas Wiedow - wonderful choice. I'm talking about the tune, not Mr Bowie's outfit. No wonder his eyes were different colours!

[@lemurianchick]

WTF?! I just watched Bowie doing "Ziggy" in 1973 and I am trying to figure out how he got from looking like Robert Plant to Ziggy. What a transformation.

[@tommymorgan4677]

Mick Ronson`s wife Suzanne (Fussey) Ronson was part of it, she took care of the hair cut and the outfit, Kansai Yamamoto.

[@martinfalls6614]

David was all about transformation. No one will ever see this. OK.

[@mickram23]

This is probably the greatest pop song ever written . David Bowie (along with Kate Bush) was, and is, a true original. Let's hope he tours again.

[@hard.to.define]

Bowie is long gone now... People miss him so much.

[@cricketlee9820]

I'm Still Shocked. Devastated. And Will Be Forever Heartbroken Losing This Brilliant Man.

[@motorlife7037]

first time i was so sad this tuesday (think it was) cause I wastoo young to understand the loss of Freddie Mercury

[@conroecurio5145]

I was in the kitchen with my morning coffee when my son came out of his room telling the news. "Mom, David Bowie died " I almost dropped my cup and started crying almost immediately! surprised my self at why I would cry so over so.eone I never met but felt like I just lost a friend.. He will be missed

[@personalcheeses8073]

Cricket Lee 4 years on from your original comment and yeah I’m still feeling that way ☹️

[@hegelbot]

If I never see the english evergreens I'm running to! RIP our Black Star.

[@anthonyace7880]

this version is soo amazing! especially the way it ends, its so epic!

[@TinaPhotakis]

My favourite song of all time! RIP David and thank you for all the hours of beautiful music xx

[@maxwellthaddeus]

A true great, a sunset of a thousand colours ~ good night david bowie, thank you for the magnitude of unparalleled music.

[@mrslovvet]

Nice shirt. It's interesting to watch him perform this early in his career. You can tell he's a little shy.

[@issie2232]

RIP David Bowie. Always in our hearts and never forgotten.

[@107Karnage]

Was there ever a more unique and beautiful song written? I think not. Miss you DB. We're losing all the greats.

[@107Karnage]

I bet the astronauts play this on every space trip.

[@HCPoulsen]

UltraManBG They do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZKydGyaltOrhNE

[@32mybelle]

Oh he was so handsome!

[@CrustyAbsconder]

He accomplished more in that performance than most musicians accomplish in their whole lives

[@ajsbabyyellow]

I just fell in love with him all over again. ♡♥♡♥

[@terrashay9533]

happens to me often ... usually on a Saturday night when I tune out the world and just watch his vids and play albums. Makes me lose all interest in the reality of today, I'd rather just keep falling in love.

[@norahherbie8537]

so beautiful from the beginning till the last day...rest in peace David,thank you....you win the award for originality in every way

[@IoEstasCedonta]

"I've begun a society for the protection of long-haired men..." Ironically, his hair is much, much longer here.

[@benjiradebe3329]

Where can I join

[@hu_the_fukfan2299]

@@benjiradebe3329 damn u just ask after 12. Years and David’s dead

[@lippy123445]

I remember watching this on tv 1970 and then seeing Starman live on TOTP in 1972 and not realizing it was the same person !!

[@OnlyGoodMusic_]

Before Starman, I remember in 1971 seeing some photos in a magazine of Bowie and Angie walking their baby, Bowie looked like the woman.

[@pablito72]

An artist, a genius, thanks for everything... RIP Starman.

[@demise234]

I was only 16 when I heard this. I couldn't stop singing it much to the annoyance of my school mates who thought I was a 'freak'. David Bowie has been the only performer who's photograph I had on my bedroom wall and I had to share a bedroom with my sister who was into michael jackson at the time. I sprayed my sandals silver and my boots green. He is a very talented man and deserves respect.

[@DavidDatura]

Hard to believe this is pre-Ziggy Stardust, he looks so...normal, like later in his life only younger.

[@alisonabedelmassieh9193]

He looked similar when he played Glastonbury in 2000...

[@obblivionkr]

Still got that weirdly intoxicating voice, though.

[@mareeking5349]

RIP David Bowie, thank you for the music xo

[@thumbwarrior760]

If only so many other artists would dare to be as non-conformist as David Bowie. He was one of the if not the most original artist out there. RIP Ziggy in the great gig in the sky

[@chuburrito]

Rest In Peace, Spaceman.

[@jimrebr]

It was early summer, 1969, I had just turned 14 & I did a lot of babysitting jobs, for spending money. I was watching these two tykes, a baby and a toddler overnight, whilst their parents were out of town. It was about 11pm & I was listening to my favorite underground LA FM station, KMET, 2 weeks before the 1st moon landing & this song came on. I listened intently and remembered David Bowie, his name , the song just penetrated my soul, it was dark outside and I imagined the whole song, in picture form, the way my brain memorizes and forms pictures. I knew the song by heart, I was at my bff’s house & she had a small photo of the most gorgeous man, taped over her bed, I looked closer and it said David Bowie, my 1st sight of him & it was love at 1st sight, as well as 1st sound…ah David, how I loved him.❤

[@jonsuyama4152]

Cool story. Bless your teenage heart.

[@misstreebird]

DAVID was SO aDORable! The house band couldn't catch the time, but the Star man, never crashed he just smiled & sang & played guitar. Such talent, such grace, the most brilliant star from far-out space.

[@miraclebearpola]

Beautiful voice and so talented.

[@markrc8713]

This was a fantastic day in the history of music :) Bowie was breaking new ground in the most fabulous way - whether it is now possible to see that from your perspective today or not x

[@maskulinfeminin]

I had never thought that I would feel so sad about the loss of David Bowie, but it is what it is! Fortunately he had made so many great songs that his music will always stay with me! His first television appearance is not this one but on BBC Tonight programme as the founder of The Society for the Preventation of Cruelty to Long-Haired-Men back in 1964. His first TV appearance as a performer was certainly back in 12th November 1969 on a Swizz-German show called Hits A Go Go with a playback performance of Space Oddity. You can watch both clips here on KZbin. This performance you can watch here was set on 10th May 1970 on the 15th Ivor Novella Awards by the Songwriters Guild of Great Britain at Talk of The Town, broadcast on TVR, where David Bowie won the Special Award for Orginality. And this was perhaps the first time David Bowie chanted live on Television ever.

[@Dustshoe]

Colour broadcasting in Britain, I believe, began in 1970. Most homes would have had a black-and-white television so that most people who watched this performance would have only watched it in black-and-white. What a difference colour made. We always forget the simple things.

[@kjsh987]

30 decades and four years hearing the best music of all time. thats something that only one person like david can give you. 34 years its a lot and hope we have another 20´s hearing his voice.

[@TheScafool]

Thank you very much for posting this. He was and is a great performer and it was good to be reminded of how good he was even back then.

[@ziggystardust7258]

I love David with his long Hair The World has lost a Genius R.I.P. Mr Stardust

[@jodali11]

he's so beautiful! RIP great man. ❤

[@getitherething.2653]

Omg! This is so cool he’s so talented!!!!! Bless him he looks a little shy. Just you wait people.... he’s gonna blow your minds!!!!

[@djtgmusicchannel]

wow, walked out and performed live. sounds just as good a studio recording. this is why he was a super star. what good are saying these things now. this is such a sad song.

[@killybay2]

Who would have known he would have went on to become one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and beyond.

[@jamesbryan1644]

Crazy ! Crazy stuff. That pic-up, those bell bottoms.............BOWIE !!!

[@angelab3180]

Months pass, I still feel like someone stole my soul. "Modern Love" played at the supermarket yesterday, couldn't help it the tears were flowing.

[@mickavellian]

A masterpiece song with no production and no drama. His Ziggy persona did it. He already had a following among Brit stars(Beatles,Stones)The line about Ziggy and his hair compared to a "cat from Japan" was a real experience. Imagine Japanese hair with that cut Pure spikes. How that became a "mullet" I'll never know but I remember being a lil kid and watching his first TV appearance in the US and screaming I WANT THAT HAIR and my sister who loved the song but never seen him recoiling in horror.

[@danielappleton153]

FANTASTIC & better than today's " entertainment ".

[@acportrait]

Escuto David desde meus 13 anos, estou com 62... Nunca irei esquece-lo, a voz é surpreendente, a performance inigualável e a criatividade a mil...

[@mafaahauhnar7456]

Ground Control to Major David Bowie, May God's love be with you. Without you planet Earth is blue, And there's nothing we can do.

[@SimonThe1st]

As with the Beatles, his music will still be listened to in a hundred years' time.

[@JSoul]

Everything feels nostalgic and melancholy in this version, I like it

[@ladyblackstardust390]

Such a life! No one can compare to Bowie's influence and global fans through six decades. Rock the Cosmos, David. Thank you.

[@rhapsodyqueen483]

his smile while he sings, omg

[@jeanlucleroy4221]

The man who save the music♥

[@caz3787]

This man was beautiful and a beautiful voice.Loved him.xx

[@Koalaears]

Original until the end! What a loss 😢 Thanks for all your wonderful music and films David ❤️

[@Maha1J]

💗 love him sweet heart A great song writer & performer

[@katiaeka8511]

He's the voice of the planet. მშვიდობით დევიდ, მიყვარხარ! R.I.P. I will always love you !

[@mmajortomm3398]

🇬🇪✊😍

[@RayyMii]

he looks beautiful 😢

[@2yrslfbtru]

A wonderful man introduced Bowie to me many years ago. Many years, songs, concerts, and personas later, Bowie still has what it takes to ignite a crowd. Saw him on his most recent tour and he looked and sounded amazing. Fabulous video as the memories come flooding back.

[@Squillionz]

I cannot possibly love this enough. Fantastic.

[@wallacelux]

EPIC IN EVERY WAY

[@shawnalekizer8090]

So AWESOME! Awesum!!! :D & You Know! :) Beyond & thanx to whoever you are for this moment in space & time! All my best!

[@Masquesystemsltd]

cringe

[@51516]

+Shawnale Kizer And pay no mind to the meanies. Your comment was very nice.

[@petej3800]

words do not do this man justice an icon so so good will miss him for the rest of my life

[@Si13ntstang]

Heavy hearts agree, you will be missed...

[@SunFlower3Happy]

Happy 69th Birthday David.

[@Aragonstar]

+Happy Sunflower rip

[@Aragonstar]

Wuandouski Gamer Gameplays Y Tutoriales[NMX]:'C

[@Aragonstar]

Wuandouski Gamer Gameplays Y Tutoriales[NMX] eh gia

[@SeaBassVamp]

+Happy Sunflower Rock in Peace in Stars.

[@stv0863]

Nice... sorry

[@Steve27775]

His first tv appearance was in 1964 on Tonight with Cliff Michelmore, but that was as David Jones.

[@MichaelROC]

+Steve27775 where can i find the video?

[@Steve27775]

Michael Wang Not a musical performance, but I think it was his first tv show - the video is titled 'David Bowie - Tonight (1964)' on the Bowie Forever channel.

[@tomcatjavanet]

From one Major Tom to Another.... God's Speed Mr. Bowie

[@TorkG8]

I've never seen this particular video before now. Thank you, thank you, thank you "gazsmash". This is awesome.

[@tracylf5409]

Crying again.....just unbelievably sad...we simply can't accept his death...

[@thprfssnl1]

This is NOT Bowie's first TV appearance. His first was in 1964.

[@fromtheend4253]

Frank -but that was a tv interview when he was a unknown student!

[@annwhite2346]

He was on Ready steady go in 1966.

[@leviXlush]

It's David Bowie who makes me wish I was seventy not twenty. Just so I could've been around since he first started and be there for it all. You inspire me greatly sir, and I'd give anything to meet you before it's too late!

[@reylagarto46]

The best song ever!!!!!!Long live to david bowie.......grettings from CHILE.

[@arthurschopenhauer4999]

not his first tv appearance though

[@kathybreakwell847]

Yea lol.. About long hair on men? That was something

[@BubbieBunz]

Who has a time machine I can borrow...?

[@roppekane9039]

A tin machine he had ..

[@juliawilkinson]

His voice sounds so pretty here.

[@jasoncrumpet9764]

he's not too stoked on that backing band

[@arwensiriustinuvieljoestar6149]

oh men his hair 😃

[@passionfruit53]

Sooo good looking! best voice modulation and what ideas-great singer, great man

[@griiseknoen]

His voice was so strong and pure in those very early days. Good song too.

[@tocoparacuando]

Im pretty sure Bowie is Lestat.

[@stainlessme]

Ahem - not his first tv appearance.

[@ziggymardust2698]

What a treat! My lovely! What a voice....one of a kind!

[@YokoshimaOfficial]

Awww so shy. He's such an inspiration.

[@AngelGhostchild]

I don't know why, but I don't care what he looks like or what he's singing...it's the way he does it, the singing and the performing, the only way he seems to do it . He carries himself differently. He seems like a down to earth sort of person, but out of this world. :)

[@cski12894]

Dude, he has that "Bowie assuredness", even as a new artist. The song is actually very moving, and I wasn't even BORN until 71. Great KZbin video.

[@hitwall]

his melodies will stick with u for a lifetime...

[@MaeWest51]

I hope this video never disappears from view,. It's a classic. Who views this still in 2020?

[@mushroomcraft]

I'm so glad that we have this in better quality. But this is interesting as it shows bits before and after the performance

[@mjloy76]

I was born six years after the release of this song and still fell in love with it... Not every song writer/performer can achieve such music. This talent is almost nonexistent nowadays... BEAUTIFUL.

[@pollmeister]

There will never be anyone like him EVER again. He is a god to all men (and woman). The coolest dude who ever walked the earth. HAPPY BIRTHDAY THE DAME!

[@victoriaferreira6370]

Absolutely amazing!!!! This is such a rare video

[@angela1sintez]

Happy birthday, dear David! Be always healthy and happy! You the best for ever!