David Bowie (1969) Anniversary

On this day in 1969, David Bowie released "David Bowie (1969)". Let's take a look back and honor its birthday with 5 Fun Facts!

There were some cover art differentiations

For its release in United States, Mercury Records retitled the album "Man of Words/Man of Music" and used different artwork. RCA Records, however, reissued the album under the title of "Space Oddity" following Bowie's commercial breakthrough with "Ziggy Stardust" in 1972, using a contemporary photo of Bowie as the artwork.

The album was a commercial failure due to a lack of promotion

It did receive some positive reviews from music critics. Bowie himself later stated that it lacked musical direction.

"David Bowie" has been reissued numerous times, with bonus tracks

'Memory of a Free Festival' features Bob Harris and Marc Bolan

The background vocals for the crowd finale features Bob Harris, his wife Sue, Tony Woollcott and Marc Bolan.

And finally, the title of 'Space Oddity' and its subject matter were partly inspired by "2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)"

and Bowie's feelings of alienation at that point in his career.