Bowie To Tour Article: 1976

A Rolling Stone Station To Station Tour Tease

Published in the US on January 15, 1976, Rolling Stone’s one-page article “Bowie To Tour” announced David Bowie’s upcoming 1976 North American tour in support of his forthcoming album Station to Station. The piece detailed the plans for Bowie’s return to the stage after his Berlin retreat, highlighting the Thin White Duke persona and the anticipation for the new sound.

Article Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: Rolling Stone (US).

Date: January 15, 1976.

Format: Tour announcement article.

Bowie to Tour: 'No Gimmickry'

BY CAMERON CROWE

LOS ANGELES—Last June, David Bowie had apparently made some hard-line career decisions. "I've rocked my roll," he said. "It's a low form of communication and I'm through with it... And as for touring, I honestly believe that it kills my art. I will never, ever tour again." Now, six months later, Bowie has radically modified his stance. A new album, Station to Station, will be released January 1st. And on February 2nd he will kick off a 34-date North American tour in Vancouver that will end March 26th at Madison Square Garden. All this in addition to the forthcoming release of The Man Who Fell to Earth, a movie in which he plays an alien from another planet. Why the turnabout? "Because it's going to make an obscenely large amount of money, which I desperately need to set up my media-production company, Bewlay Bros.," Bowie replied at his Bel Air home. He laughed at his own candor, then proceeded to explain the artistic motivation. "I'm actually anxious to try something I've never done in the past—work with a small band, perform with no set whatsoever and use no production gimmickry. No sets. I'm just going to go out and sing. It's exciting to me. I want to see if I can cut it."

The "small band" is actually the same musicians who play on the multi-influenced Station to Station, recorded in October and November in Los Angeles: Earl Slick, lead guitar; "Fame" cowriter Carlos Alomar, rhythm guitar; Dennis Davis, drums, and George Murray, bass.

Bowie also hinted he might be returning to onstage guitar and piano playing. "I could chicken out, though. My main consideration at this point is just to present an upbeat musical show. That will keep me amused. None of the depressing starkness of the Ziggy and Diamond Dogs tours."

Bowie announced the surprise tour during a satellite TV interview with Russell Harty, Britain's Johnny Carson. Coincidentally, David had picked a choice time to make his announcement—the Spanish government wanted the same satellite line to broadcast General Franco's funeral Mass. When informed the time was taken, Spanish officials were so upset that they reportedly asked the U.S. government to intercede.

Matters of world importance aside, Bowie shrugged off his past contradictions. "I'm sorry I lied," he grinned. "Really, what can I say? Every time I've said I wouldn't tour again, I've meant it. [He "retired" from the stage once before in 1973.] Nothing matters except whatever it is I'm doing at the moment. That's what keeps me excited."

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