Facts About The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

“The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” is a seminal concept album by British rock musician David Bowie, released in 1972. It is often simply referred to as “Ziggy Stardust.” Here are some key facts about the album:

1. Concept Album: It’s one of rock’s earliest and most enduring concept albums. The album tells the story of Ziggy Stardust, a rock star who acts as an intermediary between Earth and space beings, only to be consumed by his own fame and hedonistic excesses.
2. Spiders from Mars: The Spiders from Mars was the name of Bowie’s backing band at the time. It consisted of Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Mick Woodmansey on drums.
3. Hit Singles: The album spawned several hit singles, including “Starman,” “Suffragette City,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide.”
4. Influence: The album has been cited as a significant influence on the glam rock genre, with its androgynous look, androgynous sound, and futuristic themes.
5. Cover Art: The cover features a photograph of Bowie as Ziggy Stardust in a jumpsuit, standing outside a furriers shop in London’s West End. It has become one of the most iconic album covers in rock history.
6. Character Immersion: David Bowie went so deep into the Ziggy Stardust character that, for a time, the line between Bowie and Ziggy blurred. He would give interviews as Ziggy and lived the rock star life described in the album.
7. Retirement of Ziggy: Bowie made a shock announcement in 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, stating, “Of all the shows on the tour, this particular show will remain with us the longest, because not only is it the last show of the tour, but it’s the last show we’ll ever do.” Many thought Bowie was retiring, but he was retiring the Ziggy character.
8. Legacy: In 1997, the album was named one of the 100 best albums of all time by Time magazine. It was also included in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance in 2017.
9. Stage Show: Bowie envisioned the album as a stage show and later, a TV program or film. While the full scope of this vision was never realized, many elements of the Ziggy story were incorporated into Bowie’s live performances during that era.
10. Reception: The album was not an immediate commercial success upon its release but gained steady popularity and acclaim over time. It’s now considered one of Bowie’s best works and one of the greatest rock albums of all time.

The album’s fusion of rock, theater, and its exploration of fame, identity, and societal collapse have made it a perennial favourite, and its influence can be seen in many subsequent artists and genres.