David BowieOpens in a new tab had as many eras as he had albums. And with each era came a distinct personality. But perhaps his most famous to this day is Glam Rock God, Ziggy StardustOpens in a new tab. Bowie eventually abandoned the Ziggy persona for good, and never resurrected him. However, he made sure that Zig went out with a bang, with an epic musical spectacle called The 1980 Floor Show. The show was held in Soho, London. It featured not only Bowie, but also guests like Marianne FaithfullOpens in a new tab and The TroggsOpens in a new tab.
And now, an eight-hour, uncut video (yes, we said eight) has surfaced of Ziggy Stardust’s last hurrah. And when we say that it’s uncut, we mean it. This video has multiple takes, candid backstage interludes, and dance rehearsals. Thanks to David Bowie News (via Laughing SquidOpens in a new tab), you can immerse yourself in the musical extravaganza above. And don’t worry, we’ll give you time to go put on your thigh-high glitter boots and purple eyeliner.
A few fun facts about this show. First off, no, they didn’t film it in 1980, but actually seven years earlier, in 1973. At a time when the year 1980 seemed like the far-off futureOpens in a new tab. The name of the show was a riff on George Orwell’s novel 1984. Thus, “1980 Floor.” Get it? In the world of Ziggy, they had terminated Stardust from the band The Spiders From Mars. So now, Ziggy was free to perform Bowie’s songs from Aladdin Sane and Pinups.
The show was broadcast on NBC via The Midnight SpecialOpens in a new tab series, something that allowed for wider exposure for Bowie in North America. So this is a must-see for any die-hard Bowie fan. And be sure to watch Bowie and Marianne Faithfull do their renditionOpens in a new tab of Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe.” It alone is worth the price of admission. A price that just so happens to be “free.”
