David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) [Full Album]

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (often shortened to Ziggy Stardust) is the fifth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 16 June 1972 in the United Kingdom through RCA Records. It was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott and features Bowie's backing band the Spiders from Mars — Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey. It was recorded from November 1971 to February 1972 at Trident Studios in London.

Described as a loose concept album and rock opera, Ziggy Stardust is about Bowie's titular alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous and bisexual rock star who is sent to Earth as a saviour before an impending apocalyptic disaster. In the story, Ziggy wins the hearts of fans but suffers a fall from grace after succumbing to his own ego. The character was inspired by numerous musicians, including Vince Taylor. Most of the album's concept was developed after the songs were recorded. The glam rock and proto-punk musical styles were influenced by Iggy Pop, the Velvet Underground and Marc Bolan. The lyrics discuss the artificiality of rock music, political issues, drug use, sexuality and stardom. The album cover, photographed in monochrome and recoloured, was taken in London outside the home of furriers "K. West".

Tracklist:
0:00 Five Years
4:42 Soul Love
8:16 Moonage Daydream
12:56 Starman
17:06 It Ain’t That Easy
20:04 Lady Stardust
23:26 Star
26:13 Hang On to Yourself
28:53 Ziggy Stardust
32:06 Suffragette City
35:31 Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide

Personnel
David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone, string arrangements; pennywhistle on "Moonage Daydream"
Mick Ronson – electric guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, string arrangements; autoharp on "Five Years"
Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
Woody Woodmansey – drums; congas on "Soul Love"
Rick Wakeman – harpsichord on "It Ain't Easy" (uncredited)
Dana Gillespie – backing vocals on "It Ain't Easy" (uncredited)

+++ Description, Tracklist and Timecodes by Alex4Rock +++