Ziggy Was Here
12 Mar 2012
The arrival of Ziggy Stardust is to be commemorated with a
plaque on Number 23, Heddon Street - the scene of the album cover for Ziggy
Stardust And The Spiders From Mars. Gary Kemp will unveil a black plaque from
the Crown Estate to highlight the album's cultural popularity on the 40th
anniversary of its release. The photographer behind the iconic cover, Brian
Ward, had rented a space inside the building for the photo shoot, but took the
winning shot of David Bowie outside while the Spiders opted to stay in the
warmth.
'It was cold and it rained and I felt like an actor. We did
the photographs outside on a rainy night and then upstairs in the studio we did
the Clockwork Orange look-a-likes that became the inner album sleeve.'
- Bowie
In January 2010, the cover photograph was chosen by Royal
Mail to be featured in the "Classic Album Cover" postage stamp set.
For more iconic Ziggy pictures, and insight behind the birth and life of
Bowie's alter ego, take a look at
FROM STATION TO STATION and
MOONAGE DAYDREAM. In forthcoming publication,
SPEED OF
LIFE, Sukita photographs Bowie from the
Ziggy era up until the present day.
Click here to register your interest.
Photo © Geoff MacCormack in FROM STATION TO STATION.
