Bowie Flash Cover Article: 1973

David Bowie
Feb 1, 1973
2 min read

Updated: Feb 1

Bowie's Unisexual Glam Explosion

Cover and three-page article in Hit Parader Magazine (February 1, 1973) traced David Bowie’s dramatic transformation from a low-key folk performer to a full-glam rock sensation. It contrasted his earlier New York promo tour (with just a 12-string guitar and aversion to public appearances) with his current stage presence: unisexual, freakish haircut, gold and glitter, dyed and made up, running around to strobe effects, striking poses with guitarist Mick Ronson, and drawing ecstatic audience and critical response.

The piece praised Bowie for backing up his flash-rock look with finely intelligent material that could stand alone, noting his RCA signing after Mercury, the release of Hunky Dory, and the epic The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars. It highlighted RCA buying his Mercury masters — a move previously reserved only for Elvis Presley.

Article Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: Hit Parader (US).

Date: February 1, 1973.

Format: Front cover + three-page feature article.

Full Article

Just over a couple of years ago David Bowie dropped into New York with his 12 string guitar in suitably battered case. He was on a promotion tour of radio stations and was saying that he didn't like to appear in public, preferring the solitary creative processes of the recording studio.

Look at him now.

Unisexual on stage, freakish hair cut, gold and glitter, dyed and made up, running around the stage to strobe effects, startling

postures made with his guitarist, Mick Ronson ... and generally ecstatic response from audience.

And critics.

For strangely enough, Bowie backs up his flash-rock appearance by writing some finely intelligent material that could well stand up alone without all the special effects.

He signed with RCA after being on

Mercury and immediately came out with "Hunky Dory" to be followed by his epic "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" (which is the name of his back up group).