Hammersmith Odeon Finale
The night Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon.
The Hammersmith Odeon Finale is a historic concert where David Bowie performed the last show of his Ziggy Stardust Tour. Held at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on 3 July 1973, the event is best known for Bowie's surprise announcement that it was "the last show we'll ever do." A live version of "Let's Spend the Night Together" recorded at this concert appears on the album *Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture* (1983). The night marked the end of an era for fans who had followed the Ziggy Stardust character through its rise and climax.
- Venue
- Hammersmith Odeon, London
- Date
- 3 July 1973
- Tour Name
- Ziggy Stardust Tour
- Status
- Completed / Historic Event
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The concert on 3 July 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London was the final performance of the Ziggy Stardust Tour. During the show, David Bowie recorded a live version of "Let's Spend the Night Together," which was later released on the album *Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture* (1983). The performance featured Bowie on lead vocal and ARP synthesiser, Mick Ronson on lead and rhythm guitar and backing vocal, Trevor Bolder on bass, Mick Woodmansey on drums, and Mike Garson on piano. The recording captures the energy of a tour that had defined Bowie's early 1970s output, with the band playing through the setlist with the intensity of a final bow. The announcement that this would be the last show came as a shock to the audience, making the performance of songs like "Let's Spend the Night Together" a farewell to the Ziggy Stardust persona.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Hammersmith Odeon on 3 July 1973 was thick with anticipation. David Bowie, in full Ziggy Stardust regalia, led his band through a set that included a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Let's Spend the Night Together." The song, originally released by the Stones in 1967, had been transformed by Bowie into a glam rock anthem with pulsating synthesiser effects. As the final chords rang out, Bowie addressed the crowd with words that would echo through rock history: "This is the last show we'll ever do." The audience, stunned, watched as the starman left the stage, never to return as Ziggy Stardust. The live recording of that night, including the cover, was preserved on *Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture* (1983), a document of a moment when a performer chose to kill his own creation.
Reader's Guide
The Hammersmith Odeon concert on 3 July 1973 was the final date of the Ziggy Stardust Tour. The setlist included a cover of "Let's Spend the Night Together," which Bowie had originally recorded for his album *Aladdin Sane* (1973). The live version featured the same core band: Bowie on lead vocal and ARP synthesiser, Mick Ronson on guitar and backing vocal, Trevor Bolder on bass, Mick Woodmansey on drums, and Mike Garson on piano. The performance was recorded and later released on the album *Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture* (1983). During the show, Bowie announced that it would be the last performance of the tour, effectively retiring the Ziggy Stardust persona. The event has since become a landmark in Bowie's career, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Did You Know?
- A live version of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' recorded at this concert appears on the album *Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture* (1983).
- The performance featured David Bowie on lead vocal and ARP synthesiser, with Mick Ronson on guitar and backing vocal.
- The concert took place on 3 July 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.
- Bowie announced during the show that it would be 'the last show we'll ever do,' retiring the Ziggy Stardust persona.
- The original studio version of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' by David Bowie was released on the *Aladdin Sane* album in April 1973.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hammersmith Odeon Finale?
This historic concert took place on July 3, 1973, at London's Hammersmith Odeon and served as the final show of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust Tour. It is renowned for being the moment Bowie publicly retired his alien rock star persona in front of a live audience.
Why did David Bowie retire the Ziggy Stardust character?
Bowie felt that the fictional alter-ego had run its course and wanted to move beyond the constraints of the glam rock movement. By killing off Ziggy on stage, he signaled his desire to evolve as an artist rather than remain trapped in a single character.
What happened during the performance at Hammersmith Odeon?
After playing 'Rock & Roll Suicide,' Bowie announced that this was the last time fans would see Ziggy Stardust before abruptly leaving the stage. The event transformed from a standard concert into a theatrical ceremony marking the death of an artistic chapter.
How did the audience react to the finale?
Many attendees were initially confused or shocked, as they had not been informed that this specific show would be the end of the tour and the character's life. The atmosphere shifted from excitement to a somber realization that the starman was leaving Earth forever.
Why is this event considered pivotal in rock history?
The Hammersmith Odeon Finale solidified Bowie's reputation as a chameleon who could successfully reinvent himself after shedding a massive cultural phenomenon. It remains one of the most famous examples of an artist deliberately ending a persona to pursue new creative directions.
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