Ranking: #35 (but it's higher on my personal list)
Original Release Date: 16 June 1972
Genre: Glam Rock
"The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars" was a concept album that wasn't really a concept album. Essentially, it was pieced together from pre-recorded songs, with a loose theme behind it. Most of the story was written after the album was released, but Ziggy Stardust was a bisexual alien rockstar. David Bowie had built a reputation as having an androgynous persona and Ziggy was an extension of that. Ziggy Stardust became a character that David Bowie played when he performed, because that was his style. He totally immersed himself in the characters he created for his music. Ziggy was inspired by Vince Taylor, Legendary Stardust Cowboy, and the fashion imaginings of Kansai Yamamoto. The story goes that Ziggy Stardust is Earth's Musical Messiah. With only 5 years to live and complete his mission, he gathers a following of disciples. Ziggy meets his end on stage, being torn apart by the Infinites while he performs for his fans. A fitting end for Rock'n'Roll Space Jesus. I can't imagine it any other way.
In the Year of our Lord 1972, the world was in its usual turmoil. It was a particularly bloody year in partisan terrorism. In the United Kingdom, the Irish Civil War raged on and in June of 1972, a couple of British soldiers died after stepping on land mines planted by the IRA and gun fights ensued throughout Ireland. The fighting results in negotiations between the IRA and the British Government. More deaths, more fighting until an agreed cease-fire is reached. Unfortunately, after the implementation date of the cease-fire, the infamous Bloody Friday bombings occurred in July. Over 20 bombs exploded in the span of 80 minutes, killing 9 people and injuring over 100 more. This was followed by Bloody Sunday, when 14 unarmed Catholic protesters were gunned down by the British Army. The Troubles, as the Northern Ireland Conflict is affectionately known as, carried on until 1998. I knew a guy from Ireland who grew up during these times. He recalled being in a pub with his friends when the IRA walked in, announced that any Catholics should leave, and then shot up the place. He, being Catholic (and not an idiot), obviously left. I know that story makes the IRA look bad, but the Loyalists were just as bad, possibly even worse because 85% of Loyalist casualties were civilians. All this is still very relevant, by the way, especially as Brexit looms over the UK. The hard border that resulted from Northern Ireland joining the UK was one of the aggravating factors during the Troubles and Brexit may result in the loss of the current open border situation. It should also be noted that the majority of Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU, making the reunification of Ireland an actual possibility. With a younger generation in charge - a generation that grew up during the Conflict and is less concerned with religious differences - it's a possibility that seems even more likely as the British government keeps bumbling the negotiations.
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He told me:
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie
Outside of the United Kingdom wasn't much better. The US was still embroiled in the Vietnam War (and it is not going well) but this year will mark the withdrawal of the last ground troops in Vietnam. Oh....and the Watergate Scandal broke, which ultimately led to Richard Nixon being impeached and resigning in disgrace. Three Arab gunmen opened fire at an airport in Tel Aviv, killing 26 people. Then, in September, an Arab gunman murdered 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics. And deadly earthquakes hit Turkey, Iraq, and Nicaragua, killing thousands. Clearly, we needed Ziggy Stardust (or some other savior, alien or otherwise) during 1972. But it wasn't all bad. This was also the year that Martin Scorsese's iconic film, "The Godfather" was released. Don McLean's classic song, "American Pie" held the number 1 spot in the US for four weeks. And HBO launched as the first subscription cable services. On the day "Ziggy Stardust" was released, the sun was in Gemini. This is fitting because Gemini's planetary ruler is Mercury. The Roman god, Mercury, is often depicted as an androgynous figure, much like David Bowie early in his career. There was also a lot of cardinal energy on this day, with multiple inner planet placements in Cancer, Uranus in Libra, North Node in Capricorn, and the Midheaven in Aries (I used 0800 as the "birth time" for this chart). Cardinal energy is all about getting shit started. Although David Bowie was already a popular artist when this album was released, "Ziggy Stardust" is considered the album that truly cemented his status as a music legend and pop icon. Finally, the Moon was in Leo, enhancing the desire for passion, creativity, and drama, which this album has in spades.
I also wanted to do a quick look at David Bowie's chart. Both his birthday (Jan 8) and his deathday (Jan 10) passed recently, which is why I chose this album to listen to. His Moon is in Leo, meaning that Ziggy was released during his monthly moon return. He was an Aquarius rising - this sign is co-ruled by Uranus and individuals with placements in Aquarius are often future-oriented and inventive, taking great interest in big ideas and new concepts. Aquarius placements tend to be independent and can have a reputation for rebelliousness. This all sounds very applicable to David Bowie. I also found it interesting that his 12th House (considered a House of Endings) is ruled by Capricorn (his Sun sign) and he died very close to his birthday. I'd be interested to see if there's a pattern of dying near your birthday if your sun falls in the 12th House. Coincidentally, his North Node (considered an indicator of Destiny) falls in Gemini and "Ziggy Stardust" was released during Gemini season. Finally, his Chiron was in Scorpio, indicating that he was gifted in helping people through periods of extreme transformation and had a talent for "alchemy," i.e., making something beautiful out of the unwanted. David Bowie as an artist, especially in the early days, attracted people who felt like freaks, outcasts, and strangers. By embracing his own inner weirdness, he signaled to his followers to be unafraid of who they truly were. That he accepted them as they accepted him, inside and out, eccentricities and all.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As I'm writing this, I'm extremely pissed off. Mercury in Capricorn is square Uranus in Taurus. That's obviously not why I'm angry, but it's certainly not helping. I've had an extremely busy and stressful week. I'm a little off schedule with this project but I'm hoping to get back on track next week. More to come.
"Starman" Video
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