David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars – 40th Anniversary Edition (EMI/Virgin) review

The quintessential Bowie record is back in the spotlight again

Although David Bowie has led a long and colorful career, it just doesn’t get any better than The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. Sure, Bowie experimented with many styles and did some incredibly pioneering work in the late Seventies with Brian Eno, and was all over MTV in the early Eighties. Yet, nothing else holds a candle to this masterpiece.

The reason it’s so good has a great deal to do with what came before. Space Oddity, the first album that sounded like “Bowie,” was a mostly-acoustic affair, while the followup, The Man Who Sold the World, rocked hard, maybe too hard in places, forsaking melody. All that changed with the next LP, Hunky Dory, which pulled back from the loudness and explored much more melodic territory, and was an early triumph. But, with Ziggy Stardust, Bowie turned the guitars back up, but this time, he had the songs to prove it.

This is also the point where his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, takes over, becoming a fixture of his live show, a persona that the singer found difficult to shake.

Much has been made of this being a “concept album” – loosely based on the idea that a rock n’ roll-playing alien lands on Earth to bring a message of hope to a dying planet. Huh? Co-producer Ken Scott has long disputed this claim (and with Chuck Berry’s “Around and Around” originally in the running order, this would seem to be the case). The bottom line is, you don’t have to follow the story, or understand it (did anyone really?) to enjoy the record. And, that is a sign of a truly great work – screw the concept, is it full of great songs – and the answer is, YES.

“Soul Love” laid down a funky groove that hadn’t been heard on a Bowie record up until that point, while “Moonage Daydream” features the lyrics “I’ll be a rock n’ roll bitch for you,” and cranks up the guitars, with an odd solo that somehow recalls “Wild Thing” from the Troggs.

The verse and chorus of “Starman” are linked by a clever morse code guitar part. “Lady Stardust” recalls Elton John, led by piano and a strong Bowie vocal. “Star” predicts bands like Mott the Hoople, and the advent of glam rock, while “Hang on to Yourself,” led by a meaty bassline, kazoo and pounding beat, features a slinky guitar solo.

Then there’s the one-two punch of “Ziggy Stardust” and “Suffragette City” – Bowie’s finest moment on vinyl. Surprisingly, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust makes a great party album – the majority of the record grooves – it’s actually very danceable, and sounds great at high volume.

Although there have been several reissues of this album, all containing bonus material – this 40th anniversary edition strips away the extra tracks, and instead concentrates on the packaging, faithfully reproducing the original LP jacket, gatefold cover (originally issued only in the UK), and even the original inner sleeve, with lyrics. It’s definitely a nice touch. –Tony Peters

"HALF-SPEED MASTER This record was cut on a fully customised late Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics from 192kHz restored masters of the original Trident Studios master tapes, with no additional processing on transfer."

Inner Sleeve With Lyrics, but omits It Ain't Easy lyrics.

Time given for starman on innersleeve (2:39) is incorrect.

Made in Germany sticker on rear on some copies.

All songs published by Tintoretto Music (BMI) administered by RZO Music, Inc., Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc. (BMI) o/b/o EMI Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Blue (BMI). Rest of World - Tintoretto Music/RZO Music Ltd., EMI Music Publishing Ltd., Chrysalis Music Ltd. except 'It Ain't Easy' published by North America - Irving Music, Inc. (BMI.) Rest of World - Rondor Music Ltd.

A Gem Production

Originally ℗ 1972 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Co., LLC under exclusive license to Parlophone Records Ltd. Digital remaster ℗ 2012 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Co., LLC under exclusive license to Parlophone Records Ltd. © 2022 Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Co., LLC. [...]

Runouts are etched: on some copies the "JW" is stamped. The plating marks such as 5=X are mirrored.

• Barcode (Text on obi): 0 190296 314353
• Barcode (Scanned from obi, EAN-13): 0190296314353
• Barcode (Scanned from obi, UPC-A): 190296314353
• Rights Society: GEMA/MCPS
• Rights Society: BMI
• Matrix / Runout (A-side label): DBZS 50A
• Matrix / Runout (B-side label): DBZS 50B
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 1): 0190296459573 JW BL58186-01 A1
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 1): 0190296459573 7 1 BL58186-01 B2
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 2): 0190296459573 JW 5=X BL58186-01 A1
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 2): 0190296459573 7 / 1 BL58186-01 B2
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 3): 0190296459573 JW 5=Δ BL58186-01 A1
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 3): 0190296459573 4= = BL58186-01 B2
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 4): 0190296459573 JW 5+= BL58186-01 A1
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 4): 0190296459573 4=1 BL58186-01 B2

Title (Format)LabelCat

CountryYearThe Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (LP, Album, Stereo, Rockaway Pressing)RCA VictorLSP-4702US1972

Recently Edited

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (LP, Album, Stereo)RCA Victor, RCA Victor, RCA VictorSF 8287, LSP 4702, LSP-4702UK1972

Recently Edited

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (LP, Album, Stereo)RCA VictorLSP-4702Canada1972

Recently Edited

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (LP, Album)RCA VictorLSP 4702Italy1972

Recently Edited

La Ascendencia Y Caida De Ziggy Stardust Y Las Arañas De Marte (LP, Album)RCA VictorLSP-4702Spain1972

• Picked this up last week and just finished giving it a few listens. For reference, I have an OG pressing on Dynaflex I bought when it came out, and MoFi 1/2 speed I bought second hand (but it was top-top). Played on a VPI Scout w/ Hana Umami Blue cart, Parasound JC 3+ phono, Parasound JC 2 pre, Parasound JC5 amp, Dynaudio Confidence C-1 speakers. The sound is on-par with the original pressing (which has always been clear and powerful). In a few places it is a bit more resolving (Moonage Daydream and bits of Hang Onto Yourself) and nowhere did I notice any degradation in sound. It is much better than the MoFi abomination (never have determined if I had a bum copy or what the deal is, but that thing sounds like it was recorded through a sock). Nothing spectacular with it, but did not experience the distortion others speak of.
• Edited one month ago Awful inner groove distortion in B side. So much for half speed etc.
• Anyone find it odd that just about every online retailer uses an alternate cover photo for this record, when in fact no such record exists.
• Super clean and the drums on side 1 sounds very realistic- overall mix is good but it seems lacking some dynamic range but my original copy has been played more that 1000 times and itsa so noisy its become like a historical recording where you are just trying to hear it at all regardless of the 78 or whatever
• Super-clean pressing, with very balanced sonics. Compared to an OG, this one will give you equal bang for your buck, without the expense. Artwork is solid and faithful to the original.
• There is nothing wrong with this pressing but nothing inspiring either. I don’t get brightness on one side or other problems that others have mentioned, at least in my system. I rarely get brightness though as I have hybrid amps (phono, pre and power). But it’s just an average record and if you are looking for something spectacular this isn’t it. I am not familiar with other pressings of Ziggy Stardust. But for example the original Next Day (2013 ISO Records) is noticeably better in my view/on my system.
• So after being somewhat hesitant to get this based on the reviews here, I finally got this an here's my take on it. To lead off, I am listening on an Audio Technica ATLP120XUSB with a VM95ML microline cartridge. I also own the 2015 repress of the 2012 AAA press of this album as well. So in regards to the inner groove distortion, I don't have it. I know someone below stated they have the exact same cartridge and got it, but I don't hear anything on mine. I do listen to music flat with bass and treble set at 0. Some I'm not sure if any tone or EQ moves can color the sound. That said, starting with Ziggy Stardust on side 2, there is a certain sharpness at times on the vocals, but not the instrumentation that continues to the end of the album. The brass on Rock 'n' Roll Suicide is not sharp and neither are the cymbals. I put on my AAA press of the album and noticed that same sharpness appears on that version as well, though not as pronounced as the half-speed master. The sharpness is also there on the 2012 CD master, though it sounds more like the AAA press than the half-speed master. So my take is that maybe that half-speed master is a little too revealing in perhaps making us aware of damage that's probably already there on the tape. I believe Tony Visconti said that all of Bowie's masters were transferred to high resolution digital due to them not being in the greatest of shape. That said, compared to the 2015 AAA repress, the half-speed doesn't seem to sound as robust or loud as the AAA press, but it still has a nice balanced tone and if i were to get this without hearing the AAA, I'd be happy. Unfortunately, my AAA press has a pressing defect at the end of It Ain't Easy that causes it to skip so I wanted another play copy until I can find a nice vintage or another AAA press. I can't say how this version would compare to the 2016 vinyl reissue of this, but the half-speed master is a rather enjoyable listen nonetheless.
• Edited 5 months ago Hope they do more of these half-speed masters for the rest of the Bowie catalogue. Very happy with this pressing. Sounds clean, clear and dynamic. Closest to the original, with no remastering. I have the 80's green label international version, and while it is fuller-bodied and warmer, it is also a tad bloated and not very detailed. This half-speed I can hear much better into the mix, and get hypnotised by what's going on in the studio. I can hear more of how young bowie sounds, which kinda gets lost on other versions. Yes, it can sound a little too clean, but that's not in the forefront when I'm enjoying this album. I've read others' reports of IGD-- I only hear this on the last track of side B when there is a lot going on in the track, lots of loud vocals. But IGD is more obvious on the green label international version on the same track. Overall I'm happy with this pressing, and it doesn't leave me wanting.
• Edited 4 months ago I'll echo a few comments. It sounds good, there's a lot of detail. The vocals are bit recessed but that's my only issue with the mix. My real issue is that the highs are hot and it's quite apparent on Side B. Are there better pressings? Probably, but this is readily available in most stores and getting a 2012 or 2016 reissue is a gamble. Fluance RT80 AT-VM95ML Schiit Mani 2 Edifier R1700BT Edit: For context, I have variant 4. Side A plays really well, Side B is a bit more distorted.
• My curiosity got the best of me and I had to get this and the Aladdin Sane 50th Anniversary Half-Speed to hear for myself. I must have a system that forgives most sins from modern digitally-sourced or "half-speed" pressings (tube pre-amp into Wharfedale Lintons), because I think this sounds pretty great. In fact, this is probably THE pressing to get if you need/want a recent reissue. No, it's not as good as an OG pressing or the 2012 AAA reissue, but those are hard to find in playable or affordable condition. But to me this reissue is clear, full, and energetic. To each their own.
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Why did David Bowie stop being Ziggy Stardust?

Due to the intense nature of his touring life, Bowie felt as though maintaining the Ziggy persona was affecting his own personality and sanity too much; acting the same role over an extended period, it became difficult for him to separate Ziggy Stardust from his own character offstage.

Is Ziggy Stardust about Jimi Hendrix?

“Ziggy Stardust” features several references to Bowie fave Jimi Hendrix. Like Hendrix, Ziggy “played it (the guitar) left-hand.” And the lyric, “When the kids had killed the man/I had to break up the band,” is a reference to fans who provided Hendrix with the drugs that would eventually kill him.

What is the difference between Ziggy Stardust UK and US?

Interestingly there were two small differences between Ziggy Stardust albums released in the UK and the US from 1972 to 1986. The US album version of "Starman" had a quieter "Morse code" bridge, while the UK album version (utilising the remixed "Starman" single) was louder.

How many copies did Ziggy Stardust sell?

It has sold an estimated 7.5 million copies worldwide, making it Bowie's second-best-selling album.