“You can’t say no to the Beauty and the Beast”
On Wednesday, March 29, 1978, the Sports Arena in San Diego, California, was the date and location David Bowie chose to commence The 1978 World Tour in front of 15,000 peoploids.
Following the ISOLAR Tour of 1976, the two years between tours seemed an age, though unbearably longer absences from the road were to follow.
The tour visited 15 countries with a total of 78 performances by an ensemble consisting of:
David Bowie (vocals, keyboards)
Carlos Alomar (rhythm guitar)
Adrian Belew (lead guitar)
Dennis Davis (drums, percussion)
Simon House (electric violin)
Sean Mayes (piano, string ensemble)
George Murray (bass)
Roger Powell (keyboards, synthesisers)
The setlist comprised primarily of songs from the two most recent albums, Low and "Heroes", with half of Station To Station, a peppering of hits (The Jean Genie and Fame among them), and a large dose of the Ziggy Stardust album.
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March 29, 1978, Sports Arena, San Diego, CA setlist:
Warszawa
"Heroes"
What in the World
Be My Wife
The Jean Genie
Blackout
Sense Of Doubt
Speed Of Life
Breaking Glass
Beauty And The Beast
Fame
20 minute interval
Band intro
Five Years
Soul Love
Star
Hang On To Yourself
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
Rock ’N’ Roll Suicide
Art Decade
Station to Station
Encore #1:
Stay
TVC15
Encore #2:
Rebel Rebel
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The two Sue Halstenberg pictures we’ve used see David in a couple of outfits that didn’t last the tour. The more familiar Natasha Korniloff costumes were also worn on the night.
If you’ve not already read it, Life On Tour With David Bowie by pianist Sean Mayes is a great insider account of the tour.
Finally, read Pimm Jal de la Parra’s review of the gig from a cassette over on the excellent French site, Man Of Music, from where we borrowed the ticket for our montage and where you can view more shots from the gig, by Ralph Hulett.
#Bowie1978 #BowieThrowbackThursday