David Bowie

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

First released1972

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was recorded at Trident Studios in London between November 1971 and February 1972, with producer Ken Scott and engineer Roy Thomas Baker overseeing the sessions. David Bowie worked closely with his band the Spiders from Mars, featuring Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Woody Woodmansey on drums, capturing their live energy in the studio. The album utilized analog recording technology and featured innovative guitar work from Ronson, whose layered arrangements became integral to the album's theatrical rock sound. Released in June 1972, the album's production reflected the glam rock aesthetic emerging at the time, with Scott and Bowie collaborating on sonic choices that balanced raw rock instrumentation with orchestral arrangements on certain tracks.