Bowie's 1980 Floorshow

David Bowie's 1980 Floor Show was recorded at the Marquee Club in London. It was filmed for the American TV show The Midnight Special and served as the grand finale for Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona. Filmed over three days (October 18–20, 1973), the show was Bowie’s final performance as Ziggy Stardust, marking the transition to new creative phases. It was not a traditional concert but a staged, theatrical TV special.

Purpose: Commissioned by The Midnight Special to introduce Bowie to American audiences, it was a blend of live music, cabaret, and avant-garde performance art, showcasing his glam rock era.

Name Origin: The “1980 Floor Show” title was inspired by Bowie’s song “1984,” reflecting his fascination with dystopian themes from George Orwell’s novel.

Performance Details Venue: The Marquee Club, a legendary London venue, was transformed into a surreal stage with a small, invited audience of about 200, including members of Bowie’s fan club.

Setlist: The show featured songs from Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and the then-unreleased Diamond Dogs album, including:“1984/Dodo” (medley)

“Sorrow” (a cover of The Merseybeats’ song)

“Time”

“Space Oddity”

“I Got You Babe” (duet with Marianne Faithfull)

A cover of The Velvet Underground’s “I’m Waiting for the Man”

Guests: Notable performers included Marianne Faithfull, who joined Bowie for a campy duet, and The Troggs, performing “Wild Thing.” Bowie’s backing band, The Spiders from Mars, featured Mick Ronson on guitar.

Costumes and Aesthetics: Bowie’s flamboyant outfits, designed by Natasha Korniloff and Freddie Burretti, included fishnet bodysuits, a keyhole bodysuit, and a dramatic black feather ensemble. The show’s visual style was bold, blending glam, cabaret, and sci-fi elements.

Production and Broadcast Filming: Directed by Stanley Dorfman, the production was ambitious but constrained by budget and time. The small stage and limited audience created an intimate yet surreal atmosphere.

Broadcast: Aired on The Midnight Special in the U.S. on November 16, 1973, it was not shown in the UK due to broadcasting restrictions, making it a rare gem for fans.

Recording: The audio was later released as part of the Bowie Rarities collection, and some footage appeared in bootlegs or official releases like The 1980 Floor Show VHS (1981).

Significance End of Ziggy: The show marked the symbolic “retirement” of Ziggy Stardust, though Bowie had already announced this at his Hammersmith Odeon concert in July 1973. It was a bridge to his Diamond Dogs era.

Cultural Impact: The performance encapsulated Bowie’s ability to merge music, theater, and fashion, influencing future artists and solidifying his reputation as a boundary-pushing icon.

Legacy: Though not as widely known as other Bowie performances, the 1980 Floor Show is celebrated for its raw creativity and as a snapshot of his glam rock peak.

Availability The full show is not officially available in high quality due to its limited broadcast and preservation issues. Clips circulate online, and some tracks appear in Bowie’s official discography or fan-compiled bootlegs.

For a deeper dive, check fan sites or platforms like YouTube for surviving footage, though quality varies.