January 26, 1974 Mick Ronson NME Rainbow Gig

RONSON'S RAINBOW

MICK RONSON, former leader of David Bowie's backing group the Spiders From Mars, launches his solo career in style next month when he headlines two major concerts at London Rainbow Theatre on Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23. And further concert dates, in key provincial cities, are at present being lined up for him. Ronson will be supported by Mike Garson (key- boards), Trevor Bolder (bass) and Ayn- sley Dunbar (drums).

Ronson, whose debut solo single "Love Me Tender" has just been released, has his first album issued by RCA on February 15. Titled "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue", it was produced, arranged and mixed by Ronson, who is featured on all the vocals. He also wrote most of the tracks, although the album does include a new Bowie composition titled "Growing Up In Advance". TV appearances for Ronson are at present being negotiated.

Bowie: U.S. stay to set up revue

DAVID BOWIE leaves Britain in mid-February to spend several months in New York, where he will be working on preparations for his stage revue "The 1980 Floor Show". This is now the title provisionally chosen for his musical adaptation of George Orwell's novel "1984" which, as previously exclusively reported by NME, is to be premiered in London's West End this year. Working with Bowie in mounting the show will be Tony Ingratsia, co-author with Andy Warhol of "Pork", which played a season at London Roundhouse in 1971.

Meanwhile, Bowie is currently working in London's Olympia Studios on the album of "The 1980 Floor Show". Tracks in production this week were titled "Big Brother" and "Are You Coming? Are You Coming?". The exact date of his departure for New York depends upon how soon the album is completed. By the same token, the date of the opening of the stage show hinges upon the progress made in mounting it but Bowie is aiming for a London opening in late spring or early summer.

Trevor Bolder and Mike Garson are playing some of Bowie's Olympic sessions, and among recent visitors to the studios have been Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart. It is understood that the switch of title from "1984" to "1980" is intended to avoid any copyright problems which might otherwise arise.

The U.S. TV special of David Bowie's concert at London Marquee last autumn which also featured the Troggs, Marianne Faithfull and Carmen --has been acquired for British screening by ITV. No trans- mission details have yet been fixed.