David Bowie’s first demo of ‘Starman’ to be auctioned

An unheard demo, featuring what is thought to be the first recording of “Starman”, will be auctioned today, March 12, by United Kingdom-based Omega Auctions. The tape was recorded in 1971 by Bowie and Spiders from Mars guitarist Mick Ronson, a year before the release on Bowie’s 1972 album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”.

The recording, which could fetch over £10,000 ($13,000) at the auction, also features early versions of “Moonage Daydream” and “Hang On To Yourself”. On the demo, Bowie can be heard telling Ronson that he had not finished the song when he tries to end the recording.

The tape was owned by Kevin Hutchinson, a guitarist who had been working with Bowie. He was given the demo by his friend Mick Ronson, as he wanted to learn the track.

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Labelled “David Bowie rehearsal tape,” the demo was packed away in Hutchinson’s loft, where it has remained in storage since 1972. In 2017, Hutchinson told BBC Radio that he had forgotten about the recording and was “staggered” by its quality when he rediscovered it.

Almost 50 years later, the tape will be auctioned at Omega Auctions in Newton-le-Willows, England. The sale also includes jewelry owned and worn by Elvis Presley, original posters for the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix, and glasses worn by Elton John. JB

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