The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: COURTESY OF TIM CONLEY Tim Conley, who dresses as David Bowie from the 1972 album, can also be seen in bands, Kite to the Moon and Abbey Road LIVE! [Click to enlarge]

The year was 1972, a mere three years after Apollo 11 landed on the moon.

In response to a culture fascinated with the idea of outer space, English artist David Bowie released the space-themed glam-rock album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars."

This album, which proved a massive success and propelled Bowie to stardom, is now widely regarded as a classic.

Tonight at the Georgia Theatre, a collective of local musicians will pay tribute to the monumental influence of "Ziggy Stardust."

Tim Conley, who plays the part of legendary Bowie, will lead the band. Conley is recognized in the Classic City as a member of the popular Beatles tribute group Abbey Road LIVE! as well as his original project Kite to the Moon.

He will perform alongside bassist Jay Rodgers (of Kite to the Moon), keyboardist Michael Wegner (of Abbey Road LIVE!) and drummer Andrew Hanmer (of both groups). The lineup is rounded out by saxophonist John James and guitarists Chris McKay and Chris Giddens.

These seven musicians previously paid tribute to Bowie and his music at the Theatre on Halloween of 2008. That show's enthusiastic reception prompted the group to reunite for a second performance.

"'Ziggy Stardust' the album lends itself incredibly well to a stage show because of the costuming and the theme," Conley said. "It can really be played out on the stage."

Bowie's chief inspiration for the album's theme was a performer from the '60s named Vince Taylor, who allegedly went insane while performing in front of a crowd of thousands.

"Bowie was affected by [Taylor's] real-life story," Conley said. "So the alter-ego of Ziggy Stardust was formed - a 'space-man' who had lost his mind but had all this charisma."

In the wake of the success of this character and the related album, Bowie became Ziggy himself in the public eye.

Continued...

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