Album Review: David Bowie – ‘Live Santa Monica ‘72’

By Jeff Swindoll Jul 24, 2008, 16:44 GMT

In 1972, David Bowie set out on his first US tour. He\'d recently introduced the world to his Ziggy Stardust persona with his top 5 album \'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars\' and had completed a hugely successful UK tour. The Santa Monica concert, David\'s first live US radio broadcast, was aired live on KMET in L.A. Over the last 36 years this historic ...more

“Boy you’re terrific.”  - Bowie to the audience.

David Bowie was perhaps at the height of his popularity as he donned his Ziggy Stardust persona and wore it for the first time on live radio with this 1972 concert.  Bowie is joined onstage by Spiders from Mars Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass), Mick Woodmansy (drums) and Mike Garson (piano). 

The concert was held on October 20, 1972 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and broadcast live on KMET.  This would be the first time that Bowie had appeared on live U.S. radio. 

“That was a good Space Oddity” says Bowie and I’d have to agree as there’s something extremely appealing about this acoustic version.  I might actually have to say that it may supplant the original version as my favorite version of the tune. 

On the opposite side of things some of the duet material sounds a bit off, not Bowie he’s in fine voice, but then there’s a certain rawness of the live performance that is appealing.  As well as some chatter from the radio DJs and the audience.  Bowie even favors the audience with a curtain call performance of “Rock ‘n’ Role Suicide.” 

All ends of the technological spectrum are addressed as the concert will be released on CD, a digital download, and double vinyl LP (remember those, kids?).  This album is a bit of history in the Bowie legacy and its availability is most welcome.