And there’s nothing I can do…
The February edition of Record Collector magazine has a piece about David Bowie’s performance of Space Oddity for a Top Of The Pops broadcast on October 9th 1969. Here are a few words from the piece written by Keith Badman:
“…David Bowie – clutching a Rolf Harris Stylophone and backed by the 20-piece Top Of The Pops orchestra – Performed a version of “Space Oddity”, currently at No.20 in the charts. Joining Bowie and the orchestra in the clip (which was taped a week earlier on Thursday 2nd October at Lime Grove), was the three-piece Ladybirds singing group, comprising Margaret Streckler, Gloria George and Marian Davies.
With Bowie’s clip taped in black-and-white, and Top Of The Pops set to become colour in seven weeks, there was little chance of excessive repeat screenings. After just one further airing, the tape was wiped – most probably to record a future ‘colour’ TOTP insert. I’ve said this over and over again, but …yet another piece of classic TV history gone forever.”
It would seem that nothing survives from the broadcast, not even a photograph. Something else that hasn’t survived these past 30 years is David’s own recollection of the taping. But, while David can remember absolutely NOTHING about this event, he concedes that that is not necessarily evidence of this broadcast not having taken place! In a feeble attempt to console you all after having posted such bad news, and using the most tenuous link I can imagine, the item above is a particularly rare European picture sleeve of the record that caused all the fuss in the first place.
Total Blam Blam – (European Correspondent)