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

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (often called Ziggy Stardust) is the fifth studio album by British musician David Bowie, released in June 1972 through RCA Records.  It was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott and features Bowie's backing band The Spiders from Mars, made up of Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass) and Mick Woodmansey (drums). It was recorded from November 1971 to February 1972 at Trident Studios in London. 

Ziggy Stardust has been called a loose concept album and rock opera. It is based around the title character, Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust, an androgynous and bisexual alien rock star who is sent to Earth as a saviour before a world-ending disaster. In the story, Ziggy becomes popular with fans but ends up destroying his life and being killed because of his pride. The glam rock and proto-punk style of the album was inspired by Iggy Pop, The Velvet Underground and Marc Bolan. 

Critics gave Ziggy Stardust good reviews. Some liked the musicality and concept, while others found it hard to understand. Shortly after the album came out, Bowie performed "Starman" on the British television show Top of the Pops, which made him a big star. The album reached number 5 in UK Album Chart and 75 in the American Billboard album chart. A concert movie of the same name was directed by Donn Allan Pennibaker in 1973. The album ranks 35th place in the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2017, it was chosen to be preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

 Track listing 
All songs written by David Bowie, except "It Ain't Easy", written by Ron Davies.

Side one

 "Five Years"  – 4:42
 "Soul Love"  – 3:34
 "Moonage Daydream"  – 4:40
 "Starman"  – 4:10
 "It Ain't Easy"  – 2:58

Side two

 "Lady Stardust"  – 3:22
 "Star"  – 2:47
 "Hang On to Yourself"  – 2:40
 "Ziggy Stardust"  – 3:13
 "Suffragette City"  – 3:25
 "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"  – 2:58

References

Category:1972 albums
Category:Rock albums
Category:Glam rock albums
Category:Concept albums
Category:David Bowie albums
Category:RCA Records albums
Category:Virgin Records albums