In the late summer of 1972, The Sweet were hitting their stride as one of Britain’s most colourful and successful glam rock bands. With their platform boots, glitter, and catchy pop hooks, the quartet delivered another stomping hit with “Wig-Wam Bam.” The track mixed a driving beat, infectious chorus and playful Native American-inspired lyrics into a perfect slice of glam escapism. Released on September 1, 1972, the single appeared on RCA Victor under catalogue number RCA 226

In the summer of 1972, Lou Reed was stepping out of the shadow of The Velvet Underground and establishing himself as a solo artist. Fresh from the release of his self-titled debut album, Reed delivered “Walk and Talk It,” a loose, funky rocker that showcased his streetwise New York attitude and raw vocal delivery. The track carried the cool, understated swagger that would later define much of his solo work. Released on August 4, 1972, the single appeared on RCA Records under

David Bowie was on the verge of becoming a superstar. With his fiery red mullet, platform boots and alter ego Ziggy Stardust, he released “Starman” — a glittering, melodic anthem that introduced the world to his bold new persona and the theatrical world of *The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars*. Released on April 28, 1972, the single appeared on RCA Records under catalogue number RCA 2199. Backed with the raw, high-energy “Suffragette City,” this 7-in

A striking, minimalist Rolling Stone advert pairing a full‑body Bowie portrait with handwritten tracklists and a cascade of American critical praise for Hunky Dory.

Hunky Dory - The Best Album Bowie Has Ever Done

POPPA JOE RCA 2164 NEW HIT SINGLE FROM THE SWEET

In the early weeks of 1972, The Sweet were quickly establishing themselves as one of the most reliable hit-makers of the emerging glam rock era. With their colourful image and catchy pop-rock sound, the band released “Poppa Joe,” a bouncy, tongue-in-cheek track full of singalong charm and playful lyrics. Released on January 28, 1972, the single appeared on RCA Victor under catalogue number RCA 2164. Backed with “Jeanie,” this 7-inch release became another solid chart success

A dramatic full-page RCA Records advertisement promoting David Bowie’s single “Changes” from the album *Hunky Dory*. David Bowie’s “Changes” — his latest single from the album *Hunky Dory*. Melody Maker Date: January 15, 1972 Length: 2 min read 📰 Key Highlights • Promotes the single “Changes” (catalogue RCA 2160) • Taken from the album *Hunky Dory* • Striking high-contrast close-up portrait of David Bowie • Bold, minimalist layout with “A GEM PRODUCTION” and Gem log

A striking full-page RCA Records advertisement for David Bowie’s album *Hunky Dory*, featuring a dramatic close-up portrait and glowing quotes from the international press. Hunky Dory — David Bowie’s latest masterpiece on RCA Records. Melody Maker Date: January 8, 1972 Length: 3 min read 📰 Key Highlights • Large, atmospheric black-and-white portrait of David Bowie • Strong promotional quotes from Rock Magazine, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times • Highlights Bowie

A striking full-page advertisement in Rolling Stone showcases David Bowie’s *Hunky Dory* with handwritten song annotations, glowing critical quotes, and a dramatic close-up portrait. The ad positions Bowie as “the most singularly gifted artist creating music today,” linking him to the greats of the 1960s while heralding his arrival as the defining voice of the 1970s. This December 1971 advert captures the precise moment Bowie’s artistic breakthrough was being announced to Ame