Hello and thanks to everyone who booked or joined me for a London Music Tour this week.
The full schedule of upcoming London Music Tours can be found HERE. If you’d like to book a private tour for a special occasion, get in touch using the form at the end of this post.
This week’s playlist is an introduction to David Bowie in the 1960s.
60’s Bowie
The 5th June 1964 saw the release of David Bowie‘s first record – Liza Jane, under the billing of Davie Jones and The King Bees.
I’m a huge fan of Bowie’s “pre-history” – the years before Ziggy when the plain old Jones boy was finding his way. It’s not a period that has gained many critical plaudits. Even hardcore Bowie acolytes often view it has having little more than curio value.
But for me it holds a continuing fascination – not merely because we can see within the songs and the image-changes the seeds of the 70s superstar to come.
It’s a period when Jones/Bowie belonged to London. He was London’s secret and his work is a mirror to the city at the time.
If you’re unfamiliar with the period, here’s my “Best Of” playlist featuring 10 Bowie tracks recorded between 1964 and 1969.
Track 10 is, of course, very famous – Space Oddity, year zero for most Bowie fans.
And I’ve left out The Laughing Gnome (although its blend of 1967 lyrical whimsy and the danceable Mod joy of the pilled-up, amphetamine bass line and THAT oboe make it a fascinating record) in favour of its B-side, The Gospel According to Tony Day – a taut, quasi-blues with an almost thuggish vocal delivery from Bowie.
If I only had to pick one of the tracks, it would be The London Boys, an achingly beautiful song that has gone on to become something of a London gay anthem. I’d go so far as to include this among the top ten tracks of Bowie’s entire career.
London Music Tours
First time visitor to this site? Hello! My name’s Adam and I am an award-winning, qualified tour guide.
I specialise in music-themed guided tours here in London. I’ve been a tour guide for 20+ years and I offer a regular schedule of walking tours throughout the year. For the full, up-to-date calendar click HERE.
Private tours are always available, too. Use the form at the bottom of this post to get in touch to book a private tour.
I’m qualified as a Westminster Guide (with distinction), a former visiting lecturer in tour guiding at the University of Westminster and an ex-national newspaper arts journalist . In my spare time I play guitar and sing and buy too many records. Drop me a line anytime using the form below.
To join one of my non-music-themed walking tours, visit the London Walks website HERE.
