David Bowie’s ‘Diamond Dogs’ Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Special Edition Releases

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s iconic 1974 album ‘Diamond Dogs,’ a special reissue is set to hit the shelves later this year. The limited edition release will feature a half-speed mastered LP and a picture disc LP, both pressed from the original master, and is scheduled to be available on May 24 via Parlophone – precisely on the album’s anniversary.

Originally produced by Bowie himself, the album marked a significant departure from the glam rock sound of ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and ‘Aladdin Sane.’ Bowie, playing lead guitar in the absence of Mick Ronson, navigated away from his abandoned projects inspired by George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and William S. Burroughs’ writings. Instead, ‘Diamond Dogs’ showcased Bowie’s exploration of soul and funk, a musical journey he would further develop in his 1975 release, ‘Young Americans.’

Adding to the excitement for Bowie fans, a new album titled ‘Waiting In The Sky (Before The Starman Came To Earth)’ is slated for release during this year’s Record Store Day on April 20. The album comprises recordings from Trident Studios in 1971, featuring songs that later contributed to Bowie’s legendary 1972 release, ‘Ziggy Stardust.’

In other Bowie-related news, a street in Paris has been recently named in honor of the legendary singer, while a handwritten lyric sheet containing corrections, drafts, and notes for tracks ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide’ and ‘Suffragette City’ from the seminal ‘Ziggy Stardust’ LP is estimated to fetch up to £100,000 at auction.

Notably, Brian May shared his thoughts last week, expressing his dissatisfaction with the final mix of Queen’s collaboration with Bowie on ‘Under Pressure.’ May claimed that the song lost its “heavy guitar” sound after Bowie’s involvement.

The upcoming releases and celebrations affirm Bowie’s enduring influence and legacy in the music industry, providing fans with an opportunity to revisit and appreciate his groundbreaking work.