David Bowie (October 14, 1978) Stage – New Musical Express

A full‑page New Musical Express advertisement promoting David Bowie’s live double album Stage, featuring a dramatic black‑and‑white photograph of Bowie performing on the 1978 tour.

Writer: Uncredited (advertisement copy) Artist: David Bowie

Date: October 14, 1978

Length: 1 page advertisement

The advertisement promotes David Bowie’s live double album Stage, recorded during the 1978 Isolar II tour. The layout features a stark monochrome photograph of Bowie singing into a microphone, hand raised near his face, framed by vertical stage lighting. The headline “DAVID BOWIE: STAGE” dominates the design, with supporting text describing the album as “The live double album of the 1978 tour. Produced by Bowie & Visconti.” The advert includes catalogue numbers for both record and cassette formats, RCA branding, and the retail price of £5.70 rrp. A Shakespearean line reinforces the theatrical theme of the campaign.

PUBLICATION

Publication: New Musical Express

Date: October 14, 1978

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: Advertisement Page

Title: David Bowie: Stage

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Promotional advertisement for Bowie’s live album Stage Era: 1978 – Isolar II tour period Tone: Dramatic and theatrical Photography: Black‑and‑white live image of Bowie performing Audience: UK music press readers and record buyers

“All the world’s a stage… And one man in his time plays many parts”

THE STORY BEHIND IT

Stage was released in 1978 as Bowie’s official live document of the Isolar II tour, capturing performances from the United States and Europe. RCA’s promotional campaign emphasised the album’s theatrical qualities, pairing a Shakespearean quote with a stark performance photograph. The advert reinforced Bowie’s late‑1970s persona: precise, modern, and visually striking. The collaboration with Tony Visconti highlighted the continuity between Bowie’s studio work and his live arrangements during this period.

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

Event: NME advertisement for Bowie’s live album Stage Era: 1978 Tone: Promotional and dramatic Photography: Monochrome live image of Bowie on stage Audience: British music press readers and Bowie collectors

“Produced by Bowie & Visconti.”

CONTEXT AND NOTES

The October 1978 NME advert formed part of RCA’s wider campaign to position Stage as a major release in Bowie’s catalogue. The minimalist design, bold typography, and Shakespearean reference aligned Bowie with both theatrical tradition and modernist stagecraft. The advert reflects the transitional moment between Bowie’s Berlin period and the more structured presentation of his late‑1970s live performances.

RELATED MATERIAL

• Pop Records – Album Review : Apr. 1974

• Reed Gets a Lot of Help on Album – Review : Apr. 1974

• Lou Reed Shows Off – News Report : Mar. 1977

Additional related entries can be found via the tag index at the foot of the page

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