December 1972 (continued)
ZIGGY RETURNS HOME: 2ND SHORT UK TOUR
"This was probably one of the best, highest
energy jaunts of our short eighteen-month life" -
Bowie
Songs performed: The Supermen, The Width of
A Circle, Changes, Life on Mars? Five Years, Moonage
Daydream, Hang Onto Yourself, Ziggy Stardust,
Starman, Suffragette City, Rock n Roll Suicide, John, I'm Only Dancing, The
Jean Genie, John, I'm Only Dancing.
Other artists songs: Waiting for The Man
(Lou Reed) Lets Spend the Night Together (Jagger-Richards)
Set lists: Bowie upped the energy level for this short tour by removing
the acoustic set and starting and continuing with Lets Spend The Night Together. A
typical setlist was Lets Spend The Night Together /Hang Onto Yourself / Ziggy Stardust /
Changes / The Supermen /Five Years / The Width of A Circle / Life on Mars? / John, I'm
Only Dancing / Moonage Daydream / The Jean Genie / Suffragette City / Rock n Roll Suicide.
"Space Oddity" 7" single is re-released world-wide.
Bowie's success prompted RCA's overseas divisions to heavily re-promote his first hit
single with the result a US Top 20 position at #15. Songs produced by Gus Dudgeon (Space
Oddity), David Bowie & Ken Scott (Moonage Daydream, It Ain't Easy), Ken Scott (Life On
Mars) & Tony Visconti (The Man Who Sold The World).
"Space Oddity/Moonage Daydream/Life on Mars?/It Ain't Easy"
RCA EP 45103 US in picture sleeve. Highest chart =#15.
"Space Oddity/The Man Who Sold The World" RCA 74-0876
US. In Picture sleeve. Released in January 1973.
"Space Oddity/Fool" (Presley) RCA 003 Thailand
"Space Oddity/It Ain't Easy" RCA 552252 Japan in picture
sleeve
Dec-16th 1972
Advertising from RCA proclaims "RCA Welcomes Bowie Back from his
triumphant tour of the US"
Dec-23rd 1972
Concert: Rainbow Theatre, London. Bowie comes on stage to a
standing ovation and makes a speech asking the fans to make a toy donation to Dr Barnados
(they filled an entire truck). Dr
Barnardos is the charity organisation that Bowie's late father had worked for.
Melody Maker magazine cites Bowie as "THE main man of
1972" and Bowie dominates the issue. Bowie was voted Top Vocalist of the Year
(over Rod Stewart and Elton John) while the Ziggy Stardust album is the critics choice for
pop album of 1972. A two page ad states "David Bowie and the Spiders wish
everyone a Happy Christmas" and requests that those attending the Rainbow Concert on
the 24th December bring a children's toy to be donated to charity.
Dec-24th 1972
Concert: Rainbow Theatre, London. The audience to this concert
are also asked to bring a toy for delivery to Dr Barnardos homes on Christmas
morning - the next day.
"I first saw Bowie live on Christmas Eve 1972
at the Rainbow, and to say I was blown away would be an understatement.To say that evening
was a life changing event would be an understatement!... Most memorable moments? Bowie
having trouble getting the moog synthesizer in the right place during Lets Spend the Night
Together, also having problems with his huge pair of shoes with palm tree motifs on them
which he promptly kicked off into the curtain at the back of the stage..." -
Colin Richardson (2002)
Dec-25th 1972
A truck full of toys are delivered to children's homes all over London.
David, Angie Bowie and Zowie spend their last Christmas at Haddon Hall. His fame is
such that fans are now camping in his garden. British post makes a special delivery with
six sacks of Christmas cards for the Bowie family.
Dec-28th 1972
Concert: Hard Rock, Manchester.
The 
Companion
