MainMan Podcast

MainMan's Tony Zanetta recalls his many adventures with David Bowie in '73, with recollections of Bowie's varied acquaintances at the time including the enigmatic, androgynous model/singer/muse Amanda Lear, in episode #64 of the MainMan podcast here.. https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-64/

David Bowie was fascinated with 'Fascination' and in this episode of the MainMan podcast Tony Defries recalls the focus on fascination and the quest for fame that deeply influenced the songs on Bowie's seminal Aladdin Sane album. Here's the link.... https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-63/

Elvis Inspired Aladdin

When David Bowie was discussing concepts for the album cover of Aladdin Sane in 1973, he mentioned to photographer Brian Duffy that he wanted to have a lightning flash on his face, similar to the one Elvis had used as part of his TCB logo. So with Duffy’s input make up artist Pierre LaRoche worked his magic - and the rest as they say - is rock history. Hear Brian’s son Chris tell the full story behind that now legendary photo session in episode 62 of the MainMan podcast. Here's the link https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-62/

Aladdin Sane was a brilliant exploration of loneliness, isolation, spirituality and psychosis - all paired with music written while Bowie was on the road enjoying the first stirrings of stardom he had craved for over a decade. Hear Tony Defries recall the inside story of the writing and recording of Bowie’s seminal masterpiece exclusively in episode 61 of the MainMan podcast here.... https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-61/

Cherry Vanilla interviews David Bowie '73

Cherry Vanilla conducts a very flirty interview with David Bowie in the RCA Studios in New York City 50 years ago during rehearsals for the 1973 Ziggy Stardust US tour, which began with a sold out show at Radio City Music Hall on February 14. Hear Mike Garson recall the highlights of that historic tour in episode 60 of the MainMan podcast here... https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-60/

Keyboard genius Mike Garson recalls how David Bowie allowed him the freedom to bring his jazz and classical influences into the world of Ziggy Stardust and during the 1972 and 1973 tours Bowie’s music evolved considerably. To hear Mike’s recollections of his adventures on the road and in the studio with The Spiders From Mars hit the link below for episode 60 in the MainMan podcast series mainmanlabel.com/episode-60/

David Bowie (08.01.47 - 10.01.2016)

“Searching for music is like searching for God. They’re very similar. There’s an effort to reclaim the unmentionable, the unsayable, the unseeable, the unspeakable - all those things comes in to being a composer and to writing music. Searching for notes and pieces of musical information that don’t exist. Taking away all the theatrics and all the costuming and all the outer layers of what it is I’m a writer, that’s what I do. I write. And I started examining the subject matter that I write about and it really only boils down to a few songs based around loneliness to a certain extent, coupled with isolation, some kind of spiritual search and a looking for a way into communicating with other people and I dressed it all in different ways throughout my life.” David Bowie (08.01.47 - 10.01.2016)

When David Bowie and The Spiders from Mars, accompanied by their MainMan entourage, arrived in New York for the US leg of their Ziggy Stardust Tour in the summer of ‘72 the first item on their ‘to do’ list was to find a piano player. Hear Mike Garson recall the audition that changed his life the day he walked into RCA Studios and met a bunch of Brits he’d never heard of and there and then became part of one of the most exciting tours of the year - and the decade - in episode 59 of the MainMan podcast here....mainmanlabel.com/episode-59/

The inside story of the recording of Lou Reed's classic Transformer

This is the inside story of the recording of one of the most iconic albums of the 70’s - Lou Reed’s Transformer, produced by Mick Ronson and David Bowie at London’s Trident studios. This was one of a series of MainMan projects that changed the shape and sound of rock ‘n roll in the summer of 1972. Click the link to hear Tony Defries recall how David, Ronno and Lou ended up recording this classic in episode 57 of the MainMan podcast. https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-57/

Bowie goes to New York to see Elvis Presley live at Madison Square Garden

In June ‘72 David Bowie cancelled two concerts in his Ziggy tour in order to make a very quick trip to New York City with Angie and Ronno to see Elvis Presley play Madison Square Garden. When Bowie was supposedly afraid of flying, why would he suddenly make a quick trip to NYC, just to see ‘The King’? Defries explains the reasons behind the trip in Episode 56 of the MainMan podcast here... https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-56/

Cherry Vanilla at Max's Kansas City

Max's Kansas City was the epicentre of the New York art scene in the 60's & 70's given prominence by the attendance of Warhol and his Superstars & acolytes. Max's played host to some of the biggest names in rock 'n roll as they were just starting out. Cherry Vanilla describes the importance and influence of the legendary Max's in Episode 55 of the MainMan podcast here..... https://mainmanlabel.com/episode-55/