For everyone here talking about how great Bowie and this album is..,please recognize that this is a Ronson affair. He arranged the music, along with the rest of the band, and made this album what it was. Bowie was hardly present for this record. Even to Bowie's own admission, this is a Ronson album. Yes, Bowie is a fantastic genius who is probably blowing Crowley as we speak in the magikal world from which they both came, but please give it up for Ronson!!
Definitely, Ronson gave the tone, and sound, and groove, and psychedelic feel here, big time. Man's a genius and unique guitarist ❤ His playing always blows me away.
interesting to learn this and I assume it’s true… Ronson certainly the most important collaborator with Bowie imo, and that is saying a lot. I’d put him ahead of Eno, Fripp, Alomar, Slick and the litany of greats
I met Ronno. He was a Mormon. And a gentleman. David ultimately became a Christian. If Mick was alive he'd wash your mouth out with soap for disrespecting his pal with your silly wisecrack. They both absolutely abhorred rude fans.
For me "The Width Of A Circle" was really the beginning of it all. I know there were albums before "The Man Who Sold The World", and while I like some of the songs before this, this song was where it started with The Spiders and THAT sound that defined early 1970's Bowie. It remains one of my favourite early Bowie songs, but it's the combination of David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Mick 'Woody' Woodmanson and Trevor Bolder that really solidified his early golden period. They were one of the best bands at that time, effortlessly tight, swinging, electrifying and unbeatable on a good night. People take about Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars, but they often forget about the actual musicians that made this glorious sound.
I beg to differ…it was the combination of Bowie, Mick Ronson, Woody Woodmansey…and *Tony Visconti’s* incredible bass playing on “The Man Who Sold The World” album that crystallised the beginning of his Golden Era! Trevor Bolder certainly played his part on “Hunky Dory”, “Ziggy”, “Aladdin Sane” and “Pin Ups”….but it was Tony Visconti who laid the groundwork for Bowie’s bass sound on “The Man Who Sold The World”!
@@kevinmunday6263 I think it was more about David Bowie's need to keep moving, growing, metamorphosising - 'changing'! I think deep down he knew they were the best together, and maybe later regretted it but acknowledged them retrospectively Doesn't make it right but context can help to explain.
+ricky rocket rage HELLO ! I SAW DAVID BOWIE "ONLY" THIS TIME AND NEVER HAD THE POSSIBILITY TO SEE HIM ONCE MORE, BECAUSE I WORKED DURING 36 YEARS IN A PLACE THAT NEVER GAVE ME THE TIME FOR IT ! BOWIE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FIRST IDOL AND NOW I REGRET THAT I DIDN'T SEE HIM MORE THAN ONE TIME ! SO YOU ARE VERY LUCKY AND I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU ! HAVE À GOOD DAY !
Ronson is nothing less than brilliant... this is absolutely one of the greatest musicians to grace a stage. His legacy is illustrious and profound. RIP Ronno
+Tom Vrieling While he was known for being very kind and humble, Ronno could out-play most other guitarists with one hand behind his back. Here he shows how its done.
We forget this epic lengthy pre-Ziggy track leading off one the greatest & most unique rock releases of all time, The Man Who Sold The World'... this live version is tops but the official studio recording is astonishing... long live Ronno & the master himself
You'd need a highly literate, brilliant lyricist/singer/performer together with three wildly expressive musicians able to create complete ecstasy on simple instruments. I don't see much of that these days.
What was Bowie here, 25? Look at that stage presence. Jeeesus. And only 4 years later he's suave and sexy as the Thin White Duke, kicking ass in another genre of music, making another masterpiece of an album while going through a dumptruck full of blow - and made at least 4 more masterpieces *after* Station To Station. Never lost his looks. Never lost his hair (even after chemo!). Never lost his talent. Never lost his ear for talent. Never lost his ability to collect and synthesize everything that interested him to fold into his own art. And fucking Ronno, that dude is a master. He should've had as big a guitar career as Page. Dammit, I was only 3 years old. Why was I only 3 in the US and not 17 in the UK in 1972? Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT! Will someone build that time machine already? I would've needed no drugs whatsoever to bliss out on this show.
+murielsartre You encapsulated absolutely everything I think and feel about Bowie. I think if I had been standing within the first few feet of that stage for this performance I actually think I would have fainted or dropped dead from being so absolutely spellbound and blown away from it. Completely and utterly mesmerizing performance from him.
I love the nod to Kahlil Gibran in this song who died today April 10th in 1931 in New York, New York. It's April 10th today 2020, and his philosophy is still relevant: " keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children." David Bowie was a genius who appreciated and gave props to other geniuses.
RIP, Mick Ronson! Phenomenal guitarist who should be better known & revered. I bought the album after catching this live version on late night radio when I was just a kid. Now that I am older, I prefer more relaxing music, but I still enjoy talent when I hear it. Wow, such a talent! That band helped to put Bowie on the map; then he went on into his many image changes. Great early metal music!
Mick was a classically trained musician who could play rock guitar brilliantly. He was a big help in making Bowie famous. Bowie had some nice pleasant songs before Mick joined him but after Mick came on the scene Bowie's music became brilliant. I fell in love with Mick's playing back in 1972 and that hasn't changed since. This song is definitely one of my favourite songs from Bowie.
Much Kudos to you my man ! You definitely hit the nail on the proverbial head.The Spiders from Mars were the perfect foil for Bowie ,together they help change the complexity of rock.
In 1971 a Led Zeppelin fan went back stage and told Jimmy Page that Black Dog was the best riff he ever heard. Jimmy took a drag of his cigarette and said "then you obviously havn't heard Width Of A Circle".Phenomenal Mick!!
Mick Ronson underrated? Oh no. Ask Bowie, Dylan, J. Page, Brian May, Def Leppard, Lou Reed, Ian Hunter ... For guitarists in GB he was one of the iconic role models of the early 70s. Lots of people dont know him - but relevant is that lots of the greats know him and apreciated his work
This may be the greatest live version of anything I've ever seen. I get chills every time I watch it. I have to watch all 14 minutes. Absolutely jaw dropping 😦 "Do it again, do it again!" 😛
Probably my favourite Bowie song ever... Why? It's so fucking powerful. It's got everything, wicked guitaring, bass playing, drums and of course Bowie himself! To be listened all the way through
You missed out. I saw him 4 or 5 times. Once, the tour with Nine Inch Nails, I sneaked down close enough for us to look into each others eyes. They had a general admission mosh pit area down front where you could get close.
Nothing beats Bowie and Ronson together. Ronson is probably as good as Mr Hendrix with making guitar playing look easy and utterly awesome. As for Bowie way ahead of his time seen him many times since 78 and still look back amazed at what he did sadly missed the kids of today have missed so much greatness in rock.The kids now have to listen and watch shit like x factor.Bless my mum for having me back in the 60's
Ronson's solo in "Width" is just an absolute classic. Bowie walking off stage shows whose performance this was. Some great lyrics in this also. "God's a young man too". I wonder how God feels about that?
Bowie (and his band): Exciting, different, scary, wonderful, wild, creative, unorthodox. We miss him for all of that. And where is that stuff today in pop music? Sigh.
+Bendage I'm confused; This has to be one of the most obviously live and Un-mimed performances ever, but your comment doesn't seem to be ironic. You're right about the performances though, with both Bowie and Ronson excelling themselves and Trevor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey driving it along.
+Bendage Oops ! yes, he does seem to be miming at that point. lol I seem to remember he did some mime shows around 67-68 with Lindsay Kemp who later helped stage Ziggy
Every time I watch Ronson in this song, I pick up something new. He did a retuning of his Les Paul mid song. Rock from the 70s - some of the greatest music.
David had the greatest of musicians alongside him throughout his career, but nothing can quite replicate the energy of the Spiders. They were just outstanding. In every sense of the word. Absolutely outstanding.
farmtracks1 met him at Dozy’s funeral a few years ago, what a lovely modest bloke... a friend who had no clue who he was said, “are you a musician too?” He replied, “yeah, I do drums”... and nothing more.
An Electric High Priest, presiding over a ritual with song, light and pageantry. See the hypnotized youth, spellbound? This man was a great artist who exercised the power of art to its highest extent, moving people into an alternate realm. I think of the older people of that era who thought his music was noise, that he was a no-talent. Man, were they ever the blind fools!
Mick puts a great number of classic rock riffs/conceits in his solo and I could listen to most of them for more than the couple of bars he sticks with each one. Great to see what good show these concerts could provide with really dedicated acts.
I'm reading the book Mick Ronson, The Spider with the Platinum Hair. Enjoying it very much. I was a tad too young to have seen one of their concerts being about 12 when when they toured the states but I had the Ziggy album and played it to death! I remember him being shown on TV and my WWII era father wondering if he was a boy or a girl. The older generation just didn't get Bowie. I'm 55 and still listening, and my mother still isn't interested ! :-)
+Marissa Rose My parents didn't get it back then either. Back then, rockers were much more "in your face" to the older generation who critisized them. They didn't give a fuck. Especially Bowie. Dressing in drag was not the way to become a successful entertainer back then. Adults were in shock. They thought Evis was bad for shaking his hips-then Bowie comes along!!
I remember my mother being furious at the 'leper messiah' lyric at the time! She warmed to Bowie in later years though and loved that vid he did with jagger 😀
Thank you ziggy fan, this is amazing. 3 piece theatre while Bowie takes a break and without a musical stumble. Woody Woodmansy has to be one of the most unrecognised drummers of all time. And my idol Mick Ronson; what a legend!
While everybody else commenting here seems to be lauding Ronson and his guitar playing, I'm going to express a little love and praise for Bowie's nifty little mime piece at 10:03, I think that's pretty awesome!
My favorite Bowie song was My Death but this comes as a close second and the way Mick Ronson bent his guitar around the universe made him a special musician and both songs were played at Hammersmith Odeon was and has been the best concert I ever had the pleasure of going to and was a privilege to be there and enjoy the atmosphere was very special night. Not like this anymore!
Dave Booth "The way Mick Ronson bent his guitar around the universe". Excellent description. Ronson was in his own league. And you got to see this show? You are one lucky man.
Man, what a show! Quite the hypnotizing performance, live style! Now that is rock and roll as we know it! Mr. Bowie.... you were above, before, and beyond your time! A legend forever!
Wow! I saw Bowie live 3 times, but in the later 70's, not lucky enough to have seen him as Ziggy (live)...But this performance beats anything I've seen him do live or on video...Mick Ronson's guitar work is fabulous too...RIP, David and Mick...
Ronno remains one of the best guitarists I have ever seen. Great memories from the old Glasgow Apollo in the 70's. Music today is still great and many fine artists about but Bowie for me will always be the greatest.
Complete and utter proof of Micks re-working of David's more Folk/Rock arrangements pre-album'. I was screaming like a baby at this stage of the gig'. Memories that will live forever.
Mick Ronson farewell performance with Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars...mesmerizing, flawless, seamless guitar solo, grossly under rated , one of the best guitar players of all time....rest in peace with the Space Commander.
As a piece of 'live' rock music captured on film, I'd put this one from Bowie's [last] English gig as Ziggy Stardust - 1972, I think (could be wrong : frequently am !) - right up there in my Top 10 of All-Time. From the start of his mesmerising, one-handed guitar overture - and for the next 4 minutes or so - Mick Ronson provides ample proof of what a truly killer axe-man he was. The band behind him - Trevor Bolder [bass] and 'Woody' Woodmansey [drums] - kicked a fair bit as well (understatement). This lot gave Bowie a rock-solid platform on which to build his exotic fantasies. I don't think Bowie was EVER quite as 'powerful' as this EVER AGAIN. The performance absolutely brims with confidence and - as a piece of cocky film-maker's art - the strobe-effect focus on the standing-n-bopping crowd of 'teenies at the front during the instrumental conclusion before Bowie's last verse on 'Width ...' is a STROKE (pun intended) of genius. Once I watch this, it's hard not to watch it again ... and again ... and again ... etc etc etc etc.
Oh My God! This video of David Bowie is the frickin shit! His guitarists go crazy on the ground, the crowd is probably in a drug induced stupor, and when you think it cant get any more awesomely bizarre he breaks out the mime- which is totally badass! And dang if I know what he is trying to project, he is in a cage that he is escaping and when he escapes he flies like the birds out of captivity. Kahlil Gibran- blows the mind. I wonder what is his favorite Gibran writing??
God he was beautiful. No wonder the last year I have been on a Bowie binge. It was his vibration communicating through the ether that his time was short and for me to pay attention. David, the world is waking up again. Your music will be a part of it. And Khalil Gibran will be remembered, and there will be peace in our time. You are part of the All and I know you will be visiting many of us in the spirit to whisper secrets that will free us all from our cages. I was freed because of your music. Labyrinth was my first introduction to you when I was a child and that music brought fun and joy even up til today. I knew you were important in all of this. You are one of the keys and more are being made every day because of you. Thank goodness for people who force us to think outside our boxes. You will not be forgotten. Thank you for working so hard on Black Star. The wave of awakening is moving faster and you just gave it the tsunami boost it needed. Hermes Trismegistus.
broken angel ye people are brilliant fans!!!.excellent 'feedback' . I've often wondered which Gibran piece he was trying to project on stage at closing of this song..respect!
I love the music from the end of the sixties and early seventies. Rhytm, improvisation, musical skills, communication between musicians, originality, creativity. A golden era - no MTV, computers, samplers or pitch correction.
Probably the greatest performance of my favourite Bowie song. Ronson absolutely on it, Bowie being Bowie. I absolutely love it! And whilst this was going on, Slade with Skweeze Me Pleeze Me was number one.
yes we were, but when it was happening there was so much of it that we didnt appreciate what we had. Everyone wanted the next big album, the next great artist. Its only now the wave of brilliance has ended that people are appreciating what actually happened. Case in point...I always thought Willie Nelson was gran-dad music, but I watched a little vid from the 70s the other day and it was a breath of fresh air compared with the absolute cak that gets titled 'music' now. Never thought i'd say it, but Nelson was one great artist
AmaZing song bout spiritual transformation. Love how his mime sequence captures this... Bowie breaks through the boundaries of conditoned reality/ideology and reaches infinity. Love it!!!!
One of the things I really appreciate is that it's clear that Mick Ronson didn't check his look in the mirror 1000 times before going on stage. More talent and less narcissism would be refreshing in the modern world...
Mick, Woody, Trevor. What a band. What a shame it didn’t last. I know that Bowie wanted to do the whole rock and roll chameleon thing but I just wish this could’ve lasted just a little while longer.
Several of the highest times of my young life were achieved in the presence of Mick Ronson. Back then I always made my way to the front of the stage. At least once during any show, he'd allow us feverish acolytes a chance to strum his outstretched Gibson. It felt like he appreciated his fans, and wanted to convey that.
I saw him, Glass spider tour..Siouxsie opened , anahiem, stadium, california I will hold that image in my mind till 17 minutes after I am dead. Good times.
The greatest epic battle between a bass and a guitar ever seen. Ronson and Boulder were BEASTS
For everyone here talking about how great Bowie and this album is..,please recognize that this is a Ronson affair. He arranged the music, along with the rest of the band, and made this album what it was. Bowie was hardly present for this record. Even to Bowie's own admission, this is a Ronson album. Yes, Bowie is a fantastic genius who is probably blowing Crowley as we speak in the magikal world from which they both came, but please give it up for Ronson!!
Definitely, Ronson gave the tone, and sound, and groove, and psychedelic feel here, big time. Man's a genius and unique guitarist ❤ His playing always blows me away.
Ronson. Long live Ronson
interesting to learn this and I assume it’s true… Ronson certainly the most important collaborator with Bowie imo, and that is saying a lot. I’d put him ahead of Eno, Fripp, Alomar, Slick and the litany of greats
I met Ronno. He was a Mormon. And a gentleman.
David ultimately became a Christian. If Mick was alive he'd wash your mouth out with soap for disrespecting his pal with your silly wisecrack. They both absolutely abhorred rude fans.
Ronson supposedly died of liver cancer and that is what killed Bowie as well. Weird.
In my humble opinion, the performance here of this song is one of the greatest pieces of live rock n roll ever captured on film.
MICK FUCKING RONSON!!!!
Absolutely agree 100%
You may just be right!
yes i agree 110 percent, i just love this its so powerful, just brilliant stuff.
Rick Turner Agreed 100%!
For me "The Width Of A Circle" was really the beginning of it all. I know there were albums before "The Man Who Sold The World", and while I like some of the songs before this, this song was where it started with The Spiders and THAT sound that defined early 1970's Bowie. It remains one of my favourite early Bowie songs, but it's the combination of David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Mick 'Woody' Woodmanson and Trevor Bolder that really solidified his early golden period. They were one of the best bands at that time, effortlessly tight, swinging, electrifying and unbeatable on a good night. People take about Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars, but they often forget about the actual musicians that made this glorious sound.
I beg to differ…it was the combination of Bowie, Mick Ronson, Woody Woodmansey…and *Tony Visconti’s* incredible bass playing on “The Man Who Sold The World” album that crystallised the beginning of his Golden Era!
Trevor Bolder certainly played his part on “Hunky Dory”, “Ziggy”, “Aladdin Sane” and “Pin Ups”….but it was Tony Visconti who laid the groundwork for Bowie’s bass sound on “The Man Who Sold The World”!
Woody Woodmansey: last Spider standing ☆♡
Shame this theatrical Performance of a Showended with Woody and Soon after Trevor being dropped. But that My Dear is showbiz...
@@kevinmunday6263 I think it was more about David Bowie's need to keep moving, growing, metamorphosising - 'changing'! I think deep down he knew they were the best together, and maybe later regretted it but acknowledged them retrospectively Doesn't make it right but context can help to explain.
IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET ! I WAS THERE ! I WAS 23 YEARS OLD THEN !
+ricky rocket rage HELLO ! I SAW DAVID BOWIE "ONLY" THIS TIME AND NEVER HAD THE POSSIBILITY TO SEE HIM ONCE MORE, BECAUSE I WORKED DURING 36 YEARS IN A PLACE THAT NEVER GAVE ME THE TIME FOR IT ! BOWIE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FIRST IDOL AND NOW I REGRET THAT I DIDN'T SEE HIM MORE THAN ONE TIME ! SO YOU ARE VERY LUCKY AND I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU ! HAVE À GOOD DAY !
So you were one of the girls in the audience getting their young minds blown?
Edouard LEENAERT lucky!
You are so lucky! Totally jealous!!!
Ronson is nothing less than brilliant... this is absolutely one of the greatest musicians to grace a stage. His legacy is illustrious and profound. RIP Ronno
Mick Ronson was a beast!! Rest in peace!
+Tom Vrieling Always thought he was under rated. Loved his style.
+Tom Vrieling While he was known for being very kind and humble, Ronno could out-play most other guitarists with one hand behind his back. Here he shows how its done.
YES HE WAS AND REMAINS À BEAST !
GreenManalishiUSA I venture to say he could out play Page.
Marc Possoff calm down there cowboy. Them’s fighting words
Definitely one of David's best performances long with Mick Ronson and the rest of the band.......Very Phenomenal ...
We forget this epic lengthy pre-Ziggy track leading off one the greatest & most unique rock releases of all time, The Man Who Sold The World'... this live version is tops but the official studio recording is astonishing... long live Ronno & the master himself
Can't think of anyone doing stuff like this today. This is so creative. He was a great preformer. This is real rock and roll.
You'd need a highly literate, brilliant lyricist/singer/performer together with three wildly expressive musicians able to create complete ecstasy on simple instruments. I don't see much of that these days.
@@neddanison9202What ppl have today with all digital media..makin their "beats"LOL..auto-ruin..😂Horrible, soul-less and boring.
Perhaps one of the greatest live performances ever.
What was Bowie here, 25? Look at that stage presence. Jeeesus. And only 4 years later he's suave and sexy as the Thin White Duke, kicking ass in another genre of music, making another masterpiece of an album while going through a dumptruck full of blow - and made at least 4 more masterpieces *after* Station To Station.
Never lost his looks. Never lost his hair (even after chemo!). Never lost his talent. Never lost his ear for talent. Never lost his ability to collect and synthesize everything that interested him to fold into his own art.
And fucking Ronno, that dude is a master. He should've had as big a guitar career as Page.
Dammit, I was only 3 years old. Why was I only 3 in the US and not 17 in the UK in 1972? Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT! Will someone build that time machine already? I would've needed no drugs whatsoever to bliss out on this show.
+murielsartre I know. I'm your age and I was thinking the same thing. Imagine that power coming from that stage if you were in that crowd.
+murielsartre You encapsulated absolutely everything I think and feel about Bowie. I think if I had been standing within the first few feet of that stage for this performance I actually think I would have fainted or dropped dead from being so absolutely spellbound and blown away from it. Completely and utterly mesmerizing performance from him.
+murielsartre Agreed. Ronson? Brilliant, one of the best - won't name names, but... David found himself, be Happy :)
Mick Ronson should have bigger carrier than Page. Just check out horrible he played live. His solo's live sounded like a swarm of bees.
And to think Ronson did all of this insane vibrato on a Les Paul not a Strat. Amazing.
Simply divine
David and Mick the best for all time
RIP together
Mick Ronson. A very under-rated guitarist. An awesome solo!
this guitar solo by Mick Ronson is one of the most beautiful of all time
I love the nod to Kahlil Gibran in this song who died today April 10th in 1931 in New York, New York. It's April 10th today 2020, and his philosophy is still relevant: " keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children." David Bowie was a genius who appreciated and gave props to other geniuses.
RIP, Mick Ronson! Phenomenal guitarist who should be better known & revered. I bought the album after catching this live version on late night radio when I was just a kid. Now that I am older, I prefer more relaxing music, but I still enjoy talent when I hear it. Wow, such a talent! That band helped to put Bowie on the map; then he went on into his many image changes. Great early metal music!
Ronson was,and is still one of the greatest guitar giants to this day RIP Ronnie, you really are SO missed bud
Around 11:00 when Bowie starts miming that he is flying, gets me every time...What a beautiful human being.
I like how mick ronson's face is always like "DUDE W T F IS GOING ON? LISTEND TO THIS MADNESS! OH WAIT THIS IS ME!"
That is completely the riddle of Ronson...such a shy gent off stage, and a true monster on stage!
lol
haha Love that description ☺
haha Love that description ☺
haha Love that description ☺
Ronno's face...What celestial brilliance he spews forth from his galactic cataclysmic guitar.
Mick was a classically trained musician who could play rock guitar brilliantly. He was a big help in making Bowie famous. Bowie had some nice pleasant songs before Mick joined him but after Mick came on the scene Bowie's music became brilliant. I fell in love with Mick's playing back in 1972 and that hasn't changed since. This song is definitely one of my favourite songs from Bowie.
Great arranger as well, was Ronno. You're right, he was a great asset to Bowie's music and underrated as a guitarist
Sounds like you werent much of a Bowie fan then
i can tell that you are a mick ronson fan
He was amazing, as am ametur musician, I stand in awe.
Much Kudos to you my man ! You definitely hit the nail on the proverbial head.The Spiders from Mars were the perfect foil for Bowie ,together they help change the complexity of rock.
after recovering from leukemia in 2004, Bowie was the first concert I got to go to to celebrate! Only time I ever saw him...AMAZING!!!
Glad to hear you are well !
All the best to you hon, please stay healthy and well! ^^
I think he stopped touring in 2004?
And this is why the 70's was the best decade for Rock music. I love jam music!
There's no debate about it the 70s was the best decade for rock and roll .
In 1971 a Led Zeppelin fan went back stage and told Jimmy Page that Black Dog was the best riff he ever heard. Jimmy took a drag of his cigarette and said "then you obviously havn't heard Width Of A Circle".Phenomenal Mick!!
Did that actually happen?
Whether it did or did not is pointless. It's True.
"How do u find the width of a circle"?
Get the circa 1972 Ziggy Stardust Motion picture!
YES ,It most certainly since being a witness, I definitely appreciate That Page can acknowledge something good when he hears one.
Grandioso.
Honestly, Page isn't really as great as everyone thinks. Hell, Iommi was greater with only 2 full fret hand fingers. Riff lord.
I've been a huge bowie fan for 32 years and I think mick ronson is the most underrated guitarist of all time! And I'm a huge zeppelin fan!!!
Lee Ashmore totally agree with you! Mick Ronson Way Ahead of his time!!
I read Jimmy Page was a huge fan of Mick too.
@chloe Ottem-O'Connell : )
Mick Ronson underrated? Oh no. Ask Bowie, Dylan, J. Page, Brian May, Def Leppard, Lou Reed, Ian Hunter ... For guitarists in GB he was one of the iconic role models of the early 70s. Lots of people dont know him - but relevant is that lots of the greats know him and apreciated his work
This may be the greatest live version of anything I've ever seen. I get chills every time I watch it. I have to watch all 14 minutes. Absolutely jaw dropping 😦
"Do it again, do it again!" 😛
THAT'S RIGHT !
Samuel White ... ❤❤❤
Turn around, Go back!
Check out the "David" Live" version...much better!
Mas perfecto no lo pudiste decir hermano.
Probably my favourite Bowie song ever... Why? It's so fucking powerful. It's got everything, wicked guitaring, bass playing, drums and of course Bowie himself! To be listened all the way through
My biggest regret in life is never seeing him live.:(
+sammygirl6910 Ah, Mick, so good.
+sammygirl6910 Saw him live twice :) Sorry you never had the pleasure
+sammygirl6910 Awesome on so many levels )
X2, my 4 year old daughter can't believe she'll never see him live!
You missed out. I saw him 4 or 5 times. Once, the tour with Nine Inch Nails, I sneaked down close enough for us to look into each others eyes. They had a general admission mosh pit area down front where you could get close.
Nothing beats Bowie and Ronson together. Ronson is probably as good as Mr Hendrix with making guitar playing look easy and utterly awesome. As for Bowie way ahead of his time seen him many times since 78 and still look back amazed at what he did sadly missed the kids of today have missed so much greatness in rock.The kids now have to listen and watch shit like x factor.Bless my mum for having me back in the 60's
Ronson's solo in "Width" is just an absolute classic. Bowie walking off stage shows whose performance this was. Some great lyrics in this also. "God's a young man too". I wonder how God feels about that?
It doesn't care.
Hard to believe both Bowie and Mick are gone, sad, very sad.
And Trevor Bolder
All died of the same thing, cancer. Only Woody, the original drummer in the Spiders, remains from the band.
Mick was a brilliant guitar player ... What a divine solo ...
Mick and Trevor performance is superb, like a whole album.
They were at the top of their game at this concert. Mick Ronson, one of the greatest and underrated rock guitarists of all time.
Bowie (and his band): Exciting, different, scary, wonderful, wild, creative, unorthodox. We miss him for all of that. And where is that stuff today in pop music? Sigh.
I'm not a fan of miming, but what a fucking performer. I was completely captivated.
+Bendage I'm confused; This has to be one of the most obviously live and Un-mimed performances ever, but your comment doesn't seem to be ironic.
You're right about the performances though, with both Bowie and Ronson excelling themselves and Trevor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey driving it along.
Dr1v1ngBl1nd I meant the actual performance of miming that he starts doing at 10:06 lol
+Bendage
Oops ! yes, he does seem to be miming at that point. lol
I seem to remember he did some mime shows around 67-68 with Lindsay Kemp who later helped stage Ziggy
Hope David, Mick, and Trevor are jamming again somewhere. RIP.
I'M SURE THEY ARE !!!
+Edouard LEENAERT www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/davidbowie/widthofacircle.html
Tell me about your experience, cuz I had David Live in "74....
Yea. jamming good with Weird and Gilly and The Spiders From Mars.
❤
you bet yer God given Ass
Ronson was an amazing player and performer
Agreed
Incredible playing by Mick Ronson! Love the audience reactions.
Every time I watch Ronson in this song, I pick up something new. He did a retuning of his Les Paul mid song. Rock from the 70s - some of the greatest music.
Bowie at his best with Mick Ronson and the Spiders from Mars. Their music lives forever. RIP.
Mick is outstanding, but so are Trevor and Woody. The Spiders were one of the tightest, most inventive bands in rock and roll history.
Man that band was tight. Guitar bass drums
indeed, that whole section from 6:30 on was insane..all three were great..especially Ronson..wow.
David had the greatest of musicians alongside him throughout his career, but nothing can quite replicate the energy of the Spiders. They were just outstanding. In every sense of the word. Absolutely outstanding.
o dude with a bass
Don't forget Woody's AMAZING drumming....
Man, you can say that again.............jesus.
farmtracks1 met him at Dozy’s funeral a few years ago, what a lovely modest bloke... a friend who had no clue who he was said, “are you a musician too?” He replied, “yeah, I do drums”... and nothing more.
Mick Ronson was the nazz
With God's given ass
Yoko Kaab ......”God-given ass”.
I thought The Nazz was Todd Rundgruen, Carson Van Osten, Thom Mooney, and Robert "Stewkey" Antoni?!
@@dantean He was and they were .
The Nazz are blue!
An Electric High Priest, presiding over a ritual with song, light and pageantry. See the hypnotized youth, spellbound? This man was a great artist who exercised the power of art to its highest extent, moving people into an alternate realm. I think of the older people of that era who thought his music was noise, that he was a no-talent. Man, were they ever the blind fools!
Mick puts a great number of classic rock riffs/conceits in his solo and I could listen to most of them for more than the couple of bars he sticks with each one. Great to see what good show these concerts could provide with really dedicated acts.
I'm reading the book Mick Ronson, The Spider with the Platinum Hair. Enjoying it very much. I was a tad too young to have seen one of their concerts being about 12 when when they toured the states but I had the Ziggy album and played it to death! I remember him being shown on TV and my WWII era father wondering if he was a boy or a girl. The older generation just didn't get Bowie. I'm 55 and still listening, and my mother still isn't interested ! :-)
+Marissa Rose My parents didn't get it back then either. Back then, rockers were much more "in your face" to the older generation who critisized them. They didn't give a fuck. Especially Bowie. Dressing in drag was not the way to become a successful entertainer back then. Adults were in shock. They thought Evis was bad for shaking his hips-then Bowie comes along!!
I remember my mother being furious at the 'leper messiah' lyric at the time! She warmed to Bowie in later years though and loved that vid he did with jagger 😀
Thank you ziggy fan, this is amazing. 3 piece theatre while Bowie takes a break and without a musical stumble. Woody Woodmansy has to be one of the most unrecognised drummers of all time. And my idol Mick Ronson; what a legend!
While everybody else commenting here seems to be lauding Ronson and his guitar playing, I'm going to express a little love and praise for Bowie's nifty little mime piece at 10:03, I think that's pretty awesome!
It is a rather exact citation of, and hommage to the piece called "The Cage", by the mime Marcel Marceau (probably via Lindsay Kemp).
That Mark Ronson solo is unreal,very talented and underrated guitarist
Mick Ronson.
Maravilhosos 😍 dAvld e Mike show ❤️
Always blows my mind every time I watch this..
Mick Rocking Ronson
Bowie's heaviest track, ever!
My man Mick Ronson was a GOD!
He was much more than that....
John Mckeown
What is more than being
titled god?
I saw them in 72 live in Scotland. Width of a circle as filmed here takes me back. A brilliant gig!
My favorite Bowie song was My Death but this comes as a close second and the way Mick Ronson bent his guitar around the universe made him a special musician and both songs were played at Hammersmith Odeon was and has been the best concert I ever had the pleasure of going to and was a privilege to be there and enjoy the atmosphere was very special night. Not like this anymore!
Dave Booth "The way Mick Ronson bent his guitar around the universe".
Excellent description. Ronson was in his own league. And you got to see this show? You are one lucky man.
My Death was written by Jacques Brel, not Bowie
Bowie and the Spiders at their best great album unbelievable footage Mick, an absolute legend ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Man, what a show! Quite the hypnotizing performance, live style! Now that is rock and roll as we know it! Mr. Bowie.... you were above, before, and beyond your time! A legend forever!
Wow! I saw Bowie live 3 times, but in the later 70's, not lucky enough to have seen him as Ziggy (live)...But this performance beats anything I've seen him do live or on video...Mick Ronson's guitar work is fabulous too...RIP, David and Mick...
Ronno remains one of the best guitarists I have ever seen. Great memories from the old Glasgow Apollo in the 70's. Music today is still great and many fine artists about but Bowie for me will always be the greatest.
One of the best pieces of Rock theatre ever - Oh to rewind 45 years !
i keep watching this every day....I will go out on a limb and say this is the best song in the universe
Mick Ronson...top guitar player.Gorgeous live music atmosphere !
Complete and utter proof of Micks re-working of David's more Folk/Rock arrangements pre-album'. I was screaming like a baby at this stage of the gig'. Memories that will live forever.
So
Mick Ronson farewell performance with Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars...mesmerizing, flawless, seamless guitar solo, grossly under rated , one of the best guitar players of all time....rest in peace with the Space Commander.
MICK RONSON ------ total master of his guitar
Mick is so awesome....
Some alien beings are sent to humanity in the right place at the right time to help us evolve. Thank you David. Safe journey where ever you may be.
10:35 - 11:10.... He cuts the Wall with his finger, and when he extends his arms, you find the Width of a Circle.
14 plus minutes of pure brilliance.
Both Bowie and Ron were Amazing!!!I wish I was at this show back then...
I WAS "SO LUCKY" TO BE THERE AND WILL NEVER FORGET !
Bowie is proof that God exists !!
+Jim Bennett I don't think that Bowie himself believes that. I could be wrong but I don't think so.
No the devil.
Bowie *is* a god
Bowie Loved Jesus.
+Jim Bennett
God approves of mime?
We are truly doomed.
As a piece of 'live' rock music captured on film, I'd put this one from Bowie's [last] English gig as Ziggy Stardust - 1972, I think (could be wrong : frequently am !) - right up there in my Top 10 of All-Time. From the start of his mesmerising, one-handed guitar overture - and for the next 4 minutes or so - Mick Ronson provides ample proof of what a truly killer axe-man he was. The band behind him - Trevor Bolder [bass] and 'Woody' Woodmansey [drums] - kicked a fair bit as well (understatement). This lot gave Bowie a rock-solid platform on which to build his exotic fantasies. I don't think Bowie was EVER quite as 'powerful' as this EVER AGAIN. The performance absolutely brims with confidence and - as a piece of cocky film-maker's art - the strobe-effect focus on the standing-n-bopping crowd of 'teenies at the front during the instrumental conclusion before Bowie's last verse on 'Width ...' is a STROKE (pun intended) of genius. Once I watch this, it's hard not to watch it again ... and again ... and again ... etc etc etc etc.
July 1973
Oh My God! This video of David Bowie is the frickin shit! His guitarists go crazy on the ground, the crowd is probably in a drug induced stupor, and when you think it cant get any more awesomely bizarre he breaks out the mime- which is totally badass! And dang if I know what he is trying to project, he is in a cage that he is escaping and when he escapes he flies like the birds out of captivity. Kahlil Gibran- blows the mind. I wonder what is his favorite Gibran writing??
God he was beautiful. No wonder the last year I have been on a Bowie binge. It was his vibration communicating through the ether that his time was short and for me to pay attention. David, the world is waking up again. Your music will be a part of it. And Khalil Gibran will be remembered, and there will be peace in our time. You are part of the All and I know you will be visiting many of us in the spirit to whisper secrets that will free us all from our cages. I was freed because of your music. Labyrinth was my first introduction to you when I was a child and that music brought fun and joy even up til today. I knew you were important in all of this. You are one of the keys and more are being made every day because of you. Thank goodness for people who force us to think outside our boxes. You will not be forgotten. Thank you for working so hard on Black Star. The wave of awakening is moving faster and you just gave it the tsunami boost it needed.
Hermes Trismegistus.
+broken angel Totally, he really is beautiful. I feel like his music brings out the best in people.
+broken angel damn you made me cry
+broken angel "I'll be free-just like that blue bird" from Lazarus video.
broken angel ye people are brilliant fans!!!.excellent 'feedback' . I've often wondered which Gibran piece he was trying to project on stage at closing of this song..respect!
This reminds why we fell in love with Rock'n'Roll 🤘
I love the music from the end of the sixties and early seventies. Rhytm, improvisation, musical skills, communication between musicians, originality, creativity. A golden era - no MTV, computers, samplers or pitch correction.
Totally agree
Rest in peace Mick and Trevor.
+Bill Taylor We really lost a legend with Ronno!
+Susan Kane Bowie could not have had a better guitar partner than Mick
+Susan Kane Sure the heck did. Reeves Gabrels filled in quite nicely in the last 1/2 of Bowies career.
Don't forget da drummer .. Woody Woodmansey .. not flash but tight .. I might have spelt that name wrong
The spiders were just incredible. Period.
Your spelling is correct.
David once said that Woody understood his music the best and was the best drummer to compliment his music.
Probably the greatest performance of my favourite Bowie song. Ronson absolutely on it, Bowie being Bowie. I absolutely love it!
And whilst this was going on, Slade with Skweeze Me Pleeze Me was number one.
Mick Ronson is a really underrated guitarist.
man... that guitar is out of this world
Them earthlings were so dam lucky back in the 70s to witness creatures from outer space perform these Stella performances .
yes we were, but when it was happening there was so much of it that we didnt appreciate what we had. Everyone wanted the next big album, the next great artist. Its only now the wave of brilliance has ended that people are appreciating what actually happened. Case in point...I always thought Willie Nelson was gran-dad music, but I watched a little vid from the 70s the other day and it was a breath of fresh air compared with the absolute cak that gets titled 'music' now. Never thought i'd say it, but Nelson was one great artist
I saw Bowie live back in 1990 in Jacksonville, Florida. Purely awesome!
AmaZing song bout spiritual transformation. Love how his mime sequence captures this... Bowie breaks through the boundaries of conditoned reality/ideology and reaches infinity. Love it!!!!
so happy to say i got to see him twice. the Station to Station tour and the Glass Spider tour. Happy birthday, David. wish you were still here.
How awesome is this?!?
Wow, Mick Ronson is just killing it!
🎸👊🔥RIP David and Mick....You both will be forever missed and remembered......🙏🎸🔥
Rock for Ronson tribute concert in Hull this April. Earl Slick will be there too along with Steve Harley and Lisa Ronson.
One of the things I really appreciate is that it's clear that Mick Ronson didn't check his look in the mirror 1000 times before going on stage.
More talent and less narcissism would be refreshing in the modern world...
Best band ever. Salute.
If a male musician dressed like this these days he'd be ridiculed till Kingdom come but at that time Bowie was a master and was adored. Magic.
Mick, Woody, Trevor. What a band. What a shame it didn’t last. I know that Bowie wanted to do the whole rock and roll chameleon thing but I just wish this could’ve lasted just a little while longer.
Totally with you on that bro
Several of the highest times of my young life were achieved in the presence of Mick Ronson. Back then I always made my way to the front of the stage. At least once during any show, he'd allow us feverish acolytes a chance to strum his outstretched Gibson. It felt like he appreciated his fans, and wanted to convey that.
1973 all over again watching this. Great! Thanks for posting this.
And that my friends is how you play a Les Paul
Yes, perfect
I saw him, Glass spider tour..Siouxsie opened , anahiem, stadium, california I will hold that image in my mind till 17 minutes after I am dead. Good times.