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Kilburn Gaumont
13th June 1973

by David Bareham (August 2002)

In 1972, at the tender age of twelve, I was totally uninterested and naive as far as "pop music" was concerned, until - like so many others - I was completely blown away by Bowie's now legendary performance of Starman on Top of the Pops. I was immediately smitten and remain so to this day.

Again, like so many, my parents (especially my Dad) were less than impressed with my fascination for Mr B. and when the dates for the Aladdin Sane tour were announced, they didn't think it a good idea that their only son should be within fifty miles of him, let alone go to see him live.

However, constant badgering won them over and my cousin Tina, who was about as square as you could get and lived in London, was duly dispatched to the box office of Kilburn Gaumont to get a pair of tickets for me and my best mate, Nige. I can still remember the state of hysteria that greeted the news that she'd been successful in her mission.

On the day of the gig, accompanied by both my parents we set off for London. On the Tube system we fouled up when on my Dad's insistence we took the wrong tube. We were further delayed by Nige's insistence that he needed the loo. We arrived at the theatre to find the concert already in progress and were shown to our seats (five rows back) just as Hang onto Yourself was ending. I was utterly spellbound.

Ziggy Stardust, was next followed by Watch That Man, which I remember Bowie sang nearly all of with his leg hooked over his mike stand. During the following medley, a scuffle broke out stage left and Bowie, responding to some heavy handedness by one of the bouncers, paused before All The Young Dudes and said "Oh, you're such a tough guy aren't you" to the offending goon.

Moonage Daydream, my all-time fave, was monstrous with Ronson peeling off his solo to a hysterical reception from the many girlies, who all flung themselves in his direction. After the break, the show continued with Time, I was impressed to see that it was indeed 9.25pm when the corresponding line was sung. Width of a Circle was ace and seemed to go on for ever.

During the band intro's Ronson was introduced as Suzi Quatro, which was quite a giggle. We'd been told to be outside at ten thirty and being so young, didn't dare be late so we left as Bowie ripped through White Light/White Heat, which having listened to the various tapes in existence, I think was probably the last number anyway. One thing that puzzles me, is that I'm positive that Panic In Detroit was played, although this doesn't fit in with the well-known set lists gleaned from the bootlegs.

Anyway, it was a hell of a baptism to see Bowie live and I've indulged freely ever since, the last time being at The Festival Hall this year which cost me a measly £180.

---This page last modified: 12 Dec 2018---