David Bowie (June 12 1970) – “Memory Of A Free Festival” 7" Single

Jun 12, 1970

2 min read

David Bowie’s two-part single “Memory Of A Free Festival” released on Mercury Records in a standard company sleeve, marking a key transitional release between his folk-rock period and the glam era.

RELEASE DETAILS

Artist: David Bowie

Label: Mercury Records

Date: June 12, 1970

Catalogue: MF 1135

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

Country: United Kingdom

A-Side:

“Memory Of A Free Festival Part 1

B-Side:

“Memory Of A Free Festival Part 2

Written by: David Bowie

Produced by: Tony Visconti

UK VARIANTS:

7", Single, Promo, Knockout Centre – Mercury 6052 026 (1970)
7", 45 RPM, Single – Mercury 6052 026 (1970)
7", Single, Promo, Large Hole Centre – Mercury 6052 026 (1970)

INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS

Germany – Mercury (1970)
Netherlands – Mercury (1970)
Norway – Mercury (1970)
USA – Mercury (1970)

David Bowie's German release cover for "Memory of a Free Festival" Parts 1 and 2, under the Mercury label, catalogue number 6052 026.

David Bowie's "Memory of a Free Festival (Part 1+2)" cover, released by Mercury in the Netherlands, catalogue number 6052 026.

David Bowie album cover for "Memory of a Free Festival" Parts 1 and 2, released by Mercury Records in Norway, catalogue number 6052 026.

Promotional 7-inch vinyl of David Bowie's "Memory of a Free Festival (Part I)" released by Mercury in the USA, catalog number 73075.

PERSONNEL

David Bowie – vocals, instruments

Produced by Tony Visconti

THE STORY

In the summer of 1970, David Bowie issued this reflective two-part single inspired by the Beckenham Free Festival he had organised the previous year. Part 1 builds into a gospel-tinged anthem featuring the iconic “Sun Machine” chorus, while Part 2 serves as a dreamy, atmospheric coda. It was one of his final releases on Mercury before signing with RCA and launching the Ziggy Stardust era.

CONTEXT & NOTES

The single was issued in a classic bright pink Mercury company sleeve with concentric white circles. Labels feature the red triangle design and “NOT FOR SALE” stamping on promotional copies. Although it did not chart commercially, the track remains an important transitional recording in Bowie’s catalogue.

RELATED MATERIAL

David Bowie – Space Oddity (1969/1972)

David Bowie – “Space Oddity” (1969 single)

SOURCES

Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia.

All single artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.