U.S. Stay to Set Up Revue Article: 1974

Bowie's 1980 Floor Show NYC Prep

Published in the UK on January 26, 1974, New Musical Express’s one-page article “U.S. Stay to Set Up Revue” reported that David Bowie would leave Britain in mid-February to spend several months in New York, where he would work on preparations for his stage revue titled The 1980 Floor Show. This was the provisional name for his musical adaptation of George Orwell’s novel 1984, previously exclusively reported by NME as set to premiere in London’s West End that year. Bowie would collaborate with Tony Ingrassia (co-author of Andy Warhol’s Pork, which played at the Roundhouse in 1971) on mounting the production.

Meanwhile, Bowie was recording the album version of The 1980 Floor Show at London’s Olympic Studios, with tracks including “Big Brother” and “Are You Coming? Are You Coming?” in production that week. Trevor Bolder and Mike Garson were among the musicians involved, and recent studio visitors included Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, and Rod Stewart. The title change from 1984 to 1980 was intended to avoid potential copyright issues. The article also noted that Bowie’s US TV special (filmed at London’s Marquee last autumn, featuring The Troggs, Marianne Faithfull, and Carmen) had been acquired by ITV for British screening, though no transmission date was set.

Article Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: New Musical Express (UK).

Date: January 26, 1974.

Format: One-page news/feature article.

Legacy

This article is a key early 1974 Bowie press piece — documenting the ambitious 1980 Floor Show project (later evolved into Diamond Dogs) and the collaborative energy of the era.

Do you have this NME article in your archive? Ready for the 1980 Floor Show? Share in the comments!

DAVID BOWIE leaves Britain in mid-February to spend several months in New York, where he will be working on preparations for his stage revue "The 1980 Floor Show". This is now the title provisionally chosen for his musical adaptation of George Orwell's novel "1984" which, as previously exclusively reported by NME, is to be premiered in London's West End this year. Working with Bowie in mounting the show will be Tony Ingratsia, co-author with Andy Warhol of "Pork", which played a season at London Roundhouse in 1971.

Meanwhile, Bowie is currently working in London's Olympia Studios on the album of "The 1980 Floor Show". Tracks in production this week were titled "Big Brother" and "Are You Coming? Are You Coming?". The exact date of his departure for New York depends upon how soon the album is completed. By the same token, the date of the opening of the stage show hinges upon the progress made in mounting it but Bowie is aiming for a London opening in late spring or early summer.

Trevor Bolder and Mike Garson are playing some of Bowie's Olympic sessions, and among recent visitors to the studios have been Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart. It is understood that the switch of title from "1984" to "1980" is intended to avoid any copyright problems which might otherwise arise.

The U.S. TV special of David Bowie's concert at London Marquee last autumn which also featured the Troggs, Marianne Faithfull and Carmen --has been acquired for British screening by ITV. No trans- mission details have yet been fixed.