David Bowie: David Live Album (1974)

Bowie’s Theatrical Triumph

David Bowie’s David Live double LP, was released in the UK on October 18, 1974, on RCA Victor (catalogue: APL2 0771). This 17-track live album, recorded during the final shows of Bowie’s 1974 Diamond Dogs Tour at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania (July 8–12, 1974). Produced by Tony Visconti, featuring the Diamond Dogs band, David Live showcased Bowie’s theatrical command, reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.

Housed in a gatefold sleeve with a dramatic stage photo by Terry O’Neill, it preserved Bowie’s live legend.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: RCA Victor (UK).

Formats: Double vinyl LP, cassette; later CD reissues (detailed below).

℗ & ©: 1974 RCA Records. Recorded July 8–12, 1974, at Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA. Matrix numbers (e.g., APL2 0771 A-1) confirm authenticity.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

David Live was released in the UK on a double vinyl LP and cassette, with CD editions appearing later. The original 1974 release includes 17 tracks, with “Panic in Detroit” (live) among other tracks added in later reissues (e.g., 2005 EMI):

1974: Double Vinyl LP (Catalogue: APL2 0771):

Side A:

1984 (3:20)

Rebel Rebel (2:40)

Moonage Daydream (5:10)

Sweet Thing (8:48)

Side B:

Changes (3:20)

Suffragette City (3:45)

Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (4:57)

All the Young Dudes (4:18)

Cracked Actor (3:29)

Side C:

When You Rock 'n' Roll With Me (4:15)

Watch That Man (5:04)

Knock On Wood (3:08)

Diamond Dogs (6:32)

Side D:

Big Brother (4:08)

Width Of A Circle (8:12)

Jean Genie (5:13)

Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (4:30)

Packaging: 33⅓ RPM, stereo, in a gatefold sleeve with Terry O’Neill’s stage photo and inner sleeves with liner notes and credits.

1974: Cassette (Catalogue: CPK2-0771):

Side A:

Big Brother (4:08)

Rebel Rebel (2:40)

Moonage Daydream (5:10)

Sweet Thing (8:48)

Changes (3:20)

Suffragette City (3:45)

Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (4:57)

All the Young Dudes (4:18)

Cracked Actor (3:29)

Side B:

When You Rock 'n' Roll With Me (4:15)

Watch That Man (5:04)

Knock On Wood (3:08)

Diamond Dogs (6:32)

1984 (3:20)

Width of a Circle (8:12)

Jean Genie (5:13)

Rock 'n' Roll Suicide (4:30)

Packaging: Standard case with fold-out J-card featuring liner notes and artwork.

1990: Compact Disc (CD) (Catalogue: CDP 79 5363 2 / CDDBLD 1, 1990 Rykodisc Reissue):

Disc 1:

1984 (3:20)

Rebel Rebel (2:40)

Moonage Daydream (5:10)

Sweet Thing (8:48)

Changes (3:20)

Suffragette City (3:45)

Aladdin Sane (4:57)

All The Young Dudes (4:18)

Cracked Actor (3:29)

Rock 'n' Roll With Me (4:15)

Watch That Man (5:04)

Disc 2:

Knock On Wood (3:08)

Diamond Dogs (6:32)

Big Brother (4:08)

Width Of A Circle (8:12)

Jean Genie (5:13)

Rock 'n' Roll Suicide (4:30)

Band Intro (0:09) Bonus

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (3:32) Bonus

Time (5:19) Bonus

2005: Compact Disc (CD) (Catalogue: 7243 874307 2 3, 2005 EMI Reissue):

Disc 1:

1984 (3:20)

Rebel Rebel (2:40)

Moonage Daydream (5:10)

Sweet Thing / Candidate / Sweet Thing (Reprise) (8:48)

Changes (3:20)

Suffragette City (3:45)

Aladdin Sane (4:57)

All The Young Dudes (4:18)

Cracked Actor (3:29)

Rock 'N' Roll With Me (4:15)

Watch That Man (5:04)

Disc 2:

Knock On Wood (3:08)

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (3:32)

Space Oddity (6:27)

Diamond Dogs (6:32)

Panic In Detroit (5:49)

Big Brother (4:08)

Time (5:19)

The Width Of A Circle (8:12)

The Jean Genie (5:13)

Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (4:30)

New Stereo Mix. In Original set list order featuring 2 previously unreleased tracks.

Comes in a Digipak

Production and Context

Produced by Tony Visconti, David Live was recorded during the Diamond Dogs Tour’s final shows, capturing Bowie’s theatrical peak with the band: Earl Slick (guitar), Mike Garson (piano), David Sanborn (saxophone), Herbie Flowers (bass), Tony Newman (drums), and backing vocalists like Gui Andrisano. Visconti’s overdubs enhanced the raw live tapes, blending Ziggy-era hits with Diamond Dogs material. Released after Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust, it documented his transition to soul and plastic soul, competing with live albums by The Rolling Stones and Queen in the ‘70s rock scene.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

Two singles were released from David Live:

1)“Knock on Wood” (Eddie Floyd cover, live, 3:08)

UK Release: October 1974 (RCA 2466, 7-inch vinyl).

B-Side: “Panic in Detroit” (live, 5:49, from same tour but not on original album).

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 10 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 8 weeks.

Ireland: No. 4.

Netherlands: No. 12.

Belgium: No. 18 (Flanders).

Germany: No. 24.

Australia: No. 31.

New Zealand: Did not chart.

US: Not released as a single.

2) “Rock ‘n’ Roll with Me” (live, 3:54 edit)

US Release Only: September 1974 (RCA PB-10105, 7-inch vinyl).

B-Side: “Panic in Detroit” (live, 5:49, from same tour but not on original album).

Chart Performance:

US: No. 45 (Billboard Hot 100), charting for 8 weeks.

Other Countries: No chart entries, as it was US-only.

Album Chart Performance

David Live achieved strong chart success:

UK: No. 2 (Official Albums Chart), charting for 29 weeks, certified Gold (100,000 copies sold).

US: No. 8 (Billboard 200), certified Gold (500,000 copies sold).

Australia: No. 2 (Kent Music Report).

Canada: No. 9 (RPM Albums Chart).

Germany: No. 10 (GfK Entertainment Charts).

Netherlands: No. 5 (Dutch Album Top 100).

France: No. 8 (SNEP Albums Chart).

Sweden: No. 12 (Sverigetopplistan).

New Zealand: No. 6 (RMNZ Albums Chart).

Norway: No. 13 (VG-lista).

Finland: No. 15 (Suomen virallinen lista, limited data).

Italy: No. 18 (FIMI, based on sales data).

Belgium: No. 22 (Ultratop Wallonia).

Spain: No. 25 (PROMUSICAE, limited data).

Japan: No. 30 (Oricon Albums Chart, import sales).

Austria: No. 15 (Ö3 Austria Top 40, limited data).

Switzerland: No. 18 (Swiss Hitparade, limited data).

Legacy and Collectibility

David Live captures Bowie’s live brilliance, with highlights like “Sweet Thing / Candidate” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide.” It’s a cornerstone of his ‘70s catalog, influencing live albums by Queen and Thin Lizzy. Original UK double vinyls fetch £20–£80 on Discogs, with first pressings (gatefold, intact inners, orange RCA labels) commanding premiums—verify matrix numbers. Cassettes (£5–£15) and CDs (£5–£25, e.g., 2005 EMI with “Panic in Detroit”) are collectible. Spotify streams and 2005 remasters preserve the album’s analog energy.

This double LP is a theatrical triumph—a must-have for Bowie live enthusiasts.

Do you have David Live in your vinyl collection? Which track captures the Ziggy magic? Share in the comments!