“Singing old songs he loved”
Pin Ups, David Bowie’s album of 60s cover versions, was released 45 years ago today, and was possibly the last great glam rock album of all time. (Discuss)
Either way, it still sounds amazing and if you’ve not heard it in a while, reacquaint yourself with it on Spotify now.
The David Bowie/Ken Scott produced album was preceded by the only single from Pin Ups, Sorrow, which reached #3 on the UK chart. Pin Ups itself entered the UK album chart at #1 on the strength of pre-orders alone.
Joining Bowie on the sleeve for Justin de Villeneuve’s extraordinary photograph with Bowie is Twiggy, name-checked earlier the same year on Aladdin Sane for Drive-In Saturday: “She’d sigh like Twig the Wonder Kid”.
The photo session was shot in Paris for Vogue magazine, but at Bowie's request was used for the album instead. The back cover and insert featured Mick Rock photographs.
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Pin Ups
Produced: David Bowie/Ken Scott
Released: Friday 19 October 1973
Charted: Saturday 3 November 1973 @ #1
Musicians:
David Bowie – vocals, guitar, tenor and alto saxophone, harmonica, arrangements, backing vocals, Moog synthesiser
Mick Ronson – guitar, piano, vocals, arrangements
Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
Aynsley Dunbar – drums
Mike Garson – piano, organ, harpsichord, electric piano
Ken Fordham – baritone saxophone
G.A. MacCormack – backing vocals
Design:
Justin de Villeneuve - front cover photograph
Twiggy - Twig the Wonderkid on front cover
Pierre Laroche - front cover makeup masks for Twig and Bowie
Mick Rock - back cover photography/design
Ray Campbell - front cover lettering
#BowiePinUps