David Bowie broke down in tears while recording his first and only take of 'Five Years', the opening track on 1972’s seminal album 'The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars'. The recording of the album has been documented in detail for the first time by engineer Dennis MacKay, and unveiled in the new revamped April issue of Uncut. “Bowie’s screaming, and what you hear on that song ['Five Years'] – the emotion – is for real,” explains MacKay. “He’s bawling his eyes out. [Mick] Ronson was looking at Bowie, stunned. I was in shock, because… he was also hitting every note spot-on. “I’ve worked with some great vocalists since. But no-one who could do it in one take with that much emotion.” The cover story of the revamped issue, which features a whole new look and an expanded reviews section among other improvements, takes a detailed look at the creation of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona, including detailed, never-before-heard stories of Bowie’s adventures in the recording studio. We’re really keen to find out more about our readers – what you’re listening to, how you buy your music, what other media you’re into. For the chance to win £100 of HMV vouchers and a year’s subscription to Uncut, please take just five minutes to fill in our Uncut online survey.
David Bowie broke down in tears while recording his first and only take of ‘Five Years’, the opening track on 1972’s seminal album ‘The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars’.
The recording of the album has been documented in detail for the first time by engineer Dennis MacKay, and unveiled in the new revamped April issue of Uncut.
“Bowie’s screaming, and what you hear on that song [‘Five Years’] – the emotion – is for real,” explains MacKay. “He’s bawling his eyes out. [Mick] Ronson was looking at Bowie, stunned. I was in shock, because… he was also hitting every note spot-on.
“I’ve worked with some great vocalists since. But no-one who could do it in one take with that much emotion.”
The cover story of the revamped issue, which features a whole new look and an expanded reviews section among other improvements, takes a detailed look at the creation of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona, including detailed, never-before-heard stories of Bowie’s adventures in the recording studio.
We’re really keen to find out more about our readers – what you’re listening to, how you buy your music, what other media you’re into.
For the chance to win £100 of HMV vouchers and a year’s subscription to Uncut, please take just five minutes to fill in our Uncut online survey.
