Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

David Bowie dead: watch his first live televised performance

He performed the song 'Space Oddity' at the Ivor Novello Awards in 1969

Jacob Stolworthy
Monday 11 January 2016 10:46 EST
Comments
David Bowie's first live televised performance at the Ivor Novello Awards in 1969
David Bowie's first live televised performance at the Ivor Novello Awards in 1969 (YouTube)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

David Bowie died peacefully on early Monday at the age of 69, sparking an outpour of tributes from across the world.

The singer only released his final album Blackstar last week - but this video takes us right back to the beginning, to the icon's first ever live televised performance.

Taking place at the Ivor Novello awards in London during the Autumn of 1969, the clip sees Bowie performing classic track "Space Oddity" after which he accepts a Special Merit Award for Originality.

It's interesting to note how the clip conveys no sign as to the direction the singer was destined to go just a year later. 1969 saw the release of Bowie's eponymous second studio album which was was followed by 1970's The Man Who Sold the World, his first with backing band Spiders from Mars - an album which many attribute to the birth of glam rock.

However, the above clip wasn't the first time Bowie appeared on TV. Below is a clip of the icon performing a lip-synched version of the song on Swiss music series Hits a Go Go.

Taking it right back to 1964, in the below clip you can hear Bowie on TV before he was actually Bowie; back then, he performed as Davie Jones with band, The King Bees.

This song, "Liza Jane", was their first ever single.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in