Second Helpings: Neil Arthur Of Blancmange's Favourite Albums | Page 5 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. David BowieZiggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars

I had ticket no.4 to see Bowie when he played Blackburn in 1973. I sat in front of Mick Ronson and it was the best thing ever. It was a life-changing gig. I was meant to see T. Rex but my mum wouldn’t let me. But I was old enough to see Bowie and The Spiders. I’d never seen anyone dressed like they did or play a guitar like that. We were so close – on the front row. There was an electricity about them. We sat there with our posters between our legs like giant phalluses.

I was up with the kids getting them ready for school recently and all of a sudden Bowie was on Today. That got me: he was everywhere having been nowhere. I have the new album but I haven’t really listened to it yet. I bought Let’s Dance because of the incredible production but I stopped after the three Berlin albums.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Mark Radcliffe
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