David Bowie: "Bowie's Greatest Hits" Flexi Disc (1974)

David Bowie’s Bowie's Greatest Hits, a unique promotional 7-inch flexi disc, was released in the UK by Record Mirror (catalog number unknown) on September 28, 1974, under the catalog number LYN 2929 by Lyntone Recordings Ltd. in collaboration with Record Mirror & Popswop magazine.

This one-sided flexi-disc, given away free with the magazine, features excerpts from eight Bowie tracks, connected by an announcer’s commentary, with a total playing time of 5:55. The tracks, primarily from Bowie’s glam rock and early soul periods, include “Knock on Wood” (listed first but appearing last), along with snippets from albums like Hunky Dory (1971), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), Aladdin Sane (1973), Pin Ups

(1973), and Diamond Dogs (1974). Released by RCA/Mainman and manufactured by Lyntone, this flexi-disc is a rare collectible, capturing Bowie’s mid-1970s transition from glam rock to soul.

Historical Context

In 1974, David Bowie was navigating a pivotal phase in his career. Having retired his Ziggy Stardust persona in 1973, he released Diamond Dogs (May 1974), a dystopian glam rock album that hinted at his upcoming soul and funk influences. That summer, Bowie embarked on the ambitious Diamond Dogs Tour in North America, documented in the David Live album (recorded July 1974, released October 1974). His immersion in Philadelphia soul during this period led to Young Americans (1975).

The Record Mirror Flexi Disc was a promotional tool tied to Record Mirror & Popswop, a UK music magazine that merged pop coverage with fan engagement.

Released during this transitional year, the flexi-disc served to keep Bowie’s earlier catalog relevant while teasing his new soul direction with “Knock on Wood,” a cover of Eddie Floyd’s 1966 hit, released as a single in September 1974 from David Live. Bowie’s growing US popularity and UK chart dominance (e.g., Diamond Dogs hit No. 1 in the UK) made this a strategic release to maintain fan interest.

Track List:

"Knock on Wood" (Excerpt)

"Space Oddity" (Excerpt)

"The Man Who Sold the World" (Excerpt)

"Life on Mars?" (Excerpt)

"Starman" (Excerpt)

"The Jean Genie" (Excerpt)

"Sorrow" (Excerpt)

"Diamond Dogs" (Excerpt)

The announcer’s commentary, typical of promotional flexi-discs, likely provides context or introductions, weaving the excerpts into a narrative of Bowie’s career up to 1974.