David Bowie (October 14, 1978) – “Stage” Album Advert – New Musical Express.
A full-page RCA Records advertisement promotes David Bowie's newly released live album Stage, documenting performances from the acclaimed 1978 world tour. Using a dramatic monochrome concert image and a theatrical promotional slogan, the advert presents Bowie as an artist continually reinventing himself on stage.
Publication: New Musical Express
Publication Date: October 14, 1978
Country: United Kingdom
Event Date: October 1978
This full-page RCA Records advertisement promotes David Bowie's live double album Stage, issued following his 1978 world tour.
The advert is dominated by a striking black-and-white performance photograph showing Bowie on stage beneath vertical lighting columns, reflecting the visual style of the late-1970s concerts.
The advertisement describes the release as:
"The Live Double Album Of The 1978 Tour"
and notes that the album was:
"Produced By Bowie & Visconti"
A theatrical promotional line appears beneath the album description:
"All The World's A Stage... And One Man In His Time Plays Many Parts"
The page concludes with pricing and catalogue information, listing the album as available for £5.70 recommended retail price through RCA Records.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published during October 1978, this advertisement appeared shortly after the release of Stage, David Bowie's second live album.
The advert reflects RCA's marketing strategy of presenting Bowie not simply as a concert performer but as a constantly evolving artist whose career had encompassed multiple musical and visual identities. The Shakespeare-inspired tagline reinforces this theme by portraying Bowie as a performer moving through many creative roles and eras.
The minimalist design, dominated by a single concert photograph, places the emphasis firmly on Bowie himself and the atmosphere of the 1978 tour.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Promotion of Stage
Era: 1978 – Berlin Trilogy period
Tone: Promotional and theatrical
Photography: Full-page monochrome live photograph of David Bowie performing on stage
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Full-page RCA Records advertisement
Promotion for Stage
Description as "The Live Double Album Of The 1978 Tour"
Production credit to Bowie & Visconti
Promotional slogan: "All The World's A Stage... And One Man In His Time Plays Many Parts"
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