British guitarist analyses David Bowie live in 1973! 

Thank you so much for this one. I feel that Mick Ronson never really gets his due. THE most underrated guitar player in rock IMO. Also thank you for recognizing Woody and Trever who almost never get mentioned with other great rhythm sections. Rock!

Love the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust. All killer, no filler.

As a classically trained musician Mick was an outstanding guitarist with great depths. The biggest factor though is the synergies between David and Mick. Similarity in appearance, voices which compliment each other. Truely a pairing made in heaven.

The performance you're reviewing is my favourite live footage of Bowie and Ronson of ALL time. It's absolutely phenomenal. No wonder you're smiling. ⭐️🖤💙🖤⭐️ Thank you

David Bowie was extremely talented. Not just a great singer,but a great actor. Always loved rocking out to his music.

Fil, I’m 1/2 English I really love your videos, they are interesting. The way you break down each part,for the average listener to understand. What I really took heed of was,with every single video,a genuine no way fake” for the camera . Smile ,sheer for the joy of music! I get that similar smile,when I hear my stereo play a CD hit a fave song I’m in love w. Though I’m not young plus I need use plenty of caution with this activity,I will still dance,on my living room floor yes w arthritis and chronic pain. My small but curious cat peers around the corner of the room to ensure my safety. I saw my idol do it. Re inspired me to do dance as my preferred form of excercise Yes I listen to mostly 60s I’m 62 no shame saying that,70-80s hits on my CDs huge collection in bins.I find it increadibly healing. I have Ziggy and the Stardust ,and Greatest Hits Bowie he released prob late 1980 bc China Girl was on it still great dancing song. I do some ballet steps rest is stuff contemporary 1980s from back then.😊😊😊😊 It’s the new 40!

One thing is for sure Bowie was a multifaceted powerhouse of pure talent. There was nothing he couldn't accomplish. Fil, Thank you for analyzing David Bowie! ^m^

On top of Mick's brilliant guitar playing, I just love his theatrical expression and the powerful postures with his Gibson. Such a great joy to watch, 50 years later

U hit a raw nerve.. Ur in sacred territory now... Ziggy... David, Mick '73...so unbelievable.. No more words needed. The addition of one of his long term anchors.. Pianist maestro Mike Garson shortly after this capapulted David into the rarefied air he inhabited for decades.. "LADY GRINNING SOUL" and "Time"... r 2 David compositions that would be sorely lacking without garsons overthetop piano magic....

That girl in the front row who does the whole mime routine to the "press your space face" lines is what rock and roll is all about...I wonder if she practiced that at home to the record or just spontaneously thought of it at the concert...It's awesome, either way...

As a decades long fan of Randy Rhoads i have always known of Mick Ronson's influence on him. Even more so than last nights video you can really see the influence that Mick had on Randy Rhoads. Similar stage presence, open chest shirt and of course the Les Paul and straight blonde hair. Very cool performance by David, Mick and the band.

This will probably get me into one hell of a stink, but Bowie/Ronson have given me the same level of enjoyment as Jagger/Richards. Just not the quantity. These guys were amazing to have as an influence in the 70s. Definitely one of the immortal collaborations in rock. Peace..........

Two days of Ronson, is this a late birthday present just for me? Such a superb guitarist and Bowie's no slouch. There's a great story about the guitar solo. Bowie, supposedly, drew a straight line on a piece of paper that got progressively more squiggly. He asked Ronson if he could create a solo that sounded like the line looked...Ronson said yes and here it is. Thanks Fil. How about Ronson with Ian Hunter next?

Bowie is like religion for me. He was more than just a musician. He was a cultural revolutionary and a hero for all us freaks and weirdos. I can't properly express my love for Bowie and how important he was to me as a musician and a person. PS. Fil, have you done a vid on The Cure yet? I can't recall one and I would love to see you do some Robert Smith.

One of my all time favorites, David Bowie. Thank you for doing this! 😍

I keep coming back to this. Must be one of the best performances in rock history.

Bowie is so unique-his look, his voice (which I love) and how he handled his career. So much talent. He also seemed smart and witty. Hope you’ll do another round, he deserves it. Thank you.

I could never put my finger on what made Bowie's voice utterly unique, but now I know with your demonstration. I can just hear that explosive vibrato into the beginning of Putting Out Fires with Gasoline. Gives me chills EVERY time! Thanks for another great analysis, Fil!

I love how he playfully throws in the thick cockney every now and then.

Ronson was probably the only Spider who knew that he was playing the last Spiders From Mars concert. The rest of the band just had the carpet pulled out from under them. What a shock it must have been.

Bowie was always successful in re-inventing himself. So creative.

I feel very fortunate that I got to see David Bowie perform several times, the first during the Diamond Dogs tour in 1974. People talk about how Bowie constantly changed his image, but what was more interesting was he changed musically every couple of years. He never stood still. I also got to see Mick Ronson when he was working with Ian Hunter in 1979. That was somewhere in Hollywood, Cal but I can't remember where. I just remember that concert was a totally awesome. If you ever think that you wished you had seen this or that artist, the night I saw the Ian Hunter I was with several friends, one of whom saw David Bowie during the Ziggy Stardust tour and Mott the Hoople the same year. He had also seen Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and a bunch of other 60's icons at Monterey Pop. There's always someone who has seen more cool bands than you have.

Actually, what really caught my ear were the drums. They sounded phenomenal!

Love that solo for almost 50 years now!

Such perfection and musical theater! A friend of mine went to many of his shows back in the day; I was so jealous!

To this day I think that Mick Ronson is one of this country's most under-rated guitarists. He wrote the string arrangements on "Hunky Dory" and as Steve Harley once said, "It was like having Stravinsky in your band". Even Earl Slick said in the documentary "Beside Bowie" that Mick Ronson was the best guitarist that David Bowie ever had. Quite a compliment coming from somebody who had worked with David far longer than Mick Did. The other thing I loved about Mick's playing was that, although he didn't do all the guitar pyrotechnics of a Jimmy Page or a Ritchie Blackmore, his guitar sound was absolutely solid. Also listen to "Once Bitten Twice Shy" by Ian Hunter and hear how Mick skillfully builds up the guitar sound throughout the song to an amazing crescendo at the end. The man was a musical genius.

Although some of David's "characters" were way out there, he always seemed to be a real gentleman. He is a talent that is greatly missed by the music world. Thank you Fil for explaining/demonstrating the difference in vibratos. You did a great job, because even I understood it. Well done, maestro.

Thanks for doing this song FIL, the spiders blew the roof off of radio city when i seen them. David owned the crowd,Mick was just ripping.

A double shot of Ronson. Great choices Fil 👍

I absolutely love your analyses videos. Please keep them coming. ❤️

Love your singing demo!

Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end.

I had a poster of that exact thumbnail image on my bedroom wall in the 70's when I was 10 😄 Happy days

What a loss. I miss him so much. One of the best artists ever. So polite, nice and kind. He is perfect! Very nice voice, lyrics and presence on stage. He was a great actor too. So creative. I saw a video once about his process of composing songs. He one of a kind and he will be missed forever.

Awesome review Fil. I still have a hard time watching and hearing him. 💖 One of the best videos of him, with a great band, he was happy, healthy and IMO in great voice is 'Cracked Actor - Live at the Beeb. I love this video and totally appreciate it. Xo ✌🏼

Awe. Loved him. First heard him in very early 70’s My older cousin was a huge fan and I became one too Fame is probably my fav! My daughter (29) now loves him too. We loved him The Labyrinth 💙

David Bowie will be missed thank you Fil

Guitar solo on width of a circle from same live concert is hugely exciting. 👍👍

Fil... always the best from you brother on your analysis...you seem like you're in your element when you review performances like this...like this is what you really dig man...

Thanks Fil -- incredible analysis, as usual! As a young, androgynous, vintage men's suit wearing "Tom boy", I sat through a double feature of "Ziggy Stardust" & "The Man Who Fell to Earth", decades after their original release, catching repeat film showings from the early afternoon through the wee hours of the morning, reveling in my freedom & my love for Bowie!... I can still smell the damp coolness of the old dilapidated movie theater mixed with the buttery warmth of popcorn... 📽🍿 Such beautiful memories -- my love for Bowie & his incredible, unmatched, artistry is neverending... Enjoy your journey through the stars, Major Tom!...☄🌟✌🏼🎶💖🎶

Fil I'm so amazed at how you can see & notice things about the artists & the music played that probably most people don't seem to channel in on,..BRAVO to you for what you bring to the tube,..This was one cool performance of the band & again another British band that ruled back in the day,...Thanx as always....

“Chaos in places.” A really nice turn of phrase to describe the extended solo. Ronson was so great. Randomly, I think he was the one who suggested the hand clapping on Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane.”

Thank you for giving even more reasons to appreciate these phenomenal musicians. Your gratitude is infectious.

Fil, I love your vibrato demonstrations. A little vibrato goes a long way!

One of the greatest live performances of all time. Too often overlooked.

I really like your channel, but I must say that your smile is the light of the world. There is none better. Great job here.

Bowie was fantastic live.

I love seventies Bowie, with Ronson. Have you listened to Ronson playing on Elton John’s Madman Across the Water? They recorded it for the Tumbleweed Connection album, but it didn’t get released until the 1995 CD remaster. The shorter (radio friendly) version was released on the Madman Across the Water album. EJ’s usual guitarist played on that version. I haven’t found the Ronson version live.

Ronson's influence is undeniable his tone here is fantastic. He was a big influence on Randy Rhoads.

Thank you for pointing out so many details we take for granted, like the choreography. David had a uniquely classical or operatic vibrato, possibly from listening to his parents’ records as a child, that you’ve broken down terrifically well. Also great points about presentation and belief. Mick’s solo really does take everything to a different place.

WOW! is Ronson killing it at the end of the video or what!!! So awesome! I was lucky enough to see him near the end of his life in the late 80's when he toured with Ian Hunter.

David created characters to help with shyness. Mick Robson was one of Steve Clark of Def Leppard major influences.

It's sometimes hard to believe how short a time this part of his career was. Definitely my favorite period.

Phenomenal songwriting and performance. Goddam, Ronson had good tone!

Never another like David EVER!!....Clever lad how he got his intellectual property back!!……✌️❤️🤘

These videos are incredible, David Bowie was a huge talent and an astute man. Well done Fil, I loved that vibrato demo : )

Love the analysis and especially love the information at the end. Great video.

A wonderful concert! One of the most beautiful moments of rock music.

Although I personally prefer David’s mature singing style, I cannot deny the magic of Ziggy Stardust and his ultimate sidekick, Mick Ronson

Excellent analysis and breakdown on all of the elements that are going on in this performance. Bowie's concerts where more of a rock show! thanks Fil for the follow up from last night.

What a thorough analysis! Just awesome, Fil!

He was truly from another dimension just had to go back. I had this album studio version I believe the sleeve said Play at Maximum Volume. I did parents did not like.

David Bowie is the ultimate front man. So much talent and charisma, and he uses all of it.

One of my (many) heroes. I loved the Glass Spider Tour.

Amazing what you hear! Thank you for sharing it with us.

You do an excellent job of reviewing videos from the past, and give an honest assessment of the artist. Many of those artists were originals hard to copy..........

Watching your videos is like taking a graduate level college course in various musical genres. Incredible knowledge. Keep it up.

Thanks I suggested Mick Robson with David several months back. I didn’t know you were listening! 👍

Fil, I am so grateful for your videos, thanks for your insight and knowledge. I think the "above the note" vibrato you describe was emulated by David Bowie from Anthony Newley (and his version of the 20c music hall style?) Luv on ya bro!

HI FIL GREAT JOB YOU DO. THANKYOU FOR WHAT ALL YOU DO. YOU ARE THE BEST . DAVID BOWIE ROCKS.LOVE YOU AND YOUR VIDEOES. LOVE YOU GUYS . PEACE AND LOVE

10 years later in 1983 David Bowie gets new guitar player name Stevie Ray Vaughan. Let's Dance

Both Mick and David where legends .

Fantastic, i was waiting for ages for you to do a Bowie vid, thanks, you did a great job, btw in the studio Bowie was also a one take wonder !!

With Bowie you got your money's worth 'cause you got a SHOW! And I love the faces Mick pulls when he's playing -- ah, the sweet agony!

DAVID BOWIE PUT STEVIE RAY VAUGHN ON THE MAP....ALWAYS LOVED AND ADMIRED DAVID BOWIE FOR BEING HIMSELF!!!

Ziggy could have put his ray gun to my head anytime back in those days. My favorite song by Mr. Bowie. I showed the cover of the Ziggy Stardust album to my Dad and got one of those "Oh Shit" looks from him. I knew immediately I was on the right track. Great analysis of a legend and groundbreaker Fil.

Ronson at his best. Bowie on the rise to even greater heights.

I requested this song since months ago, nice video thanx. 12:56 deep and epic!

Now you're really spoiling me Fil! After yesterday's Angel No 9 and now Moonage...it dont get any better for me. Haha. Very interesting when you analysed Bowie's sharp vibrato. I'd love to hear your analysis of Bryan Ferry's vocals where he always seems to sing sharp. And as for a great video, "In every Dreamhome a Heartache" on utube from Whistle Test is awesome with Phil Manzanera kicking in on guitar at end. Wonderfully subversive and a million miles away from Mr Ferry's "Lounge Lizard" image of later years.

Watching you watch it is almost as fun as watching the thing itself.

Just amazing . Two of the greatest , we will never see this again . Thanks Fil ....

Saw David Bowie twice live in Australia. Brilliant both times.

Yes..Fil..the Mystery!! I was so young...was interested more in his look..platform shoes and his outfit..than his music and singing...🤭🤭 Later..I realised..how good, totally unique and talented person he was.... Thanks....

Love your take on this classic performance Fil. I was lucky to see this same show at radio city nyc in 73. The visual and the performance by David will stay with me forever, The spiders blew the roof off. Mick Ronson was my idol, man he could squeeze that les paul.

Great review. It's a tribute to Bowie's artistic drive that he was recording right up until his final days.

I am so absolutely happy I found your channel on RU-vid. You have one of the best channels for sure!!! Bowie always found a way to remake his style and singing. It was almost as if his previous persona died and was then reborn into something new!!.

Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders of Mars! One of my favorite all time albums & one of my favorite songs! David & Mick at their best!⚡🌠🖤

Please do a segment on the double album "Bowie at the beeb", my favorite Bowie album of all. So stripped down and awesome. David and Mick at their best.

Mick Ronson was a perfect match for Bowie. I love this performance so much.

This concert is so amazing, this happened in 1973!, and is timeless , so creative , glad it was recorded, David and Mick with this band,were great, and Davis Bowie acts so dramatic ,performing..and outrageous, he is Ziggy here not David ❤

You're very good at what you do. Very informative for people who love music but aren't musically inclined. I'm a music teacher and I also like listening to your analyses. Keep up the good work!

Bowie has had better bands but The Spiders From Mars is still my favorite of all of his stellar bands. This concert had loads of great performances(Jeff Beck and Mick dualing it out on The Jean Jeanie) but my favorite is the spell binding 15 minute version The Width of a Circle. Mick Ronson is outstanding on this.

Ronson's solo here is one of my fave axe solos ever

Fabulous album, way ahead of its time

Thanks for the vibrato lesson Fil. I learn more about singing listening to your comments and for showing this gem. I hadn't heard it before. It is crazy good.

Such a great job as always, as a fan but also musician I really enjoy your overview.

So many potential band names in Bowie’s lyrics! “Moonage Daydream” & “Church of Pure Love” would both work nicely.

There's a great Bowie documentary I can't find on RU-vid where Bowie talks about how he got the Spiders to wear makeup with him. " Mick was from Hull...very down to earth...'whaddya mean wear makeup?' ...so I would lie and tell them they looked green on stage without makeup...and then they also saw how many chicks they started pulling when they put on makeup! They took to it like fish to water."

How I miss that man. I saw him in the 70s when Fame was popular. Quite the different look as on this clip--white suite and blond pompadour. Fantastic. Thanks for choosing this!

Yep David was certainly the full package as you say. 💛🔥