Greatest Hits Radio celebrates Ziggy Stardust 50 years on

Bowie’s Greatest Hits airs on Greatest Hits Radio this weekend to mark his last performance as alter-ego, Ziggy Stardust 50 years ago.

This comes as a digitally restored version of ‘Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture’ is set to return to cinemas on Monday, 50 years to the day since Bowie last performed as Ziggy.

‘Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture’ is digitally restored with never-before-seen footage and the full, uncut version of D A Pennebaker’s film includes a performance by late guitarist Jeff Beck for the first time.

A star-studded film premiere will take place on Monday 3 July at the same venue where Bowie stood on stage and said Ziggy is no more – the Hammersmith (now Eventim Apollo).

The film will be preceded by a live Q&A with Don Letts, Ken Scott and Suggs, and a performance by Bowie pianist Mike Garson. Garson will also open the show as he did in 1973, with a live solo piano arrangement of some of Bowie’s best-known tracks.

Actor Richard E Grant will also be part of the live Q&A, he said: “Ziggy Stardust – as a character – had a huge, liberating impact on us all.

“He transcended the world of music and continues to permeate popular culture. You can hear and feel Ziggy everywhere. And the same is true of David and his work as a whole.

“I’m looking forward to being on the same stage as David and the Spiders were 50 years ago as we celebrate the legacy of a time that changed so much.”

Bauer Media Audio UK is media partner for the 50th anniversary premiere, which includes the Bowie’s Greatest Hits programme on Greatest Hits Radio.

The programme will air this Sunday, 2 July 4pm – 5pm hosted by Jackie Brambles. She’ll hear from people that were there that night fifty years ago including the late, legendary rock photographer Mick Rock, music producer Ken Scott, music historians and archive conversation with Bowie himself. All set to a chart of Bowie’s Greatest Hits as voted for by station listeners.

Then, following the premiere, Jackie Brambles will be speaking to Bowie fans and colleagues, including Bowie’s former bandmate Woody Woodmansey, on her weeknight Greatest Hits Radio evening show, ‘Great Conversations with…’.