David Bowie (September 30, 1978) – “Stage” Advert - New Musical Express (NME)

Sep 30, 1978

2 min read

This full-page RCA Records advertisement promotes David Bowie's newly released live album Stage. Using a striking concert photograph and concise promotional copy, the advert presents the album as the definitive document of Bowie's acclaimed 1978 world tour.

Publication: New Musical Express (NME)

Date: September 30, 1978

Country: United Kingdom

This full-page RCA Records advertisement is devoted entirely to David Bowie's double live album Stage. The design is dominated by a large black-and-white concert photograph showing Bowie performing at a microphone, framed against the distinctive visual styling associated with the album artwork.

The advertisement promotes Stage as "The live double album of the 1978 tour produced by Bowie & Visconti." The accompanying text describes the release as containing "all the world's a stage, and one man in his time plays many parts." The copy positions the album as a major live statement from Bowie following his extensive international touring activity during 1978.

The lower section of the advertisement includes release details and catalogue information for both record and cassette editions. RCA branding is prominently displayed, reinforcing the label's promotional campaign for the album. Unlike many contemporary record advertisements, the page relies on powerful imagery and minimal wording rather than extended marketing copy.

The overall presentation emphasises Bowie as a live performer, using the stage photograph to convey the atmosphere and visual impact of the concerts documented on the album.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published during the release campaign for Stage, the advertisement reflects RCA's efforts to promote the album as the definitive record of Bowie's 1978 live performances. The tour had attracted considerable attention and the album brought together performances of material spanning several periods of Bowie's career.

The advert is notable for its simplicity. Rather than focusing on individual songs or reviews, it concentrates on the image of Bowie in performance and the concept of Stage as a major live release. The result is a visually striking example of late-1970s music advertising.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Promotion of David Bowie's live album Stage

Era: 1978 Stage era

Tone: Promotional

Photography: Full-page live performance photograph of David Bowie

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Full-page RCA Records advertisement for Stage

• Promotion of the album as a live document of the 1978 tour

• David Bowie performing on stage in the central promotional image

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