David Bowie's lost 1973 Top of the Pops performance of The Jean Genie

Recorded on 3rd January 1973, broadcast on 4th January 1973. Lost and never seen again until broadcast by the BBC on 21st December 2011. God bless the BBC ! See the story of the discovery of the lost footage:
• David Bowie's lost 197...

[@philmstud2k]

THIS is what KZbin is for. Bless the cameraman who kept himself a copy and whomever uploaded this to KZbin.

[@jamesmartinglover3761]

Bowie & The Spiders at their best ! Won't be equaled , ever !!!!

[@AllenMQuinn]

Amen to that. I wish he had gotten a copy of the entire show but hey I'll take what I can get

[@danw1374]

Yes he's a absolute diamond for keeping a copy of this for so long. So much stuff was wiped back then by the bbc it's almost criminal. Now this piece of music history can be enjoyed generations later.

[@raydoyle2583]

A very powerful performance

[@raydoyle2583]

Amazing performance

[@harveysmith100]

Growing up in the seventies we just assumed all music was this good. The best decade of music.

[@swampy6194]

I thought so too...till the 90s.

[@NathanSmith-xf7rk]

I concur 👍

[@stevetodd7030]

I thought the 60's to the 90's were great. The music was different through each decade and I loved them all. I also know what my parents were on about when they shouted up the stairs " what the hell is that crap" when I blasted out Toccata by ELP, as that is what I am like with music today.

[@pressureworks]

Great Music is still being created today just need to search harder, avoid the top 40. A Great place to start is BBC 6 Music. Especially Marc Riley !!!!

[@harveysmith100]

@@pressureworks Thanks for the Tip.

[@mike196212]

Ronson was a great guitarist,inventive and severely underrated. He knew when to step up and when to step back.

[@thebenefactor6744]

And a great, greasy roadhouse tone too.

[@TheWelwyn21]

He wasn't underrated he was recognised by his peers as a great guitarist. He also was great arranger and producer, bowie always credited him

[@mike196212]

@@TheWelwyn21 Okay. I just don't read a lot about him.

[@TheWelwyn21]

@@mike196212 have a read on him he was a genius , I wasn't taking the piss

[@mike196212]

@@TheWelwyn21 Okay.

[@patrickwhite4151]

I remember seeing this and my Dad being appalled by Bowies appearance. Loved it.

[@lewisner]

Your dad's head must have exploded when he did Starman.

[@MoultrieGeek]

My mom had the same reaction when Bowie was in drag (sorta) on SNL during the Lodger days. He did a full camp version of 'Boys keep Swinging' and she was appalled. I thought he was a god....

[@hardlines2635]

What would they say about Sam Smith, 🙄

[@revwillyg6450]

@@hardlines2635yeah, but David Bowie is good

[@slugstucker]

Right, anything that pissed off the folks was great by us.

[@rickhibdon11]

Consider... that was FIFTY years ago.. What a massive talent. Made wonderful music his entire life. Right up to the en Left a huge vacancy when he left.. There won't be another like him.... ever

[@cynthiacurrie5589]

I miss him every damn day!

[@Cosmictouch17]

2023.............still great music.

[@kenhoyer8601]

Didn't quite like him at first.He ran hot and cold with a lot of his stuff, be his music grows on you. Would like to have seen him live.

[@mister3566]

​@@kenhoyer8601 You missed out mate

[@dskywalker3397]

A huge loss.

[@paulhayward8459]

He and Mick Ronson were a formidable combination during this era !! 😊😊

[@BirdTalk13]

Absolutely! ❤

[@generaljj71]

Yes They were! Ronson was a big influence visually and musically for a young Randy Rhoads

[@Slo-ryde]

Bowie put Glam on the map!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@generaljj71love Randy Rhodes too; sad about his early death, a true rock star and so very talented!

[@dag681]

Without Ronson electrifying early Bowie, it's hard to imagine him breaking through.

[@andymatthews7617]

THE CAMERAMAN WHO SAVED THIS DESERVES A MEDAL.

[@fogvarious2478]

he knew some where some how .. this would be needed at a later date :)

[@andymatthews7617]

@@fogvarious2478 thank goodness he did.

[@c4279]

How often have you heard a band play live as good as their studio recording? This was amazing.

[@NatandGeorge]

Always -- they tend to lip sync to a recorded version, to ensure consistency in the live show.

[@Urko2005]

TOTP was always lip synced to a recording, this wasnt live.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

@@Urko2005 It certainly isn’t what’s on the record.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

@@NatandGeorge “Always” and “tend to” contradict each other.

[@evetsnitram8866]

It's live and Bowie tossed in a piece of the Beatles' Love Me Do in his harmonica solo. Anyway it's a cool boogie bump.

[@RazzleDazz72]

What a gift this cameraman gave the world by preserving these tapes

[@jasonscott5798]

I live in New Orleans. This groove is like an old North Mississippi Juke Joint Blues jam. Perfectly executed. You could have taken these boys, removed the stack heels and make up, put them in over alls, and they would have fit right in. Thats how hard they are grooving. New Wave, Old Wave. It means nothing. If It's good,....It's good!

[@dynjarren8355]

Good observation! Because it’s basically a borrowed Blues Riff that Bowie laid his original lyrics on top of. But the foundation of the song is Blues! That’s why it still sounds so good and solid! Blues doesn’t age!

[@spkanava]

1973

[@lewisner]

​@Dyn Jarren I'm A Man by the Yardbirds to be more specific.

[@pretorious700]

@@lewisner or 50 other Muddy Waters songs

[@MnBicycleCommuter]

Sounds like Muddy Waters with the harmonica and repeating hard driving groove.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

This is live vocal...Recorded in a t.v. studio...In the 70's...Pretty incredible...

[@mavjimbo]

Blistering rendition

[@ericmackenzie123]

I think the whole think is live, even more incredible

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Omg!! Thank you David for being outrageous and letting yourself gooooooo!!!!🔥🔥🔥🎶

[@nigelgarvey4703]

The Spiders live on Totp fuckin far out man....

[@lewisner]

Especially on TOTP. They hardly ever let bands perform live.

[@fitnessworkoutandhealth1877]

ronson was one hell of a guitar player and one of the best his solo on moonage daydream is mindblowing

[@ceoofbased3956]

Earl Slick's solo on David Live shits all over Ronson and makes him look like an amateur.

[@ianhawdon3680]

Totally agree with you

[@carlodave9]

If you’ve never heard Elton’s “lost recording” of Madman Across the Water with Ronson soloing, check it out. It’s miles above the released track.

[@sambrooks7862]

@@ceoofbased3956 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@sambrooks7862]

Jimmy page was being interviewed by some American music journalist around this time, 73/74 and the guy asked him "so, how does it feel to be the best guitarist in the world?". Page answered "dunno, you'd have to ask mick ronson".

[@MrSKINFLICK]

Bowie insisted on playing LIVE on TOTP in 1973....a rarity back then !

[@colingordon8265]

And the BBC wiped it!!

[@raycroal]

@@colingordon8265 good old beeb!

[@jackquarantillo5192]

This is a treat! Glad it was found!

[@spkanava]

1973

[@alexbowman7582]

@@colingordon8265 either they lost it or it was recorded on a video, presumably that Phillips one made in the early 70’s but it does look like a good recording.

[@DaveColli]

Brilliant performance! So sad that the brilliant Mick Ronson and the wonderful David Bowie are no longer with us!

[@Navgearhead]

Let's not forget Trevor Bolder, who would later pop up in Uriah Heep....and yes, he kept the long sideburns with Uriah Heep.......RIP.

[@cherylhopkins6286]

And it's too bad the camera operator didn't do them justice.

[@chrisstevens8505]

I was out with my best mates from school last night. I said, "Weren't we lucky to have been born when we were (1958) to grow up listening to the absolutely best music ever. From the Beatles /Stones Sabbath Zeppelin AC/DC bowie Yes Alex Harvey band Status Quo. Throw in Motown and a load of decent pop too numerous to mention. Oh and don't forget Slade.😊

[@stevefarmer5232]

Great Era,and yes,Slade 👍

[@wendylynn7605]

I'm lucky to have grown up in the '70s. He was the musical and artistic backdrop for my young life. And he produced so much that I'm still hearing things I never heard before!

[@SkyePhoenix]

I was too young, but also grew up in the 70's. My parents wouldn't let me listen to David Bowie! They thought he was a freak. I loved his red hair.

[@NatandGeorge]

I grw up in the '70s, too -- far prefer Bowie's earlier stuff to his '80s' mainstream reinvention of himself.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars…😮😅

[@johnkuthe1]

You grew up? :-( ;-)

[@KittyGrizGriz]

@@SkyePhoenixthat’s a bummer; parents let me listen to anything and go to live music venues at age 17-18; lucky. Probably helped to be youngest of 4 and older~youngest brother was a hell raiser 😆.

[@snudge9626]

This is a rare treat for all Bowie fans. He really was a true showman, a natural star and a lovely bloke. Rest in utter peace David, you are missed.

[@xaspirate8060]

Good point -- as I read this I recall that you did not here a lot about DB being FoS or being a diva or a bastard etc. Gotta believe he had a few more hardships to contend with versus your basic rocker in the 70's ---and despite all the druggin' - he pretty much kept his shit together. Glad he came around when he did.

[@snudge9626]

Thanks I think.@@xaspirate8060

[@cosmictrigger9]

Bowie was, to me, at his best when he performed with Mick Ronson. With Bowie's vision & Ronson's great guitar playing they were magic, & are both starmen now ~

[@1sttvbn]

cosmictrigger9 Agreed!

[@raymondmcmenemy303]

Would love to see them doing "Queen Bitch" together. Can't seem to get it on KZbin.

[@sexobscura]

ashes to junky

[@johnmoore9862]

Yeah, I’d along with that.

[@beefsupreme462]

Ughhhh ya both starmen now, good analogy

[@FxkDGM]

Ronno was more than a lead guitarist. He was an arranger, a producer, a backup singer, a pianist, a violinist, but most importantly he was a great person. As said at the end the late and very great indeed Mick Ronson. He had his own sound, once you heard him you knew it was Ronno.

[@bassplayer8815]

It was Ronn's use of a "fuzz pedal" known as the Tonebender Mki and a wah pedal used in "toe position" which takes away some treble from the guitar and then sending it to the amp. The same thing can be heard in the solo of Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin

[@bassplayer8815]

@fifthof YES!!!

[@grahamtaylor8912]

The guy was great.

[@strictlynorton]

Preach it...

[@josephweaver8985]

Also Humble. When asked about his guitar skills, he replied. I plug it in and turn it up, basically that's it. Now how humble can you get. The interview, is on you tube. just put in mick ronson interview in search.

[@banba317]

Love Bowie's tribute to Love Me Do on the harp near the end! I saw him a month after this, Feb., '73, at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia and again in July '74 at the same venue. He was phenomenal!

[@alessandroschiavon1237]

Exactly! That’s pure genius

[@chrishyde1216]

Thanks, I was trying to work out where I'd heard that!

[@jacquelineelsner2146]

Oh my God! Would have loved to of seen him at the Tower theater. I saw him 1974 October at the Michigan Palace, Detroit Michigan. And, many times after that.

[@reedhawk]

I also saw him at the Tower in '74! Front row balcony seats, mescaline and lots of fun.

[@banba317]

@@reedhawk We were pretty high at the time too; those were the days! 😛

[@GrampsD63]

The Spiders were absolutely a monster live. One of the greatest bands ever. RIP David, Ronno & Trevor

[@joeroganjosh9333]

Woody Woodmansey, don’t forget Woody.

[@GrampsD63]

@@joeroganjosh9333 Woody's still alive Mate

[@colinfuidge8660]

David Bowie is undoubtedly the coolest person ever to set foot on this planet. I vividly remember seeing this when I was 11 years old. I still think it's one of the best things I've ever seen or heard.

[@aclark903]

I tend to feel #MLK was rather cool myself.

[@jacobshred67]

@@aclark903what 😂😂😂😂

[@aclark903]

@@jacobshred67 What is cooler, developing a serious drug habit while crossdressing or helping #AfricanAmericans win civil rights?

[@delcat8168]

I think you are confusing "cool" with "pretentious"

[@mattbarbarich3295]

Great song , magic musicians but sad I hear that the band behind him were paid nothing virtually for their recording and touring work with him. Btw also the late and great Trevor Bolder!

[@yummyyum36719]

Wow. The original Spiders were so a great band. Bowie is awesome in this. Love the "Love Me Do" quote on the harmonica at the end. Ronson is so underrated. He had a fabulous ear for picking the right note at the right time.

[@keithharris6442]

Yeah, noticed that too, Love me do...brilliant

[@johnatkinson7126]

All from East Yorkshire as well be a story of how they eventually all got with bowie and became his backing band

[@pressureworks]

Not at all underrated. Otherwise Bowie wouldn't have used him. And the announcer wouldn't have praised him. Comment reported for being rubbish.

[@renderizer01]

I just wanted to comment on the Love Me Do quote and then found out that you beat me to it. By four years, no less.

[@kzinful]

Loved how David incorporated a bit of The Beatles Love Me Do on the harmonica. This version just blisters with energy, the Spiders were an amazing band.

[@erkkinho]

It is an ancient blues lick.

[@ludannelasyvyus1824]

@erkkinho Yes, and BOWIE & his band SUPER CHARGED IT🔊

[@jfkesq]

brother, that was love me do@@erkkinho

[@erkkinho]

@@jfkesq I know, but Love me do used an old blues lick.

[@ZillianZilch]

Absolutely amazing. Everybody’s playing in a restrained and controlled way but it’s more powerful than if everybody was overplaying. A lot of bands could learn from that.

[@pipis920]

Today,, yes

[@RenePeraza]

LIVE folks - not lip synched - even for broadcast TV! This was the golden year of glam rock, including Roxy Music and T-Rex!

[@laurastrobel718]

I love love T Rex It seems they didn't get the acclaim in the States that Bowie did but in time I'm sure It would have happened if Marc hasn't died an untimely death R I P Marc Bolan

[@chasbodaniels1744]

It’s long pained me to have so little footage of live performances like this. How the hell did nobody see fit to capture a complete Ziggy show? A Diamond Dogs? Mott the Hoople with Mick Ralphs still there? Etc, etc!

[@laurastrobel718]

@@chasbodaniels1744 they didn't know history was being made 😳

[@johnlawson7306]

Roxy Music, yeeeessssss......

[@ChristinaGina]

Actually loads of shit was lip synced for the bbc at this time in the glam era

[@xBiotacticsx]

Mick Ronson is an underrated guitar God

[@barryspencer100]

Can't Argue with that Arnold.

[@Antipodean33]

Ace Rimmer who ever underrated Ronson as a guitarist? He's well renowned, especially by other guitarists

[@nathanwatson6826]

He's well renowned by some but still under-rated as a whole.

[@boobzac]

I was a HUGE Bowie fan from 69 through the 70s. And being a guitarist myself Ronson NEVER impressed me. He was actually pretty lame as a guitarist. His style & sound did however propel Bowie into R n R & definitely influenced Bowie's writing.

[@NSHM122]

Many other guitarists and renowned musicians disagree with you.

[@joanbecker7992]

I am fortunate enough to see Bowie 7 times and one was 73...!!! It was an honor to be witness to it all! He is missed much

[@petergreen2552]

The genius that was David Bowie. We were humbled by his presence

[@knoxyish]

you were humbled? i was not

[@DaveColli]

The power and the theatrical performance of this wonderful band just shows how utterly watery most of the new "male" performers are! I'm just so glad I lived through the Sixties and Seventies. RIP David and Mick xx

[@pentar3241]

Come on now, let's get it right - RIP David, Mick, Trevor and Woody,

[@louisemoogan5190]

And the drummer and bass player.

[@spkanava]

1973

[@simonmason8582]

​@@pentar3241 Woody is still alive and living in Hull.

[@simonmason8582]

@@louisemoogan5190 Woody is still alive and living in Hull.

[@bebopdelux10]

I was eight years old when this came out and lived off Landor Road, Stockwell, South London, about a 10 minute walk from Brixton High Street. I remember watching this and the next day I sneaked off with my saved up pocket money to a record stall/shop that used to sell records out of cardboard boxes in Brixton Arcade. Which, now for reasons of gentirfication is more referred to as Brixton Village. However, I ran back home and played the single on my dad's old Bush turntable. Maybe I missed out important aspects development wise, by not playing with Action men or Tonka toys or going out on my bike as all my friends did at the time, but I knew that day that music, good music, would be with me for the rest of my life. I play guitar in a band, not professionally I'm not that good, and I've collected records, CD's and guitars all my life. Thank you Mr Bowie for amazing an eight year old working class kid growing up in quite depressing times - socially and politically - and possibly even unknowingly pointing me in the right direction destiny wise. Music is my life.

[@99hawklord]

+bebopdelux10 you must be an axe victim!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bebopdelux10]

+dave painter Yep you got that right, love em.

[@darthhwang8382]

+bebopdelux10, Ex Richardson Court, Studley Estate resident here....1962 - 1975 R.I.P. Mr Bowie, first album i bought was Space Oddity from that record shop in Stockwell next to the kiosk....i went to Stockwell primary school.

[@bebopdelux10]

+Darth Hwang: Larkhall infants/junior school me. I'll be honest, at first I thought to myself what the hell is are you going on about with the R.I.P Mr Bowie bit because I'd been up all night working on some music and had not seen anything about Bowie sadly passing away from cancer before I opened my email to view that you'd replied to my initial comment. Now I know, and boy am I gutted. I remember that record shop next to the kiosk, I was a Brixtonian/Stockwellian from 1964 - 1978 and still reside not far away in the Upper Tulse Hill/Norwood area, actually a stones throw from where Alele used to live. It's funny, when I wrote that initial comment about the influence Bowie had on me, as another born and breed working class south Londoner in bleakish times, I had no idea he was fighting cancer and was terminal; I was saying thank you with maybe a hint of goodbye thrown in as well? Who Knows?

[@darthhwang8382]

***** Ok , we moved from Stockwell to that new estate at Crystal Palace up Central Hill we were one of the first family's up there, i was around 15/16 so must have been about 74/75, now live in Kent, anyway very sad about Mr Bowie.....

[@bolghorn]

Not only Mick Ronson has such a lovely raw guitar sounds, with so much "real crunch" in it... but he also looks AWESOME !

[@haitchkay]

Yeah that Les Paul Custom though a Marshall Plexi is crunchy AF. Love it!

[@garysheppard366]

Mick Ronson & Mick Ralphs two of my all-time favourite guitarists.The 70s my favourite era, so much timeless, inventive, music and film that I continue to discover treasures from 👏👏👏

[@dynjarren7523]

There are some British bands who base their entire sound on one of Bowie’s albums. That’s their starting point musically. That’s how influential Bowie was.

[@gregkosinski2303]

When I first moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota about ten years ago, the first time I turned on the local indie station, about five groups in a row sounded like they were doing a Bowie impression.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Great music filters on downnnn🎶🔥

[@pretorious700]

This song is a knockoff of a hundred blues songs, so learn something.

[@jellobiafra9361]

@@pretorious700 yes, but they did it well their own way.

[@ChrisLawton66]

@@jellobiafra9361 it's far more The Yardbirds way than Bowie's.

[@snpok524]

What great years to be a teenager

[@lucluc9541]

I WAS !

[@davidcopson5800]

@@lucluc9541 So was I!

[@sandragreenwood4180]

@@davidcopson5800 Yes we all use hang out together and have a good laugh, happy days.

[@williamwellington8668]

And me......where has the time gone?????

[@alunwilliams9501]

Yep. I was 18.

[@ShadyPinesMa79]

F*ck. There will never be anybody like this again in my lifetime and that's sad as hell.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

True, but that's the beauty of humanity (and of life itself). There will never be another you. Therefore, you and each individual are intrinsically unique and priceless.

[@batphink2655]

David's band were first class all excellent players. RIP Mick Ronson!

[@lqr824]

there's nothing "first class" about this playing. Anyone playing bass a year, or playing drums or guitar a month, would be able to play this. I don't say that as a complaint. I'm just saying it's very simple music, and there's nothing wrong with that. But you can't call this "excellent" playing.

[@hardlines2635]

Nothing first class about pretending to play a guitar. Only vocals were allowed,

[@andymatthews7617]

THE BEST

[@orla99913]

This is GREAT .... Bowie and Ronson are legends.

[@geocache66today]

He came to meet us and blew our minds, god bless David.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

He was amazing. So unique. So ahead of his time.

[@BradHollowniczky]

Bowie does a little harmonica shout-out to "Love Me Do" right at the end. Brilliant!

[@hohaia01]

yeah, tip of the hat to Lennon. Nice one.

[@KowalskiVanishing_Point]

Reminded me of "Love You Funny Thing " by the Mergers.

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

Bradley Lyndon wow! That’s awesome! Never noticed that. 11 years after the release of Love Me Do as a single.

[@kiwiowl]

Yep, that made me smile too.

[@phillipsarrazine9072]

How could anyone give this a thumbs down? Outrageous. This is so fantastic. 💯❤👍

[@garypatterson2055]

They've obviously not got any taste in music !

[@UkuleleBobbyKemp]

Great to see Trevor Bolder on bass in this lineup too - Another absol. Legend who past away in recent years... Big Thanks to this Cameraman! (John Henshall) - and gotta say: Your Fisheye shots are lovely sir - take a bow all round!... 🙏 👏👏

[@martinzaehringer1697]

Love the "Love Me Do" he threw in there are harmonica

[@JimDiBattista]

+Martin Zaehringer yea When I saw him at Radio City Music Hall a few years later in his Thin White Duke phase-way too many thin white lines had withered my hero down to about 95 Lbs and he did Jean Jeanie and then went into a version of Love Me Do. It was a real disappointment for me though, that show, that album, that era. I had seen him on The Diamond Dogs tour a year or so before at Madison Square Garden and he was much much better. I was actually a member of the David Bowie Fan Club Tony Defries set it up through Mainman and they promoted Bowie and Mick Ronson's solo stuff which was also a big disappointment musically for me. They just weren't good songs. I wish I still had all of that Mainman stuff, I'll bet you it'd be a collector's dream.

[@tonyn9858]

+Martin Zaehringer me too

[@slaphead8227]

+Martin Zaehringer cheers i was going what`s that bloody riff

[@cathyt502]

+Jim DiBattista Now you have me wondering if I still have my Bowie Fan Club ID card. Unfortunately, a few years ago I had to sell my extensive record collection, incl. all my beloved Bowie, even the bootlegs. I do still have my blk/wtt Bowie face tshirt I ordered from Creme in 1973 and a 1980 dayglo Ziggy face tshirt (and they're not on ebay anywhere) Also have David and Iggy's autographs on the same photo.

[@norahherbie9144]

yes..sooo brilliant

[@maureenwagg5305]

Mind blowing! He was in his prime and absolutely killing it.

[@user-bx6zr6my4d]

Y in ?

[@RMScott]

I LOVE Bowie’s nod to the Beatles on the harmonica near the end of the song and Ronson was a PHENOM!

[@gary6514]

This raw performance makes one thing clear....the Starman truly was a gift from the heavens.

[@stevecheevers7337]

Fuck that's what a rock star should look like, Bowie back in the 70's reinvented himself so many damn times it's just mind blowing but he was never as cooler then during this Ziggy/Aladdin era, with a awesome guitarist in Mick Ronson by his side. You couldn't go wrong. This is one tight performance.

[@Mr3sheds]

If you come across anyone still unconvinced of the incredible talent of this man, just play them this clip. We all need to be so thankful it still exists. Bowie possessed an outrageous talent and the legacy will live on. Every one of us leaves their mark on this world in some form or other. Bowie's influence is incalculable.

[@norahherbie9144]

i for one am very thankful

[@88bzgin]

The epitome of brilliance.

[@scottishlisa3463]

Helped by the brilliant Ronno !

[@coomohit]

Dont forget, this was nothing without Ronnos guitar..............

[@yasminx16]

“Outrageous talent” what a great way to describe Bowie!

[@robsco1249]

Trevor Bolder, especially with Uriah Heep, showed he was one of the greatest and most underrated bass players in history.

[@pbaker1957]

This is the 70's!!!!,.. Jean Genie let yourself go!!!! WOW,.. nothing will compare with the Seventies ,so glad to have been there , realise now that I lived through the best decade of music,...Sweet, AliceCooper,Slade,Chicory Tip,Hawkwind,Blackfoot Sue,too many bands to list that were so much better than what we have got to endure today .

[@PhilipKerry]

@kkh369 Slade were fantastic as were all of the glamrock bands .

[@misterbonzoid]

@kkh369 Slade were fun; Chicory Tip not so much so.

[@colinwilkes8957]

Slade were one of the greatest ,in and out of the studio.

[@onemanzguitar]

The Spiders from Mars rule. End of discussion.

[@sexobscura]

I prefer The Rats

[@doogstar]

Actually, Diamond Dogs rule ok?

[@rdouthwaite]

@@doogstar The album was indeed Diamond Dogs, the band however were definitely still the Spiders from Mars.

[@blueburro9226]

The one I grew up on: Scary Monsters & Super Creeps

[@ianrayner7522]

@@rdouthwaite Aladdin Sane, no?

[@SlickNick840]

Superb...all the true artists could play live - even on TOTPs. Didnt realise DB could play the harmonica so well

[@sirtrevor10]

Trevor Bolder was some bassist. One of the best of the 70s. RIP.

[@garyfox8]

That bassline is brilliantly performed.

[@garryconnolly2026]

To whoever found this lost piece of history and put it here... Thank you!!

[@kevinwilson598]

Blowing everyone away playing live when most of his contemporaries couldn't even mime properly.

[@igofast6591]

back then they thought of solos as too sexual on tv

[@kevinwilson598]

@Time Traveller is that why zeppelin never appeared on totp Jimmy would have the country in a sexual frenzy

[@SuperNevile]

@@kevinwilson598 "Jimmy" and "Top Of The Pops" does not compute...…….

[@guitarpedaldemos9121]

Live bass player comes in early at 2:57 still awesome though

[@misterbonzoid]

@@kevinwilson598 Wasn't that because it was all about the singles chart and Led Zep didn't release a single until 1997? A single of what had sort of been TOTP's theme tune throughout the 70s.

[@Thomas-kg8pf]

I’m going to watch this another 50 times

[@Quinkermarine]

No wonder this incredible artist is still adored by so many. This is some 'lost' footage that showed up in a private collection. Has there been a cooler singer since the guy in this clip?

[@ianmutch1479]

Ronson's guitar is bang on the money

[@peterpedant]

You're kidding right? It sounds like a shreds vid. You people are insane.

[@peterpedant]

@wildcatter63 You've obviously no idea what i 'm talking about do you? Lol! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCwaq2NhLd1q6M

[@KarmasAbutch]

And wrote most of Bowies arrangements... the got dropped like a sack of potatoes. Something I’m glad Bowie lived long enough to regret and make amends for.

[@chriscampbell9191]

@@peterpedant Apples, oranges. I could post an Eddie Van Halen link that would outdo that vid. Ronson was a good guitarist, he gave Bowie's sound a good kick when it was needed. He got the job done, and influenced a lot of other guitarists. I don't think anyone here is necessarily comparing him to Segovia.

[@IvanLendl87]

@@peterpedant "sounds like a shred vid."??? Ronson plays a straight first position blues vamp throughout 90% of the song. If you think this is "a shred vid" you might want to start listening to something other than your Best Of Tiny Tim album.

[@MsJimbo1960]

That song is still way ahead of it`s time...

[@wout69]

wordonawing Why?

[@grant7345]

feel the raw power of David Bowie, so true and Mick Ronson and his whole band and the audience dancing

[@Mrbrbusby]

It’s hard to even believe today that somebody that fucking cool once walked this earth.

[@cpreston8996]

This is a magnificent live performance. Brilliantly captures the height of glam rock. Thank God the cameraman kept his own copy as the cheapskates at the BBC would record over the videotapes.

[@strexus]

+Chris Preston Yes, probably for a Jim'll fix it show!

[@guiltyspark6772]

An excellent performance indeed. The BBC also wiped most of the early Dr. Who episodes. Not a very forward thinking organization, that. Bet they learned their lesson after TONS of lost income.

[@terrypussypower]

+Guilty Spark It was a different time then, mate. These things were broadcast and then they were done as far as BBC were concerned. And not just the BBC, every TV company at that time did the same shit. It's only with hindsight you see how much of a folly it was.

[@robynnsong]

Prior to the early 1970's film was extremely costly to store. Most things were taped over in those days.

[@nathanwatson6826]

well yes and no. Nobody recognized the value of much of this at the time but no other network regularly wiped their tapes the way the BBC did. Most (though by no means all) American companies/networks kept most/much of their material.

[@petergreen2552]

The bass in this is so sick! Great stuff from a golden era

[@williambaker5318]

David's best band lineup, Unforgettable!

[@mr.d.4175]

As someone who got to totally enjoy the 1970's concerts this is so good. My first concert? Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer and Robin Trower to open, 1973. Sedalia Music fest in 1974. Look it up. I was 15. I went on to over 40 concerts seeing about 75 bands, some several times.

[@bigskyrambler]

Mine, too. But maybe not with Robin Trower. Lots of brain cells under the bridge since then.

[@Abuelo9]

God bless the cameraman. "Tapes of this edition of Top of the Pops were subsequently wiped, but a copy was made by BBC cameraman John Henshall, who had utilised the then new fisheye lens camera techniques for the performance. John Henshall was contacted by music television aficianado Ray Langstone who persuaded John to share his historic material. The film has since been preserved for posterity and was shown at the British Film Institute in December 2011."

[@davidcopson5800]

Thank you grandfather.

[@youjoker9647]

@Darren Francis Ray Langstone is a well known Bowie Fan who posts on 'David Bowie Official' site.

[@cheril8891]

Bowie always gives his performances his all. Such a talent. Awesome rocker clothes.

[@borretbenny5063]

I was 12 years old. Now I.m 62. Still love it...

[@FERNANDOGONZALEZ-pb6re]

Gawd how I really do miss the 70's (I'm going on 60) and besides the greatest decade in music was the FASHION of it all. And Bowie no doubt was on top of it or at the least part of it. Love David, miss him badly and his contributions. Appreciate all that make up the KZbin universe that keeps it going. God night and God bless.

[@danscott3880]

Never will there be another. thank you David Bowie for the music.

[@flipvanwaeyenberghe6155]

Best version I've ever heard. He really slams it.

[@codzy3532]

frickin brilliant love the sample of love me do in there great david bowie cant be beaten musically rip xox

[@ricpel9975]

Great performance, man, Mick Ronson's guitar really stands out in this performance. Michael (Mick) Ronson - Guitar (26 May 1946 - 29 April 1993, age 46, Cancer). Trevor Bolder - Bass (9 June 1950 - 21 May 2013, age 62, Cancer). David Robert Jones (David Bowie) (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016, age 69, Cancer). Michael "Woody" Woodmansey - Drums (born 4 February 1950). Thank you John Henshall for saving this gem!

[@TheSteveRobinson]

Bought the album when it came out, still have it. "Panic is Detroit" is one of my all time favourites...

[@hardlines2635]

In.

[@debbiehanisch2099]

Aladinsane is a great album. I love the piano in it. Bowie's best band was with Ronson.

[@chuckhush916]

Mine too.

[@hosehead58]

without doubt one of his best albums, somewhat underrated/less well-known

[@jaygee5693]

@@CB-xr1eg *Aladdin

[@miniondave3862]

Потрясающая группа! Отличная песня! и это 73 год в СССР в то время ни о чём подобном не слышали. Ронсон замечательный гитарист!!!!

[@eugenehogan9315]

Pure class from Bowie .Ronson just magic.Great band.

[@carlosmejia2284]

Esta es una de las primeras canciones que escuche de David Bowie.....1973....hace 50 años, desde ese tiempo lo sigo escuchando, soy fan de la musica britanica de esa epoca.....discos de vinyl, cassettes, intercambio de grabaciones, tornamesas, posters en las paredes de los dormitorios y volumen alto....que viajes....aun asi, youtube nos ha facilitado lo que no pudimos oir y guardar desde aquel tiempo....gracias

[@luisfernandochristofoletti7077]

3:48...a rare Marshall Major 200W...the most brutal guitar amp ever!! I love 70's era 😉

[@billverizon3480]

Ronson playing his 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom made in Kalamazoo Michigan.

[@keithlau3872]

As great of a guitarist Mick Ronson was, Trevor Bolder's bass playing on this song is simple AWESOME!!!

[@spookybaba]

Apart from the major fuck up coming in too early

[@doyleedog]

Yes, I'm loving that bass! Fat, grooving but tight and on point!

[@JasDarc]

So you're fucking perfect then? Twat.@@spookybaba

[@geraldcarter9043]

I was at this performance. David did 2 takes. He thought there was something wrong with his vocal and stopped the first take. So he paused, had a cup of water, handed the empty cup to an eager fan while looking somewhat bewildered at the request, and started again. He was as perfect as this. I remember thinking that his jacket was a bit heavy looking and awkward. At the end of the performance he smiled pleasantly, thanked the audience as if surprised that they had liked it and left the stage. (The DJ host was the despicable JS). And yes I was also at the Hammersmith Odeon theatre final performance of the Ziggy Stardust persona.

[@robbiethepict2783]

I come here now and again because I miss David Bowie and I remember when he first came out with the Spider from Mars.

[@mobiuspaw494]

I remember 1973 , in a crowded pub full of smoke and hyper voice's. I put a coin in the duke box Bowie's voice cuts through the noise, the room goes quite , that fabulous rif beats through my bones. O' Happy day !!

[@Basman59]

I was a 14 year old religiously watched TOTP in north London and recall this at the time. This was the first DB record I bought and never looked back. Played the 45 for days...drove me mum nuts playing it on the old grammaphone arm raised to keep it on replay...RIP Mr. Bowie and thanks for some cracking memories you are a legend.

[@laine.taylor]

I CANT BELIEVE WE'RE NOT ALL ADDRESSING THE LOVE ME DO HARMONICA IN THE END THAT ROCKED MY WHOLE SOUL

[@dynjarren8355]

I like the Bass player the best! He really looked Cool! What a Unique look with that Beard and Platform Shoes! And this is still a great Rock n Roll song! The best Rock was done in the Seventies!

[@buaidhnobas1ify]

Lucky to be alive in a time David Bowie was around.

[@terrypussypower]

Love the way Trevor Boulder jumps the gun at 2:57! Kinda like he did on the single only a lot later in the song. And when Ronno comes in with that lead sound near the end the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! One of Bowie's best songs. Pure genius.

[@josephliptak]

Now that's some rock n roll in the big league. If I only had some 714s I'd be back in 1973 tonight.

[@kayden7911]

Bowie and Ronson, both gone now. And Trevor Bolder, too! Makes me sad...😢 Still, I dig this rare footage! They sound so good.

[@davidhutchinson6377]

Not many artists are this varied....when you think about it...he went thru a huge range of musical genres....and we are the better for it.

[@coopsnz1]

hard rock this song

[@nathanwatson6826]

Not many artists are this talented either.

[@HWY66]

David and Mick created the coolest songs together...met Mick in '81 and told him that his music was life changing...he was the coolest guy

[@senseiruss]

I also met him (1980), had drinks with him and my NYC band, the Maroons, at Pete's tavern in Manhattan. Such a down-to-earth, and cool person.

[@spanqueluv9er]

@Linna757 But here they are playing eight years before you say they met…🤷‍♂️

[@senseiruss]

@@spanqueluv9er I think it means Linna757 met Mick in ‘81. Not Bowie.

[@williamdeane3380]

Bowie was one of the greats and a legend. RIP.

[@andymatthews7617]

THE BEST.

[@garypautard1069]

For those who don't know ,Bowie used an unusual system to construct song lyrics. He cut up magazines into lines with scissors -put them in a box and pulled out random sentences and spread them on a table to inspire him. That's why some songs were unique in their way.

[@soaringvulture]

Yeah. Works for me too.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Yes, remember seeing that in Moonage Daydream Movie, David was outta sight cool!

[@Anya-ip6fd]

Yes, in doing so he was taking from a Dadaist method. Arguably his genius lied in his ability to synthesise from many esoteric sources

[@couplakooks]

Brion Gysin and William Burroughs were the progenitors of the cut-up technique, and Bowie was a fan (certainly of Burroughs, as should we all be). Bowie was exceptionally good at putting the pieces together. Of course, I don't think he lacked in many areas. ❤️

[@Frank-sm9yl]

​@@couplakooksexactly right

[@datrahardaway3347]

70s one of the coolest decades in Music and also I was born in the 70s great performance David Bowie from here to Eternity

[@scottwaszak698]

THEE coolest and easily the best.

[@carrrexx7190]

Great, I'll notify the Smithsonian

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Mick's right hand is like a pile driver. This is about as good as it gets. What a phenomenal band.

[@ChrisLawton66]

The Yardbirds would've loved David's use of the "Rave-Up"!

[@davecole2908]

Classic Bowie and Ronson. Loved the little bit of Love Me Do at the end.

[@mikewest1542]

This is Fucking Amazing, the best thing I have ever seen on TOTP and that includes Heroes and Starman ,

[@4L3PH4]

+Mike West Definitely right up there.

[@jo101214]

+Mike West Simply spine-tingling. I come back to this every two weeks.

[@petergreen2552]

The holy trinity of Bowie's TOTP appearances.

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

The bass guitar on this is cool as fuck

[@burpie3258]

May I present to ye- Trevor Bolder.

[@franklinden3497]

I play drums and sing in my Church band, but Bowie is such a gifted machine spitting out the sweet notes on the harmonica and back to chorus vocals...so smooth. + That Shaker!

[@elliethebeatlesgirlie]

i wish i was alive to witness this, i don’t really like being a 2000’s kid…all of my favourite musicians have already passed :( This is a great video, never seen Jean Jeanie performed on TOTP so this is excellent! :)

[@davidmcque627]

I remember watching this..........on a black and white telly!