Ziggy came to Hemel and took it all too far

David Bowie bootleg of Hemel Hempstead gig

But did you know that  Hemel Hempstead was host to the Thin White Duke when he played The Pavilion on May 7, 1972.

The show remains one of the most sought-after  bootlegs of Bowie’s career, with a Ziggy-era band playing  a 75-minute 18-song set  featuring the classic Spiders From Mars line-up.

The World Of Bowie  Bootlegs website praises the set, saying: “This show is one of the most sought-after. It was rumoured to be around in  certain circles for quite a long time and only one song was open to a wider public until now: Gotta Get A Job. So I was really excited when I got it in a trade not so long ago.

“The show itself is really great and soundwise it is close to the Kingston Polytechnic from one day earlier.

“It’s simply another great document of the early Ziggy phase with powerful versions of Moonage Daydream (David shouting all his passion out) or Waiting For The Man with a mind-blowing guitar solo of Mick Ronson.

“Also he performs some tracks only present in the early Ziggy phase like I Feel Free or Gotta Get A Job/Hot Pants.”

> Were you among the audience when David Bowie came to Hemel Hempstead? Email [email protected]

Click here for a more detailed look back at the Hemel Hempstead show.