The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
by David Bowie
- Type: Album
- Released: 16 June 1972
- Label: RCA
- Country: United Kingdom
- Length: 38:33
- Community rating: 4.42/5 from 153 ratings
Album Notes & Community Reviews
'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars' presents a loose rock opera concept centered on a fictional, androgynous alien rock star who is both a savior and a victim of his own success. Co-produced by Ken Scott, the album's glam and proto-punk sound is defined by the live-in-studio energy of the Spiders from Mars, with Mick Ronson's powerful guitar leads and Bowie's largely first-take vocals creating a dynamic yet polished recording. Thematically exploring the artificiality of rock music, sexuality, and stardom, the work propelled Bowie to international fame and established the Ziggy character as an enduring cultural archetype.
Genres
Descriptors: atmospheric, theatrical, sci-fi, conceptual, androgynous-vocals
Tracklist
- Five Years (4:43)
- Soul Love (3:34)
- Moonage Daydream (4:39)
- Starman (4:14)
- It Ain't Easy (2:57)
- Lady Stardust (3:21)
- Star (4:14)
- Hang on to Yourself (2:39)
- Ziggy Stardust (3:13)
- Suffragette City (3:28)
- Rock 'n' Roll Suicide (2:58)
Credits
- David Bowie - co-producer, vocals, guitar, saxophone, recorder, arrangements, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, string arrangements, pennywhistle
- Mick Ronson - guitar, piano, mellotron, arp synthesizer, vocals, arrangements, electric guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, string arrangements, autoharp
- Trevor Bolder - bass, bass guitar
- Mick Woodmansey - drums, percussion, congas
- Rick Wakeman - harpsichord
- Dana Gillespie - backing vocals
- Ken Scott - co-producer, producer, audio engineering, mixing engineering
- Brian Ward - photography
- Terry Pastor - artwork, colorisation and lettrage of the pochette