David Bowie: Breaking Glass EP (1978)

A Breaking Glass Stage Dive

David Bowie’s “Breaking Glass live” was released as a 7-inch EP single with push-out centre and a promo version in the UK on November 17, 1978, on RCA Victor (catalogue: BOW 1 / PB 9337 / PL 02913(2)). Backed with “Art Decade live” and “Ziggy Stardust live,” this raw Stage trio (all live from the 1978 tour), produced by Bowie & Tony Visconti, were issued in picture and company sleeves. It peaked at No. 54 on the UK Singles Chart for 7 weeks. Issued in push-out centre, promo with “NOT FOR SALE,” runouts crossed out with harp symbol before ‘GATES/GETAS’ (Utopia mastering), it’s a live ‘78 glam reissue trio.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Breaking Glass live”

Written-By – Bowie, Davis, Murray. Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti.

B1-Side: “Art Decade live”

Written-By – Bowie. Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti.

B2-Side: “Ziggy Stardust live”

Written-By – Bowie. Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti.

Release Details:

Label: RCA Victor (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Manufactured By – RCA Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – RCA Records.

Published By – Bewlay Bros. Music (A, B1, B2), Fleur Music (A, B1), Chrysalis Music Ltd. (B1, B2), Mainman Ltd. (B2).

Printed By – Delga Press Limited.

Mastered At – Utopia Studios.

Pressed By – RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK.

Runouts: ‘PB 93 37’ crossed out both sides, harp symbol before ‘GATES’ and ‘GETAS’.

UK Formats:

Vinyl, 7" EP Single

Push Out Centre, Picture and Company Sleeves (BOW 1 / PB 9337 / PL 02913(2))

A: “Breaking Glass live” – Written-By – Bowie, Davis, Murray – Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti

B1: “Art Decade live” – Written-By – Bowie – Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti

B2: “Ziggy Stardust live” – Written-By – Bowie – Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti

All tracks from the album Stage.

Vinyl, 7" EP Single, Promo

Demonstration Sample Not For Sale (BOW 1 / PB 9337 / PL 02913(2))

A: “Breaking Glass live” – Written-By – Bowie, Davis, Murray – Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti

B1: “Art Decade live” – Written-By – Bowie – Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti

B2: “Ziggy Stardust live” – Written-By – Bowie – Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti

Country Variations:

The single was released in several countries:

UK (RCA Victor BOW 1 / PB 9337 / PL 02913(2))

Released November 17, 1978. 7-inch EP (standard & promo).

Belgium (RCA Victor 1978)

France (RCA Victor 1978)

Netherlands (RCA Victor 1978)

Spain (RCA Victor 1978)

Australia (RCA Victor 1979)

Production and Context

Produced by David Bowie & Tony Visconti. All tracks live from the 1978 Stage tour, recorded during the Isolar II shows. A-side from Low, B1 from Low, B2 from Ziggy Stardust. Publishers: A – Bewlay Bros./Fleur; B1 – Bewlay Bros./Chrysalis/Fleur; B2 – MainMan/Chrysalis/Bewlay Bros. Mastered at Utopia, pressed in Washington, UK. Sleeve printed by Delga Press Limited.

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 54 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 7 weeks.

Entry Date: December 2, 1978.

Peak: No. 54 (December 9, 1978).

Weeks on Chart: 7 (Dec 2, 1978 – Jan 13, 1979).

Chart Run: No. 58 (Dec 2), No. 54 (Dec 9), No. 56 (Dec 16), No. 70 (Dec 23), No. 70 (Dec 30), No. 71 (Jan 6), No. 68 (Jan 13).

Legacy and Collectibility

“Breaking Glass live” is a snarling Stage highlight, “Art Decade live” an atmospheric instrumental, “Ziggy Stardust live” a glam resurrection. Original UK 7-inch EPs fetch £8–£20 on eBay/Discogs, promos (£25–£50). Verify crossed-out runouts and harp symbol.

Streams on Spotify via Stage album preserve the live electricity. This Isolar II snapshot is a must-have for Bowie live collectors and ‘78 glam fans.

Have you felt the shatter of this live Breaking Glass? Does Ziggy still rise on stage in your heart? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube.