RELEASE DETAILS Artist: David Bowie Title: Special (Big Artist Golden Special) Label: RCA – SRA-9503~04 Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Reissue Country: Japan Released: 1976 THE STORY This Japanese double LP compilation brings together key tracks from David Bowie’s early career, spanning his glam rock peak. It was released with the striking Thin White Duke era artwork on the cover, replacing the earlier Ziggy Stardust imagery used on the original 1973 version. The set inc

This RCA Records advertisement promotes David Bowie's newly released maxi-single, offering three tracks for the price of two. The advert highlights "Space Oddity", "Changes" and "Velvet Goldmine", presenting the package as a bargain purchase for Bowie fans. Publication: New Musical Express (NME) Date: September 26, 1975 Country: United Kingdom This full-page promotional advertisement announces the release of The Bowie Maxi on RCA Records. The advert features a photograph of D

In September 1975, RCA Victor reissued David Bowie's landmark recording "Space Oddity" as a UK maxi-single. Issued as part of the RCA MaxiMillion Series, the release paired the original 1969 recording with two additional Bowie compositions, "Changes" and "Velvet Goldmine". The reissue arrived at a time when Bowie's catalogue was attracting renewed interest and presented three songs drawn from different phases of his early career. Although originally recorded years earlier, "S

News article reporting that David Bowie is forming a new all-British backing band for his upcoming album and tour, with mentions of key collaborators including Willie Johnston and others. Publication: Unknown UK Music Paper (likely Melody Maker, Disc, or Sounds) Date: September 25, 1975 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: News Section Title: Bowie signs for Young The piece announces Bowie’s plans for a new backing band ahead of recording his next studio album (which woul

The 9 August 1975 issue of New Musical Express reports that David Bowie will return to Britain early the following year as part of a world tour. Publication: New Musical Express Date: August 9, 1975 Country: United Kingdom Under the headline “BOWIE SETS BRITISH DATES,” the item states that David Bowie will be coming to Britain early next year as part of a world tour—the first time he has played in the country since his Ziggy Stardust farewell concert at London’s Hammersmith O

A major in-depth feature and reflection piece in New Musical Express by Charles Shaar Murray questioning the music industry’s (and fans’) relationship with David Bowie, tied to the releases of Diamond Dogs and David Live. PUBLICATION Publication: New Musical Express (NME) Date: August 2, 1975 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Platters / Feature Title: Did we use him? Did we abuse him? THE STORY The article examines whether the industry and public have exploited Bowie’s

Full-page fan-oriented feature in Smash Hits (or similar teen/pop magazine) titled “Request Spot” dedicated to David Bowie’s hit “Young Americans,” complete with full lyrics and a striking colour photograph. PUBLICATION Publication:Smash Hits (or equivalent UK pop magazine) Date: 1975 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Request Spot / Lyrics Page Title: YOUNG AMERICANS by David Bowie on RCA Records THE STORY The page prints the complete lyrics to “Young Americans” alongs

SOURCE DETAILS Publication: The Sunday Times Magazine Date: July 20 1975 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Front Cover Title: The New Face of David Bowie This Sunday Times Magazine cover presents a striking portrait of David Bowie during his Young Americans era. The photograph shows Bowie with slicked‑back blond hair, tinted aviator glasses, and a patterned shirt featuring palm‑tree imagery. He holds a cigarette near his lips, exuding cool detachment and sophisticati

SOURCE DETAILS Publication: Unspecified UK  press (single review column) Date: July 19 1975 Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Single Review Title: David Bowie – “Fame” (RCA) This mid‑1975 review hails David Bowie’s “Fame” as a return to form and one of the standout tracks from his Young Americans album. The critic calls Bowie “the king of excess,” praising his audacious mix of funk, brass, and soul influences while noting the song’s “steady clatter” of percussion and

BACKGROUND "Fame" is a funk, funk rock and soul track written by David Bowie, Carlos Alomar and John Lennon. Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in January 1975, the song expresses Bowie’s dissatisfaction with fame, stardom, and the pressures of management, entourage culture and public expectation. It was issued as the second single from Young Americans and became Bowie’s first US number 1, while performing more modestly in the UK. "Fame" is a funk, funk rock a