Join the Gang

(USSR 19??)

Format: 6" flexi

Release notes: "roentgenizdat" flexi, one-sided

Tracks: Join the Gang (edit)

Collector's notes: This record is of historical value only. The song is incomplete and the sound quality is... let's put it like this: the record is playable.
Anyway, it's a fascinating document. In the Soviet Union the only official records were made by government-owned record companies, and it's needless to say that they didn't normally release any Western rock music. However, from the 1950s onwards such music was privately distributed as reel-to-reel copies (magnitizdat) or as roentgenizdat, flexi discs that were made from discarded X-ray images and often cut at small studios in which Soviet soldiers could record audio messages for their families. Such pressings are also called "rock on the bones" or "ribs", because of the pictures that could be seen on them. There are numerous Bowie records of this kind, although they are relatively rare outside the former USSR. The playing surface of this record, which plays at 45 rpm, has a diameter of 5.6 inches.
I have no idea when exactly this record was "released" - it could be any year between the late 1960s and the late 1980s. So I have simply placed it in the mid-1970s. And I really don't know what part of the human body you can see on my record...

Young Americans

(RCA JB-10152; USA 01/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Young Americans (album version)

Young Americans

(RCA PB-10152; USA 01/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: orange label with promo sticker (on B-side), company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Knock on Wood*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: The US issue of the Young Americans single plays a heavily edited version that omits an entire verse.
Since the release of Young Americans fell into the short period in which RCA USA used the old orange labels, the short-lived grey labels and the gold labels that became the standard for some time, original copies of this single are available in all three label colours.

Young Americans

(RCA PB-10152; USA 01/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: grey label, company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Knock on Wood*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Young Americans

(RCA PB-10152; USA 01/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: gold label with promo sticker, company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Knock on Wood*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Young Americans

(RCA PB-10152; Canada 01/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Knock on Wood*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: Originally, I wrote that the company sleeve is a later, incorrect one, but since I've seen other copies of this record offered in this cover, it may actually have been used for this release.

Knock on Wood

(RCA SPBO-9185; Spain 02/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, PS without album promotion

Tracks: Knock on Wood* // Changes

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: Interestingly, the B-side is not the live version from David Live, but the studio version from Hunky Dory. According to Jarman, there are also copies with album promotion on the sleeve.

David Live

(RCA SPL2-9913; Spain 1975)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, 2 OIS

Tracks: 1984 / Rebel Rebel / Moonage Daydream / Sweet Thing (incl. Candidate/Sweet Thing [Reprise]) // Big Brother / The Width of a Circle / The Jean Genie / Rock'n'Roll Suicide // Changes / Suffragette City / Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) / All the Young Dudes // Rock'n'Roll with Me / Watch That Man / Knock on Wood / Diamond Dogs

Other notes: live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974; Spanish issue with different order of sides and Cracked Actor omitted

Collector's notes: The Spanish issue of David Live, which was released in 1975, judging from a date on the cover (despite the "Depósito Legal" date 1974 on the labels), is rather odd. First of all, it omits Cracked Actor, probably because the lyrics didn't seem acceptable to the authorities - note that there doesn't seem to be an original Spanish early 1970s release of Aladdin Sane, either. Second, disc 1 couples sides 1 and 4 of the standard issues, and disc 2 couples sides 2 and 3!
There are also (probably later) copies with a sans-serif typeface on the labels and plain white inner sleeves. The recording dates on the inner of the cover are the incorrect ones familiar from the German issues or the original British release.

Young Americans

(RCA 2523; UK 02/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: solid centre, company cover

Tracks: Young Americans // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: The UK issue plays the full-length album version.

Young Americans

(RCA XB-01003 26.11250; Germany 02/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: Despite the fact that the short version of Young Americans is usually called the "US mix", this short version is also used on all other issues I have, except the British, Polish and Yugoslavian ones.

Young Americans

(RCA XB 01003; France 02/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Young Americans

(RCA XB 01003; Italy 02/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS with "2-75"

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: A very nice, but somehow inappropriate picture sleeve. I originally wrote that I considered a February release to be too early, especially because the juke box promo has "4/75" on the labels, but, in fact, there are covers with "2-75", "3-75" and "4-75" on them (with all records being dated "2/75" on the labels), so that the earliest pressings (like this) actually seem to be from February, and the juke box promo was probably released later. Again, I can only refer you to Chas Pearson's website for details.

Young Americans

(RCA XB 01003; New Zealand 02/1975

Format: 7"

Release notes: "Heads"/"Tails" labels, company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: The company bag of this record might be inappropriate.

Young Americans

(RCA SRCA/SB-88823; Yugoslavia 02/1975

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Young Americans // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: The labels have the catalogue number "SRCA-88823", whereas the cover has "SB-88823".

Young Americans

(RCA APL1-0998 26.21488 AS; Germany 03/1975)

Format: LP

Release notes: no label code on cover and labels

Tracks: Young Americans / Win / Fascination / Right // Somebody Up There Likes Me / Across the Universe / Can You Hear Me / Fame

Other notes: recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/08/1974-11/1974

Collector's notes: This is the first German issue of this album, most easily identifiable by the absence of a label code on the cover and the labels. A further difference to the second issue is that the original has the catalogue number in the top right corner of the cover front (though this is difficult to see).

Young Americans

(RCA APL1-0998; Italy 04/1975)

Format: LP

Release notes: OIS, advertising insert

Tracks: see German issue

Collector's notes: As regards the exact release date of this record, there is contradictory information on the label ("4/75") and the cover back ("3/75"), but I'll go for the later date, for who would antedate the release of a record?
This copy includes a small (11,5 x 18,5 cm) flyer promoting some Italian book on Bowie, but I can't say if this flyer was originally included (and if it came with all copies).

Young Americans

(RCA 6285; Japan 04/1975)

Format: LP

Release notes: manufactured by Victor Musical Industries, insert

Tracks: see German issue

Collector's notes: This is the first Japanese issue, which can be identified by its being made by "Victor Musical Industries", who stopped pressing RCA records in 1975 (see the remarks on the Japanese Starman single).

Jóvenes Americanos

(RCA AVS-4322; Argentina 1975)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks: see German issue

Other notes: Argentine issue of Young Americans

Collector's notes: One of the few major cover variations that I know of: the title has been replaced by its Spanish translation.

Young Americans

(RCA TPJB 1127; Italy 04/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: jukebox promo-only, NC

Tracks: David Bowie: Young Americans (US single edit) // Betty Wright: Shoorah! Shoorah!

Collector's notes: There is also a rare promo-only die-cut picture sleeve for this one (not the die-cut version of the regular picture sleeve - such covers seem to have been used, too).

Young Americans

(RCA SS-2447; Japan 04/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: 1st pressing ("Victor Musical Industries" on label), textured PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: This is the first pressing, identifiable by the manufacturing company on the label. Unlike the second pressing copy in the next entry, this one has a textured insert.

Young Americans

(RCA SS-2447; Japan (04/1975))

Format: 7"

Release notes: 2nd pressing ("RVC corporation" on label), smooth PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Suffragette City*

Other notes: *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: A second pressing with a minor cover variation: the cover (i.e. insert) is made of non-textured paper. But note that there are also second pressings that came with a textured sleeve.

Young Americans

(Tonpress R-0681; Poland 1975?)

Format: 7" sound postcard

Release notes: mono, one-sided, "city" picture, PS

Tracks: Young Americans

Collector's notes: The Polish sound postcards play the full-length version of the track.
Tonpress was a regular Polish record label, so these sound postcards seem to be official releases, not pirate issues like the later Russian flexi discs. But despite these discs being (probably) official products, I strongly recommend not to buy them for their sound quality!
There are at least three different issues of this disc, and there may be more. This one has a nice view of a city... which doesn't look very American, though... Note that the Polish text on the front of the sleeve of this issue and the next isn't the title, but simply means "picture sound card". However, the artist and title are given on the back of the cover (see the scan), which is why I classified the cover as a picture sleeve, rather than a company bag. The cover back of the two picture covers is identital, except for the different shades of green.
Since sound postcards like these don't have a label, I have shown the back of the disc, which is identical for all three issues.

Young Americans

(Tonpress R-0681; Poland 1975?)

Format: 7" sound postcard

Release notes: mono, one-sided, "girls" picture, PS

Tracks: Young Americans

Collector's notes: A more appropriate picture, since it shows young people at least. But I strongly suspect they aren't young Americans...

Young Americans

(Tonpress R-0681; Poland 1975?)

Format: 7" sound postcard

Release notes: mono, one-sided, "girls/boys" picture

Tracks: Young Americans

Collector's notes: This is the last issue of this record that I have discovered so far. I have seen a copy offered in the same "picture cover" as the first of the three issues listed here. Again, we have young people dancing... but still no young Americans, I'm afraid...

The London Boys

(Decca F 13579; UK 05/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design, company cover

Tracks: The London Boys // Love You till Tuesday (album version)

Collector's notes: There re-pressings from 1980 and 1981, each with a different label design.

There Is a Happy Land

(Decca 86.086; France 05/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: There Is a Happy Land // The London Boys

Collector's notes: This is a very rare record. It's a rather weird issue: in fact, according to the labels (and the cover) the A-side should play The London Boys, and the B-side should play Love You till Tuesday. For obvious reasons, not many of these seem to have been made...

Images

(Deram DPA 3017/8; UK 05/1975)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, "soul" photo cover with typo

Tracks: see original US issue

Other notes: re-issue of Images 1966-1967 (1973)

Collector's notes: After two years, this almost complete collection of Bowie's Deram material was finally released in the UK, too, but with an updated cover. The original cartoon design was shifted to the inside of the fold-out cover.
There is some variation concerning the cover and the labels. Some early copies (like this one) have a typo on the cover ("In the heart of the morning"), whereas others haven't. Furthermore, there are some minor label variations.

Images

(Nova SDM 3017/1-2 6.28108 DP; Germany 1975)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, laminated "soul" photo cover, no label code on cover and labels

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of Images 1966-1967 (1973)

Collector's notes: In the mid-1970s a lot of stuff by Decca (like old LPs by The Rolling Stones) and associated labels (like Deram) was re-issued on the Decca sub-label Nova (not to be confused with the East German label of the same name). In Germany, too, the original cover was replaced by the updated one. However, the original release must have sold quite well, because it is not particularly rare. Later copies on Nova (from 1977 onwards) have a label code on cover and labels (although "mixed" copies with the original cover, but a label code on the labels, were also sold). German copies on Decca that have this revised cover and red or silver labels are re-issues from 1979 and 1982 (onwards), respectively.
So this first German issue in this cover is different from all subsequent issues on both Nova and Decca in the following respects: the outer of the gatefold sleeve is laminated, there is no "2 LPs" print on the front, the back still lists the old Deram catalogue number above the new number, and there is no label code on cover and labels.

Mille-Pattes Séries - Images

(Deram 278 513/14; France 1975)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, "Ziggy" photo cover

Tracks: see original issues

Other notes: re-issue of Images 1966-1967 (1973)

Collector's notes: Originally, the Images album had been released in France with same cover as the original US and German releases. The strangely outdated cover of this French re-issue is almost identical to that of the 1973 Belgian edition. However, the re-issued French version is much rarer. Note that the title Images can be found only on the labels. The cover mentions only Mille-Pattes Séries.
There is a label variation that has some additional black fineprint under the label name and no small "B" next to the "SACEM" box.

Fame

(RCA 2579; UK 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's note: A push-out centre label without a push-out centre...

Fame

(RCA JB-10320; USA 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Fame (short version) // Fame (long version)

Other notes: short version identical to the single edit, long version identical to the album version

Fame

(RCA PB-10320; USA 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: gold labels, company cover

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: There are also original copies with orange labels.

Fame

(RCA PB-10320; El Salvador 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: A rough copy of a rare single. There are also black label re-issues from the late 1970s.
I don't know if the record was originally distributed in this company sleeve, but since "Dicesa" also turned up on picture sleeves of El Salvador RCA singles of the time, I assume that the sleeve is correct.

Fame

(RCA PB 10320; France 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS, orange lettering

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: According to Jarman, the commonest version of this picture sleeve has red lettering. Apart from copies with orange lettering, like this one, there are also copies with yellow lettering.
Note that the label design is slightly different from the French standard used so far. It has white lettering along the label margin.

Fame

(RCA SS-2482; Japan 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: Whereas copies of Fame are among the commonest Bowie singles in most countries, the Japanese version is relatively rare. The song didn't seem to have sold well in Japan.

Fame

(RCA PB-10320; Spain 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: white label promo, PS

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: Here we have all three versions of a 1970s Spanish Bowie single on RCA: the promo, the original stock copy, and the late 1970s re-pressing.

Fame

(RCA PB-10320; Spain 08/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, PS

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: The original stock copy. Same cover as the promo.

Fame

(RCA PB-10320; Spain (08/1975))

Format: 7"

Release notes: new label design with "SGAE" in third position, late 1970s re-pressing, PS

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: A late 1970s re-pressing.

Fame

(RCA PB-10320; Portugal (08/1975))

Format: 7"

Release notes: post-1977 re-pressing, "SPA" on label, PS

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Collector's notes: Another late 1970s re-pressing, recognizable by the copyright text "SPA".

Ooh-Foo-Pah-Doo

(Royalsound TKR 325; Thailand 08/1975)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: pirate pressing, PS

Tracks: The Hollies: Another Night / David Bowie: Fame (single edit) // Gilbert O'Sullivan: I Don't Love You, but I Think I Like You / Morris Albert: Feelings

Collector's notes: A typical pirate EP from Thailand, featuring four different artists.
Just in case you wonder where that strange cover design (including the "Ooh-Foo-Pah-Doo" writing) comes from: it's copied from a 1972 album by The Ventures called Rock and Roll Forever. But please don't ask me why they chose this cover layout...

Changes

(RCA GB-10468; USA 09/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: red label, company cover

Tracks: Changes // Andy Warhol

Other notes: re-issue of 1971 single

Collector's notes: Red label issues of the Gold Standard series of re-issues are relatively rare, since red labels were used only from September 1975 to September 1976 (according to Jarman). Since I don't know the exact release date of the Gold Standard series singles (Jarman doesn't give any), I have put them under 09/1975. However, if any of them were actually released that early, then the company bag of this single would be incorrect (as would be Jarman's claim that these sleeves are appropriate for all singles of the series). The copyright date on these sleeves is 1976!

Young Americans

(RCA GB-10469; USA 09/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: Gold Standard series, red label, company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Knock on Wood*

Other notes: re-issue of 1975 single; *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 12-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: Another of the elusive red label copies from the Gold Standard series.

Space Oddity

(RCA GB-10470; USA 09/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: red label, company cover

Tracks: Space Oddity // The Man Who Sold the World

Other notes: re-issue of 1973 single

Collector's notes: This one has the correct company sleeve, given these singles were released as early as 1975: the copyright date on this kind of sleeve is 1974.

Space Oddity

(RCA 2593; UK 09/1975)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: 1st issue with PS

Tracks: Space Oddity* // Changes / Velvet Goldmine**

Other notes: *album version; **recorded during the Ziggy Stardust sessions, Trident Studios, London, 11/11/1971

Collector's notes: Only the first issue of this EP had a picture sleeve, later copies came in a Maximillion Series company bag (see next entry).

Space Oddity

(RCA 2593; UK 09/1975)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: 2nd issue with Maximillion Series company cover

Tracks: Space Oddity* // Changes / Velvet Goldmine**

Other notes: *album version; **recorded during the Ziggy Stardust sessions, Trident Studios, London, 11/11/1971

Collector's notes: Same record, and hence labels, as in the previous entry.

Space Oddity

(RCA/Jugoton SRCA 88884; Yugoslavia 09/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Space Oddity* // Velvet Goldmine**

Other notes: *album version; **recorded during the Ziggy Stardust sessions, Trident Studios, London, 11/11/1971

Fame

(RCA PB-10320 26.11278; Germany 10/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Right

Fame

(RCA TPBO 70 13; Italy 10/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS, "10-75" on cover

Tracks: Fame // Space Oddity

Collector's notes: The Italian single plays the album version of Fame and, strangely, couples the song with the totally inappropriate Space Oddity. On the 1979 re-issue the sides were inverted.
The release date of the Italian issue can be detected from the printer's note on the cover ("10-75"). There are also re-pressings dated "11-75" and "1-76" (the latter have tan labels).

Golden Years

(RCA 2640; UK 11/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Golden Years

(RCA JH-10441; USA 11/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Golden Years (stereo single edit) // Golden Years (mono single edit)

Golden Years

(RCA PB-10441; USA 11/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Golden Years

(RCA PB-10441; Canada 11/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Collector's notes: I have no idea if this company sleeve originally came with this record, but other Canadian singles from the mid-1970s came in this cover, too, so it might be original.

Golden Years

(RCA PB-10441; El Salvador 11/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Collector's notes: Another rare single from El Salvador. There are also copies in a simple picture sleeve (black text on white background). Since that sleeve also has "Dicesa" on it, I suppose that the company sleeves of this record and Fame are original.
As in the case of the latter single, there are also re-issues with black labels.

Golden Years

(RCA PB 10441; France 11/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Collector's notes: Not the standard orange paper label, but a plastic-moulded one.

Golden Years

(RCA PB-10441; Spain 11/1975)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, PS

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Space Oddity

(RCA 2593; Netherlands 12/1975)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: record UK (combination original), PS

Tracks: Space Oddity* // Changes / Velvet Goldmine**

Other notes: *album version; **recorded during the Ziggy Stardust sessions, Trident Studios, London, 11/11/1971

Collector's notes: Same labels as on the British issues. Another example of a single that was imported from the UK and sold in covers made in the target country. The Dutch sleeve can be easily distinguished from the UK version by the imprint "Inelco" on the cover front.

Baby Doll

(Wizardo WRMB 363; USA 1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, printed labels, white NC with pink insert

Tracks: Do Anything You Say / I Dig Everything / David Bowie with the Lower Third: Can't Help Thinking about Me / I'm Not Losing Sleep / The Supermen* / Velvet Goldmine / Hang on to Yourself** // Man in the Middle** / John, I'm Only Dancing*** / Amsterdam / Round and Round / Rebel Rebel° / Panic in Detroit°°

Other notes: all tracks taken from official singles and albums: *taken from the Revelations various artists compilation (1972); **from the 1972 Arnold Corns single; ***original version; °US single mix; °°live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 12-13/07/1974

Collector's notes: This is the first issue of the album, with a pink insert. It's a compilation of tracks from various official singles plus the Revelations version of The Supermen. Consequently, the sound quality of the album is very good.
According to both Frifelt and Bassman's David Bowie Page, this album was released in 1974, but I doubt that this information is correct. Velvet Goldmine hadn't been released before late 1975 and it's unlikely that the bootleggers had access to the song before its official release, especially because the rest of the album is clearly taken from regular singles, too. Therefore I originally assumed that the album was released in 1975. But in the Discogs entry of the album, the unknown author (who also refers to my original thoughts about the record on this page) claims that the LP was actually released in 1976. I'm willing to believe this, especially because Velvet Goldmine hadn't been released before September 1975. That's why I've shifted the entry to 1976.
At the time of its release this album must have been exciting, especially in the USA, where many of these tracks had never been released. Later all of these tracks were re-released on easily available records, so from nowadays' point of view, it's only a collector's item. Baby Doll is a good example of how the status of records might change in the course of time. Other such examples were Good Enough to Eat/Soft in the Middle and Changes Three.

Golden Years

(RCA YPBO.415; Belgium 01/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Golden Years

(RCA PB-10441 26.11346; Germany 01/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Collector's notes: The cover of the Italian stock copy looked almost identical.

Golden Years

(RCA TPJB 1206; Italy 01/1976?)

Format: 7"

Release notes: jukebox promo-only, company cover

Tracks: David Bowie: Golden Years (single edit) // Patty Pravo: Tanto

Collector's notes: Jarman lists this single under 11/1975, but since the label says "76", I think that early 1976 is a more plausible release date. I am not sure if the company cover is original.

Golden Years

(RCA SS-2520; Japan 01/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Golden Years (single edit) // Can You Hear Me

Station to Station

(RCA APL 1-1327 26.21611 AO; Germany 01/1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: matt cover, die-cut OIS, no label code

Tracks: Station to Station / Golden Years / Word on a Wing // TVC 15 / Stay / Wild Is the Wind

Other notes: recorded at Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, and LA Record Plant, Hollywood, 10-11/1975

Collector's notes: This is the first German issue, identifiable by the absence of a label code (LC 0316) on cover and labels. There is a back cover variation for this record: it has a cassette symbol under the numbers in the top right corner of the cover back, but, oddly, doesn't list a catalogue number for the cassette.

Station to Station

(RCA APL 1-1327 26.21611 AO; Germany 1979 (01/1976))

Format: LP

Release notes: glossy cover, label code on cover and labels, "Deutsche Pressung" on cover, standard OIS

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: This is presumably the third German issue. It has a label code (used from 1977 onwards) and "Deutsche Pressung" on the cover (used from 1979 onwards). Apart from this, there are further minor differences to the original: the cover is laminated and has a stronger yellowish hue, copyright information has been added to the front of the inner sleeve, and the (plain white) back of the inner sleeve lacks the centre hole of the first issue, which is why it is not shown here - it's just plain white.

Station to Station

(RCA APL 1-1327; France 01/1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: insert

Tracks: see German issue

Collector's notes: Presumably the first French issue. The back of the insert is plain white.

Station to Station

(RCA APL1-1327; Spain 1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: white label promo, insert, price code "B"

Tracks: see German issues

Collector's notes: The cover can be identified as that of an original by the price code "B" on the back - re-pressings have the price code "D". The back of the insert is plain white.

Captain & Tennille

(Royalsound TKR 366; Thailand 02?/1976)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: pirate pressing, PS

Tracks: David Bowie: Golden Years (single edit) / Bay City Rollers: Money Honey // Donny & Mary Osmond: Deep Purple / Captain and Tennille: Lonely Night (Angel Face)

Collector's notes: Another pirate EP from Thailand, with a "tasteful" selection of tracks. I have used Captain & Tennille as the title because this is the only text prominent on the cover.
I originally listed this record under 11/1975, following Jarman. However, that release date can't be correct since Lonely Night by Captain & Tenille wasn't released before January 1976. Moreover, the cover design is taken straight from the album that featured that song, Song of Joy, which was released in February 1976. So I've decided to shift the EP to that month.

TVC 15

(RCA 2682; UK 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: push-out centre, company cover

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

Collector's notes: The single version of TVC 15 is heavily edited: the running times vary minimally among the issues from different countries, but in any case the single edit omits about two minutes of the track.

TVC 15

(RCA JH-10664; USA 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: TVC 15 (stereo single edit) // TVC 15 (mono single edit)

TVC 15

(RCA PB-10664; USA 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

TVC 15

(RCA YBPB 0.433; Belgium 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

TVC 15

(RCA PB 10664; France 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

Collector's notes: The label design follows the same pattern as that of Fame single.

TVC 15

(RCA PB-10664 26.11422; Germany 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

TVC 15

(RCA PB-10664; Netherlands 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

Collector's notes: The label design of the Dutch single follows the standard pattern, but lacks a centre piece.

TVC 15

(RCA PB-10664 E; Portugal 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

Collector's notes: An interesting aspect about this single is that the labels lack any reference to a copyright association - it should have been "BIEM" at the time. Re-pressings from 1977 onwards have "SPA" on the labels.

TVC 15

(RCA PB-10664; Spain 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, promo stamp on A-side label, PS

Tracks: TVC 15 (single edit) // We Are the Dead

Collector's notes: Basically, this record has the original label design of Spanish pre-1978 singles. Note, though, that RCA Spain had already started to change the design very slightly: from now on they used a sans-serif typeface on the entire label.

Hunky Dory

(RCA LSP-4623; USA 1976? (1971))

Format: LP

Release notes: tan label, "Dynaflex" pressing, title sticker, "RE 6" on cover back, OIS

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of 1971 LP

Collector's notes: This is a mid-1970s re-issue. Early copies of this issue came with orange labels like those of the original, but already in this cover (with "RE 6" and some additional text on Rick Wakeman on the back, and a black and white, rather than sepia, cover back). So, although RCA USA first introduced tan labels in 1975, I file this album under 1976 to be on the safe side.
This copy is particularly interesting because it still has its shrink with the rare title sticker (which has a different background than the sticker that came with the original release).

Space Oddity

(RCA PPBO-7040 26.11389; Germany 04/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: orange labels, PS with identical front and back

Tracks: Space Oddity // The Man Who Sold the World

Other notes: re-issue of 1973 USA single

Collector's notes: This is the original German issue of this single. A re-release with minor differences was published in the 1980s.

Images

(Deram/IPG DA 145/146 Y; Belgium 05/1976)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, 1976 tour photo cover, price code "Y" on back, cover made in France (combination original)

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of Images 1966-1967 (1973)

Collector's notes: As in Germany, this Belgian re-release of Images replaced the original cover by another one that fitted Bowie's image at the time. And, obviously, the Belgian label designer had a belated "psychedelic period" at the time...
As in the case of the original 1973 release, there are several label variations.

Changes One

(RCA RS 1055; UK 06/1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: first (mis-)pressing with "sax version" of John, I'm Only Dancing, sticker on cover

Tracks: Space Oddity / John, I'm Only Dancing* / Changes / Ziggy Stardust / Suffragette City / The Jean Genie // Diamond Dogs / Rebel Rebel / Young Americans / Fame / Golden Years

Other notes: *"sax version"; all other tracks album versions

Collector's notes: This is a very rare album. The first 1.000 UK copies (which is the number that is often reported, but may be too low) accidentally played the "sax version" of John, I'm Only Dancing; all later copies (and, for all I know, all copies from all other countries, like the German one) included the original version. The problem is that there is no way to tell the version from the cover or the label (which hasn't got running times). So the only way to find out if you've got the "standard version" or the rare one is to play the record. I don't know if the matrix numbers are helpful. The numbers of my copy are "RS1055-A-1E" and "A3K" on side 1 and "RS1055-B-1E" and "A2H" on side 2 (hand-scratched).
Note that contrary to what many later Bowie biographers/discographers claim, this mis-pressed album was probably the first record on which the "sax version" of John, I'm Only Dancing was released (see the entry of this single for reasons).

Changes One

(RCA APL 1-1732 26.21778 AO; Germany 06/1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: no label code on labels and cover

Tracks: Space Oddity / John, I'm Only Dancing* / Changes / Ziggy Stardust / Suffragette City / The Jean Genie // Diamond Dogs / Rebel Rebel / Young Americans / Fame / Golden Years

Other notes: *original version; all other tracks album versions

Collector's notes: The German issue follows the corrected UK issue in that it plays the original version of John, I'm Only Dancing.
This copy can be identified as a first pressing by the absence of a label code on both cover and labels. In 1976 label codes were introduced in Germany. The first German Bowie album on RCA that originally bore RCA's label code (LC 0316) on the cover and the labels was Low. First issues of Changes One came without the code on cover and labels. There are also "mixed" copies with a label code on the labels, but not on the cover. Record companies don't care about collectors' concerns about clearcut distinctions between different issues.
See here for the third German issue.

Changes One

(RCA APL1-1732; Philippines 1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks: see German issue

Collector's notes: This Philippines issue, with its black and white cover and the narrow white margin, seems to be the only official major cover variation released in 1976. Note that there are at least three minimally different label variations.

Changes One

(High Stereo Light 668; South Korea 19??)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, green cover

Tracks: see German issue

Collector's notes: Like all international pressings, this Korean release (whose exact release date is unknown) plays the original version of John, I'm Only Dancing. There are also copies in a blue-tinted cover.

Changes One

(B-40; South Korea 19??)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate release, blue cover

Tracks: see German issue

Collector's notes: Another South Korean pirate release of the album. Note that this is not the blue-tinted cover mentioned in the previous entry, but a totally different issue.

John, I'm Only Dancing

(RCA 2263; UK 1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (sax version)* // Hang On to Yourself

Other notes: *re-recorded studio version, Trident Studios, London, 20/01/1973

Collector's notes: This is the "sax version" issue of John, I'm Only Dancing, referred to in the entry of the original release.
The standard story about this single, as told, for instance, by Pegg, is that in April 1973 RCA silently replaced the orginal version of the song by the "sax version" - an assumption I had adapted in earlier versions of this entry.
The problem with this story is that it can't be true. As Colin McIntyre has first observed, the song publishing credits on the labels indicate a 1976 release! Copies that play the sax version have "MainMan/Chrysalis/Bowie" credits (as opposed to "Titanic/Chrysalis" or "MainMan/Chrysalis" on copies that play the original version). These new credits were the result of Bowie's split from his manager Tony Defries and the managing company MainMan in March 1975. So a 1973 release is definitely out of the question. The first new UK single that featured the updated publishing credits on a track that had previously been released with older credits was TVC 15 (new credits on the B-side). So everything points to a 1976 release. In fact, early biographers seemed to take for granted that the "sax version" was first released on Changes One. In their 1981 publication Carr & Murray write: "First of all, there's the original single version, nowadays only available on later pressings of the 'Changesonebowie' compilation. The version currently available on 45 is a remake cut during the 'Aladdin Sane' sessions and included on early pressings of 'Changesonebowie'. We'll spare you all the garf about matrix numbers and such, but just remember: the album version is now on the single and the single version is now on the album" (pp. 49-50). What sense would it make to call the track the "album version" if it had been available as a single for three years? The rumour of a 1973 release seems to have started in the mid-1980s.
There are some more aspects that point to a 1976 release (the style of the matrix numbers, the company sleeves that most copies came with, etc.), but I'll spare you details on this. But note that the sleeve of my copy isn't the most appropriate one: it should be one of the blue covers introduced in 1975, but since old stock of green/white covers was certainly used for a while it needn't be incorrect.
I don't know which month the single was released, so I've placed it after the Changes One album, because of its close ties to that record.

Suffragette City

(RCA 2726; UK 07/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Suffragette City // Stay

Suffragette City

(RCA 42576; France 07/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Suffragette City // Stay

Suffragette City

(RCA XB-01015 26.11453; Germany 07/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Suffragette City // Stay (single edit)

Collector's notes: Unlike the UK and French issues of this single, which play the full-length album version of Stay, the German variant features a heavily edited version.

Stay

(RCA JH-10736; USA 08/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Stay (stereo single edit) // Stay (mono single edit)

Collector's notes: The version of Stay on this single is is the same edit as the one on the German single.

Stay

(RCA SS-3034; Japan 09/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: white label promo, PS (insert with company cover), promo sticker

Tracks: Stay (single edit) // Word on a Wing (single edit)

Collector's notes: Again, the A-side is the same edit as the German single version. I don't know if the sticker on the label, which covers the RCA logo, has any "official" function, or if it was placed there by some former owner of the single.

Young Americans

(RCA GB-10469; USA 09/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: Gold Standard series, black label, company cover

Tracks: Young Americans (US single edit) // Knock on Wood*

Other notes: re-issue of 1975 single and 1975 Gold Standard single; *live, Tower Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 10-13/07/1974, from the David Live album

Collector's notes: The black label copies of the Gold Standard series were used from September 1976 onwards. Hence I have filed all black label issues under this date (Jarman doesn't give exact release dates).

Space Oddity

(RCA GB-10470; USA 09/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: Gold Standard series, black label, company cover

Tracks: Space Oddity // The Man Who Sold the World

Other notes: re-issue of 1973 and 1975 singles

Fame

(RCA GB-10938; USA 09/1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: Gold Standard series, black label, company cover

Tracks: Fame (single edit) // Golden Years (single edit)

Other notes: not a re-issue, tracks coupled in this way for the first time

Collector's notes: A rather unusual issue, since most singles from the Gold Standard series are re-issues of singles that had been released with exactly this coupling of tracks before. Note that Jarman & Stöcklin list both the US and Canadian issues of this record under August 1975 (when Fame had first been released there as a single). This must of course be regarded as a stopgap: it's impossible that these records were released before Golden Years was released as a single in its own right, and very likely that they were issued some time after the release of Golden Years as an A-side.

Space Oddity

(RCA GB-10470; Canada 1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: Gold Standard series, company cover

Tracks: Space Oddity // The Man Who Sold the World

Other notes: re-issue of 1973 and 1975 singles

Collector's notes: The Golden Greats series was the Canadian counterpart to the USA's Gold Standard series. I couldn't find exact release dates for the Canadian singles of the series, but I suppose they were released at around the same time as their US counterparts.
The company sleeve of this single is not the optimal one (which is shown in the next entry), but since other Canadian singles from the mid-1970s came in the same sleeve, it might still be original.

Fame

(RCA GB-10938; Canada 1976)

Format: 7"

Release notes: Golden Greats series, company cover

Tracks: Fame // Golden Years

Other notes: not a re-issue, tracks coupled in this way for the first time; tracks longer than claimed on label

Collector's notes: Despite the fact that the US and Canadian issues even bear the same catalogue number, there is a significant difference between the records. As indicated by the running times on the label (3:30 and 3:27, respectively), the US version plays the single edits of both tracks. The same running times are on the label of the Canadian release - but nonetheless the record plays the longer album versions!

David Bowie

(Deram 6299; Argentina 1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks: Rubber Band* / Come and Buy My Toys / The Laughing Gnome / Silly Boy Blue / In the Heat of the Morning / Did You Ever Have a Dream // Love You till Tuesday* / Maid of Bond Street / When I Live My Dream / Sell Me a Coat / Let Me Sleep beside You / Uncle Arthur

Other notes: *album versions

Collector's notes: Although the cover of this album is similar to that of Images (1975 German/UK issues), it is a unique compilation of Deram material.

Special

(RCA SRA-9503-04; Japan 11/1976)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, insert, OBI

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of Best Deluxe (1973)

Collector's notes: Another superfluous cover update. There is conflicting information about the release date. Thompson claims it was released in March, but most online sources say November.

Bowie 74 Live

(WR 201 A/B; UK (1976))

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: bootleg, 33 1/3 rpm, 3rd edition: stamped plain white labels, wraparound PS

Tracks: All the Young Dudes / Cracked Actor // It's Gonna Be Me*

Other notes: live, Universal Theater, Los Angeles, 07-08/09/1974; *titled Come Back My Baby on the cover

Collector's notes: According to Frifelt, copies with white labels are later issues.
This records started the mis-titling of It's Gonna Be Me. The sound quality is mediocre.

Subway

(Flat 8211; USA 1976)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, yellow labels with side print, plain white NC with blue/green insert

Tracks: Rock'n'Roll with Me / Space Oddity / Future Legend (incl. Bewitched) / Diamond Dogs / Panic in Detroit // Big Brother / Time / The Width of a Circle / The Jean Genie

Other notes: live, Music Hall, Boston, 16/07/1974

Collector's notes: For a long time, the exact recording date and venue of this bootleg (the first with material from the Diamond Dogs tour) were unknown. The record was re-issued in 1982, but this copy can be identified as an original by its coloured insert. The sound quality is rather bad.

Resurrection on 84th Street

(TAKRL 2995; USA 1977)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, plain light yellow (disc 1) and white (disc 2) labels (with side imprint), plain white NC with red/yellow insert

Tracks: Station to Station / Suffragette City / Fame // Stay / Panic in Detroit // Changes / TVC 15 / Diamond Dogs // Word on a Wing / Rebel Rebel / The Jean Genie

Other notes: live, Nassau Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, New York, 23/03/1976

Collector's notes: A very famous Bowie bootleg - a great show in great sound quality. The sound of the official 2010 release is of course better, but only the bootleg versions have the drum solo on Panic in Detroit in full length.
Frifelt lists this under 1976/77, but Stimson has 1977, so I've filed it under that year (although I originally listed it as a 1976 release).

The Thin White Duke - Live at Nassau Coliseum, N.Y. 1976

(Duck Records; USA 1977)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, "galaxy" cover, plain white cover back

Tracks: Station to Station / Suffragette City / Fame / Word on a Wing // Stay / Panic in Detroit // Changes / TVC 15 / Diamond Dogs / Rebel Rebel // The Jean Genie / Can You Hear Me* / Young Americans medley*

Other notes: live, Nassau Veterans' Memorial Colliseum, New York, 23/03/1976; except: *duets with Cher, Cher TV show, 23/11/1975

Collector's notes: Basically a re-issue of Resurrection on 84th Street with corrected order of songs and two great bonus tracks. Both the New York show and the songs from the Cher show are in great sound quality.
There are two different versions: this original issue has a white cover back, the later issue has a picture on the back. Note that my copy has the same mock labels on both discs. The order of releases is a bit controversial here. I have followed Frifelt in assuming that this is the second issue of the Nassau Colliseum show, since the corrected order of tracks and the bonus tracks make this plausible. This, however, contradicts the information given by Stimson, who claims that this album was released in 1976 (which would make it the first issue), and that Resurrection on 84th Street was released in 1977.

Wish upon a Star

((BR 10001); USA? 1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, plain white labels, insert cover

Tracks: Panic in Detroit / Fame / Changes / Diamond Dogs // Waiting for the Man / Word on a Wing / Stay / TVC 15

Other notes: live, Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, 08/02/1976

Collector's notes: A really great audience recording! Since this bootleg hadn't been re-issued for decades, it's quite rare. In 2013 there was finally a re-release titled The Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Frifelt doesn't know whether the original version is from 1976 or 1977, but Stimson claims it was released in the latter year, so I have filed it under early 1977.

Young Americans

(RCA APL1-0998 26.21488 AS; Germany 1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: label code on cover and labels

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: This is the second German issue of this album, presumably from 1977 - it has a label code (LC 0316), but no "Deutsche Pressung" on the cover.

Low

(RCA PL 12030; UK 01/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: cover back with titles sticker, insert

Tracks: Speed of Life / Breaking Glass / What in the World / Sound and Vision / Always Crashing in the Same Car / Be My Wife / A New Career in a New Town // Warszawa / Art Decade / Weeping Wall / Subterreneans

Other notes: recorded at Château d'Hérouville Studios, Hérouville, France, and Hansa Studios, Berlin, 01/09/1976-11/1976

Low

(RCA PL 12030; UK 01/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: blank back with titles sticker

Tracks: see other UK issue

Other notes: signed (possibly fake)

Collector's notes: This album was sold to me as a signed copy, but I assume that the autograph isn't original. Otherwise identical to the previous entry, except for the missing insert.

Low

(RCA PL 12030; France 01/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: insert

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: This is the first French issue.

Low

(RCA PL 12030 AO; Germany 01/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: OIS

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: Low was the first German RCA album of which no copies without a label code seem to exist. The copy shown here is a first German issue, identifiable by the absence of a "Deutsche Pressung" imprint on the cover.
Unlike the UK issue, the original German edition doesn't have a song title sticker, so that the titles are listed only on the inner sleeve (and the labels of course).

Low

(RCA PL 12030; Italy 01/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: A back cover variation. This is the first Italian issue. There is an alternative, extremely rare, early (possibly first) issue with blue "RCA Italiano" labels (instead of "RCA Victor").

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB 0905; UK 02/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: A-label promo, company cover

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB 0905; UK 02/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Sound and Vision

(RCA JH-10905; USA 02/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Sound and Vision (stereo) // Sound and Vision (mono)

Collector's notes: From Sound and Vision onwards, RCA USA used the same label for stock copies that had already been used for the later pressings of the Gold Standard series: black with white text and the "His Master's Voice" dog. Consequently, they also updated their promo label: they kept the cream colour, but added the dog.

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB-10905; USA 02/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Collector's notes: This is the first Bowie single with the black label, as mentioned in the previous entry.

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB-0905; Spain 02/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, PS

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB 0905; France 02/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

4 Sucessos Internacionais

(RCA 102.8014; Brazil 02/1977)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: 331/3 rpm, PS

Tracks: Mary Mac Gregor: Torn between two Lovers / Al Stewart: Year of the Cat // David Bowie: Sound and Vision / Cely Bee & the Buzzy Bunch: One Love

Collector's notes: This various artists EP was the only Brazilian 7" issue of Sound and Vision. I have shown the B-side label, because that's where Bowie turns up.

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB 0905; Belgium 04/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Collector's notes: Most picture sleeves for Sound and Vision are variations on the Low cover design. The Belgian release has a radically different layout - and a great one, too!

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB 0905; Germany 04/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Collector's notes: There are also re-pressings with black labels.

Sound and Vision

(RCA SS-3076; Japan 04/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Collector's notes: This Japanese label is minimally different from the standard pattern (there is no text running around the bottom label margin).

Sound and Vision

(RCA PB-0905; Netherlands 04/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Sound and Vision // A New Career in a New Town

Starting Point

(London LC 50007; USA 05/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: Union Jack on cover, "Collector Series" on cover and labels, titles on labels left-aligned

Tracks: The Laughing Gnome / Love You till Tuesday* / Please Mr. Gravedigger / We Are Hungry Men / The London Boys // Come and Buy My Toys / Karma Man / When I Live My Dream / Join the Gang / Silly Boy Blue

Other notes: *album version

Collector's notes: There are (at least) five label variations and three cover variations (the one shown here, with a small Union Jack and "Collector Series", one with "Collector Series", but without the Union Jack, and one with "Collectors Edition" on the front) for this album, but there doesn't seem to be any consensus about which version was the first.
However, I strongly suspect that this issue came first. To begin with, without the Union Jack the cover design doesn't make much sense: all cover variations have "Collector Series" (or "Collectors Edition") in the same place. But why should it not be left-aligned, but shifted to the right? This makes sense only if the Union Jack was deleted at some later date. A stronger argument is that the "Collector Series", which consisted of 17 albums, released between 1977 and 1979, was originally dedicated to British artists only. In fact, the album Rock Invasion (LC 50012, 1978) was a compilation of "British Invasion" artists (although they included Los Bravos, who came from Spain...). So, originally, the Union Jack made perfect sense. However, in 1979 London Records seem to have decided to turn the series into a general re-issue series, releasing albums by American artists Les Paul (LC 50016) and Joe Tex (LC 50017), but even these records were originally issued with the Union Jack on the front. At some point they probably realised the absurdity of this, and dropped the flag from the covers. If this is correct, then issues of Starting Point that lack the Union Jack must be from 1979 or later.
The problem remaining is the change from "Collector Series" to "Collectors Edition". I can only guess that at some point they deleted those albums that didn't sell very well, but kept re-pressing the steady sellers (like the Bowie LP). In this case it would have made sense to get rid of the "series" character of the releases and replace the original sub-title.

Starting Point

(London LC 50007; USA 197?)

Format: LP

Release notes: "Collectors Edition" on cover, "Collector Series" on labels, titles on labels centred

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: A pressing from 1979 or the early 1980s (see the previous entry for more on this topic). Note that it is not unusual to find copies that have a "Collector Series" record in a "Collectors Edition" cover.

Starting Point

(London 936; Turkey 197?)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks: see US issue

Collector's notes: Since the Turkish issue lacks the Union Jack on the cover, like what I suspect to be later US pressings, I assume that the Turkish release doesn't date from 1977, but from the very late 1970s or the early 1980s.

Be My Wife

(RCA PB 1017; UK 06/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Be My Wife // Speed of Life

Be My Wife

(RCA JH-11017; USA 06/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Be My Wife (stereo version) // Be My Wife (mono version)

Be My Wife

(RCA PB 1017; Belgium 06/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Be My Wife // Speed of Life

Be My Wife

(RCA PB 1017; Germany 06/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Be My Wife // Speed of Life

Be My Wife

(RCA PB-1017; Spain 06/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, PS

Tracks: Be My Wife // Speed of Life

Be My Wife

(RCA PB-1017; Netherlands 06/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Be My Wife // Speed of Life

Be My Wife

(RCA SS-3104; Japan 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Be My Wife // Speed of Life

"Heroes"

(RCA PB 1121; UK 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: plastic-moulded label, made in Europe for the UK market, NC

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: There are copies with both a standard orange label and a plastic-moulded label. As Jarman claims, the latter were made in Europe and standardly appeared in a white sleeve without a hole. Note that this copy has Eno as "Brien Enc" in the songwriting credits. There are also copies without this mistake.
A few notes on "Heroes": the middle part of the song was recorded in English, German and French and released as a single in all three languages. On the albums, we thus find three different long version with the middle part sung in the three languages. See the entries of the original issues of the "Heroes" album.

"Heroes"

(RCA JH-11121; USA 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English stereo version) // "Heroes" (short English mono version)

"Heroes"

(RCA JD-11151; USA 1977)

Format: 12"

Release notes: promo-only, 33 1/3 rpm, plain white NC with sticker

Tracks: "Heroes" (long English version) // "Heroes" (short English version)

Collector's notes: This promo-only 12" is the second Bowie 12" single ever released (the first was a very rare Bowie/Iggy Pop split 12" from the RCA Segue Series of promo-only singles).

"Heroes"

(RCA PB-1121; Belgium 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS, textured sleeve

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: There are two minor variations of the sleeve: this one is made of textured paper and that in the next entry is made of smooth paper.

"Heroes"

(RCA PB-1121; Belgium 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS, smooth sleeve

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: same labels as in the previous entry.

"Heroes"

(RCA PB 1121; Germany 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS, large centre hole, "Bowie/Eno/Maass" on A-side label

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: In Germany, "Heroes" was released in two languages: the English version and the German version "Helden" (see this entry).
This copy of the German single can be identified as an early pressing because the label erroneously gives songwriting credits for "Heroes" to Antonia Maass, who translated the lyrics into German and has nothing to do with the English version. The mistake was corrected on later pressings.
There are also re-pressings (with corrected credits) from the early 1980s with black labels.

"Heroes"

(RCA PB 1121; Germany 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS, solid centre, export copy (?), "Bowie/Eno" on A-side label

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: This copy can be identified as a second pressing by the correct songwriting credits on the A-side label. What is particularly interesting about this copy, however, is the solid centre, which is quite unusual for a German pressing. There had been at least one other solid centre pressing from Germany, but unlike this "Heroes" single, that one didn't come in a picture sleeve and was certainly an export copy for the UK. The catalogue number is not helpful here, since the German and British numbers were the same for "Heroes". Nevertheless, I suppose that this single is an export release, too, and either some were exported with German picture sleeves, or some export copies were sold in Germany (with the German sleeves, of course).
Same cover as in the previous entry.

"Heroes"

(RCA PB 1121; Germany 1982 (09/1977))

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS, black labels, "Bowie/Eno" on A-side label, 1982 re-pressing

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: 1982 re-pressing of the Germany "Heroes" single. Same cover. Not surprisingly, they kept the corrected songwriting credit from the second pressing.
Black label copies of both this single and the German "Helden" single are rarer than the originals.
Same cover as in the previous entries.

"Helden"

(RCA PB 9168; Germany 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: "Helden" (short German version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: There are are also 1982 re-pressings with black labels that have the same cover.

"Heroes"

(RCA PB-1121; Spain 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, promo-stamp on B-side label, PS

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: This promo, which has the early 1970s style labels, differs from the stock copy only that it has a stamp on the B-side label (which I have shown). Not very exciting...

"Heroes"

(RCA PB-1121; Spain 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: original label design with "SGAE" in topmost position, PS

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: Early 1970s style labels. Same cover as in the previous entry.

"Heroes"

(RCA PB 1121; France 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's note: France is the second country in which "Heroes" was released in two languages: the English version and, of course, the French version "Héros" (see next entry).

"Heroes" - Chanté en Français

(RCA PB 9167; France 09/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: "Héros" (short French version) // V-2 Schneider

"Heroes"

(RCA PC-1121; Spain 1977)

Format: 12"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: "Heroes" (long English version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: This is the first ever commercially released 12" single by David Bowie. There are also (rare) copies with a white cover background and copies that came in a standard "Supersingle" cover.

"Heroes"

(RCA PL 12522; UK 10/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: insert

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast / Joe the Lion / "Heroes" (long English version) / Sons of the Silent Age / Blackout // V-2 Schneider / Sense of Doubt / Moss Garden / Neuköln / The Secret Life of Arabia

Other notes: recorded at Hansa by the Wall Studio 2, Berlin, 07-08/1977

Collector's notes: Musically, there are three different versions of the "Heroes" album: the UK edition has the long English version of the title track, the German edition has the track with the middle part sung in German and the French edition has it with the middle part in French. All other original issues worldwide seem to have the same tracks as the UK edition.

"Heroes"

(RCA PL 42372; Germany 10/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: Heroes on side 1 label, Neuköln on side 2 label, correct OIS, "Heroes"/"Helden" on cover without cassette tape number

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast / Joe the Lion / Heroes"/"Helden" (long English/German version) / Sons of the Silent Age / Blackout // V-2 Schneider / Sense of Doubt / Moss Garden / Neuköln / The Secret Life of Arabia

Other notes: recorded at Hansa by the Wall Studio 2, Berlin, 07-08/1977

Collector's notes: The original German issue with the English/German version of the title track is scarce in some parts of the world, but still quite common in Germany.
There are (at least) three variations of this record, all of which play the English/German version of the title track:
- this one, which lists the title track as "Heroes"/"Helden" on the cover, but as Heroes on the label;
- a variant that has "Heroes"/"Helden" on both cover and label;
- and a version that lists only "Heroes" on the cover, but Heroes/Helden on the label.
All versions were standardly distributed with the same inner sleeve, but there are also copies with a mis-printed inner sleeve (see next entry).
To add to the confusion, while all German covers and most B-side labels incorrectly list title B4 as Neuköln, there are also B-side labels that correctly spell it as Neukölln (see this entry). And apart from that there are also minor differences concerning the label moulding.
Although I think that the three copies of the German album with orange labels that I show here represent the major differences, more combinations of cover, A-side label, B-side label and inner sleeve were certainly distributed.

"Heroes"

(RCA PL 42372; Germany 10/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: Heroes/Helden on side 1 label, Neuköln on side 2 label, mis-printed OIS, "Heroes"/"Helden" on cover without cassette tape number

Tracks: see other issue

Collector's notes: This is the issue that lists the title track as Heroes/Helden on the A-side label. Cover and B-side label are identical to those of the issue in the previous entry.
This copy has the mis-printed inner sleeve mentioned in that entry. This inner sleeve was also distributed with copies of the issue in the next entry.

"Heroes"

(RCA PL 42372; Germany 10/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: Heroes/Helden on side 1 label, Neukölln on side 2 label, correct OIS, "Heroes" on cover with cassette tape number

Tracks: see other issue

Collector's notes: The side 1 label of this version is identical to that of the issue in the previous entry (except for minimal differences in the label moulding), but the cover lists the title track only as "Heroes". Moreover, the side 2 label lists track B4 as Neukölln. The inner sleeve is the standard version as per this entry. Note that unlike the other variation this cover also gives a catalogue number for the cassette tape.

"Heroes"

(RCA PL 42373; France 10/1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: laminated cover, insert

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast / Joe the Lion / "Heroes" (long English/French version) / Sons of the Silent Age / Blackout // V-2 Schneider / Sense of Doubt / Moss Garden / Neuköln / The Secret Life of Arabia

Other notes: recorded at Hansa by the Wall Studio 2, Berlin, 07-08/1977

Collector's notes: The French issue with the English/French version of the title song seems to be much rarer than its German counterpart. It was re-released as part of the 3LP box Portrait of a Star in 1982.
There are both copies with an unlaminated and a laminated cover.
This is another entry for which I must apologize: in an earlier version I wrote that original copies came with a printed inner sleeve, which is nonsense. Original copies have a lyric insert like this one.

"Heroes"

(RCA PL-12 522; Portugal 1977)

Format: LP

Release notes: insert

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: Pirate issues (like the Korean one below) left aside, this is the only major variation of the "Heroes" cover design that I know of. The picture is cropped, it is in black and silver (rather than black and white as on the other covers), and the artist's name/title has been enlarged and moved into a different position. There are also copies that have the round "1877-1977" logo that is on the cover back on the labels, too.

"Heroes"

(High Stereo RP 180; South Korea 1977?)

Format: LP

Release notes: pirate issue, blue cover

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: Another typical Korean LP. As often, I list this album with the original releases, since almost nothing is known about it. According to Discogs, there is another South Korean pirate version on High Stereo, which has a green cover and the catalogue number HEK 84.

"Heroes"

(RCA PB-1121; Netherlands 11/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: record France (combination original), PS

Tracks: "Heroes" (short version) // V-2 Schneider

Collector's notes: My copy of the Dutch PS comes with a French disc in it. I have seen several copies of this kind, so the combination is definitely original. It wasn't unusual for RCA Netherlands to import singles and put them in their own covers (see the 1975 Space Oddity EP).

"Heroes"

(RCA SS-3125; Japan 12/1977)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: "Heroes" (short English version) // V-2 Schneider

Hunky Dory

(RCA LSP-4623; Australia 1977? (1972))

Format: LP

Release notes: tan labels, matt cover

Tracks: see UK issue

Other notes: re-issue of Australian 1972 LP

Collector's notes: This copy can be easily identified as a re-issue by its tan labels. There are also (presumably earlier) tan label copies with a front-laminated cover and a different label design. According to information from the forum of the Illustrated db Discography, the tan labels were introduced in Australia in late 1977, so that this issue must be from that time or later.

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA PB 1190; UK 01/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast // Sense of Doubt

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA JH-11190; USA 01/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast (stereo version) // Beauty and the Beast (mono version)

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA JD-11204; USA 01/1978)

Format: 12"

Release notes: promo-only, 33 1/3 rpm, PS with sticker

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast (special extended version) // Fame

Collector's notes: This seems to be the first ever Bowie 12" with a "true" picture cover, since the cover of the Spanish "Heroes" 12" is the standard sleeve of the "Supersingle" series adapted to the respective release.
The "special extended version" of Beauty and the Beast is a unique mix, almost two minutes longer than the album version. Fame is the full length album version.

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA PB 1190; Belgium 01/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast // Sense of Doubt

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA PB 1190; France 01/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast // Sense of Doubt

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA PB 1190; Germany 01/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast // Sense of Doubt

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA PC-1204; Spain 1978)

Format: 12"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast (special extended version) // Fame

Collector's notes: Another one from the Spanish "Supersingle" series. Although the cover doesn't say so, the version of Beauty and the Beast that is used here is the extended mix from the US promo 12", so that the two releases are musically identical.
Copies in a generic, colourful "Supersingle" cover are also quite common.

Bowie Now

(RCA DJL1-2697; USA 03/1978)

Format: LP

Release notes: promo-only

Tracks: V-2 Schneider / Always Crashing in the Same Car / Sons of the Silent Age / Breaking Glass / Neuköln // Speed of Life / Joe the Lion / What in the World / Blackout / Weeping Wall / The Secret Life of Arabia

Collector's notes: A promo-only compilation of material from Low and "Heroes".

Beauty and the Beast

(RCA PB 1190; Netherlands 04/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Beauty and the Beast // Sense of Doubt

Peter and the Wolf

(RCA JD-11306; USA 05/1978)

Format: 12"

Release notes: one-sided promo-only, 33 1/3 rpm, plain white die-cut NC with sticker

Tracks: Peter and the Wolf (Part 1) / Peter and the Wolf (Part 2)

Other notes: no intro on Part 1; Bowie narrator; Bowie's contribution recorded in New York, 12/1977

Collector's notes: This is an edited version of Peter and the Wolf, split into two parts. It omits Bowie's introduction of the instruments.

Peter and the Wolf

(RCA ARL 1-2743; USA 05/1978)

Format: LP

Release notes: green vinyl, sepia-toned insert

Tracks: Peter and the Wolf // Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Other notes: Bowie narrator on side 1; no Bowie involvement on side 2; Bowie's contribution recorded in New York, 12/1977

Collector's notes: Released in the Red Seal series of classical music, this album has labels that are completely different from those of the other Bowie albums. For all I know, this is the first official Bowie release on coloured vinyl. Some early bootlegs, however, were also issued on coloured vinyl.
There are also pressings in black vinyl.

Peter and the Wolf

(RCA RL 12743; Germany 05/1978)

Format: LP

Release notes: OIS

Tracks: see US issue

Collector's notes: This is presumably the first issue, since it lacks the round "Deutsche Qualitätspressung" print that is found on the cover front of later copies.

Liza Jane

(Decca F 13807; UK 09/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: mono, company cover

Tracks: Liza Jane // Louie, Louie Go Home

Other notes: re-issue of 1964 single

Collector's notes: A nice re-issue of Bowie's extremely rare first single - and, due to its poor sales, a rarity by itself.
While Jarman listed this issue (and also the Japanese Soul Love single) as September releases, Jarman & Stöcklin list them under June. I guess this is a mistake. Pegg claims that Liza Jane was released in September, and the Soul Love single is from Stage, which was also released in September.

Soul Love

(RCA SS-3166; Japan 09/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Soul Love // Blackout

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Collector's notes: An unusual choice of a single A-side from Japan.

Stage

(RCA PL 02913(2); UK 09/1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: yellow vinyl, FOC, cover sticker, limited edition

Tracks: Hang on to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Five Years / Soul Love / Star // Station to Station / Fame / TVC 15 // Warszawa / Speed of Life / Art Decade / Sense of Doubt / Breaking Glass // "Heroes" / What in the World / Blackout / Beauty and the Beast

Other notes: live, Spectrum Arena, Philadelphia, 28-29/4/1978, Civic Center, Providence, 5/5/1978, New Boston Garden Arena, Boston, 6/5/1978

Collector's notes: Apart from the vinyl colour and the sticker, this issue is identical to the black vinyl UK release.

Stage

(RCA PL 02913 DT; Germany 09/1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC

Tracks: see UK issue

Stage

(RCA PL-02913; Netherlands 09/1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: blue vinyl, FOC

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: There are copies in blue and yellow (see next entry) vinyl. Occasionally, "mixed" sets turn up, but these seem to be "homemade".

Stage

(RCA PL-02913; Netherlands 09/1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: yellow vinyl, FOC

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: Same cover and labels as in the previous entry. Similar to the yellow vinyl UK issue.

Stage

(RCA-9149-50; Japan 1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC, OBI, fold-out insert, postcard

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: I can't say if the postcard or reply form (or whatever you want to call it) is directly related to this album or even to Bowie at all. It might also be some general insert that came with all RCA records of the time.

Stage

(RCA PL-02913(2); Spain 1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC

Tracks: see UK issue

Collector's notes: The Spanish issue is a minor cover variation: it has red promotion in the top left corner of the cover front ("2 LP's Precio Especial"). There are several label variations that came in this cover. Since the label design of this copy (with "Disco - 1" etc. centred) is identical to that of promo-stamped copies, I assume that this is the earliest version.

Superstars Radio Network Presents - An Evening with David Bowie

(RCA DJL 1-3016; USA 10/1978)

Format: LP

Release notes: promo-only, cover made of thick cardboard

Tracks: Open* / Segment 1* / Ziggy Stardust** / Segment 2* / Station to Station** // Segment 3* / Beauty and the Beast** / Segment 3* / Fame** / Segment 4*

Other notes: *interview tracks by Sonny Fox; **live versions from Stage

Collector's notes: And the next in the long line of promo-only records that RCA USA released between 1978 and 1980. There are counterfeits of this album. The original has a black margin at the bottom on the cover front, and the cover is made of thick cardboard. The counterfeit lacks the black margin, and its cover is made of thin cardboard.

Superstars Radio Network Presents - An Evening with David Bowie

(RCA DJL 1-3016; USA 1978?)

Format: LP

Release notes: promo-only, counterfeit, cover made of thin cardboard

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: This is the counterfeit mentioned in the previous entry. Note that at in earlier versions of this page I must have confused the pictures of the labels of the two issues, which have slightly different mouldings. I'm sorry, if this has confused anyone.

Collection Blanche

(Decca 261011/12; France 10/1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: FOC

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of Images 1966-1966 (1973)

Collector's notes: After the 1973 original and the 1975 Mille-Pattes Séries this was already the third French issue of the Images album. Note that There Is a Happy Land is once more called There Is a Happy Land (Where Only Children Go).

El Rey del Gay-Power

(Deram DCS 15044/5; Spain 1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: laminated cover

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of 1973 album

Collector's notes: This is the 1978 re-issue of the El Rey... album in a single sleeve. Note that there are two different versions: this one with a laminated sleeve, and another one with a textured sleeve. They have slightly different labels.

Star

(RCA DJL1-3255; USA 11/1978)

Format: 12"

Release notes: promo-only, 33 1/3 rpm, white vinyl, PS

Tracks: Star // What in the World / Breaking Glass

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Collector's notes: This promo-only record has also been counterfeited, presumably in 1980 (see next entry). The most obvious difference between the original and the counterfeit is that the latter is on black vinyl, whereas all copies of the original are pressed on white vinyl. However, there is a further difference: the RCA logo (including the dog) has been omitted from both the labels and the cover of the counterfeit, so that the only reference to RCA is the small copyright text on the cover back. In this way the two issues can even be distinguished if only the cover is shown: if there is an RCA logo in the bottom right corner, it's an original, and if there is no logo, it's a counterfeit.

Star

(DJL1-3255; USA 1980? (1978))

Format: 12"

Release notes: counterfeit, 33 1/3 rpm, PS

Tracks: Star // What in the World / Breaking Glass

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Collector's notes: The counterfeit, pressed on black vinyl, is much rarer than the original. It is not very difficult to get hold of an original copy, but it took me years to find a copy of the counterfeit.

Breaking Glass

(RCA BOW 1; UK 11/1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: A-label promo, PS

Tracks: Breaking Glass // Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Breaking Glass

(RCA BOW 1; UK 11/1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Breaking Glass // Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Collector's notes: Same cover as in the previous entry.

Breaking Glass

(RCA PB 9337; Belgium 11/1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Breaking Glass // Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Breaking Glass

(RCA PB 9337; France 11/1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Breaking Glass // Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Collector's notes: The colour of the plastic-moulded label is bronze, which is difficult to reproduce here.

Breaking Glass

(RCA PB-9337; Netherlands 11/1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: blue vinyl, PS

Tracks: Breaking Glass // Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Breaking Glass

(RCA PB-9337; Spain 11/1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Breaking Glass // Art Decade / Ziggy Stardust

Other notes: live versions from Stage

Collector's notes: From now on it didn't make sense anymore to distinguish between "original" and "new" label designs of Spanish singles. There were no more re-pressings of such singles with new designs.

"Heroes"

(RCA/Penny Farthing PXB 6119; Italy 12/1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, coloured labels, PS

Tracks: David Bowie: "Heroes" (short English version) // Hunter: Rock On

Collector's notes: At first sight, this release looks like a typical Italian jukebox promo with two different artists, but it is unusual in several respects. First, unlike those releases, it has an individually designed sleeve. Second, the record lacks the "JB" imprint on the labels, and according to the cover it isn't for jukeboxes, but for DJs. And third, the two sides are on different labels. There is also an alternative issue with white labels.
Jarman & Stöcklin list this record with the stock copy, that is, under September 1977. However, the cover bears the imprint "12-78", and according to Chas Pearson, this is the case for all copies. So this single was almost certainly released to re-promote the track in December 1978.

Davy Jones

(Parlophone R5358; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: bootleg, mono, PS

Tracks: Davy Jones: You've Got a Habit of Leaving* / Davy Jones: Baby Loves That Way* // The Manish Boys: I Pity the Fool** / The Manish Boys: Take My Tip**

Other notes: *studio recordings, IBC Studios, Portland Place, 25/06/1965?; **studio recordings, IBC Studios, Portland Place, 15/01/1965; all tracks from official 1965 singles

Collector's notes: A nice EP, pretending to be an official Parlophone product, released at the wrong point of time: very soon EMI re-issued the same tracks on an official EP. For a note on the recording date of the Davy Jones tracks see that official release.

David Bowie and the Hype

(Major Tom 6052-200; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: bootleg, 33 1/3 rpm, blue wraparound PS

Tracks: The Prettiest Star // Conversation Piece / Holy Holy

Other notes: all tracks original versions from the 1970 and 1971 Mercury singles

Collector's notes: In 1978 the Major Tom label released several Bowie singles. I am still not sure where these were made. The "pseudo-Japanese" look of some of them surely doesn't mean that they were made in Japan.
This EP is available with both a blue and a red cover (see next entry).

David Bowie and the Hype

(Major Tom 6052-200; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: bootleg, 33 1/3 rpm, red wraparound PS

Tracks: The Prettiest Star // Conversation Piece / Holy Holy

Other notes: all tracks original versions from the 1970 and 1971 Mercury singles

Collector's notes: Same labels as in the previous entry.

Memory of a Free Festival

(Major Tom 6052-201; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, yellow wraparound PS

Tracks: Memory of a Free Festival, Part 1 (single version) // Memory of a Free Festival, Part 2 (single version)

Other notes: re-issue of official 1970 single

The Width of a Circle

(Major Tom 6052-202/203; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, different catalogue numbers on cover and label, PS (with company cover)

Tracks: The Width of a Circle // Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud

Other notes: Sounds of the Seventies: Andy Ferris BBC programme, Playhouse Theatre Studios, London, 25/03/1970

Collector's notes: Here the bootleggers got a bit confused. The catalogue number on the PS goes with the single from the next entry, and the catalogue number of that single goes with the PS of this record. Thankfully, they realized their mistake and didn't put the wrong singles into the covers.
The record is a nice mockery of a Japanese release: it comes in a company bag (similar to the Japanese RCA bags) with an insert. The sound quality is okay, but not overwhelming.

Five Years

(Major Tom 6052-203/202; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: bootleg, different catalogue numbers on cover and label, PS (with company cover)

Tracks: Five Years* // Hang on to Yourself* / Zion**

Other notes: *Sounds of the Seventies: Bob Harris BBC programme, 1972; **recorded during the Aladdin Sane sessions, 12/1972-01/1973, edited version

Collector's notes: For the mismatch of the catalogue numbers see the previous entry. Again, the general design is a mockery of a Japanese issue.
The sound quality of the two BBC tracks is very good, that of Zion is acceptable, but not great (the same somewhat dull sound as on most bootleg releases of this track).

Bowie Does Reed

(Major Tom 6052-204; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, wraparound PS

Tracks: Waiting for the Man* // White Light/White Heat**

Other notes: *Sounds of the Seventies: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 18/01/1972; **Sounds of the Seventies: John Peel BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 4, London, 16/05/1972

Collector's notes: Good to very good sound quality.

Spiders from Mars

(Major Tom 6052-209; Sweden 1978)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: bootleg, 33 1/3 rpm, PS

Tracks: Waiting for the Man* / All the Young Dudes** // Bombers*** // White Light/White Heat°

Other notes: tracks on both sides segued into each other; *Sounds of the Seventies: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 18/01/1972; **recorded during the Aladdin Sane sessions, 12/1972; ***recorded during the Hunky Dory sessions, Trident Studios, London, 09-10/07/1971; °Sounds of the Seventies: John Peel BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 4, London, 16/05/1972

Collector's notes: After the Width of a Circle and Five Years singles had pretended to be Japanese releases, we now got a pseudo-Spanish issue: the cover says "Cara A" and "Cara B" (instead of "Side A" and "Side B"), and the labels even bear the words "Depósito Legal" - which makes no sense at all, since they forgot to add a date. Anyway, who cares...?
The sound quality of these recordings is great. The EP was re-issued with minimal changes in 1983.

Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth)

(B & B 45-100; ?? 1978)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, mono, NC

Tracks: David Bowie and Bing Crosby: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy // David Bowie: "Heroes"

Other notes: Bing Crosby's Merry Old Christmas TV special, 11/09/1977; broadcast 26/11/1977

Collector's notes: Acceptable sound quality, but expectedly not as good as on the later official release of the Bowie/Crosby duet.
There are also copies with white labels and blue text.

"My Radio Sweetheart" - Ziggy 1

(Dragonfly/Crash Records TUNE IN 001; UK 1978)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, first edition with printed labels, plain white NC with large green insert

Tracks: Ziggy Stardust* / Waiting for the Man* / The Supermen** / Queen Bitch* / Suffragette City*** // White Light/White Heat*** / Hang on to Yourself* / Hang on to Yourself° / Moonage Daydream° / Watch That Man°

Other notes: *Sounds of the Seventies: Bob Harris BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 5, London, 18/01/1972; **Sounds of the Seventies: Bob Harris BBC programme, Studio T1, Shepherds Bush, London, 21/09/1971; ***Sounds of the Seventies: John Peel BBC programme, Maida Vale Studio 4, London, 16/05/1972; °live, Long Beach Arena, California, 10/03/1973

Collector's notes: The sound quality of the BBC recordings is just acceptable, that of the three live tracks is rather poor.
The size of the insert and the printed labels of this copy identify it as an original issue - later pressings came with a smaller insert and plain labels.

Ziggy 2

(Canyon TUNE IN 002; ?? 1978)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, plain white NC with green insert

Tracks: Queen Bitch / Bombers / The Supermen / Looking for a Friend / Almost Grown // Kooks / Song for Bob Dylan / Andy Warhol / It Ain't Easy / Sleeping Next to You*

Other notes: In Concert: John Peel BBC programme, Paris Cinema Studio, 03/06/1971; except: *Marc TV show, 09/09/1977

Collector's notes: Again, the sound quality is just acceptable.

Slaughter in the Air

(Ruthless Rhymes DB-1978; USA? 1978)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, 1st issue with printed cover and printed labels

Tracks: "Heroes" / What in the World / Be My Wife / The Jean Genie / Blackout // Sense of Doubt / Speed of Life / Breaking Glass / Beauty and the Beast / Fame / Five Years / Soul Love / Star // Hang On to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Suffragette City / Rock'n'Roll Suicide / Art Decade / Station to Station // Stay / TVC 15 / Rebel Rebel / "Helden" (short German version)* / "Héros" (short French version)*

Other notes: live, Forum, Los Angeles, 04/04/1978; except: *official studio versions

Collector's notes: A very good audience recording. The sound of the official tracks is better, of course. Record 1 has black and white labels, record 2 black and yellow ones. Note that the "Ruthless Rhymes" is in mirror writing on the B-side labels.
The cover says "Made in England", but I've also read that it is a German release (which would fit the label design). However, the nature of the cover (thick cardboard) and the inclusion of the two international versions of "Heroes", which were particularly rare in America, suggest that this is a US release.

Peter and the Wolf

(RCA ARL 1-2743; USA 1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: black and white insert

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: This is the black label version mentioned in the entry of the original version. Note that there are good reasons to assume that the black copies are re-issues: the generic RCA inner sleeve that usually came with this insert has the year 1979 on the back.
The labels are identical to those of the green version, and although the rest of the set looks basically identical, too, there are several minor differences: the insert is black and white, rather than sepia, and the cover has a brighter colour and a slightly smoother texture. In any case, black label copies are much rarer than the "more interesting" green copies.

Aladdin Sane

(RCA LSP 4852 26.21105; Germany 1979 (1973))

Format: LP

Release notes: FOC, insert, label code on cover and labels, "Deutsche Pressung" on cover, signed (probably fake)

Tracks: see original issue

Other notes: re-issue of 1973 album, signed (possibly fake)

Collector's notes: This is a post-1974 re-issue of the German album, recognizable by the "26." number. Note, though, that there are numerous clues indicating that this is even a later pressing: there is a label code, and the record has "Deutsche Pressung" on the cover back, an imprint that was not used before 1979. So this is definitely a record issued from 1979 onwards.
I bought this as an autographed copy, but I strongly suspect that the signature is not authentic.

Changes One

(RCA APL 1-1732 26.21778 AO; Germany 1979 (06/1976))

Format: LP

Release notes: label code on cover and labels, "Deutsche Pressung" on cover

Tracks: see first German issue

Collector's notes: This is presumably a third issue, with a label code and "Deutsche Pressung" on the cover.

Do Anything You Say/I Dig Everything

(Pye 7NX 8002; UK 1979 (10/1972))

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: mono, 33 1/3 rpm, grey labels, company cover

Tracks: Do Anything You Say / I Dig Everything // David Bowie with the Lower Third: Can't Help Thinking about Me / I'm Not Losing Sleep

Other notes: 3rd issue of For the Collector (1972)

Collector's notes: It seems that Pye used grey labels only for a small number of singles in 1979, so I suppose that this third issue of the EP is from that year.

The Speed of Life

((DB 6142); USA 1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, picture labels, plain white NC with cream insert

Tracks: Five Years / Soul Love / Star / Hang on to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Suffragette City / Alabama Song // Station to Station / Stay / Rebel Rebel

Other notes: live, Oval Cricket Ground, Adelaide, Australia, 11/11/1978

Collector's notes: Very good sound quality for an audience recording.

Kiss You in the Rain

(Raven DB6143; USA 1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, 1st edition, plain white NC with yellow insert

Tracks: The Jean Genie / Be My Wife / Five Years / Soul Love / Star // Hang on to Yourself / Fame / Beauty and the Beast / Alabama Song / Ziggy Stardust

Other notes: live, Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, 18/11/1978

Collector's notes: The sound quality is rather poor.

Forever Yours

(db 6894; Australia 1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, picture labels, plain white NC with pink insert

Tracks: "Heroes" / What in the World / Be My Wife / The Jean Genie / Blackout // Art Decade / Breaking Glass / Fame / Beauty and the Beast / Five Years / Soul Love* / Star** // Hang On to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Suffragette City / Sense of Doubt** / Alabama Song / Rebel Rebel // Station to Station / TVC 15 / Stay

Other notes: live, Showgrounds, Sydney, Australia, 24/11/1978; incomplete/incorrect track listing on cover: *track not listed on cover, **track mis-titled on cover

Collector's notes: The sound quality is so-so: there are better and worse recordings from that tour. Bowie's vocals come through quite clearly, but the instruments are a bit too far in the background. Moreover, the sound deteriorates in the course of the show and becomes very dull towards the end. This has a fatal effect, at least as far as my copy is concerned. It often "sticks" on TVC 15 and Stay: obviously, the dull and bassy sound is too loud for a groove that narrow.
The original US cover design is the one shown in the next entry. The insert shown here is the Australian version.

Forever Yours

(DB 6894; USA 1984 (1979))

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, Tilt-labels, "1984" on labels, plain white NC with green insert

Tracks: see original Australian issue

Other notes: incomplete track listing on cover

Collector's notes: This release has the original US insert. Although Frifelt doesn't mention any re-issues with this cover, this clearly is one: it is hardly conceivable that a 1979 pressing could state "1984" on the mock labels. Record 1 has red labels, record 2 tan labels. The sound quality is the same as on the original issue.

Live in Stockholm 79

(Audifön/ACR 25; USA? 1979)

Format: 2LP

Release notes: bootleg, plain cream (disc 1) and white (disc 2) labels

Tracks: Warszawa* / "Heroes" / What in the World / Be My Wife // The Jean Genie / Blackout / Sense of Doubt** / Speed of Life / Breaking Glass // Fame / Beauty and the Beast / Five Years / Soul Love / Star // Hang on to Yourself / Ziggy Stardust / Suffragette City / Art Decade / Alabama Song / Station to Station

Other notes: live, Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden, 04/06/1978; incorrect date and place on cover; *mis-titled on cover, **not listed on cover

Collector's notes: A very good audience recording - though I still wonder how the bootleggers even got the year wrong. Bowie didn't play any shows in 1979!
Hoggard writes that this album is a German release, but as in the case of Slaughter in the Air, the thick cardboard of the cover suggests a US release.

Just a Gigolo - The Original Soundtrack

(Jambo JAM 1; UK 02/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks (Bowie): - // The Rebels: David Bowie's Revolutionary Song*

Other notes: *vocals by Bowie and unidentified studio chorus, recorded in 1978

Collector's notes: This soundtrack album, alongside the Japanese single, was the only source of The Revolutionary Song (which is the title on the label) until 2019, when it was re-issued on LP and CD, with the Revolutionary Song split into three parts. The full track was also re-released in 2019 on a 7".
The cover of the UK issue of the soundtrack is the standard version used in most other countries, too.

Schöner Gigolo - armer Gigolo - The Original Soundtrack

(Ariola 200 462-320; Germany 1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks (Bowie): - // The Rebels: David Bowie's Revolutionary Song*

Other notes: *vocals by Bowie and unidentified studio chorus, recorded in 1978

Collector's notes: The German cover of the soundtrack is obviously superior to the rather boring UK version.

Just a Gigolo - The Original Soundtrack

(Ariola 200462; Netherlands 1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks (Bowie): - // The Rebels: David Bowie's Revolutionary Song*

Other notes: *vocals by Bowie and unidentified studio chorus, recorded in 1978

Collector's notes: A cover variation similar to the UK cover.

The Manish Boys/Davy Jones & the Lower 3rd

(EMI 2925; UK 03/1979)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: mono, PS

Tracks: The Manish Boys: I Pity the Fool* / The Manish Boys: Take My Tip* // Davy Jones: You've Got a Habit of Leaving** / Davy Jones: Baby Loves That Way**

Other notes: *studio recordings, IBC Studios, Portland Place, 15/01/1965; **studio recordings, IBC Studios, Portland Place, 25/06/1965?; all tracks from official 1965 singles

Collector's notes: The year before, exactly these tracks had been released on a bootleg EP, but this was their first official release since 1965. And it was a very nice release indeed: the tracks are in original mono, and even the cover photo is from the appropriate era. 24 years later, the EP was re-released in an equally great cover.
Neither Pegg nor any other source I know gives an exact recording date for the Davy Jones tracks. However, the 2017 various artists CD Making Time has an alternative version of You've Got a Habit of Leaving, which was recorded on 25/06/1965. Since studio time was expensive for an unknown artist like Bowie/Jones, we can assume that the originally released version and Baby Loves that Way were recorded on or around the same day.

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA BOW 2; UK 04/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA PB 1585; Germany 04/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA PB 1585; Italy 04/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA (PB-1585); Spain 04/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only picture disc, company cover

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Collector's notes: Frifelt claims that the first ever Bowie picture disc was the bootleg 7" The Supermen from the same year. However, this very rare Spanish promo-only might have come first. The quality of the pressing is so-so. It's an item to be looked at, rather than to be played.

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA PB-1585; Spain 04/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA PB 1585; France 05/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Collector's notes: Again, the colour of the label is bronze, which is difficult to reproduce.

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA PB-1585; Netherlands 05/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA PD-1593; Netherlands 1979)

Format: 12"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Collector's notes: At this time, the concept of 12" singles was spreading. Sadly, this Dutch release wasn't issued with a picture sleeve. The versions of the tracks on it are the same as on the 7" singles and the album. It wasn't yet self-evident that a 12" ought to contain longer and/or different mixes.

Lodger

(RCA PL 13254 AP; Germany 05/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: orange label, FOC with sticker, OIS

Tracks: Fantastic Voyage / African Nightflight / Move on / Yassassin / Red Sails // D.J. / Look Back in Anger / Boys Keep Swinging / Repetition / Red Money

Other notes: recorded at Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland, 09/1978, and Record Plant Studios, New York, 03/1979

Collector's notes: Lodger is the first German Bowie album on RCA of which no (original) copies without a "Deutsche Pressung" imprint on the cover seem to exist.

20 Bowie Classics

(Decca SCA.059; Australia 05/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: blue label

Tracks: Rubber Band* / Maid of Bond Street / Sell Me a Coat / Love You till Tuesday* / There Is a Happy Land / The Laughing Gnome / The Gospel According to Tony Day / Did You Ever Have a Dream / Uncle Arthur / We Are Hungry Men / Please Mr. Gravedigger // Join the Gang / Little Bombardier / Come and Buy My Toys / Silly Boy Blue / She's Got Medals / The London Boys / Let Me Sleep beside You / In the Heat of the Morning / When I Live My Dream

Other notes: *album versions; identical to New Zealand album Twenty Bowie Classics

Collector's notes: Note the minor differences in the titles and cover designs of the Australian and New Zealand issues. There are also copies of the Australian issue that have red, but otherwise identical, labels.

Twenty Bowie Classics

(Decca SKL 5297; New Zealand 05/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: made by EMI, blue labels

Tracks: see album 20 Bowie Classics

Other notes: identical to Australian album 20 Bowie Classics

Collector's notes: Although the number "Twenty" is spelled out on the cover, the labels give the same title as the Australian issue.
This is the first issue, made by EMI (there is an EMI logo on the cover back, and the labels say "Made in N.Z. by EMI"). Later issues are manufactured by Polygram and have violet, rather than blue labels.

D.J.

(RCA BOW 3; UK 06/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: A-label promo, PS

Tracks: D.J. (single edit) // Repetition

D.J.

(RCA BOW 3; UK 06/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: D.J. (single edit) // Repetition

Collector's notes: Same cover as the promo.

D.J.

(RCA BOW 3; UK 06/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: green vinyl, PS, limited edition of 3.000

Tracks: D.J. (single edit) // Repetition

Collector's notes: Apart from the vinyl colour, this issue is identical to the standard stock copy.

D.J.

(RCA JH-11661; USA 06/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: D.J. (single edit, stereo version) // D.J. (single edit, mono version)

D.J.

(RCA PB-11661; USA 06/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: D.J. (single edit) // Fantastic Voyage

D.J.

(RCA PB-9412; Spain 06/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: D.J. (single edit) // Repetition

D.J.

(RCA PB 9412; France 06/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: D.J. (single edit) // Repetition

Profile

(Decca 6.24009 AL; Germany 06/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: 1st issue with red labels

Tracks: Let Me Sleep beside You / Karma Man / In the Heat of the Morning / Silly Boy Blue / Please Mr. Gravedigger / The Laughing Gnome // The London Boys / Come and Buy My Toys / The Gospel According to Tony Day / There Is a Happy Land / Little Bombardier / When I Live My Dream

Collector's notes: Later pressings of this album (1982 onwards) have silver labels.

Boys Keep Swinging

(RCA SS-3215; Japan 07/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: Boys Keep Swinging // Fantastic Voyage

Yassassin

(RCA PB-9417; Netherlands 07/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Yassassin (single edit) // Repetition

Collector's notes: Note that the colour of the text at the label margin has changed from black to white. The Netherlands and Turkey were the only countries to prefer Yassassin to D.J. as a single. In the case of Turkey the reasons are clear, but in the case of the Netherlands...?

Yassassin

(RCA 79.014; Turkey 07/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Yassassin // Red Money

Collector's notes: In Turkey, Yassassin with its "oriental" sound and its title (Turkish for "long life") was an ideal candidate for a single release. Nice picture cover, too. Note that on the the Turkish single the title track is roughly as long as on the album.

The Wembley Wizard Touches the Dial

(Hallowien Jack Records (CC 1 The Actor 79 EG); UK 07?/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: bootleg, plain white labels, open cover with full-size wraparound insert, edition of 2.000 copies (most of them destroyed)

Tracks: Station to Station / Suffragette City / Fame / Word on a Wing / Stay* // Waiting for the Man / Queen Bitch / Life on Mars? / band introduction / Changes / TVC 15 / Diamond Dogs

Other notes: live, Wembley Stadium, London, 07/05/1976; *not listed on cover

Collector's notes: Definitely the strangest Bowie bootleg ever made, since one can even argue whether it's a bootleg at all. 2.000 copies (of an earlier obscure Japanese bootleg) were made by Bill Hood, an employee of the British Phonographic Industry association, in summer 1979 (July is a guess) - possibly with the knowledge and consent of Bowie's record company RCA. The aim of this "Operation Moonbeam" was to bust a chain of bootleggers. It was successful, so that only few copies actually came into circulation. See Clinton Heylin's book on bootlegs for more details.
However, as so often with bootlegs, this is not the entire story. Since the album became a "hot" item among Bowie fans after the bust, it was soon... bootlegged. There are at least three issues: white label copies (like the one shown here), copies with "1" and "2" on the labels, and issues with the track listing on the labels. The latter are re-issues from 1982. The accounts in a discussion in the forums of the International db Discography imply that copies bought in 1979 had plain white labels. However, even among these copies there is some variation (some came in a plain white stickered cover). To sum up, then, it seems that the white label copies are the earliest issues, but it's not sure that all of them are actually originals - even some of these might be re-pressings.
As regards the record itself, it's not worth the fuss: the sound quality is rather poor - though not as bad as it is sometimes claimed to be. Nonetheless, this bootleg aquired such a legendary status that much later (2024?) a "facsimile edition" limited to 250 copies was produced!

Rock Originals - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

(RCA NL-14702; Netherlands 1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: orange labels

Tracks: see original issues

Other notes: re-issue of 1972 album; Soul Love and It Ain't Easy slightly cut at the beginning

Collector's notes: One of the few major cover variations for this album. However, the olive margin is hardly an improvement...
Standardly, Five Years is segued into Soul Love, but on this issue there is a gap between the tracks, and a bit of the latter song has been cut off at the beginning. The same is the case for It Ain't Easy.
This is presumably the first Dutch issue of this album. There is another version from 1979, with the original cover design restored and black labels, but it is likely that this release with orange labels came first.

Rock Concert

(RCA PL-42993; Netherlands 07/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: orange "RCA Victor" labels

Tracks: Rebel Rebel / Changes / Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) / All the Young Dudes / Cracked Actor // Rock'n'Roll with Me / Watch That Man / Diamond Dogs / Rock'n'Roll Suicide

Other notes: all tracks taken from the album David Live (1974)

Collector's notes: An absolutely superfluous mutilated version of the David Live album - which was nonetheless re-released under a different title in 1982. There are also later pressings with different labels.

Rock Concert

(RCA PL-42993; Netherlands (07/1979))

Format: LP

Release notes: turquoise "RCA International" labels

Tracks: see original issue

Collector's notes: This a later pressing of the album in the previous entry. The "RCA International" logo was usually used in the early 1980s. Same cover as the original issue.

Look Back in Anger

(RCA JH-11724; USA 08/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo-only, company cover

Tracks: Look Back in Anger (stereo version) // Look Back in Anger (mono version)

Look Back in Anger

(RCA PB-11724; USA 08/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: Look Back in Anger // Repetition

The London Boys

(Decca FR 13864; UK 09/1979)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: mono, promo, PS

Tracks: David Bowie: The London Boys / Dobie Gray: The "In" Crowd // Small Faces: Hey Girl / The Birds: Leaving Here

Collector's notes: Jarman and Jarman & Stöcklin list this EP under 04/1980, but given the catalogue number, the release date from the 45cat website appears more plausible.

Chameleon

(Starcall STAR 101; Australia 09/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: blue Starcall label

Tracks: Starman / Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) / Sorrow / Diamond Dogs / 1984 / Breaking Glass // "Heroes" (long English version) / V-2 Schneider / Beauty and the Beast / Boys Keep Swinging / D.J. / Look Back in Anger

Other notes: all tracks original album versions

Collector's notes: This is the commonest issue of this Australian compilation.

Chameleon

(RCA/Starcall STAR 101; Australia 198?)

Format: LP

Release notes: green RCA label

Tracks: see other issue

Collector's notes: I think that this (rarer) issue with the green RCA labels is a re-pressing, especially because green labels didn't become common in other countries until the 1980s. In Germany, the Chameleon album was available as an import until the early 1980s, although I can't say with which labels. But I assume that this is one of those later pressings.

Chameleon

(Starcall STAR 101; New Zealand 09/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: -

Tracks: see Australian issue

Collector's notes: Despite the fact that the label says the record was manufactured for Starcall Records Australia, the label design is slightly different from that of the Australian release. Furthermore, the cover clearly claims that it was manufactured by/for Starcall Records, Auckland, N.Z..

David Bowie's Revolutionary Song

(Overseas MA-185-V; Japan 11/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: yellow labels, PS (insert with company cover)

Tracks: The Rebels: David Bowie's Revolutionary Song (single edit)* // The Pasadena Roof Orchestra: Charmaine

Other notes: *vocals by Bowie and unidentified studio chorus, recorded in 1978

Collector's notes: Later pressings have red labels.

Space Oddity

(RCA TPBO 7013; Italy 11/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: Space Oddity // Fame

Other notes: re-issue of 1975 single with A and B-sides inverted and a nice, but absolutely inappropriate cover update.

John, I'm Only Dancing 1972

(RCA JB-11887; USA 11/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: promo, company cover

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)* // Joe the Lion

Other notes: *new mix

Collector's notes: This is an unusual US promo 7", since it is identical to the stock issue. The label is also unusual in that they added an asterisk to indicate the A-side.
The 1972 version of John, I'm Only Dancing is the original version remixed. The drums appear a bit more prominent in this mix.

John, I'm Only Dancing 1972

(RCA PB-11887; USA 11/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: company cover

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)* // Joe the Lion

Other notes: *new mix

John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)

(RCA JD-11886; USA 11/1979)

Format: 12"

Release notes: 33 1/3 rpm, white label promo, company cover

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (long version)* // Golden Years

Other notes: *recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974

Collector's notes: Golden Years is the album version. The title of the later recording of John, I'm Only Dancing varies on the international releases - sometimes it's John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (which I have adopted), and sometimes it's John, I'm Only Dancing (1975) or John, I'm Only Dancing 1975.
As in the case of the 7" promo, an asterisk indicates the A-side.

John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)

(RCA PD-11886; USA 11/1979)

Format: 12"

Release notes: 33 1/3 rpm, company cover

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (long version)* // Golden Years

Other notes: *recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974

Collector's notes: This was the first commercially available 12" single by Bowie in the USA.

1980 All Clear

(RCA DJL 1-3545; USA 11/1979)

Format: LP

Release notes: promo-only, black/white cover

Tracks: The Man Who Sold the World / Space Oddity / Ziggy Stardust / Panic in Detroit / Always Crashing in the Same Car // 1984 / Golden Years / Fascination / "Heroes" (long English version) / Boys Keep Swinging

Other notes: all tracks original album versions

Collector's notes: This promo-only album has been counterfeited. The counterfeit has a silverish cover. Interestingly, as in the case of the Star promo-only 12", the counterfeit is much rarer than the original. I haven't been able to track down an affordable copy of the fake album yet.

John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)

(RCA BOW 4; UK 12/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: solid center, PS

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (single edit)* // John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)**

Other notes: *recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974; **new mix

Collector's notes: The first British Bowie single with black RCA labels. There are also copies with a push-out centre.

John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)

(RCA BOW 12 4; UK 12/1979)

Format: 12"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (long version)* // John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)**

Other notes: *recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974; **new mix

Collector's notes: Not only was John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) the first UK single with black labels, but it was also the first British 12" single by Bowie.

John, I'm Only Dancing

(RCA PB 9482; France 12/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)* // John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (single edit)**

Other notes: *new mix; **recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974

Collector's notes: Which version of John, I'm Only Dancing became the A-side and the B-side in different countries obviously depended on the taste of the respective RCA executives.
Note that the back cover design is actually printed upside down. However, I have decided to show it the logical way here.

John, I'm Only Dancing

(RCA PC 9484; France 12/1979)

Format: 12"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (long version)* // John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)**

Other notes: *recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974, titled "Version Disco"; **new mix, titled "Version New Wave"

Collector's notes: This first French Bowie 12" single gave the RCA executives an opportunity to think up some really fanciful titles for the mixes.

John, I'm Only Dancing - New Versions

(RCA PB-9482; Netherlands 12/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (single edit)* // John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)**

Other notes: *recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974; **new mix

Collector's notes: This record has an interesting numbering of sides on the labels: "Side 1" and "The Other Side 1".

John, I'm Only Dancing

(RCA PB 9482; Germany 12/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: PS

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)* // John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (single edit)**

Other notes: *new mix; **recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974

John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)

(RCA PB-1887; Spain 12/1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: white label promo, PS

Tracks: John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)* // Joe the Lion

Other notes: *new mix

Has Ziggy Stardust Come to Earth?

(Sould Out/MainMan 075; UK 1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, 33 1/3 rpm, large centre hole, wraparound PS (title on front)

Tracks: Who Can I Be Now? // It's Gonna Be Me

Other notes: recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974

Collector's notes: This record is available in two cover variations. The sound quality could be better.

Has Ziggy Stardust Come to Earth?

(Sould Out/MainMan 075; UK 1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, 33 1/3 rpm, small centre hole, wraparound PS (title on back) with sticker

Tracks: Who Can I Be Now? // It's Gonna Be Me

Other notes: recorded during the Young Americans sessions, Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, 08/1974

Collector's notes: My copy of the record that came with this cover also differs from the one in the preceding entry in that it has a small centre hole. I don't know if there is any system concerning which discs were distributed with which covers.

Excerpts from the Bowie Showboat

(Marquee Recordings 1966A; UK? 1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, mono, one-sided, NC

Tracks: Interview* / Over the Wall We Go** / end*

Other notes: *recorded live at the Marquee, 1966; **demo, c. 12/1966

Collector's notes: A strange, but well-made record. A 1966 studio demo is cleverly mixed in between two bits of a 1966 interview, creating the impression of a live performance. The bit I called end here is simply the audience's applause. The sound quality is quite good.

London Bye Ta-Ta

(Mercury/Pop POP-01; USA? 1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, 1st issue with black and white PS

Tracks: London Bye Ta-Ta* // Bombers**

Other notes: *re-recorded version, Trident Studios, London, 08-15/01/1970; **recorded during the Hunky Dory sessions, Trident Studios, London, 09-10/07/1971

Collector's notes: Very good sound quality (although the sound of London Bye Ta-Ta was better on later bootlegs).

London Bye Ta-Ta

(Mercury/Pop POP-01; Norway? (1979))

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, 2nd issue with colour wraparound PS

Tracks: London Bye Ta-Ta* // Bombers**

Other notes: *re-recorded version, Trident Studios, London, 08,13,15/01/1970; **recorded during the Hunky Dory sessions, c. 06/1971

Collector's notes: I haven't been able to find out when or where this re-issue in a superior cover was made. The cover claims it was made in Norway, but that needn't mean anything...
Same good sound quality as the first issue.

The Supermen

((91480); ?? 1979)

Format: 7"

Release notes: bootleg, picture disc, NC

Tracks: The Supermen* // Space Oddity**

Other notes: *from the Revelations various artists album (1972); **US mono single edit

Collector's notes: The first Bowie bootleg picture disc (and possibly the first Bowie picture disc ever - see the comments on the Spanish Boys Keep Swinging promo above). Since both tracks are taken from official releases, the sound quality is very good.

All the Young Dudes

(MainMan PRO 073; ?? 1979)

Format: 7"EP

Release notes: bootleg, 33 1/3 rpm, wraparound PS

Tracks: All the Young Dudes* / Bombers** // 1984/Dodo***

Other notes: *recorded during the Aladdin Sane sessions, 12/1972; **recorded during the Hunky Dory sessions, Trident Studios, London, 09-10/07/1971; ***studio recording, Trident Studios, London, 10/1973

Collector's notes: Great sound quality!