Davie Jones And The King Bees: "Liza Jane" Single (1978)

Davie Jones And The King Bees’ “Liza Jane” 7-inch vinyl single, backed with “Louie, Louie Go Home,” was reissued in the UK on Decca Records (catalog: F 13807) on October 9, 1978, reviving David Bowie's debut recording from 1964 when he was a 17-year-old under the name Davie Jones. This mono pressing captured the raw R&B energy of his first group, offering fans a glimpse into the pre-fame era before his Ziggy Stardust transformation. Housed in a Decca company die-cut paper sleeve, the reissue celebrated Bowie's early roots amid his rising stardom.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Liza Jane” (2:18) Credited to Leslie Conn (Bowie's then-manager), this is an arrangement of the old standard "Li'l Liza Jane" reworked into a brash British R&B track. Bowie handled vocals and saxophone, delivering a gritty performance typical of the era's Rolling Stones-inspired sound.

B-Side: “Louie, Louie Go Home” A cover of the Paul Revere and the Raiders song, originally intended as the A-side.

It features straightforward rock 'n' roll with Bowie's youthful energy, though often critiqued as one of his weaker early efforts.

Release Details:

Label: Decca Records (UK pressing, mono, 45 RPM, four-prong center).

Format: 7-inch vinyl single.

Notes: Reissue of the original June 5, 1964, Vocalion Pop release (V 9221). Some copies were promo versions; beware of counterfeits from the 1970s with differing matrix numbers.

Production and Context

Both tracks were recorded in a seven-hour session at Decca Studios in Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, with the band: Davie Jones (vocals, saxophone), George Underwood (guitar), Roger Bluck (guitar), Francis Howard (bass), and Robert Allen (drums). Manager Leslie Conn secured the one-single deal with Decca's Vocalion subsidiary. The original flopped commercially despite TV promotions on Juke Box Jury and Ready Steady Go!, leading Bowie to leave for the Manish Boys. The 1978 reissue tapped into Bowie's fame, making it more accessible than the rare 1964 originals.

Legacy and Collectibility

As Bowie's first single, “Liza Jane” holds historical significance, foreshadowing his versatile style despite its derivative feel. Original 1964 copies fetch £500+ in mint condition, while the 1978 reissues are more common, valued at £20–£50 on Discogs depending on condition. Tracks appear on compilations like Early On (1964-1966) and stream on Spotify, preserving their mod-era charm. Beware fakes; authentic reissues have Decca matrix markings.

This single unearths David Bowie's gritty debut—a essential for collectors of his formative years.

Have you tracked down this early Bowie single? What's your take on his pre-fame sound? Share in the comments!