David Bowie - "Heroes" - Top of the Pops - 1977

“Heroes” was originally released as a single on the 23rd of September 1977, and was then subsequently a track on David Bowie’s “Heroes” album, released a few weeks later, on the 14th of October.
The Top of the Pops performance was recorded exactly forty years ago today, on the 19th of October 1977.
It is a particularly interesting performance because it was sung live, in front of an audience in the Top of the Pops studio, and over a new backing track, recorded with a one-off band the previous day.
Roger Griffin, the author of the excellent book, “David Bowie The Golden Years”, and creator of the website Bowie Golden Years www.bowiegoldenyears.com/ has kindly written something exclusively for the notes about this video, about that time in October ’77, when Bowie was in London for the Top of the Pops performance:
On the 20th of October 1977, Top of the Pops featured Bowie performing “Heroes“, the last of a series of performances of the new single on television. He’d completed work on the album in Berlin, and as mixing continued in Montreux, Bowie flew to UK in September. He appeared on Marc Bolan’s show and Bing Crosby’s Christmas Special (UK) then in October, L'altra Domenica and Odeon (Italy), Pop Shop (Netherlands) and Les Rendez-vous du Dimanche (France). Perhaps nonplussed by the variety of setups for those performances, Bowie arranged with “Heroes” producer Tony Visconti to assemble a small group to make a pre-recorded backing tape for Bowie’s first Top of the Pops appearance in five years. The day before the broadcast, Bowie arrived in London and headed straight to Visconti’s Good Earth studios in Soho for the recording session with Visconti, pianist Sean Mayes and guitarist Ricky Gardiner. Mayes’ band Fumble had opened for Bowie and the Spiders back in 1972. “I’d heard nothing from him for five years,” Mayes told David Currie. “Then out of the blue came a phone call to do “Heroes” for Top of the Pops”. Ricky Gardiner had played guitar on Low, Lust For Life and Iggy’s 1977 tour. “I was asked to reproduce Robert Fripp's line,” he told Stephen Dalton in 2001. “I did not realise at the time that he had used an E Bow. I did my best using feedback alone. As we went through the song, my amplifier started dying. As the song finished, so did the amp.” Bowie then taped his appearance at the BBC studios, accompanied by the new backing track, before heading back to Soho with Visconti for a drink. The next day, Bowie told the Melody Maker at the Dorchester Hotel that this unprecedented amount of promotion was “to prove my belief in the album. Both Low and “Heroes” have been met with confused reactions. That was to be expected, of course. But I didn't promote Low at all, and some people thought my heart wasn't in it.”
Roger’s work, documenting the professional and significant personal activities of David Bowie, during the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s, is an invaluable source of information to me, as it must be for any serious student of Bowie. Roger’s Bowie Golden Years website has been one of my most valuable resources for Bowie facts since I’ve been making these videos. Currently most of the site is offline, being redesigned. However, from Roger’s website, here is the 1977 Allan Jones interview with Bowie, in London at The Dorchester Hotel the day after the Top of the Pops broadcast:
www.bowiegoldenyears.com/artic...
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The Top of the Pops performance of “Heroes” is quite commonly available online, and a portion of it was in this years Bowie at the BBC show. However, like the majority of classic Bowie performances, a completely satisfactory version has not previously been readily available. Prior to this video, the Top of the Pops performance has been available in low quality / incomplete / marred by info text boxes / canned applause obscuring the opening of the track etc.
Sourced from three digital broadcasts, and three pre-broadcast recordings and outtakes, this version is complete. It includes a pre-broadcast section which gives us a glimpse into the behind the scenes filming of the show - basically presenter Dave Lee Travis larking about, until what sounds like the shoot manager calling for quiet on the set. It includes a brief shot of Bowie leaning on a piece of the set, waiting to start the performance, and he can be heard clearing his throat before the backing tracks starts.
Hope you dig it!
Do me an' yerself a favor - watch it in the Highest Def available with the sound UP LOUD!
If anyone has any other footage, or ideas for another video project, of material from Bowie's classic period, do please get in touch: [e-mail]
Putting this video together was another huge labour of love, made with love and with respect for the source. I don't own the rights, and I'm not making any money out of this etc. Just a fan making videos for other fans.
Please Like, Comment, Subscribe. Thanks!

[@tiagobarbosa1489]

Some guys are born to play soccer, some are born to teach, some are born to heal others and some pass their whole life trying to figure out what they were born to do. Bowie surely was born to sing and was an absolute master at it. I'm happy that I was born to enjoy such music interpreted by such artist. And I miss him a lot😥

[@getitherething.2653]

This song is just so much sadder since his passing, what a talented lovely guy. My lifelong regret will be never seeing him live.

[@tickledpnk85]

I loved him so much, I’m so glad I grew up during his mission on earth❤️❤️❤️

[@johncarroll772]

Noel Gallagher regretted not seeing him live

[@sexobscura]

so correct I have at least one breakdown a day because of it

[@angelmoore2453]

To everyone who got to see him live, you're truly blessed.

[@keithm9513]

I did, in 1990, and I was 5 feet away from him, it was amazing!

[@floppyd0g]

Saw him 5 times - so very very lucky indeed.

[@tdurb0]

Was lucky enough to see him at Live Aid. Imagine waking up each day, looking in the bathroom mirror and thinking “I’m a genius” Missed forever

[@SnapCracklePapa]

Saw him in '76 in the Seattle Coliseum best concert I ever saw.

[@bigbilltoady412]

I'm 71 now, been a fan for over 50 years, have all he has ever recorded. Saw him live 3 times. Sure do miss him.

[@madgemuso7314]

His live vocals are so strong here. Especially the high/I falsetto parts.

[@vargaso]

Jeez, what a voice. And what a great version of this song.

[@nataliemixtur9265]

Best version

[@Putschycat]

David Bowie herros j'adore cette chanson et toutes les autres chansons que David Bowie à chantés 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉j'adore ❤❤❤

[@robclarkson1669]

When I look at this man, I melt.

[@ThomasJerome76]

His voice in this version is absolutely amazing! Thanks again Nacho! 🌹👏🏽

[@alfiegaishauser5639]

That voice... wow. The song... wow What a treasure.

[@GabrielaReyes-fe7lx]

such a good performance, he looks so at ease here

[@nhmooytis7058]

He always did.

[@leswilliams180]

He’s my forever hero

[@murielsartre]

Gorgeous. @2:13 gives me shivers!

[@perrys2199]

2:13 is everything

[@elmoreleopard4760]

Yep...I look for this clip every few months just for that note

[@warangel4389]

Everything about him is beautiful.

[@annwhite2346]

Lovely. I saw this in 1977. Never forgotten.

[@Putschycat]

David Bowie ❤❤❤🎉🎉j'adore

[@user-dy1vm8jt5d]

How can everything about him is so perfect! miss you so much

[@CA-tz2sg]

Found out he's my distant cousin a few years back. He was my favorite from childhood...I kind of had a hunch though. He's still in my soul. Love that gorgeous being.

[@willovacc_1847]

Really? Damn must be a gift

[@emily-xj3xv]

are you serious. my god you lucky person. that’s insane. !!! are you british?

[@CA-tz2sg]

I'm 90% British...yes!

[@emily-xj3xv]

@@CA-tz2sg wow that’s so incredible. that must make you feel so special!!! i feel kinda famous talking to you now to be honest😂

[@CA-tz2sg]

@@emily-xj3xvYou are special because you have an understanding of good art and that you are here on this planet. I think it makes me realize he was just a human... Although a very talented and beautiful one. He definitely has given us so much art to enjoy. I am proud of my British dna but realize that it's only part of who I am. I too am artistic and try to share my musical gift at church etc. Hopefully I can bring a little light into the world as David did. We share a love for DB and that is pretty amazing!!

[@ladygrinningsoul357]

Still missing him...

[@filipegabriel660]

Lady Stardust Forever and Ever

[@baddvd]

Everyday

[@RickStar00O]

Lady Stardust ---- 'Cos he was awful nice, really quite outta sight !!!

[@1947ziggy]

Every second :(

[@ladygrinningsoul357]

I agree with all of you T.T He is our Heroe, just for everyday

[@LioraLand1]

Oh! His voice is spectacular here!

[@copernicanrevolution2.091]

As is his presence … 🪄

[@kenhackney]

Strange coincidence... This awesome video was probably recorded at the same time that Lynyrd Skynyrd played their final concert in Greenville, SC. Their plane crashed the following day. A lot of great music was being performed on the 19th!!!

[@auburn7697]

Com' era bello durante l' era berlinese.Canzone capolavoro,lui voce immensa❤

[@pattycassiani1352]

Una perla della musica....love Bowie forever

[@stoltmain123]

rip bowie we miss you.

[@johntracy1369]

One of the classic .Bowie never die ..stunning

[@tewingfield]

An amazing performance which I'm so glad you shared. Thank you!

[@pobbard]

This is OUTSTANDING! Beautifully done, and just in time. Thank you!

[@scarystardust6095]

Simply amazing & wonderful work Nacho... ★

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I vaguely remember watching this at the time. Thanks for the great job. I really like the backing track and love his live vocals.

[@debramorphett9278]

Wow something I haven't see already thank you for sharing Bowie brilliant as usual

[@tfairy7499]

Incredible vid/performance. Thanks Nacho, terrific work as always!

[@drinkingpoolwater]

wow this one off is so beautiful. love the guitar licks.

[@smoothblink]

What a performance this is. Thank you very much for everything, Nacho.

[@bonzillabontasaurus8263]

Fabulous work!

[@aladdinsane.]

Thank you very much for sharing these great Bowie video's! He was my musical Hero and my all time favorite artist my whole getting old life, And was lucky enough to have seen him many times in concert even back in his Ziggy days, Thin white duke and even later days!.....Still miss him very much but his music will always keep him alive and never be forgotten by me anyway as not a day goes by I don't listen to several of his songs! Keep up the good work and Thanx again!

[@xndormedx]

Voy a comentar en español por que si, Nacho MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS por tu maravilloso canal donde sigues subiendo contenido de este maravilloso y hermoso hombre que jamás dejaré de ver ni escuchar, lo extraño muchísimo y gracias a ti puedo revivir su imagen y siguiendo admirandolo Gracias de corazón, amor desde México!

[@petergreen2552]

What the hell went on at the start? 🤔 Never mind. Just another Bowie gem. Love it

[@uhugvjkbkjh]

Just the normal totp stuff to be edited. Quite cool to see it unedited Imo

[@nhmooytis7058]

Don’t like it make your own vid.

[@johnlee5423]

@@nhmooytis7058 he said he loved it, can't you read.

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@johnlee5423 no one was talking to you. Sod off.

[@baddvd]

Just simply beautiful, Nacho; shall read the notes later today :)

[@berniprinci3523]

Thank you!

[@Cosmogirl014]

My favorite version of Heroes, thank you so much Nacho! It is beautifully arranged and your history behind it all is wonderful. A true Bowie fan!!! You Rock!

[@nataliemixtur9265]

My favorite version also

[@carla78786]

Nacho, it’s so cool to see what actually happened & it’s all brilliantly re-mastered by you. Thank you - Carla

[@bernadettemelle2988]

.Merci infinite to. Nacho

[@lindahawthorn4749]

Omg.......this is my fav Bowie song....

[@mimiguttilla3041]

Mine too.

[@evelinaabbate3051]

Oh my god thanx Nacho It's so emotional

[@billjohnson1094]

Nacho, great job, much appreciated

[@Claudestar1]

Great! Thank you!

[@MadMan731]

One of the greats

[@patriciahargraves4243]

Time goes so damn fast! I remember I bought the Heros album the day it came out. My best friend had just got a used Volkswagen bug the week before. You needed a car where I grow up or if you could take your chance at thumbing it. Good video!

[@nataliemixtur9265]

Your A LEGEND and never will be forgotten. In our heart forever. We love you🧸

[@nataliemixtur9265]

Your the man Bowie!

[@MewWolf5]

Great stuff

[@robertmarles6447]

Ricky Gardner on Guitar on this version. He was selected by Tony Visconti to play on the pre recorded backing track. Apparently he struggled to replicate Fripp's guitar because he didn't know it had been played on an E Bow. Great version though and he did a grest job.I've always thought Ricky Gardner is a bit of an unsung hero, he played incredible guitar on side one of Low.

[@HB-zi3og]

Gardner's guitar on "Always Crashing in the Same Car" from "Low" is beyond incredible. In this version of "Heroes" Gardner assumed Tripp had e-bowed his guitar parts so he tried using an e-bow, only to discover he couldn't get the sound right, so he switched to using feedback for the final take. It turned out that Fripp had actually used feedback, not an e-bow, on the original anyway. Ricky was definitely one of Bowie's least heralded guitarists despite side 1 of "Low" containing many of the best guitar moments to appear on ANY of Bowie s albums.

[@anne-marielorsignol9319]

Splendide des frissons !

[@rspratt]

Awesome work as always Nacho

[@1947ziggy]

Just look and listen to him. He's... *speechless/stunnedlikealways*

[@davidcroft9434]

Fantastic

[@rfalqueza99]

love this!

[@rogerlebaron]

DB at his peak singing his best song. will be played at my funeral.

[@mrfarr1980]

Fantastic work Nacho! Stunning performance I've always loved this version I think it's probably my favourite way he's ever sung it. Should have been the choice for the recent picture disc imo 👍

[@ednapinto60]

Loved!

[@vtoulouse]

thanks another masterpiece

[@tdurb0]

2:03 onwards though….a genius at work 👏🏻

[@maniacpanic666]

amazing

[@pietajanssenvanelst2167]

He was a King! Mr. David Bowie........

[@tigersnacks]

That version is clearly recorded somewhere around the time of the filming of Christiane F. Although there was more levity here than in the film. So great to see this!

[@funktofunky11]

Thank You !! love this !!

[@RickStar00O]

Top work my friend ! Cheers N.M. - D.B. would of been proud of you .. ;)

[@suziq19661]

DAVID BOWIE Modern day legend now and forever

[@nhmooytis7058]

I graduated college in 1977. Time flies....

[@teresabeebe4321]

Don't give up until you are a hero

[@karrot101]

What fab days these were

[@veroniquedesamoury3622]

Merci Nacho ;-)

[@MYTIGRON]

Merci encore Nacho :-)

[@LoredanaLanzo-iq8ux]

Mi scendono le lacrime 😭❣️

[@moviestarmemories630]

THANK YOU MUCHO.

[@ianbell7342]

the great man great looks great songs hugely missed .. a on off

[@life_like_ristretto8003]

The Best live version!

[@TripleDes1]

Pure Genus

[@andremansa1]

My god his voice! My hero 🦸‍♂️

[@gabimferraz5212]

best 18th bd present for our S

[@mickymalydima31]

The best foreverrrr...

[@evecell3850]

After hearing it, I wish I could swim like bowie :) Xxx

[@EnglishVirgo]

1.35-140 oh my gosh! Be still my heart!! Can you imagine being his object of affection and him looking at you that intensely right before kissing you? Heavens above! xx

[@jupitorman]

This is better than the album and single

[@Medusafern]

Why have I never seen this particular Top of the Pops before? Where has it been hiding? I was looking for photos from his Sense of Doubt/Moss Garden/Neukolln video and I found this along the way. So lovely. So impossibly lovely...

[@lisanurse9103]

Love you so much David Bowie as jaerth love you Lisa nurse

[@petergreen2552]

Fabulous. Simple as. Still miss the thin white Duke. 😪

[@itsinthegamedude1228]

oh my god 2:13

[@inuyashamusicablogsdelpasa1629]

This versión in Live t'he best !!!

[@itsinthegamedude1228]

wowwwwwww!

[@patriciaforoni7058]

HHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! mon coeur !

[@croiners4166]

❤

[@outsidethepyramid]

that is my man on form

[@rayoloco5000]

we can heroes 70s generation

[@mcduffxyz]

This Song Roolz!

[@garygilmore2050]

Much better than the Marc Show version thank you

[@DikajaVishnja]

Дьявольски хорош 👌🎶🎤💫 Чертовски сексуален 💖

[@marguskiis7711]

Live vocal!

[@mikej9619]

I wish I was as cool as Bowie was...

[@teresabeebe4321]

Always thought everyone knew this in life

[@jimspangenberg4976]

Tomorrow in US we must VOTE. At the end of the day, We Can Be Heroes too!

[@NachoVideo]

When thinking about making this video, I debated with myself about the inclusion of DLT because of the Operation Yewtree investigations into him and the allegations and his eventual conviction for indecent assault. He was accused of over a dozen instances of indecent behaviour over a 30 year period, tho' he was only convicted for one of them. He protested his innocence throughout and says that the period of investigation and trials have ruined his life. I guess the BBC are sensitive to what happened and that accounts for all the recent showings of the Bowie TOTP performance that have the intro omitted and the tacked-on endings, in an attempt to rewrite history. Whatever the truth is about DLT, as far as I know he was never convicted or even accused of rape or like his colleague J Saville, paedophilia. I somewhat agree with people who say that he was annoying and creepy etc. But it seems to me that most children's / popular entertainers from my childhood were narcissists, show offs, bullies etc. These kind of traits were it seems a kind of requirement for the job. I've zero sympathy for abusers, but I concluded that DLT could stay in the vid because he went to trial and justice was served, and beyond that, being a narcissist and a loud mouth and a twat isn't a crime.

[@annwhite2346]

DLT doesn't bother me. I can't watch anything with Jimmy savile in it though, his face makes me feel physically ill.

[@NachoVideo]

Ann White yes, Saville is repulsive.

[@outsidethepyramid]

I totally agree with you there Nacho, keep up the brilliant work, I'm a fan The thing I remember about him is him saying, "you must come fourth", when giving him an award along with Lulu. The vid was/ is on youtube. ..and he was at it at the end of the Heroes vid again. what a twat.

[@rogermalcolm634]

Disturbing allegations in the Dylan Jones book David Bowie A Life. Bowie had sex with 13 year old girls , now what ate we to make of this. Do we act like hypocrites and condemn Salville, Harris,Cosby and Weinstein but ignore David's crimes because we like his records? Forget Hollywood, the rock/Pop industry is the one most inundated with sexual predators and I'm afraid David was one.

[@cathyt502]

I can assure you, those 13 yr. old girls (groupies, like Lori Maddox, Sable Star, etc.) "wanted" to have sex w/ Bowie and were not forced or doing it for movie roles. They knew exactly what they were doing. I myself got into Bowie '72 - '73... 14 yrs. old....and would have definitely slept w/ him at that age had the opportunity presented itself. Just sayin.

[@Hertfordshire247]

I can only wonder what DLT did at the beginning of the video. If you have headphones on, you'd have heard him say something to a woman like "you didn't even know who it wan. You didn't even flinch. True professional that.