page_title: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
section_title: Release and promotion
hierarchical_section_title: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars / Release and promotion
caption_attribution_description: English: David Bowie in the early 1970s
context_page_description: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, released on 16 June 1972 in the United Kingdom by RCA Records. It was produced by Bowie and Ken Scott and features Bowie's backing band the Spiders from Mars – Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey. Most of the songs were written around the same time as its predecessor Hunky Dory. After that album was completed, recording for Ziggy Stardust commenced in November 1971 at Trident Studios in London, with further sessions in January and early February 1972.
  Described as a rock opera and a loose concept album, Ziggy Stardust concerns Bowie's titular alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous bisexual rock star who is sent to Earth as a savior before an impending apocalyptic disaster. After gaining the trust of the citizens, Ziggy seduces everyone in his path and at the end of the album, dies as a victim of his own fame. Influences for the character of Ziggy Stardust were English singer Vince Taylor, the Legendary Stardust Cowboy and Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto.
context_section_description: Hunky Dory was released on 17 December 1971 and received praise from British and American publications. Before Bowie changed his appearance to his Ziggy persona, he conducted an interview with journalist Michael Watts of Melody Maker where he came out as gay. Published on 22 January with the headline "Oh You Pretty Thing", the announcement garnered publicity in both Britain and America, although according to Pegg the declaration wasn't as monumental as latter-day accounts perceive. Nevertheless, Bowie was adopted as a gay icon in both countries, with Gay News describing him as "probably the best rock musician in Britain" and "a potent spokesman" for "gay rock". Although Tony Defries was reportedly "shocked" by the announcement, Ken Scott believed Defries was behind it to begin with, wanting to use it for publicity. According to Cann, the ambiguity surrounding Bowie's sexuality drew press attention for his tour dates, the upcoming album and the subsequent "John, I'm Only Dancing" non-album single.
  Widely considered to be Bowie's breakthrough album, Ziggy Stardust was released on 16 June 1972 by RCA Records in the UK. The lead single, "Starman", was released earlier that year on 28 April. The single sold steadily rather than spectacularly but earned many positive reviews. To promote the album, Bowie, the Spiders and keyboardist Nicky Graham performed the song on the Granada children's music programme Lift Off with Ayshea on 15 June, which was presented by Ayshea Brough. The performance was broadcast on 21 June in a "post-school" time slot, where it was witnessed by thousands of British children. By 1 July, "Starman" rose to number 41 on the UK Singles Chart, earning Bowie an invitation to perform on the BBC television programme Top of the Pops.
  Bowie, the Spiders and Graham performed "Starman" on Top of the Pops on 5 July 1972. Bowie appeared in a brightly-coloured rainbow jumpsuit, "shocking" red hair and astronaut boots while the Spiders wore blue, pink, scarlet and gold velvet attire. During the performance, Bowie was relaxed and confident and wrapped his arm around Ronson's shoulder. Transmitted the following day on 6 July, Buckley writes, "Many fans date their conversion to all things Bowie to this Top of the Pops appearance". The performance brought public attention to the album and helped solidify Bowie as a controversial pop icon. In a 2010 interview in Rolling Stone, Bono said, "The first time I saw him was singing 'Starman' on television. It was like a creature falling from the sky. Americans put a man on the moon. We had our own British guy from space – with an Irish mother."
caption: Bowie in character as Ziggy Stardust during the Ziggy Stardust Tour.
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