'What a terrifically clever idea this is. Take the two of us and pretend that we went to America, Japan and wait for it, f— Russia of all places... Brilliant! Will you actually be able to get this stuff published, do you think?' — David Bowie
From Station to Station is the untold story of three years writing, recording, performing, living and travelling with David Bowie. Friends since childhood, Geoff MacCormack joined Bowie's band as a backing singer following the release of Ziggy Stardust. He stayed by his side through six albums, five tours, one film and numerous adventures.
Illustrated with personal and previously unpublished photographs, this limited edition book offers a rare glimpse into life with music's greatest chameleon.
'Bowie wearing only his underwear while playing to adoring fans in Tokyo, meeting Russian villagers after stepping off the Trans-Siberian Railway or the filming The Man Who Fell to Earth in New Mexico… McCormack's years with Bowie seem to have been "the freakiest show" - but it's clear that he had the time of his life.' - BBC News
'We were every inch the freakiest show in town.' — Geoff MacCormack
From Station to Station captures this 'freakiest show' in over 200 photographs and items of memorabilia, including tour programmes, tickets and letters, from the author's personal archives, nearly all of which are being published for the first time.
'Everywhere we went people stared in amazement but few had the courage to approach us...... We arrived in Nakhodka late in the evening. The short walk from ship to train was not an occasion that has stuck in my mind. The train, however, was memorable. On first sight it was encouraging; on entering we were dragged back to the time of the Czars. The dark wood panelling, brass fittings and tasselled decor made each car look like the interior of a Parisian brothel ..... The band I joined at the beginning of 1973 was basically an extension of Bowie's original Spiders. Apart from Mike Garson - who was already installed on piano and mellotron - I was one of four new recruits. We all stood at one side of the stage. I have to admit that it was like having a backstage pass but being allowed to join in.' - Geoff MacCormack
Geoff MacCormack first met David Jones at Burnt Ash Primary School in Bromley when they were just eight years old.
With their schooldays behind them, David Jones metamorphosed into David Bowie, while Geoff worked at a string of clothes boutiques and even as a runner—and occasional singer—for BBC Radio 1 DJ Emperor Rosko. Despite their different paths, the two remained close friends.
By the time David asked Geoff to join his band as a backing singer and percussionist, he was already well on the way to superstardom. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars had conquered the UK charts six months earlier, in June 1972. Bowie had played a sold-out Carnegie Hall in New York that September and followed his debut US tour with a packed homecoming show at London’s Rainbow Theatre on Christmas Eve.
When Bowie returned to New York for a second US tour in January 1973, Geoff played his first concert as a Spider’s backing singer and percussionist at Radio City Music Hall, performing before an audience that included Salvador Dalí.
For the next three years, Geoff was by Bowie’s side—travelling through Japan, across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Express, through Paris and Rome, and throughout the United States. He was on stage when Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust and contributed to the recording of six albums, including Pin Ups, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans and, of course, Station to Station.
'From Station to Station is the story of three amazing years together with my previously unpublished photographs of Bowie at work and at play.' — Geoff MacCormack
Geoff MacCormack takes us on his journey with the legendary David Bowie. We accompany him on stage when Ziggy Stardust was retired; to the famous Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia to record Pin Ups, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans and Station To Station; backstage at such venues as Madison Square Garden in New York and the Universal Amphitheatre in LA; performing in front of the likes of Diana Ross, Paul McCartney, Salvador Dali and The Jackson Five; and on set during the filming of Nic Roeg's The Man Who Fell To Earth.
We are driven in Bowie's Winnebago from LA to Albuquerque in one night with the help of a fountain pen; witness to a drug bust in Atlanta; nearly stabbed in New York and stranded with no ID in the wastelands of the USSR in 1973.
Published in a limited edition of only 2,000 copies, each book is individually numbered and signed by both Geoff MacCormack and David Bowie, who also provides the foreword.
David Bowie has signed a facsimile reproduction of an original 'While You Were Out' memo collected from the time he spent on the road, the sea and on the rail with school friend and companion Geoff MacCormack from 1973-76. The hand-signed bookplate is pasted onto the inside front cover of your limited edition book.Select from the following copies:
Introduced and signed by David Bowie. Three years writing, recording, performing, living and travelling with The Man Who Fell To Earth.
Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.
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