David Bowie was an English singer-songwriter and musician who started his career as a member of a band called the Konrads, under the name David or Davie Jones, in 1962.[1] Since starting his solo career in 1964, his solo band has gone under many names, including, the Hype, Arnold Corns, the Spiders from Mars and Tin Machine. At the time of his retirement from solo live performances in 2004, his band included himself on vocals, guitars, stylophone and harmonica, Earl Slick on guitar, Gerry Leonard on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Gail Ann Dorsey on bass guitar and vocals, Sterling Campbell on drums, Mike Garson on piano and keyboards and Catherine Russell on keyboards, percussion, guitar and vocals.

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David Bowie performing with his band in 2002; (left to right) Mike Garson (off left), Earl Slick, Mark Plati, Sterling Campbell (on drums), David Bowie, Catherine Russell (on keyboards), Gail Ann Dorsey and Gerry Leonard.

History

1960s and 70s

Bowie formed his first band, the Konrads, in 1962 at the age of 15 under his birth name David Jones. Konrads playing guitar-based rock and roll at local youth gatherings and weddings, the Konrads had a varying line-up of between four and eight members. Bowie's childhood friend, George Underwood among them,[1] as well as drummer Dave Crook and guitarist Neville Wills. Later members of the Konrads included drummer Dave Hadfield, bassist Rocky Shahan and vocalists Roger Ferris and Christine & Stella Patton, He left the Konrads after disagreements over musical styles while recording.[2]

Following the Konrads he was a member of a trio called the Hooker Brothers, or Dave's Reds and Blues with Underwood on guitar and harmonica, Bowie (still under the name Davie Jones) on vocals and saxophone and drummer Viv Andrews. This band existed from July to November 1963.[3] He started his solo career in with the single "Liza Jane" which was credited to Davie Jones with the King Bees,[4][5] a band which included Jones and Underwood and also lead guitarist Roger Bluck, bassist Dave Howard and drummer Robert Allen.[6]

Jones next band was the Manish Boys which included Johnny Flux on guitar, Paul Rodriguez on tenor saxophone and trumpet, Woolf Byrne on baritone saxophone, Bob Solly on keyboards, John Watson on bass guitar and Mick White on drums. Jones left this band in February 1966, this band released the single "I Pity the Fool" which featured Jimmy Page on lead guitar.[7]

Jones joined a band called the Lower Third in early 1965,[8] the band included Denis "Tea-Cup" Taylor on lead guitar, Graham Rivens on bass guitar and Les Mighall on drums. Mighall later left the band and was replaced by Phil Lancaster. The band fell apart later that year.[9] Jones changed his stage name to David Bowie to disambiguate himself from Davy Jones on The Monkees.[10] Under his new moniker, he started a band called David Bowie and the Buzz, in 1966, the core members of the Buzz were bass guitarist Derek "Dek" Fearnley, keyboard player Derek "Chow" Boyes, and drummer John "Ego" Eager,[11] with earlier guitarists being John Hutchinson[12] and Billy Bray. The band later broke up in November of the same year.[13] The Lower Third contributed to Bowie self-titled debut album in 1967, alongside session musician Big Jim Sullivan.[14][15]

In early 1967 Bowie joined The Riot Squad, which consisted of Bowie (vocal, guitar, mouth-harp), Rod "Rook" Davies (lead guitar), Brian "Croak" Prebble (bass, vocals), Bob Evans (tenor saxophone, flute, vocals), George "Butch" Davis (keyboards) and Derek "Del" Roll (drums).[16] The band broke up later that year after recording several songs including a cover of the Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting for the Man".[17]

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Producer Tony Visconti both toured and recorded with Bowie at various times since 1968.

In May 1968, Bowie performed on John Peel's Top Gear, with a backing band called the Tony Visconti Orchestra, which included Herbie Flowers (bass), Barry Morgan (drums), John McLaughlin (guitar), Alan Hawkshaw (keyboards) and Visconti and Steve Peregrin Took (backing vocals). This performance was released on the album Bowie at the Beeb in 2000.[18]

Following his stint with The Riot Squad, Bowie formed folk influenced trio Turquoise, with himself, Hermione Farthingale, and former Misunderstood guitarist Tony Hill in September 1968.[19] The band was later renamed to Feathers following Tony Hill being replaced by former Buzz guitarist John "Hutch" Hutchinson, and later to just David Bowie & Hutch after Farthingale's departure.[19]

Bowie released his second self-titled album in 1969, the album included Junior's Eyes members, guitarists Tim Renwick (who also played woodwind) and Mick Wayne bassist John "Honk" Lodge and drummer John Cambridge, other musicians who played on this album were, guitarist Keith Christmas, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, bassists Tony Visconti (who also played woodwind and was the producer) and Herbie Flowers, harmonicist Benny Marshall and cellist and arranger Paul Buckmaster.[20][21] The members of Junior's Eyes also performed with Bowie on the Dave Lee Travis Show in October 1969, prior to the albums release, the recording was also released on Bowie at the Beeb in 2000.[18]

In January 1970 Bowie played on Scottish TV show Cairngorm Ski Night, with producer/bassist Tony Visconti, and percussionist Tex Johnson.[22] Bowie's next backing band was called the Hype, it included originally included guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Tony Visconti and drummer John Cambridge.[23] This line-up appeared on The Sunday Show introduced by John Peel in February 1970 and on Sounds of the 70s: Andy Ferris in April 1970,[18] before Cambridge was replaced by Mick "Woody" Woodmansey, this line-up appeared on Bowie's third album The Man Who Sold the World with Ralph Mace on Moog. The band was occasionally joined by Mark Pritchett on guitar. one performance on In Concert with John Peel was billed as David Bowie and friends and also included Pritchett, backing vocalists George Underwood, Dana Gillespie and Geoffrey Alexander and also bassist Trevor Bolder.[18] All performances were included on Bowie at the Beeb.[18]

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Rick Wakeman played piano with Bowie in 1972 but did not join his new backing band the Spiders from Mars.

Bowie's next backing band included guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Bolder and drummer Woodmansey from his David Bowie and Friends band. The band was also augmented by pianists Rick Wakeman and Tom Parker, for some shows each. The then unnamed band was later named the Spiders from Mars and was going to included Wakeman but he declined and joined Yes.[24] The band contributed to Bowie's album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the band was later augmented by various pianists in 1972, including Nicky Graham,[25] Matthew Fisher,[26] Robin Lumley[26] and Mike Garson[27] (who would be a long-time member of the Bowie band). Into 1973, the band was later augmented by Garson, backing vocalist Warren Peace, rhythm guitarist John Hutchinson and saxophonists Ken Fordham and Brian Wilshaw,[28] this line-up contributed to the album Aladdin Sane in 1973, alongside backing vocalists Linda Lewis and Juanita "Honey" Franklin.[29][30] Most musicians from the Spiders From Mars contributed to Bowie's musical, The 1980 Floor Show in October 1973,[31] and his album Pin Ups in the same month.[32][33]

Bowie's Diamond Dogs, featured keyboardist Mike Garson, bassist Herbie Flowers, drummers Ansley Dunbar and Tony Newman and guitarist Alan Parker.[34][35] For the Diamond Dogs Tour in 1974, he employed an entirely different band with only Garson and Peace being retained.[36] Other members included keyboardist Michael Kamen, guitarist Earl Slick, saxophonists David Sanborn and Richard Grando, returning bassist Herbie Flowers, percussionists Tony Newman and Pablo Rosario and new backing vocalist Gui Andrisano,[37] this tour band existed between June to July and featured on the live album David Live, in September the band was expanded with new guitarist Carlos Alomar (who played alongside Slick and also acted as musical director), bassist Doug Rauch and drummer Greg Errico,[37] as well as backing vocalists Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler and Luther Vandross.[37]

Between October and December, in a tour called The Soul/Philly Dogs Tour, the band included new members Emir Ksasan (bass) and Dennis Davis (drums) with Kamen, Rauch, Errico and Andrisano departing.[37] Various musicians from this tour contributed to Young Americans, as well as a guest appearance from John Lennon.[38][39] Bowie's next album, Station to Station (1976), included touring members Carlos Alomar, Earl Slick, Dennis Davis and Warren Peace, as well as George Murray (bass guitar), Roy Bittan (piano, organ) and Harry Maslin (melodica, synthesiser, vibraphone, baritone sax).[40][41] Bowie's new tour, Isolar, it included guitarist Carlos Alomar, Stacy Heydon, bassist George Murray, drummer Dennis Davis and keyboardist Tony Kaye.[42]

Low (1977) included Alomar, Davis and Murray and session contributors Brian Eno, Ricky Gardiner, Roy Young, Eduard Meyer, J. Peter Robinson and Paul Buckmaster and guests Iggy Pop and Mary Visconti.[43][44] Similar personnel contributed to "Heroes" (1977) and guest musicians Robert Fripp (King Crimson) and Tony Visconti (producer).[45][46]

The touring rebooted in 1978 as the Isolar II tour, It included a slightly different band, included the returning Alomar, Davis and Murray, with new members Adrian Belew (lead guitar), Roger Powell (keyboards, synthesizer; who was replaced by Dennis Garcia for shows in November), pianist Sean Mayes and violinist Simon House.[47] This was Bowie's last tour of the 70s, some performances were released on Stage.[48] Many musicians from this tour contributed to Lodger (1979).

1980s to 2000s

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980) included Davis, Murray and Alomar.[49][50] Following the release of Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), Bowie was expected to tour, however the murder of John Lennon in December 1980 made Bowie cancel tour plans.[51][52] His first tour in 5 years, the Serious Moonlight Tour, kicked off in May 1983. The band included returning members Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick, and also bassist Carmine Rojas, drummer Tony Thompson, keyboardist Dave Lebolt, woodwind players Steve Elson, Stan Harrison and Lenny Pickett and backing vocalists George and Frank Simms.[53]

Let's Dance (1983) included some touring members, including Carmine Rojas, Tony Thompson, Stan Harrison, Steve Elson, George and Frank Simms, and also guest lead guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, bassist Bernard Edwards, percussionists Omar Hakim and Sammy Figueroa, keyboardist Robert Sabino, saxophonist Robert Aaron, trumpeter Mac Gollehon and backing vocalist David Spinner. The album was produced by Nile Rodgers who also played guitar on the album.[54] Similar personnel contributed to Tonight (1984).[55][56]

Bowie performed at Live Aid on 15 July 1985 at Wembley Stadium, with a band including guitarist Kevin Armstrong, keyboardist Thomas Dolby, saxophonist Clare Hirst, bassist Matthew Seligman, percussionists Neil Conti and Pedro Ortiz, and backing vocalists Tessa Niles and Helena Springs.[57] Never Let Me Down (1987) included mainly touring personnel with some session musicians.[58]

The Glass Spider Tour started in May 1987 and concluded in November, the tour band included guitarist Peter Frampton and Carlos Alomar, bassist Carmine Rojas, drummer Alan Childs and multi-instrumentalists Erdal Kızılçay (keyboards, trumpet, congas, violin, backing vocals) and Richard Cottle (keyboardist, saxophone, tambourine, backing vocals).[59]

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Guitarist Reeves Gabrels first played guitar in Tin Machine with Bowie in 1987 and was a member of his band until 1999.

Bowie was a member of hard rock outfit Tin Machine from 1988 to 1992, the band also included Reeves Gabrels (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tony Fox Sales (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Hunt Sales (drums, backing vocals). They released two albums and toured in support of each, on their first tour, from June to July 1989, they were augmented by Kevin Armstrong (rhythm guitar, backing vocals)[60] and by Eric Schermerhorn on their second tour from October 1991 to February 1992.[61]

Between Tin Machine's two tours, Bowie embarked on the Sound+Vision Tour between March and September 1990. The tour band included returning members Adrian Belew and Erdal Kızılçay (now on bass), as well as new members Rick Fox (keyboards) and Michael Hodges (drums).[62] Black Tie White Noise (1993) included various session musicians, including guest lead guitar from Spiders from Mars guitarist Mick Ronson,[63][64] who died later that year.[65] The Buddha of Suburbia (1993) included only Bowie and Kızılçay as well as some contributions from members of the band 3D Echo ((Rob Clydesdale, Gary Taylor, Isaac Daniel Prevos)t, Mike Garson and Lenny Kravitz.[66][67]

Outside (1995) included many past, present and future touring members.[68][69] His next tour was the Outside Tour between September 1995 and September 1996. The tour band was larger than the Sound+Vision band, it included the returning Carlos Alomar, Mike Garson and George Simms (now on keyboards) as well as Tin Machine guitarist Reeves Gabrels and new members Gail Ann Dorsey (bass guitar, vocals), Zack Alford (drums) and Peter Schwartz (synthesizer).[70]

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Emm Gryner was backing vocalist and keyboardist for Bowie between 1999 and 2000.

Earthling (1997) featured only touring personnel.[71][72] The Earthling Tour included only retained members Gabrels, Dorsey, Alford and Garson, it ran from June to November 1997.[73] Hours (1999) also included mainly touring personnel,[74][75] the Hours Tour, included lead guitarist Page Hamilton, rhythm guitar Mark Plati, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, drummer Sterling Campbell, keyboardist Mike Garson and backing vocalists Holly Palmer and Emm Gryner.[76] Reeves Gabrels performed at one show on the tour before being replaced by Hamilton due to personal differences.[77] The tour ran between October and December 1999.

The Mini Tour included only four dates, all in June 2000, and featured the same tour band except Hamilton, who was replaced by the returning Earl Slick.[78] It included a show at Glastonbury which was later described as "iconic".[79] Heathen (2002) included various session musicians, including longtime producer Tony Visconti drummer Matt Chamberlain, guitarist David Torn, violinist Lisa Germano, bassist Tony Levin, and guest guitarists Pete Townshend (The Who) and Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters).[80][81] Around this time, music that was later released on Toy (2019) was recorded.[82]

Bowie's next tour was the Heathen Tour, between June to October 2002, which included a similar band except Palmer and Gryner departed and Catherine Russell (keyboards, percussion, backing vocals) and Gerry Leonard (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) joined.[83] Reality (2003) included all of his touring band as well as David Torn, Visconti, Chamberlain Mario J. McNulty and Carlos Alomar. Bowie's final tour, A Reality Tour, included the same band as his previous tour, it started in October 2003 and concluded in June 2004.[84]

Following the conclusion of this tour, Bowie did three more live performances. First was at Condé Nast Fashion Rocks on 8 September 2005, which featured three songs first was "Life on Mars" with piano backing from Mike Garson, and the last two were "Wake Up" and "Five Years", both with Indie rock band Arcade Fire.[85] Next was with David Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall in May 2006 where he performed on Pink Floyd songs "Arnold Layne" and "Comfortably Numb".[86] His final performance was at the Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC as part of the Keep a Child Alive's annual Black Ball fundraiser, where he performed "Wild Is The Wind" (with Mike Garson), "Fantastic Voyage" (with Alicia Keys’' band) and "Changes" (with Alicia Keys).[87] He even announced a comeback gig in 2007 as part of New York's High Line festival, but it was cancelled a few months later without explanation.[87]

Bowie releases two more studio albums The Next Day (2013) and Blackstar (2016) the former included former touring members and other guests,[88] the latter included session musicians Donny McCaslin (woodwind), Jason Lindner (keyboards), Tim Lefebvre (bass), Mark Guiliana (drums), Ben Monder (guitar), James Murphy (percussion) and Erin Tonkon (backing vocals). the album was co-produced with longtime collaborator Tony Visconti.[89] It was his final album released in this lifetime, following his death in January 2016. Various posthumous live albums and a studio album, called Toy, have been released following his death.

Members

More information Image, Name ...
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
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David Bowie (David Jones) 1962–2016 (until his death)
  • vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • saxophone
  • harmonica
  • stylophone
all releases
Neville Wills 1962–1963 (only with The Konrads) (died 1981) guitar none
George Underwood
  • 1962
  • 1963–1964
  • 1971
  • vocals
  • guitar
  • harmonica
Dave Cook 1962 (only with The Konrads) drums none
Dave Hadfield 1962–1963 (only with The Konrads)
Roger Ferris vocals
Christine Patton
Stella Patton
Alan Dodds rhythm guitar
Rocky Shahan bass guitar
Viv Andrews 1963–1964 (only with The Hooker Brothers/Dave’s Reds and Blues) drums
Robert Allen 1964 (only with the King Bees) "Liza Jane" (1964)
Dave Howard bass guitar
Roger Bluck lead guitar
Johnny Flux (Johnny Edward) 1964–1965 (only with The Manish Boys) (died 2021) "I Pity the Fool" (1965)
Bob Solly 1964–1965 (only with The Manish Boys) (died 2016)[90] keyboards
Paul Rodriguez 1964–1965 (only with The Manish Boys)
  • tenor saxophone
  • trumpet
Woolf Byrne baritone saxophone
John Watson bass guitar
Mick White drums
Denis Taylor 1965–1966 (only with the Lower Third) guitar
Graham Rivens bass guitar
Les Mighall 1965 (only with the Lower Third) (died 2008)[91] drums none
Phil Lancaster 1965–1966 (only with the Lower Third)
  • "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" (1965)
  • "Can't Help Thinking About Me" (1966)
John Eager 1966–1967 (only with the Buzz)
Derek Boyes keyboards
Derek "Dek" Fearnley 1966–1967 (only with the Buzz) (died 2008)[92] bass guitar
John Hutchinson
  • 1966
  • 1968–1969
  • 1973 (died 2021)
[93]
Billy Gray 1966 (only with the Buzz) guitar "I Dig Everything" (1966)
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Big Jim Sullivan 1966–1967 (session) (died 2012)
  • guitar
  • banjo
  • sitar
David Bowie (1967)
Rod "Rook" Davis 1967 (only with The Riot Squad) guitar "Gotta Be a First Time" / "Bittersweet Love" (1967)
Bob Evans
  • saxophone
  • flute
  • backing vocals
George Butcher keyboards
Brian "Croke" Prebble
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
Derek "Del" Roll drums
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Tony Visconti
  • 1968
  • 1969 (session)
  • 1970 (production and session thereafter)
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
  • flute
  • recorder
  • piano
  • guitar
  • production
  • string arrangements
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Herbie Flowers
  • 1968 (one off)
  • 1969 (session)
  • 1974
(died 2024)
bass guitar
  • David Bowie (1969)
  • Diamond Dogs (1974)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
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John McLaughlin 1968 (one off) guitar
  • The World of David Bowie (1970)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
Barry Morgan 1968 (one off) (died 2007) drums
Steve Peregrin Took 1968 (one off) (died 1980)
  • backing vocals
  • pixiephone
Alan Hawkshaw 1968 (one off) (died 2021) keyboards Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
Hermione Farthingale 1968–1969 (as Turquoise and Feathers)
  • vocals
  • guitar
  • dance
none
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Tony Hill 1968 (as Turquoise) (died 2022)
  • vocals
  • guitar
John Cambridge 1969–1970 drums
  • David Bowie (1969)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
Mick Wayne 1969–1970 (only with Junior's Eyes) (died 1994) guitar
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Tim Renwick 1969–1970 (only with Junior's Eyes)
  • guitar
  • flute
  • recorder
John "Honk" Lodge bass guitar
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Keith Christmas 1969 (session) acoustic guitar David Bowie (1969)
Terry Cox drums
Paul Buckmaster
  • 1969
  • 1976 (both session) (died 2017)
  • cello
  • pianos and ARP
  • David Bowie (1969)
  • Low (1977)
Ralph Mace 1970 (session) Moog synthesiser The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
Tex Johnson 1970 (touring)
  • congas
  • percussion
none
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Mick Ronson
  • 1970
  • 1971–1973
  • 1993 (session) (died 1993)
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • bass guitar
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Mick "Woody" Woodmansey
  • 1970
  • 1971–1973
drums
  • The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
  • Hunky Dory (1971)
  • The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
  • Aladdin Sane (1973)
  • Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1983)
  • Santa Monica '72 (1994)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
  • Live Santa Monica '72 (2008)
Mark Carr-Pritchett
  • 1970–1971
  • 1973
  • guitar
  • vocals
Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
Benny Marshall 1970
  • vocals
  • harmonica
David Bowie (1969)
Rudi Valentino (Freddie Burretti) (stand in) 1971 (only with Arnold Corns) (died 2001)[94] vocals none
Tim Broadbent 1971 (only with Arnold Corns) drums
Pete De Somogyl bass guitar
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Trevor Bolder 1971–1973 (died 2013)
  • bass guitar
  • trumpet
  • backing vocals
  • Hunky Dory (1971)
  • The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
  • Aladdin Sane (1973)
  • Pin Ups (1973)
  • Aladdin Sane (1973)
  • Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1983)
  • Santa Monica '72 (1994)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
  • Live Santa Monica '72 (2008)
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Rick Wakeman
  • 1969
  • 1971
  • 1972 (session)
piano
  • David Bowie (1969)
  • Hunky Dory (1971)
  • The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Warren Peace (Geoffrey Alexander MacCormack)
  • 1971
  • 1972–1974
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
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Dana Gillespie 1971 (one off) backing vocals
  • The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)[95]
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
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Tom Parker 1971 (one off) (died 2013) piano none
Nicky Graham 1972 (touring) (died 2024) Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
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Matthew Fisher 1972 (touring) none
Robin Lumley 1972 (touring) (died 2023)
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Mike Garson
  • 1972–1973
  • 1974
  • 1994–2004
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • Mellotron
  • backing vocals (1996–1997)
Juanita "Honey" Franklin 1972–1973 (session) backing vocals Aladdin Sane (1973)
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Linda Lewis 1972–1973 (session) (died 2023)
Ken Fordham 1973 saxophone
  • Aladdin Sane (1973)
  • Pin Ups (1973)
  • Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1983)
Brian Wilshaw
  • saxophone
  • flute
  • Aladdin Sane (1973)
  • Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1983)
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Aynsley Dunbar 1973–1974 drums
  • Pin Ups (1973)
  • Diamond Dogs (1974)
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Ava Cherry
  • 1973
  • 1974
vocals
  • David Live (1974)
  • Young Americans (1975)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
Jason Guess 1973 none
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Earl Slick (Frank Madeloni)
  • 1974
  • 1983
  • 2000–2004
lead guitar
  • David Live (1974)
  • Young Americans (1975)
  • Station to Station (1976)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
  • Reality (2003)
  • A Reality Tour (2010)
  • The Next Day (2013)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
  • Glastonbury 2000 (2018)
  • I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) (2020)
  • Toy (2021)
Michael Kamen 1974 (touring) (died 2003)
  • electric piano
  • Moog synthesizer
  • oboe
  • musical director
David Live (1974)
Pablo Rosario 1974 (touring) percussion
  • David Live (1974)
  • Young Americans (1975)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
  • I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) (2020)
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David Sanborn 1974 (touring) (died 2024)
  • saxophone
  • flute
  • David Live (1974)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
  • I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) (2020)
Richard Grando 1974 (touring)
  • David Live (1974)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
Gui Andrisano backing vocals
Tony Newman 1974 drums Diamond Dogs (1974)
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Carlos Alomar
  • 1974–1984
  • 1986–1987
  • 1995–1996
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
  • Young Americans (1975)
  • Station to Station (1976)
  • Low (1977)
  • "Heroes" (1977)
  • Stage (1978)
  • Lodger (1979)
  • Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
  • Tonight (1984)
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • Outside (1995)
  • Heathen (2002)
  • Reality (2003)
  • Glass Spider (2007)
  • Live Nassau Coliseum '76 (2017)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
  • Welcome to the Blackout (Live London '78) (2018)
  • Is It Any Wonder? (2020)
  • I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) (2020)
  • ChangesNowBowie (2020)
  • Ouvrez le Chien (Live Dallas 95) (2020)
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Doug Rauch 1974 (touring) (died 1979) bass guitar Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
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Greg Errico 1974 (touring) drums
Robin Clark
  • 1974
  • 1984 (session)
  • 1986 (session)
backing vocals
  • Young Americans (1975)
  • Tonight (1984)
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
  • I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) (2020)
Anthony Hinton 1974
  • Young Americans (1975)
  • Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) (2017)
  • I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) (2020)
Diane Sumler
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Luther Vandross 1974 (died 2005)
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Willie Weeks 1974 (session) bass guitar Young Americans (1975)
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Andy Newmark drums
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Dennis Davis 1974–1980 (died 2016)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • occasional backing vocals
  • Young Americans (1975)
  • Station to Station (1976)
  • Low (1977)
  • "Heroes" (1977)
  • Stage (1978)
  • Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
  • Live Nassau Coliseum '76 (2017)
  • I'm Only Dancing(The Soul Tour 74) (2020)
Emir Ksasan 1974 bass guitar Young Americans (1975)
George Murray 1976–1980
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Station to Station (1976)
  • Low (1977)
  • "Heroes" (1977)
  • Stage (1978)
  • Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
  • Live Nassau Coliseum '76 (2017)
  • Welcome to the Blackout (Live London '78) (2018)
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Tony Kaye 1976 (touring) keyboards Live Nassau Coliseum '76 (2017)
Stacy Heydon
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
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Brian Eno
  • 1976–1979
  • 1994–1995 (both session)
  • keyboards
  • synthesizer
  • backing vocals
Ricky Gardiner 1976 (session) (died 2022) lead and rhythm guitar Low (1977)
Roy Young 1976 (session) (died 2018)
  • piano
  • organ
Antonia Maass (Maaß) 1977 (session) backing vocals "Heroes" (1977)
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Robert Fripp
  • 1977
  • 1980 (both session)
lead guitar
  • "Heroes" (1977)
  • Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
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Adrian Belew
  • 1978
  • 1990
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Stage (1978)
  • Lodger (1979)
  • Welcome to the Blackout (Live London '78) (2018)
Sean Mayes 1978 (died 1995)
  • piano
  • string ensemble
  • backing vocals
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Simon House 1978 electric violin
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Roger Powell
  • keyboards
  • synthesizer
  • backing vocals
Dennis Garcia 1978 (substitute) none
Stan Harrison
  • 1978 (session)
  • 1982–1984
  • 1986 (session)
  • saxophones
  • woodwind
  • Lodger (1979)
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • Heathen (2002)
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Roy Bittan 1980 (session) piano Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
Andy Clark synthesizer
Lynn Maitland backing vocals
Chris Porter
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Carmine Rojas
  • 1982–1984
  • 1986–1987
bass guitar
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
  • Tonight (1984)
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • Glass Spider (2007)
Steve Elson
  • 1982–1984
  • 1986 (session)
  • 2012 (session)
  • saxophones
  • woodwind
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • Heathen (2002)
  • The Next Day (2013)
George Simms
  • 1982–1984
  • 1995–1996
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
  • ChangesNowBowie (2020)
Frank Simms 1982–1983 backing vocals
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
Sammy Figueroa
  • 1982
  • 1984 (both session)
percussion
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Tonight (1984)
Thumb
Omar Hakim drums
Thumb
Nile Rodgers
  • 1982
  • 1992 (both session)
guitar
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Black Tie White Noise (1993)
David Spinner 1982 (session) backing vocals Let's Dance (1983)
Thumb
Stevie Ray Vaughan 1982 (session) (died 1990) lead guitar
Robert Sabino 1982 (session)
  • keyboards
  • piano
Mac Gollehon trumpet
Robert Aaron tenor saxophone
Tony Thompson 1982–1983 (died 2003)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • Let's Dance (1983)
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
Thumb
Lenny Pickett
  • 1983–1984
  • 1986 (session)
  • saxophones
  • woodwind
  • Serious Moonlight (1983)
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • Heathen (2002)
Thumb
Dave Lebolt 1983 (touring)
  • keyboards
  • synthesizer
Serious Moonlight (1983)
Curtis King
  • 1984
  • 1993 (both session)
backing vocals
  • Tonight (1984)
  • Black Tie White Noise (1993)
Derek Bramble 1984 (session)
  • guitar
  • bass guitar
  • synthesizers
  • backing vocals
Tonight (1984)
Guy St. Onge marimba
Thumb
Mark Pender
  • flugelhorn
  • trumpet
Thumb
Arif Mardin 1984 (session) (died 2006)
  • string arrangements
  • synthesisers
Thumb
Kevin Armstrong
  • 1985
  • 1989
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards (studio)
Thumb
Matthew Seligman 1985 (one off) (died 2020) bass guitar none
Thumb
Thomas Dolby 1985 (one off)
  • keyboards
  • synthesisers
Clare Hirst saxophone
Thumb
Neil Conti drums
Pedro Ortiz percussion
Tessa Niles backing vocals
Helena Springs
Erdal Kızılçay
  • 1986–1987
  • 1990
  • 1994–1995 (session)
  • keyboards
  • trumpet
  • congas
  • violin
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
  • drums
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • The Buddha of Suburbia (1993)
  • Outside (1995)
  • Glass Spider (2007)
Thumb
Peter Frampton 1986–1987
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Never Let Me Down (1987)
  • Glass Spider (2007)
Thumb
Philippe Saisse
  • 1986
  • 1992 (both session)
  • piano
  • keyboards
Never Let Me Down (1987)
Laurie Frink 1986 (session) (died 2013) trumpet
Earl Gardner 1986 (session) flugelhorn
Errol "Crusher" Bennett percussion
Lani Groves backing vocals
Diva Gray
Gordon Grody
Richard Cottle 1987
  • keyboards
  • saxophone
  • tambourine
  • backing vocals
Glass Spider (2007)
Alan Childs drums
Thumb
Reeves Gabrels
  • 1987–1989
  • 1991–1999
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • all Tin Machine releases
  • Black Tie White Noise (1993)
  • Outside (1995)
  • Earthling (1997)
  • Hours (1999)
  • VH1 Storytellers (2009)
  • ChangesNowBowie (2020)
  • Ouvrez le Chien (Live Dallas 95) (2020)
Thumb
Tony Fox Sales
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
all Tin Machine releases
Thumb
Hunt Sales
  • drums
  • vocals
Rick Fox 1990 (touring)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
none
Michael Hodges drums
Eric Schermerhorn 1991–1992 (touring)
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby (1992)
Dave Richards 1992 (session) (died 2013) keyboards Black Tie White Noise (1993)
Richard Tee 1992 (session) (died 1993)
Richard Hilton 1992 (session)
Poogie Bell drums
Barry Campbell bass
John Regan
Michael Reisman
  • harp
  • tubular bells
  • string arrangement
Gerardo Velez percussion
Thumb
Fonzi Thornton backing vocals
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Tawatha Agee
Dennis Collins
Brenda White-King
Maryl Epps
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Yossi Fine 1995 (session) bass Outside (1995)
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Joey Baron drums
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Gail Ann Dorsey 1995–2004
  • bass guitar
  • rhythm guitar
  • keyboards
  • clarinet
  • vocals
  • Earthling (1997)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
  • Reality (2003)
  • VH1 Storytellers (2009)
  • A Reality Tour (2010)
  • The Next Day (2013)
  • Glastonbury 2000 (2018)
  • Is It Any Wonder? (2020)
  • ChangesNowBowie (2020)
  • Ouvrez le Chien (Live Dallas 95) (2020)
  • Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) (2020)
  • Toy (2021)
Thumb
Zachary Alford 1995–1997
  • drums
  • percussion
  • Earthling (1997)
  • The Next Day (2013)
  • Is It Any Wonder? (2020)
  • ChangesNowBowie (2020)
  • Ouvrez le Chien (Live Dallas 95) (2020)
Peter Schwartz 1995–1996 (touring) synthesizer
  • Is It Any Wonder? (2020)
  • ChangesNowBowie (2020)
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Sterling Campbell
  • 1992
  • 1994–1995 (both session)
  • 1999–2004
  • drums
  • percussion
  • Black Tie White Noise (1993)
  • Outside (1995)
  • Hours (1999)
  • Heathen (2002)
  • Reality (2003)
  • VH1 Storytellers (2009)
  • A Reality Tour (2010)
  • The Next Day (2013)
  • Glastonbury 2000 (2018)
  • Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) (2020)
  • Toy (2021)
Mark Plati 1999–2002 (session before hand)
  • guitar
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards
  • programming
  • production
  • Earthling (1997)
  • Hours (1999)
  • Heathen (2002)
  • Reality (2003)
  • VH1 Storytellers (2009)
  • Glastonbury 2000 (2018)
  • Is It Any Wonder? (2020)
  • ChangesNowBowie (2020)
  • Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) (2020)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
  • Toy (2021)
Holly Palmer 1999–2000 (touring)
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
  • Hours (1999)
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
  • VH1 Storytellers (2009)
  • Glastonbury 2000 (2018)
  • Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) (2020)
  • Toy (2021)
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Emm Gryner
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards
  • clarinet
  • Bowie at the Beeb (2000)
  • Glastonbury 2000 (2018)
  • Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) (2020)
  • Toy (2021)
Mike Levesque 1999 (session)
  • drums
  • percussion
Hours (1999)
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Page Hamilton 1999 (touring) lead guitar Something in the Air (Live Paris 99) (2020)
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Gerry Leonard
  • 2000 (session)
  • 2002–2004
  • 2011–2012 (session)
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • Heathen (2002)
  • Reality (2003)
  • A Reality Tour (2010)
  • The Next Day (2013)
  • Toy (2021)
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David Torn
  • 2001–2002
  • 2011–2012 (both session)
  • Heathen (2002)
  • Reality (2003)
  • The Next Day (2013)
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Matt Chamberlain 2001–2002 (session)
  • drums
  • drum loop programming
  • percussion
  • Heathen (2002)
  • Reality (2003)
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Catherine Russell 2002–2004
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards
  • percussion
  • guitar
  • Reality (2003)
  • A Reality Tour (2010)
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Donny McCaslin 2015 (session)
  • tenor saxophone
  • flute
Blackstar (2016)
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Jason Lindner
  • piano
  • Wurlitzer organ
  • keyboards
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Tim Lefebvre bass
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Mark Guiliana
  • drums
  • percussion
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Ben Monder guitar
Close

Timeline

Touring/session
Session

Line-ups[96]

More information Period, Members ...
Period Members Releases
June – Late 1962

(The Konrads)[2]

Late 1962 – Mid 1963

(The Konrads)[2]

  • David Jones – vocals, saxophone
  • Neville Wills – lead guitar
  • Rocky Shahan – bass guitar
  • Dave Hadfield – drums
  • Roger Ferris – vocals
  • Christine Patton – vocals
  • Stella Patton – vocals
  • Alan Dodds – rhythm guitar
July – November 1963

(The Hooker Brothers/Dave’s Reds and Blues)[3]

  • Davie Jones – vocals, saxophone
  • George Underwood – guitar, harmonica
  • Viv Andrews – drums
1964

(Davie Jones and the King Bees)[6]

  • Davie Jones – vocals, saxophone
  • George Underwood – vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
  • Roger Bluck – lead guitar
  • Dave Howard – bass guitar
  • Robert Allen – drums
1964/5

(The Manish Boys)[97][98]

  • Davie Jones – vocals, saxophone
  • John Watson – bass guitar
  • Johnny Flux – guitar
  • Paul Rodriguez – tenor saxophone, trumpet
  • Woolf Byrne – baritone saxophone
  • Bob Solly – keyboards
  • Mick White – drums
Early 1965

(Davie Jones and the Lower Third)[8]

  • Davie Jones – vocals, saxophone, guitar
  • Denis Taylor – guitar, backing vocals
  • Graham Rivens – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Les Mighall – drums
1965/6

(Davie Jones and the Lower Third)[8]

  • Davie Jones – vocals, saxophone, guitar
  • Denis Taylor – guitar, backing vocals
  • Graham Rivens – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Phil Lancaster – drums, backing vocals
February – June 1966[99]

(David Bowie and the Buzz)[12]

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • John Hutchinson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Derek Boyes – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Derek Fearnley – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • John Eager – drums, backing vocals
June[100] – November 1966[101]

(David Bowie and the Buzz)[12][13]

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Derek Boyes – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Derek Fearnley – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • John Eager – drums, backing vocals
  • Billy Gray – guitar
November – December 1966

(David Bowie and the Buzz)[12][13]

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Derek Boyes – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Derek Fearnley – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • John Eager – drums, backing vocals
  • Big Jim Sullivan – guitar, banjo, sitar (session)
March – May 1967

(The Riot Squad)[102]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Bob Evans – saxophone, flute
  • Rod ‘Rook’ Davis – guitar
  • George Butcher – keyboards
  • Brian ‘Croke’ Prebble – bass guitar, vocals
  • Derek ‘Del’ Roll – drums
  • "Gotta Be a First Time" / "Bittersweet Love" (1967)
May 1968

(as The Tony Visconti Orchestra)

September – November 1968

(Turquoise)[19]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, mime
  • Hermione Farthingale – vocals, guitar, dance
  • Tony Hill – vocals, guitar
November 1968 – March 1969

(Feathers)[103]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, mime
  • Hermione Farthingale – vocals, guitar, dance
  • John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson – vocals, guitar, tape op
March 1969

(David Bowie and Hutch)[104]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, mime
  • John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson – vocals, guitar, tape op
June 1969 – February 1970

(David Bowie with Junior's Eyes)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar
  • Mick Wayne – guitar
  • Tim Renwick – guitar
  • John ‘Honk’ Lodge – bass guitar
  • John Cambridge – drums
1970

(David Bowie)[105]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar
  • Tony Visconti – bass guitar
  • Tex Johnson – congas (occasional shows)
February – April 1970

(The Hype)[23]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, organ
  • Tony Visconti – bass guitar
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • John Cambridge – drums
April – November 1970

(The Hype)[23]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, organ
  • Tony Visconti – bass guitar
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • Benny Marshall – harmonica (occasional shows)
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Mark Pritchett – guitar (occasional shows)
November 1970 –

(The Hype)[23]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, organ
  • Tony Visconti – bass guitar
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Benny Marshall – harmonica
1971

(The Arnold Corns)[106][107]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar
  • Mark Carr-Pritchett – guitar
  • Rudi Valentino (Freddie Burretti) – vocals (stand-in)
  • Pete De Somogyl – bass guitar
  • Tim Broadbent – drums
1971[108]
  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar
  • Mark Carr-Pritchett – guitar, vocals
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, bass guitar
  • Herbie Flowers – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
none – a line-up that was originally going to play on In Concert: John Peel[108]
June 1971

(David Bowie and friends)[109][110]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar
  • Mark Carr-Pritchett – guitar, vocals
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
1971

(David Bowie)[111][112]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, organ
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, bass guitar, vocals
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Rick Wakeman – piano (one show)
  • Tom Parker – piano (one show)
1972

(David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars Ziggy Stardust Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
June 1972

(David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars Ziggy Stardust Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Matthew Fisher – piano[26]
June – July 1972

(David Bowie and the Spiders From Mars Ziggy Stardust Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Robin Lumley – piano[26]
August – September 1972

(David Bowie and the Spiders From Mars Ziggy Stardust Tour + Sounds of the 70s: John Peel show)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Nicky Graham – piano[25]
September – December 1972

(David Bowie and the Spiders From Mars Ziggy Stardust Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Mike Garson – piano, keyboards[27]
January – July 1973

(David Bowie and the Spiders From Mars Ziggy Stardust Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone, mime
  • Mick Ronson – lead guitar, vocals
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey – drums
  • Mike Garson – piano, keyboards
  • John Hutchinson – rhythm guitar
  • Ken Fordham – saxophone
  • Brian Wilshaw – saxophone, flute
  • Geoffrey MacCormack – vocals, percussion
October 1973

(The 1980 Floor Show)[113]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Mick Ronson – guitar
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
  • Aynsley Dunbar – drums
  • Mark Pritchett – guitar
  • The Astronettes – Ava Cherry, Geoff MacCormack, Jason Guess – vocals
January–February 1974

(Sessions)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone, keyboards
  • Aynsley Dunbar – drums
  • Mike Garson – keyboards
  • Herbie Flowers – bass guitar
  • Tony Newman – drums
  • Alan Parker – guitar (one track)
June–July 1974

(The Diamond Dogs Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Mike Garson – piano, Mellotron
  • Gui Andrisano, Warren Peace (Geoff MacCormack) – backing vocals
  • Michael Kamen – electric piano, Moog synthesizer, oboe, musical director
  • Earl Slick – guitar
  • David Sanborn, Richard Grando – saxophone, flute
  • Herbie Flowers – bass guitar
  • Tony Newman – drums
  • Pablo Rosario – percussion
September 1974

(The Diamond Dogs Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Mike Garson – piano, Mellotron
  • Michael Kamen – electric piano, Moog, oboe
  • Earl Slick, Carlos Alomar – guitar
  • David Sanborn, Richard Grando – saxophone, flute
  • Doug Rauch – bass guitar
  • Greg Errico – drums
  • Pablo Rosario – percussion
  • Gui Andrisano, Warren Peace (Geoff MacCormack), Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Luther Vandross – backing vocals
August–October 1974
  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Mike Garson – piano
  • Earl Slick, Carlos Alomar – guitars
  • David Sanborn – saxophone
  • Willie Weeks – bass guitar
  • Andy Newmark – drums
October–December 1974

(The Soul Tour/Philly Dogs Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Earl Slick, Carlos Alomar – guitar
  • Mike Garson – piano, Mellotron
  • David Sanborn – saxophone, flute
  • Pablo Rosario – percussion
  • Warren Peace (Geoff MacCormack), Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Luther Vandross – backing vocals
  • Emir Ksasan – bass guitar
  • Dennis Davis – drums
February – May 1976

(Isolar – 1976 Tour)[42]

  • David Bowie – vocals, saxophone
  • Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Dennis Davis – drums, percussion
  • Stacy Heydon – lead guitar: vocals
  • George Murray – bass guitar, vocals
  • Tony Kaye – keyboards
September–October 1976

(sessions)

  • David Bowie – vocals, saxophone, guitar, keyboards, Chamberlin
  • Carlos Alomar – rhythm and lead guitar
  • Dennis Davis – drums, percussion
  • George Murray – bass guitar
  • Brian Eno – keyboards, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Ricky Gardiner – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Roy Young – piano, organ
July–August 1977

(sessions)

  • David Bowie – vocals, keyboards, guitars, saxophone, koto, tambourine, backing vocals, producer
  • Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar
  • Dennis Davis – drums, percussion
  • George Murray – bass guitar
  • Brian Eno – synthesisers, keyboards, guitar treatments
  • Robert Fripp – lead guitar
  • Tony Visconti – percussion, backing vocals, producer
  • Antonia Maass (Maaß) – backing vocals
March – November 1978

(Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour)[47]

  • David Bowie – vocals, Chamberlin
  • Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • George Murray – bass guitar, vocals
  • Dennis Davis – drums, percussion
  • Adrian Belew – lead guitar, vocals
  • Sean Mayes – piano, string ensemble, vocals
  • Roger Powell – keyboards, synthesizer, vocals
  • Simon House – electric violin, backing vocals
November 1978

(Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour)[47]

  • David Bowie – vocals, Chamberlin
  • Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • George Murray – bass guitar, vocals
  • Dennis Davis – drums, percussion
  • Adrian Belew – lead guitar, vocals
  • Sean Mayes – piano, string ensemble, vocals
  • Simon House – electric violin, backing vocals
  • Dennis Garcia – keyboards, synthesizer
November – December 1978

(Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour)[47]

  • David Bowie – vocals, Chamberlin
  • Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • George Murray – bass guitar, vocals
  • Dennis Davis – drums, percussion
  • Adrian Belew – lead guitar, vocals
  • Sean Mayes – piano, string ensemble, vocals
  • Simon House – electric violin, backing vocals
  • Roger Powell – keyboards, synthesizer, vocals
February–April 1980

(sessions)

December 1982

(sessions)

May – December 1983

(Serious Moonlight Tour)[53]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Carlos Alomar – guitar, vocals
  • Earl Slick – guitar
  • Dave Lebolt – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Steve Elson – saxophones
  • Stan Harrison, Lenny Pickett – saxophones, woodwinds
  • Carmine Rojas – bass guitar
  • Tony Thompson – drums, percussion
  • George Simms, Frank Simms – backing vocals
May–June 1984

(Sessions)

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Carlos Alomar – guitars
  • Carmine Rojas – bass guitar
  • Stanley Harrison – alto saxophone; tenor saxophone
  • Lenny Pickett – tenor saxophone; clarinet
  • Steve Elson – baritone saxophone
  • Derek Bramble – guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Omar Hakim – drums
  • Guy St. Onge – marimba
  • Sammy Figueroa – percussion
  • Robin Clark, George Simms, Curtis King – backing vocals
  • Arif Mardin – string arrangements; synthesisers
  • Mark Pender – flugelhorn; trumpet
15 July 1985

(Live Aid – Wembley Stadium, London)[57]

September–November 1986

(Session)

May – November 1987

(Glass Spider Tour)[114]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar
  • Carlos Alomar, Peter Frampton, Charlie Sexton:[a] guitar, vocals
  • Carmine Rojas – bass guitar
  • Erdal Kızılçay – keyboards, trumpet, congas, violin, vocals
  • Richard Cottle – keyboards, saxophone, tambourine, vocals
  • Alan Childs – drums
June – July 1989

(Tin Machine Tour)

March – September 1990

(Sound + Vision Tour)[62]

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Adrian Belew – guitar, backing vocals
  • Erdal Kızılçay – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Rick Fox – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Michael Hodges – drums
October 1991 – February 1992

(Tin Machine: It's My Life Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone
  • Reeves Gabrels – lead guitar, vocals
  • Tony Sales – bass guitar, vocals
  • Hunt Sales – drums, vocals
  • Eric Schermerhorn – rhythm guitar, vocals
April–November 1992

(sessions)

August 1993
  • David Bowie – vocals, keyboards, synths, guitar, alto and baritone saxophones, keyboard percussion
  • Erdal Kızılçay – keyboards, trumpet, bass, guitar, drums, percussion
March–November 1994, January–February 1995
  • David Bowie – vocals, saxophone, guitar, keyboards
  • Erdal Kızılçay – bass, keyboards
  • Brian Eno – synthesisers, treatments
  • Reeves Gabrels – guitar
  • Mike Garson – grand piano
  • Sterling Campbell – drums
  • Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar
  • Joey Baron – drums
  • Yossi Fine – bass
September 1995 – February 1996

(Outside Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Reeves Gabrels – guitar
  • Carlos Alomar – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mike Garson – piano
  • Peter Schwartz – synthesizer
  • George Simms – backing vocals, keyboards
  • Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, vocals
  • Zachary Alford – drums
June 1996 – November 1997

(Outside Summer Festivals Tour and Earthling Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals
  • Reeves Gabrels – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Garson – keyboards, vocals
  • Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, vocals
  • Zachary Alford – drums
April–June 1999
  • David Bowie – vocals, drum programming, 12-string guitar, keyboards
  • Reeves Gabrels – drum programming, guitar, synthesiser programming
  • Mark Plati – bass guitar, acoustic and electric 12-string guitar, synth and drum programming
  • Mike Levesque – drums, percussion
October – December 1999

(Hours Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Mike Garson – piano, keyboards
  • Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Page Hamilton – lead guitar
  • Mark Plati – rhythm guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Sterling Campbell – drums, percussion
  • Holly Palmer – backing vocals, percussion
  • Emm Gryner – backing vocals
June 2000

(Mini Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
  • Mike Garson – keyboards, piano
  • Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, clarinet, vocals
  • Mark Plati – rhythm guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Sterling Campbell – drums, percussion
  • Holly Palmer – percussion, vocals
  • Emm Gryner – keyboard, clarinet, vocals
  • Earl Slick – lead guitar
August 2001 – January 2002

(Sessions)

  • David Bowie – vocals, keyboards, guitars, saxophone, stylophone, drums
  • Tony Visconti – bass, guitars, recorders, string arrangements, backing vocals
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums, drum loop programming, percussion
  • David Torn – guitars, guitar loops, Omnichord
June – October 2002

(Heathen Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone, harmonica, stylophone
  • Mike Garson – piano, keyboards
  • Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, guitar, vocals
  • Mark Plati – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Sterling Campbell – drums, percussion
  • Earl Slick – guitar
  • Gerry Leonard – guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Catherine Russell – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
January–May 2003

(Sessions)

  • David Bowie – vocals; guitar; keyboards; synthesiser; saxophone; Stylophone; percussion; harmonica
  • Mike Garson – piano
  • Gail Ann Dorsey – backing vocals
  • Mark Plati – bass guitar; guitar
  • Sterling Campbell – drums
  • Earl Slick – guitar
  • Gerry Leonard – guitar
  • Catherine Russell – backing vocals
  • David Torn – guitar
  • Tony Visconti – guitar; keyboards, bass guitar, backing vocals
October 2003 – June 2004

(A Reality Tour)

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitars, stylophone, harmonica
  • Gail Ann Dorsey – bass guitar, vocals
  • Mike Garson – piano, keyboards
  • Sterling Campbell – drums
  • Earl Slick – guitar
  • Gerry Leonard – guitar, backing vocals
  • Catherine Russell – keyboards, percussion, guitar, backing vocals
Close

Additional session musicians

Musicians that are either credited as additional personnel or contributed to fewer than 4 tracks on an album.

More information Image, Name ...
Image Name Years active Instrumens Release contributions
Thumb
Jimmy Page 1965 lead guitar "I Pity the Fool" (1965)
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Nicky Hopkins piano "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" (1965)
Shel Talmy backing vocals
Leslie Conn
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Glyn Johns
Thumb
Tony Hatch 1965–1966
  • piano
  • backing vocals
Chick Norton 1966 trumpet "Rubber Band" (1966)
Gus Dudgeon 1967 (died 2002) gnome vocal "The Laughing Gnome" (1967)
Peter Hampshire 1967 guitar
Thumb
John Renbourn 1967 (died 2015) acoustic guitar "Love You till Tuesday" (1967)
Marion Constable 1966–1967 backing vocals David Bowie (1967)
Arthur Greenslade 1966–1967 (died 2003) arrangements
Andy White 1966–1968 (died 2015) drums The World of David Bowie (1970)
Godfrey McLean 1970 "The Prettiest Star" (1970)
Thumb
Ken Scott 1971 ARP synthesiser Hunky Dory (1971)[95]
Alan Parker 1974 guitar Diamond Dogs (1974)
Thumb
John Lennon 1974–1975 (died 1980)
  • vocals
  • guitar
Young Americans (1975)
Ralph MacDonald 1974–1975 (died 2011) percussion
Larry Washington 1974–1975 (died 1999) congas
Jean Fineberg 1974–1975 backing vocals
Jean Millington
Harry Maslin 1975
  • melodica
  • synthesiser
  • vibraphone
  • baritone sax
Station to Station (1976)
Thumb
Iggy Pop
  • 1976
  • 1984
backing vocals
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Mary Visconti 1976 Low (1977)
Eduard Meyer cellos
J. Peter Robinson pianos and ARP
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Pete Townshend
  • 1980
  • 2001–2002
guitar
Chuck Hammer 1980 guitar synthesiser Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
Michi Hirota voice
Thumb
Mark King 1984 bass guitar Tonight (1984)
Rob Yale Fairlight CMI
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Tina Turner 1984 (died 2023) lead vocals
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Mickey Rourke 1986 mid-song rap Never Let Me Down (1987)
Sid McGinnis lead guitar
Wild T. Springer 1992 Black Tie White Noise (1993)
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Al B. Sure! vocal duet
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Lester Bowie 1992 (died 1999) trumpet
Rob Clydesdale 1993
  • drums
  • bass
  • guitar
The Buddha of Suburbia (1993)
Gary Taylor
Isaac Daniel Prevost
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Lenny Kravitz guitar
Tom Frish 1994 additional guitar Outside (1995)
Bryony Edwards background vocals
Lola Edwards
Josey Edwards
Ruby Edwards
Everett Bradley 1999 percussion Hours (1999)
Chris Haskett rhythm guitar
Marcus Salisbury bass guitar
Thumb
Lisa Germano 2000–2002
  • acoustic and electric violin
  • recorder
  • mandolin
  • accordion
  • Toy (2021)
  • Heathen (2002)
Thumb
Cuong Vu 2000 trumpet Toy (2021)
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Tony Levin
  • 2001–2002
  • 2011–2012
bass guitar
Greg Kitzis 2001–2002 first violin Heathen (2002)
Meg Okura second violin
Martha Mooke viola
Mary Wooten cello
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Jordan Rudess keyboards
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Kristeen Young
  • backing vocals
  • piano
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Dave Grohl guitar
Gary Miller additional guitar
John Read bass
Solá Ákingbolá percussion
Philip Sheppard electric cello
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Mario J. McNulty 2003 additional percussion and drums Reality (2003)
Janice Pendarvis 2011–2012 backing vocals The Next Day (2013)
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Henry Hey piano
Maxim Moston strings
Antoine Silverman
Anja Wood
Hiroko Taguchi
Thumb
James Murphy 2015 percussion Blackstar (2016)
Erin Tonkon backing vocals
Close

References

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