Memories of MICK RONSON, who sadly passed away 30 years ago on this day in 1993.

• On this day, 31 years ago, DAVID BOWIE and IMAN were officially married having a private civil wedding ceremony at Lausanne registry office, Switzerland in 1992...

• On this day, 45 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at the Mecca Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA during his 1978 World Tour...

• On this day, 47 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at UKK Hall in Helsinki, Finland during his 1976 World Tour. He arrived via train and went to a press conference held at Hotel Hesperia. After the concert, it was reported that David partied at a nightclub with Iggy Pop and Marc Bolan...

• On this day, 57 years ago, DAVID BOWIE & THE BUZZ performed at the Marquee Club, Soho, London, England in 1966...

• On this day, 56 years ago, DAVIE JONES & THE MANISH BOYS perform at Bletchley, England in 1965. This is David's last ever performance with this band...

• Happy Birthday to TONY VISCONTI wishing you a wonderful day...

Renowned reggae band EASY STAR ALL-STARS have just released their final single off their upcoming album ZIGGY STARDUB - a reggae reimagining of DAVID BOWIE's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars, out this Friday.

Today's track features vocals by the iconic multi-award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer MACY GRAY, and the passionate rendition of 'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide' offers a fresh spin: creating a laid back atmosphere across a bounding drum beat and swaggering horns. The accompanying stop motion video takes viewers through an evening journey in a paper town - you can check it out below.

The track is off the upcoming album Ziggy Stardub, out 21st April via Easy Star Records.

Released today for RECORD STORE DAY 2023 is DAVID BOWIE 'Laughing With Liza - The Vocalion and Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus' in a 5x7" box in a limited edition of 1,000 copies.

An artist on the cusp of genius, in the height of Swinging London. Bowie's early Deram singles collected in a 7" box for the very first time, including a never before released version of Space Oddity, his breakthrough hit.

DISC ONE
A Side - Liza Jane
B Side - Louie, Louie Go Home (Vocalion Pop - V.9221)

DISC TWO
A-Side Rubber Band
B-Side The London Boys (Deram DM 107)

DISC THREE
A-Side - The Laughing Gnome
B-Side - The Gospel According To Tony Day (Deram DM 123)

DISC FOUR
A-Side - Love You Til Tuesday
B-Side - Did You Ever Have A Dream (Deram DM 135)

DISC FIVE
A-Side Space Oddity (Love You Til Tuesday version)
B-Side The Laughing Gnome (Vocal Take 1, Mix 1) (Unreleased)

For sleeve notes outlining details of each track, please read here.

For more details and information on announced releases, visit the recordstoreday.co.uk and recordstoreday.com websites.

If you were unlucky and didn't manage to get hold of one, you could try Amazon or eBay there some listed.

Ex DAVID BOWIE / HYPE drummer JOHN 'CAMBO' CAMBRIDGE will be appearing at The Beverley Bookshop on Saturday 22nd April to undertake a book signing and tell a few stories of his time as Bowie's drummer and good friend.

His book 'Bowie, Cambo & All the Hype' is a wonderful read and copies will be available to buy - and have personally signed - on the day itself.

Venue: The Beverley Bookshop
Address: 19 Butcher Row, Beverley, East Yorks HU17 0AA, England
Time: 12.00 until 14.00

For more details and information, please visit beverleybookshop.co.uk website.

Forget that I'm fifty, 'cos you just got paid...

The sixth studio album released by DAVID BOWIE 'Aladdin Sane' today commemorates its 50th anniversary.

Released on 19th April 1973, the intended UK release date was 20th April, but as this was Good Friday, a UK public holiday and the shops were closed, the album was made available the day previous.

The tracklisting runs as follows:

Side one:
     Watch That Man
     Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?)
     Drive-In Saturday
     Panic In Detroit
     Cracked Actor

Side two:
     Time
     The Prettiest Star
     Let's Spend The Night Together (Jagger/Richards)
     The Jean Genie
     Lady Grinning Soul

To celebrate this occasion the Aladdin Sane 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Half-Speed Master LP has been released, as well as the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Picture Disc LP.

Also currently taking place is ALADDIN SANE: 50 YEARS EXHIBITION at Royal Festival Hall, Exhibition Space, Southbank Centre, London, England, which runs until 28th May.

Recently published is ALADDIN SANE 50 YEARS The definitive celebration of Bowie's iconic album and music's most famous photographs - with unseen images by CHRIS DUFFY, hardcover, 256-pages.

• On this day, 28 years ago, DAVID BOWIE's first solo art exhibition 'David Bowie: New Afro/Pagan And Work 1975-1995' opened at Kate Chertavian Fine Art at The Gallery, Cork Street, Mayfair, London in 1995...

• On this day, 8 years ago, DAVID BOWIE releases 'Changes'/'Eight Line Poem' 7" picture disc, 'Kingdom Come' Side by Side clear vinyl 7" disc and David Bowie 1966 white vinyl for Record Store Day 2015...

GEOFF MACCORMACK was interviewed this morning by Chicago's WGN TV NEWS talking about his friend DAVID BOWIE and his fabulous new best-selling book Rock 'n' Roll With Me that was published last month.

If you're in California, you can catch the DAVID BOWIE IN THE SOVIET UNION exhibition of Geoff MacCormack photographs at the Wende Museum, Culver City, CA 90230, USA which opened this month and runs through until 22nd October. Free entrance.

Heads up... currently in the pipeline, written and awaiting a publishing deal is a brand new book by FRANK SIMMS, which details in depth DAVID BOWIE's Serious Moonlight Tour '83.

Frank, along with his brother George, were the backing vocalists on the tour, after they had both performed on the worldwide mega-selling hit album 'Let's Dance', that Bowie co-produced with Nile Rodgers, which celebrates its 40th anniversary today.

Frank kept a diary throughout the tour, detailing behind-the-scenes, with stories and insights that no one has ever heard about. This creates an intimate memoir of the most spectacular year of David Bowie's performing life, written by someone who was at his side virtually every minute of it.

Fingers crossed for some never-before-seen photos and there's lots of new insightful information.

From New York City, down to Dallas, across to Europe, back again to North America, onto Japan, down under to Australia, across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, then a Bungle in the Jungle and finally closing in Hong Kong.

The Serious Moonlight Tour '83 visited fifteen countries and produced ninety-eight performances - (ninety-nine if you include the $1.5 million dollar interruption of the US '83 Festival) - all of which is covered in this incredibly enjoyable read.

To celebrate MICK RONSON's life and the immense contribution he made to popular music with DAVID BOWIE and his fellow Spiders From Mars, the sell-out stage production TURN & FACE THE STRANGE is playing a series of anniversary shows at HULL NEW THEATRE in December.

The three performances take place on Friday 8th December at 7.30pm (evening) and Saturday 9th December 2.00pm and 7.30pm (matinee and evening).

Venue: Hull New Theatre
Address: Kingston Square, Hull HU1 3HF, England
Website: hulltheatres.co.uk

Tickets go on sale this Friday on 14th April at 10.00am via hulltheatres.co.uk website or by phone on 01482 300 306.

Update: There's a whole host of DAVID BOWIE radio programmes being broadcast on BBC 6 MUSIC this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

APRIL 11th, Tuesday

In Their Own Words: David Bowie, BBC 6 Music, UK, 00.00 GMT
The story of the musician told through interviews from the BBC archives, combining with concert and session recordings, features and a playlist to make a weekly artist collection.

Bowie at the Beeb, BBC 6 Music, UK, 1.00 GMT
Another chance to hear a documentary from 1987 in which Andy Peebles looks back at the radio sessions and a concert David Bowie recorded for the BBC between 1969 and 1972. Including excerpts from a 1969 interview with Bowie and John Peel's memories of the singer's work at the BBC.

David Bowie Live, BBC 6 Music, UK, 2.00 GMT
A concert from June 2000 in which David Bowie performed for a small audience at the BBC's Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House in London.

David Bowie Star Special, BBC 6 Music, UK, 3.00 GMT
Part one of two. In a programme first broadcast in 1979, the musician introduces a selection of his favourite music.

The David Bowie Playlist, BBC 6 Music, UK, 4.00 GMT
Tracks celebrating the artist's music, origins, influences and inspirations.

APRIL 12th, Wednesday

David Bowie Star Special, BBC 6 Music, UK, 3.00 GMT
Part two of two. In a programme first broadcast in 1979, the musician introduces a selection of his favourite music.

Bowie's Heroes, BBC 6 Music, UK, 2.00 GMT
In a programme first aired in 2013, Matt Everitt examines the writers, musicians and artists who helped to shape David Bowie's work during his career. Featuring interviews with collaborators Frank Black, Dave Grohl and Moby, as well as artists who cite him as an influence, including Simon Le Bon, Johnny Marr, Martin Fry, Sinead O'Connor and Wayne Coyne.

APRIL 13th, Thursday

David Bowie in Conversation with Andy Peebles, BBC 6 Music, UK, 1.00 GMT
A relaxed David Bowie - in an insightful interview with Andy Peebles for Radio 1, recorded in New York on 5th December 1980.

Bowie and Beyond: A Music Fans' Guide to Berlin, BBC 6 Music, UK, 2.00 GMT
Here writer and broadcaster Danny Robins looks at what has made the German capital into a rock 'n' roll mecca, exploring the cultural and social forces that have shaped the city's rich musical history from Weimar times, via the Bowie years, to the techno revolution of the 90s and the still vibrant present day music scene.
Danny follows in Bowie and Iggy's footsteps, on a guided tour with former recording engineer Thilo Schmied, who takes him around some of the pair's old haunts and shows him round the legendary Hansa studios where they recorded, in the shadow of the wall and within shooting range of the East German border guards. Bowie and Iggy inspired a creative influx of bands and singers in subsequent decades. Danny meets producer Gareth Jones, who worked with Depeche Mode and Nick Cave at Hansa, and Mute Records founder Daniel Miller, still a resident of Berlin.
Danny meets more recent musical immigrants too, like Eddie Argos from indie band Art Brut, now resident in hipster suburb Neukolln, and the queen of sextronic rock n roll, Peaches, who takes Danny on a tour along the remains of the Berlin Wall and gives him her suggested Berlin playlist.
Danny also meets German artists, including Die Toten Hosen, indie band Tocotronic and rising star of German Hip Hop, Prinz Pi. Interestingly, German is the second biggest market for hip hop outside the states, but does rap really sound good in German? And DJ Paul Van Dyk tells Danny about his days growing up in East Germany, smuggling records in over the border. Through these meetings with musical residents of Berlin past and present, Danny builds up a picture of not only the influences that have shaped the city's unique soundscape but also the reasons it has been and continues to be such a rich and fertile place for musicians to base themselves. Every band needs a Berlin period - but is there such a thing as a Sound of Berlin?

For more details and information, visit bbc.co.uk website.

• If you've got NETFLIX and you're in the UK, you can now watch DAVID BOWIE - MOONAGE DAYDREAM the "hybrid non-fiction film" by BRETT MORGEN from today...

• Published in today's GUARDIAN is 'Southbank Centre celebrates 50 years of DAVID BOWIE's Aladdin Sane album'. The article covers the anniversary of 1973 album featuring lightning bolt cover to be marked with exhibition, music and poetry in central London - [Read here]...

• On this day, 30 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his 'Black Tie White Noise' album in 1993...

• Announced today is the inaugural CAMP STARDUST - this event will be held in July in New York. Celebrating David Bowie and Music Masters Collective announce inaugural Camp Stardust, a fascinating in-depth look at the who, what, where, why, and how David Bowie's amazing catalogue of music came to be. Musicians, Bowie aficionados, friends, and former collaborators will gather July 4th-7th at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York, a half hour from Woodstock, to find themselves immersed in 50 years of music from one of the past century's most creative geniuses. Participants will explore the multitude of genres, styles, and means that propelled David Bowie into the hearts, minds, and souls of fans around the world for decades. Tickets go on sale on April 11th at noon ET via bowiecamp.com. Registration is limited to about 100. For more details visit themusicuniverse.com website...

For those of you who use FACEBOOK - check out the DAVID BOWIE WONDERWORLD Group.

Feel free to join in with the other 83,900 plus members, add yourself and invite your Bowie fan friends. You never know what might get posted, or who you might meet...

Incredibly sad news to read about the passing of Japanese musician RYUICHI SAKAMOTO aged 71 years old.

The Japanese musician, composer, record producer and actor starred alongside DAVID BOWIE in the WWII movie 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence' as 'Captain Yonoi'.

Sakamoto won an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Grammy, and two Golden Globe Awards for his work 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence' (1983) which marked his debut as both an actor and a film-score composer; its main theme was adapted into the masterpiece 'Forbidden Colours', in collaboration with David Sylvian.

'Art is long, life is short' - rest in peace - Ryuichi Sakamoto - (17th January 1952 - 28th March 2023).

Over on the MAINMAN website: Podcast episode #61 is now available...

You can listen to the podcast now - in this episode TONY DEFRIES explains the themes of loneliness, isolation, spirituality and psychosis that inspired DAVID BOWIE's 1973 masterpiece Aladdin Sane.

The MainMan group of companies was a first of its kind rights management organisation formed by entrepreneur and impresario Tony Defries in 1972, that supported and helped to develop the careers of various artistes including David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Mick Ronson, Mott The Hoople, Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Dana Gillespie, Amanda Lear, Wayne/Jayne County, John Cougar Mellencamp and many others.

MainMan official social media accounts: Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Channel | Instagram

Opening today is the free exhibition DAVID BOWIE IN THE SOVIET UNION at the WENDE MUSEUM in Culver City, California, USA, which runs through until October.

Geoff MacCormack was one of David Bowie's oldest and closest friends. Starting in 1973, he joined Bowie on his tours as singer, percussionist, dancer, and photographer. As Bowie preferred not to fly, they travelled together by boat, train, and road.

Later in 1973 they undertook a journey from Yokohama, Japan, back to England, traveling through the Soviet Union with the Trans-Siberian Express. MacCormack's photos show Bowie unguarded, documenting their close friendship and shared sense of adventure. While on the train, they participated in drinking sessions with sailors and soldiers, meeting fans and tourists, and providing impromptu performances.

The exhibition, guest curated by Olya Sova, also includes David Bowie's film 'The Long Way Home', which documents various stages of their trip on the train, including their time in Moscow during the May Day Parade.

'David Bowie in the Soviet Union' is generously supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Admission: The Wende Museum re-opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1st.
Admission is FREE for all exhibitions and public programmes.

Opening times:
Saturday, April 1 - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 2 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday - Closed.
Wednesday and Thursday - Open for school tours only
Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Directions:
10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230
The Wende Museum is located in Culver City's arts and culture corridor near the intersection of Culver Blvd. and Overland Ave.

For more details and information, please visit: wendemuseum.org

Geoff's excellent new book David Bowie: Rock 'n' Roll With Me was published last month and is highly recommended!

Published yesterday is ALADDIN SANE 50 YEARS by CHRIS DUFFY - the definitive celebration of Bowie's iconic album and music's most famous photograph - with unseen images.

On the fiftieth anniversary of David Bowie's magical album, Aladdin Sane 50 is the ultimate celebration of a musical masterpiece - and the most famous photograph in pop history.

This landmark book contains hundreds of photographs, including dozens of David from the Aladdin Sane session that have never been seen until now, fifty years since they were taken.

Aladdin Sane 50 also features essays by renowned experts and authors Paul Morley, Charles Shaar Murray, Nicholas Pegg, Kevin Cann, Jerome Soligny and Geoffrey Marsh on Bowie's remarkable album and the story behind the famous cover.

In a breathtaking package designed by long-time Bowie collaborators Barnbrook creative studio, Aladdin Sane 50 pays tribute to a seminal album and an iconic image, one that will live forever more in rock 'n' roll history.

About the Author: Chris Duffy is a photographer, CEO of the Duffy Archive and son of photographer Duffy, the man who captured the Aladdin Sane image. Chris has photographed music icons including David Bowie, Adam Ant, Steve Strange and Spandau Ballet. He continues to promote Duffy's work on a world stage, and is a well-regarded speaker and regular contributor to Bowie events and conventions.

You can purchase ALADDIN SANE 50 YEARS with a 14% discount now!

Taking place next month is the CONVENTION BOWIE FRANCE 2023.

This 6-hour event hosted by Eric Bouvet, Martialou Mp and Isa Added Durand will be held at L'International in Paris.

The programme includes: Bowie Reloaded, Suffragette City, Bowie Overdub, as well as stands (merc and t-shirts, accessories, bijoux, goodies, make-up), bar and tombola raffle.

Venue: L'International
Address: 5 rue Moret, 75011 Paris, France
Date: 14th May

For more details and information, please visit their Facebook page, events page or their Instagram page.

Check out the various DAVID BOWIE lots in the upcoming OMEGA AUCTIONS later this month.

Day 1: 'Audio Equipment and Music Memorabilia' - Lots: 1 to 599 on 25th April at 09:00 GMT.

Day 2: 'Rare and Collectable Vinyl Records' - Lots: 600 to 1400 on 26th April at 09:00.

Lot highlights include:

David Bowie concert programmes and memorabilia.
Marc Bolan/David Bowie programmes, magazines and concert ephemera.
David Bowie original 1983 tour clothing.
Sukita Speed Of Life Genesis book, Bowie 2011 signature.
David Bowie scrapbook collection.
David Bowie 1987 signature, Low album.

You can view all the Bowie related lots at omegauctions.co.uk

ALADDIN SANE: 50 Years - an exhibition and events celebrating half a century of DAVID BOWIE's iconic album is taking place at the Southbank Centre in London, opens next week on Thursday 6th April through to 28th May.

Aladdin Sane: 50 Years features an exhibition that centres on Bowie's lightning portrait by photographer Brian Duffy - one of the most influential pop culture images of the past half century.

Accompanying the exhibition, a line-up of live music and talks include a star-studded homage on the 50th anniversary of the album's release, two nights of joyous club music, and talks and poetry events.

Highlights include:

21st April: NPL Presents: 'Aladdin Sound' at Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Join us for an explosive evening of Bowie-inspired poetry, as ten of the UK's most exciting poets reimagine his album Aladdin Sane on its 50th anniversary.

21st April: 'Aladdin Sane Live' at Royal Festival Hall
Nu Civilisation Orchestra leads a 50th anniversary reimagining of Bowie's Aladdin Sane, with Anna Calvi, Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, Roxanne Tataei and Lynks.

22nd April: 'Aladdin Sane at 50: The Making of an Icon' at Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Delve deeper into our exhibition celebrating Bowie's album and its unforgettable cover image, in a discussion chaired by curator Victoria Broackes.

22nd April: 'Making a Show' at Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Follow a discussion with Geoffrey Marsh and Victoria Broackes charting the rise of immersive music exhibitions, such as the V&A's David Bowie Is, and where their success might take them.

To view all the events happening and ticket info, please visit southbankcentre.co.uk website.

The Southbank Centre Archive will also present a separate free display exploring David Bowie's history with the Centre, stretching over 50 years, and his ongoing legacy.

Open now is the FREE exhibition BOWIE AND BEYOND at KINGSTON MUSEUM in South West London, which explores the life of DAVID BOWIE alter-ego Ziggy Stardust.

Opened yesterday 31st March and runs until 16th September at Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PS, England.

This exhibition is open to the public during Kingston Museum's opening hours.

For more details, opening times and information, please visit kingstonheritage.org.uk website.

• New book DAVID BOWIE: MIXING MEMORY & DESIRE: Photography by KEVIN CUMMINS, hardcover, 256-pages - to be published on 9th November - more details

• SILHOUETTES AND SHADOWS: The Secret History of David Bowie's Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) by ADAM STEINER, paperback, 296-pages - to be published on 15th September - more details

• BOWIE AT THE BBC: A LIFE IN INTERVIEWS by DAVID BOWIE and TOM HAGLER, hardcover and Kindle, 464-pages - to be published on 14th September - more details

• DAVID BOWIE RAINBOWMAN 1967-1980 by JÉRÔME SOLIGNY, (ENGLISH VERSION), hardback, 704-pages, now to be published on 5th September - more details

• New book DAVID BOWIE AND CRACKED ACTOR... THE FLY IN THE MILK by SUSAN COMPO and MARK WARDEL available in deluxe hardback and limited edition box with mask and book, to be published by Red Planet Books on 2nd September - more details.

• The 2023 DAVID BOWIE WORLD CONVENTION takes place on 16th (VIP)/17th/18th June 2023 at Terminal 5, New York City, USA - more details

• BOWIE ODYSSEY 73 by SIMON GODDARD, paperback, 176-pages, to be published on 25th May - more details

• CONVENTION BOWIE FRANCE 2023 takes place on 14th May at L'International, 5 rue Moret, 75011 Paris, France - more details

USA/Canada: Exclusive 'Best Buy' steelbook THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH movie in 4K Ultra HD (plus Blu-ray plus digital), released 25th April - more details

RSD 2023 DAVID BOWIE - 'Laughing With Liza - The Vocalion and Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus' in 5x7" Box, limited to 1,000 copies, to be released on 22nd April - more details

ALADDIN SANE 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Half-Speed Master LP released on 14th April - more details

ALADDIN SANE 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Picture Disc LP released on 14th April - more details

ALADDIN SANE: 50 YEARS EXHIBITION at Royal Festival Hall, Exhibition Space, Southbank Centre, London, England, opened 6th April until 28th May - more details

DAVID BOWIE IN THE SOVIET UNION exhibition of Geoff MacCormack photographs at the Wende Museum, Culver City, CA 90230, USA. Opened 1st April through 22nd October. Free entry - more details

DAVID BOWIE - MOONAGE DAYDREAM 3-LP Vinyl Box Set released on 31st March - more details

Free exhibition BOWIE AND BEYOND at KINGSTON MUSEUM in SW London explores the life of David Bowie alter-ego Ziggy Stardust. Opened on 31st March until 16th September - more details

• ALADDIN SANE 50 YEARS The definitive celebration of Bowie's iconic album and music's most famous photographs - with unseen images by CHRIS DUFFY, hardcover, 256-pages - published on 30th March - more details

Theatre production LAZARUS written by David Bowie and Enda Walsh, Italian version directed by Valter Malosti is now underway in Italy. Performances began in March and continue through to June in various Italian cities - more details

Europe: 4K Ultra HD Steelbook Limited Edition of THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH movie released on 20th March - more details

Bowie TAKEN by Duffy exhibition at COAM Madrid, Calle de Hortaleza, 63, 28004, Madrid, Spain. Opened 15th March until 25th June - more details

New memoir DAVID BOWIE: ROCK 'N' ROLL WITH ME by GEOFF MACCORMACK, hardback, 240-pages, published on 13th March - more details

DAVID BOWIE - WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA'AM! by IVOR JONES, limited edition of #300, special collector's publication is now sold out. There are some unnumbered copies available which you can purchase at a reduced price - more details

Exclusive DAVID BOWIE lino-cut print available to PURCHASE - don't hang around, these are ALL the remaining original left-over stock from 39 years ago, once they've gone, they've gone!