Back to
index
"Lady Grinning Soul" (Bowie):
Song from ALADDIN SANE (1973). The song is generally credited as
being written about American black soul singer Claudia Lennear for whom Mick Jagger also
wrote "Brown Sugar."
"Lady Stardust"
(Bowie): Song on THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS
(1972).
La Roche, Pierre: Bowie's personal
make-up artist from The House of Arden. It was La Roche who applied the lightening
bolt motif to Bowie's face for the ALADDIN SANE (1973) album
cover photo and applied the astral sphere make-up on Bowie's forehead. The astral
sphere makeup itself was derived from a white disc that Bowie began wearing on his
forehead in early 1973 - an idea he had borrowed from Calvin Mark Lee.
"Laser" (Bowie):
This song was written for The Astronettes aborted album project in late
1973 and later became the basis for "Scream Like A Baby" on SCARY MONSTERS (AND
SUPER CREEPS) (1981). It has surfaced as "I am Like A Laser" on an album by Ava
Cherry called PEOPLE FROM BAD HOMES (1995).
"Laughing Gnome, The" (Bowie):
Early Bowie song (26 January 1967) re-released by Deram to capitalise on the Ziggy
Stardust phenomenon and was the A-side on "The Laughing Gnome/The Gospel According to
Tony Day" (Deram DM123 - 8 September 1973). It was very successful with over 250,000
copies sold in the UK - but embarrassing for Bowie at the time because it was a charming
children's song rather than a Ziggy Stardust song "...of darkness and
disgrace..."
Lear, Amanda: Compare in the 1980
Floor Show (she appears in the clip for "Sorrow") and cover model for Roxy
Music's second album For Your Pleasure".
Lee, Calvin Mark:
Chinese-American Professor from California, an
A&R man with Mercury Records, and early friend of David Bowie who was
romantically involved with both David and Angie Bowie. He inspired
the use by Bowie of the round glitter circle on his head in his Alladin
Sane tour performances.
Legendary Stardust Cowboy: Singer
(real name Norman Carl Odom), who Bowie borrowed the name "Stardust" from.
See FAQ for details.
Lennear, Claudia: American soul
singer for whom the single "Lady Grinning Soul" was written.
"Lets Spend the Night Together"
(Jagger/Richards): Rolling Stone's song covered by Bowie on ALADDIN SANE (1973) and performed on all Ziggy Stardust concert
tours with the exception of the 1st UK and 1st US Tour. The song was
banned in Rhodesia as "undesirable."
"The idea was to fuck the sound up - give it
some 'whoa, what's that?' 1973 was the first time I used synthesisers, on "Let's
Spend The Night Together." - Bowie (1993)
Lewis, Linda: Backing singer on ALADDIN SANE (1973).
"Life on Mars?" (Bowie):
Song from HUNKY DORY (1971) which was performed on all UK concert tours and the 1st
US Tour. The HUNKY DORY (1971) liner notes state that it was "inspired by
Frankie" (Frank Sinatra) as it uses the same chord structure as "My Way."
Released as the A-side on "Life on Mars?/The Man Who Sold The World" (RCA 2316 -
22 June 1973).
LIFE ON MARS?: Promotional
video for "Life on Mars?" filmed backstage at Earls Court on 12 May 1973. The
original version contained images of Bowie singing with cut scenes of young girls reaching
out their hands to him at a concert. The version found on BOWIE - THE VIDEO COLLECTION
(1993) is a re-edit of the original with the audience scenes removed and Bowie
digitally bleached to emphasis his eye and lip make-up.
"London Boys, The" (Bowie): 1966
single of which a 1973 remake was reportedly intended to be on the PIN-UPS
(1973) album, but was dropped at the last minute.
"Looking for a Friend"
(Bowie): Song started but not finished at the Trident Studio Ziggy sessions for THE
RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS (1972). It was performed by
Bowie on John Peel's In Concert BBC radio show on 5 June 1971 and an early version
recorded on 17 June 1971. It was intended to be a follow-up single for the Arnold Corns
project.
"Love Me Do" (Lennon/McCartney):
Beatle's song of which a segment was performed as part of "The Jean Genie/Love Me
Do" duet with Jeff Beck at the Hammersmith Odeon concert on 3 July 1973. Bowie played
the introduction on harmonica and then sang a couple of verses before returning to
"The Jean Genie." The song was not released as part of the live concert album ZIGGY STARDUST - THE MOTION PICTURE (1983).
Lulu: Scottish singer who covered
Bowie songs "The Man Who Sold The World" and "Watch that Man".
Lumley, Robin: Pianist at Bowie's TV
appearance on Top of the Pops (14 April 1972).
The 
Companion
