DAVID BOWIE

‘Do you think they’ll understand?’ asked David.

‘Those that matter will!’ replied Angie in her brusque American twang. ‘The rest will catch up.’

She and Liz, Tony Visconti’s girlfriend, were still finishing the costumes as they got into the car. This was the latest stage in her launch of David Bowie, the star. Stage costumes. No more ‘boy next door’ denims. They’d be more like ‘boy next planet’.  Superheroes. 

 Tony, Liz and Angie all crowded into David’s Riley. The other two members of Hype, Mick Ronson and John Cambridge, plus his drum kit and more stage gear filled John’s Hillman Minx. 

Even the uncertainty of whether they’d be appreciated added to the excitement as they swept out of the drive from Haddon Hall, heading for London, and up to the Camden Roundhouse. Once there, the costumes would transform them. Into his new group, David Bowie and Hype.

David and Angie had met and moved into Haddon Hall about 6 months before. Tony and Liz had moved in soon after – attracted by low rent and lots of space. Drummer John had become part of the gang after accompanying David on BBC sessions – and to Trident for recording sessions.

Mick was the last to join when John, always willing, recommended him as lead guitar. Sensing that a drummer’s opinion on a guitarist wasn’t doing the trick, John went to fetch him! He drove all the way from Beckenham back to Hull, where he and Mick had grown up. Mick was quite happy having escaped the music scene, but eventually John persuaded him to give up his retreat as a Council groundsman. Take a last throw at the music scene – and ride with him, back down to meet David Bowie. 

Mick was playing on the BBC two days later. Much more than he’d ever achieved before!

That was just him and David Bowie in his acoustic guise. But a few weeks later, when they set off for the Roundhouse, he was fully integrated into the Haddon household. 

Tonight, no more ‘Mr nice guy’ acoustic. This would be electric!

Rock with sequins – Glam Rock!