Ziggy Stardust [Video]

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Filmed in 1973, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was originally filmed for mass-release, but ultimately shelved - until it was issued as a homevideo in 1982 (and re-issued 10 years later). Essentially a 90-minute documentary of Bowie's final show on the Ziggy Stardust tour (and final show with his excellent back-up band, The Spiders, consisting of guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder, and drummer Woody Woodmansey). The video includes backstage interviews with Bowie and candid shots as he transforms into a space-alien for the concert, but more importantly, great hard rocking renditions of Bowie's early-70's hits. Opening with "Hang On To Yourself," other rockers soon follow, "Ziggy Startdust," "Watch That Man, " "Moonage Daydream," a medley consisting of "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud/All the Young Dudes/Oh! You Pretty Things," "Cracked Actor," and an extended version of "Width of a Circle," which features a great guitar solo from Ronson. Quieter numbers such as "Changes," "Space Oddity," and "My Death" expose Bowie's folk roots, but the show closes with a triple-shot of raging hard rock - a cover of the Stones' "Let's Spend the Night Together," the anthem "Suffragette City," and a cover of the Velvet Underground's "White Light/White Heat." For the final song, "Rock N' Roll Suicide," Bowie shocks all those in attendance (as well as his band), by announcing 'this is the last show we'll ever do.' Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is an authentic representation of one of rock's most legendary concerts. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide