It’s funny how adventures sometimes evolve with me and my London Shoes – and this blog topic article is a classic case in point.
A week ago, my Shoes trekked off to a location in Gt. Portland Street (just off Oxford Street) for the specific purpose of visiting a gallery where I had read, in one of my monthly music magazines, that there was an exhibition of early photos/images of David Bowie – taken by photographer, the late ‘Mick Rock’.
Now – Mick Rock was a London born photographer who died in 2021 at the age of 72. He is famous for his photos of British rock stars/acts such as Queen / T.Rex / The Sex Pistols / Roxy Music / Thin Lizzy and US acts such as Lou Reed / Iggy Pop & Blondie.
One of his most notable ‘subjects’ was the late David Bowie, who he photographed in early 1972 capturing Bowie’s creation of the Ziggy Stardust persona – and becoming the official photographer for the very first Ziggy tour of the UK that began in Feb 1972 and ended up as a world tour lasting over 1 year – as Bowie’s popularity went off the scale.
Mick Rock’s work was so revered, and he became so in demand – he was affectionately described as “the man who shot the 70’s”.
Anyway – having rocked up at the KEF Gallery expecting to see the Mick Rock photo exhibition – I soon discovered that it had actually finished a couple of weeks previous – the info I read about it was obviously incorrect.
However – observing my disappointment one of the managers of the gallery, a lovely chap by the name of ‘Geoff’ (spelt the same way as me) – asked me if I would be interested in attending an event that the studio was hosting the next week, where they would be staging a playback session of a digitally remastered, scientifically enhanced version of David Bowie’s 1972 all time classic album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars” – which would be pumped through the gallery’s top high end state of the art Hi-Fi sound systems – to selected ‘listeners’ (of which I was now gonna be one).
Well – being a massive Bowie fan, particularly of his early 1970’s Ziggy period, when I was in my impressionable mid-teens – the question ‘would I be interested’ was a complete no-brainer…..and of course I gratefully accepted the offer.
The KEF Music Gallery is located in Great Portland Street – on the north side of Oxford Street and just a couple of mins walk from Oxford Circus tube station.
The Gallery describes itself as being an ‘immersive space for brand and creator collaborations’.
The main purposes of the Gallery (or Studio – as I guess some would describe it as) is to deliver a top quality unique ‘high fidelity’ experience – where guests can sit back and appreciate great ‘sounds’ – whilst showcasing KEF’s top of the range hi-fi products.
The 14th June 2024 saw the release of a “Rock n Roll Star” – a 5 CD box-set of Bowie music, that captures Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust journey from its early creation in Feb 1971 – right through to the recording of the now legendary and iconic album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”.
The box-set package contains previously unreleased material in the form of home demos recorded at his then Haddon Hall home in Beckenham-Kent, mostly recorded on a simple reel to reel tape recorder – plus radio sessions done for the BBC – along with loads of studio out-takes and alternative versions of songs put together during the making of the album at the (now closed down) Trident Studios in Soho-London. Many of these old out-takes/demo’s and unreleased tracks have been authenticated and re-mastered by the legendary Ken Scott, the original producer of the ‘Ziggy’ album.
This new box-set also contains loads of other early ‘Ziggy’ stuff like rare photos/studio worksheets/lyric sheets etc, all of which are an absolute must for a Bowie geek (I guess some would say I probably fit into that category – but I personally won’t be forking out the required £145 for it).
Anyway – having been invited back by the venue, to attend the ‘listening session’ of the now classic 1972 released Bowie album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars” – I was ushered to a very comfy pod type seat, and along with 11 other guests – I sat back and prepared myself to ‘receive’ the wall of sound that came booming out of the studio’s high end top of the range hi-fi set-up – that hit me from all sides.
From the distinctive drum beat intro of the album’s opening track ‘Five Years’ – right through to the orchestral fade out of it’s final track ‘Rock n Roll Suicide’ – supplemented with a visual effect of the now immediately recognised Ziggy album cover photoshoot outtakes displayed on a large screen between the hi-fi speakers – I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
After the ‘listening session’ us listeners were invited to provide feedback on the experience and whether we ‘heard’ anything different on this playback – that we never noticed on the original vinyl format of the album – I found that to be an enjoyable and interesting chat.
Having listened to the album there was time to have a little mooch around the gallery/studio to view some of the photos/prints still on display in the basement from the previous Mick Rock exhibition – along with some of the merch on sale.
Sometimes – my London Shoes end up in just the right place at the right time, in terms of experiencing stuff that really ‘floats my boat’ – and this was most definitely one of those times……thoroughly enjoyed it.
After having spent a good couple of hours at the KEF Music Gallery, it was time to partake in a little liquid refreshment before heading off back home – and just a little further down from the KEF building in Great Portland Street, I found myself in Langham Street, where I stumbled into a very classy old skool pub called the ‘Yorkshire Grey’.
There’s been a pub on the site since the 1820’s – and today, several of its original Victorian fixtures and fittings are still in situ.
A very relaxing and pleasant central London boozer to sink a few ‘cheeky’ beers (which were actually ‘organic’ lagers). The ‘Yorkshire Grey’ has close connections with the nearby BBC HQ in Langham Place, and has done for many years – and it is still regularly frequented by BBC staff
Hope you enjoyed this account of ‘Shoes’ day out – and that its accompanying photos helped bring the story to life a bit.
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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to support this blog article
The KEF Music Gallery is located in Great Portland Street – on the north side of Oxford Street and just a couple of mins walk from Oxford Circus tube station.
The KEF Music Gallery in Great Portland Street-London W1
The KEF Gallery describes itself as being an ‘immersive space for brand and creator collaborations’.
‘The journey through the creation of Ziggy Stardust’ -as advertised at the KEF Gallery – Gt. Portland St. W1
Me – in Gt. Portland St alongside the Ziggy promo at the KEF Gallery
The ‘Ziggy’ promo outside the KEF Gallery-Gt. Portland St – London W1
‘The journey through the creation of Ziggy Stardust’ -as advertised at the KEF Gallery – Gt. Portland St. W1
Mick Rock -a London born photographer who died in 2021 at the age of 72. Famous for his photos of British rock stars/acts such as Queen/ T.Rex/Roxy Music and US acts such as Lou Reed/Iggy Pop/Blondie. His most notable ‘subject’ was the late David Bowie, who he photographed in early 1972 capturing Bowie’s creation of the Ziggy Stardust persona
The remaining ‘Mick Rock’ photos/images – on display at the ‘KEF Gallery’ Gt. Portland St
One of the Mick Rock photos – on display at the KEF Gallery – Gt. Portland St
One of the Mick Rock photos – on display at the KEF Gallery – Gt. Portland St
Me – amongst the few remaining Mick Rock photos/images on display at the KEF Gallery-Gt. Portland St
Some more of the Mick Rock photos – on display at the KEF Gallery – Gt. Portland St
One of the Mick Rock photos – on display at the KEF Gallery – Gt. Portland St
Me – alongside a few of the remaining Mick Rock photos/images on display at the KEF Gallery-Gt. Portland St
One of the Mick Rock photos – on display at the KEF Gallery – Gt. Portland St
Me – amongst the few remaining Mick Rock photos/images on display at the KEF Gallery-Gt. Portland St
To commemorate the release of a new David Bowie box-set – the KEF Gallery were staging a playback session of a digitally remastered version of David Bowie’s 1972 all-time classic album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars”
Having been invited back by the venue, to attend the ‘listening session’ of the now classic 1972 released Bowie album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars” – I was ushered to a very comfy pod type seat, and along with 11 other guests
All the amps and hi-fi stuff at the KEF Gallery – ready to pump out a re-mastered version of the 1972 released Bowie album ‘The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars’
Me – pre-listening session – alongside the screen that flashed up images from the original photoshoot – of the original album cover to the 1972 released ‘The rise & fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars’ – whilst the listening session was in progress.
Me – and 11 other guests – sat back and prepared ourselves to ‘receive’ the wall of sound that came booming out of the studio’s high end top of the range hi-fi set-up – that hit us from all sides.
The ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’ in progress at the KEF Gallery
The ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’ in progress at the KEF Gallery – with images of outtakes from the photoshoot for the original album cover – flashed up on a big screen
The ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’ in progress at the KEF Gallery – with images of outtakes from the photoshoot for the original album cover – flashed up on a big screen
The ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’ in progress at the KEF Gallery – with images of outtakes from the photoshoot for the original album cover – flashed up on a big screen
Me – alongside the big ‘listening session’ screen at the KEF Gallery
Having listened to the album there was time to have a little mooch around the gallery/studio to view some of the photos/prints still on display in the basement from the previous Mick Rock exhibition – along with some of the merch on sale.
Probably the most poignant item of merchandise on sale at the KEF Gallery – was ‘Moonage Daydream’-a book containing all Mick Rock’s photos from the ‘Ziggy’ period
Some of the merchandise on display and on sale at the KEF Gallery following the ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’.
Some of the merchandise on display and on sale at the KEF Gallery following the ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’.
Some of the merchandise on display and on sale at the KEF Gallery following the ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’.
Some of the merchandise on display and on sale at the KEF Gallery following the ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album ‘listening session’.
Back in Aug 1972 (aged 15) – I was fortunate to see Bowie at the legendary ‘Rainbow Theatre’-Finsbury Park in North London – just 5mths into the 1st Ziggy tour – and only 2 mths following the release of the now iconic ‘The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars’ album. This concert has now gone down in Bowie history – as it was a full theatrical performance.
The Rainbow Theatre gig in Aug 72 has gone down in history as nothing from a rock band had been seen like it before.
At the Aug 1972 Rainbow gig – Bowie was delivering his set from scaffolding rigs set up across the stage – and was accompanied by dancers from the avent garde and underground ‘Lindsay Kemp Mime Troupe’
The support act for the Aug 1972 Rainbow Theatre Bowie extravaganza gig that I attended – was ‘Roxy Music’ who had not long released their very first album.
Me at home with a bit of merchandise that I just had to buy at the NEF Gallery – “Moonage Daydream” a book full of all of Mick Rock’s legendary ‘Ziggy’ photos
The ‘listening session’ at the KEF Gallery was in support of the 14th June 2024 released “Rock n Roll Star” – a 5 CD box-set of Bowie music, that captures Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust journey from its early creation in Feb 1971 – right through to the recording of the now legendary and iconic album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”.
The ‘listening session’ at the KEF Gallery was in support of the 14th June 2024 released “Rock n Roll Star” – a 5 CD box-set of Bowie music, that captures Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust journey from its early creation in Feb 1971 – right through to the recording of the now legendary and iconic album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”.
Me – at home with my original copy of the 1972 released album that started all this – who would have thunk it!!! – “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars”
Having enjoyed a good couple of hours at the KEF Music Gallery, it was time to partake in a little liquid refreshment – and just down the road from the KEF building, I stumbled upon a pub called the ‘Yorkshire Grey’ – in Langham Street
There’s been a pub on the current ‘Yorkshire Grey’ pub Langham Street site since the 1820’s – and the pub is a regular haunt of BBC staff and presenters working out of nearby BBC HQ in Langham Place
Inside the ‘Yorkshire Grey’ pub in Langham Street W1 – where some of its original Victorian fixtures & fittings are still in situ.
Inside the ‘Yorkshire Grey’ pub in Langham Street W1 – where some of its original Victorian fixtures & fittings are still in situ.
Inside the ‘Yorkshire Grey’ pub in Langham Street W1 – where some of its original Victorian fixtures & fittings are still in situ.
Having spent a couple hours enjoying the Ziggy event at the KEF Gallery in Gt. Portland St – this refreshing lager at the Yorkshire Grey pub – was just begging to be necked down.
Me – enjoying a ‘cheeky’ one in the extremely comfortable Yorkshire Grey in Langham Street-London W1
Wow! I wish I’d have been there. Like you, I was a massive Bowie fan Geoff. I used to have some KEF speakers as well 😂. Great stuff as always.
I also wanted to see that photo exhibit but missed it by a few weeks. Great post – thank you!
Excellent again…
And a smashing pint of Sams you had in the Yorkshire Grey pub – Sam Smith’s is brewed 5 miles down the road from my home.
I always ‘do’ the Sams when in London, Citie of York & the Princess Louise are two faves down Holborn…
What a fantastic experience Geoff ! – it’s amazing what life returns to you just by being willing to speak to people – brilliant and I envied you on this one
I’ve just enjoyed your Bowie blog Mr.London Shoes, and the unexpected treat you had, it was obviously quite a special occasion and I think you probably have more knowledge about your idol than some of the others who were also present!!
Keep on rocking !!
Mazza
Wow how amazing and what perfect timing!!!! Big fan of Bowie too. Saw him live in mid 80s but wish I could have seen him back at the Rainbow gig…legendary! Fantastic post 👏👏
Talk about being in the right place at the right time eh??
Looks like you had a fantastic experience of both pictures and music.
I’m very jealous ! Must have been a great listening experience
What a fabulous experience- deffo right place, right time- must have been fate!
Visiting that Bowie exhibition must’ve felt like stepping back in time—those photos, like old songs on a tape recorder, capture the raw energy of a legendary era in music.