Michael T. hosted his most ambitious David Bowie Birthday Retrospective at the Bowery Electric on January 18. The program, honoring Bowie 10 years after his death, featured almost 50 songs, reflecting the 50 years of Bowie’s musical career. The evening featured more than 30 guest performers and 14 musicians across six sets.
David Bowie became one of the most influential rock stars of the 20th century with the 1972 release of his fifth album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at over 100 million worldwide, made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. The British singer’s legacy has lived on, past his death from liver cancer in his New York City apartment on January 10, 2016, just two days after his 69th birthday.
Michael T., a New York City born-and-bred nightlife promoter, performer, master of ceremonies and disc jockey, grew up idolizing Bowie, adopting Bowie’s persona into his own artistic identity. At the start of the 21st century, Michael T. began hosting extravagant tribute shows at local clubs to celebrate Bowie’s music and birthday. These multi-part shows covered decades of Bowie’s work, with segments featuring Michael T. as the principal performer, interspersed with segments featuring numerous local singers.
Mike Pfeiffer served as the master of ceremonies. The house band consisted of guitarist Julian Maile, keyboardist Robert Bose, bassist Stan Esposito II, and drummer Matt James. Charlie Martin of CBGB‘s fame handled sound and lights.
The David Bowie Birthday Retrospective Concert Setlist
Set 1
- “Let Me Sleep Beside You,” performed by Joanna Choy
- “Janine,” performed by Nathan Yates Douglass
- “Black Country Rock,” performed by Walker Hornung
- “Quicksand,” by Stella Rose Saint Clair
- “Lady Stardust,” performed by Andrea Sicco
- “It Ain’t Easy,” performed by Libby Tatum
- “Wild Is the Wind,” performed by John Brodeur
Set 2
- “Blackstar,” performed by Michael T.
- “Five Years,” performed by Michael T.
- “We Are the Dead,” performed by Michael T.
- “Time,” performed by Michael T.
- “Sons of the Silent Age,” performed by Michael T.
- “Loving the Alien,” performed by Michael T.
Set 3
- “The Stars (Are Out Tonight),” performed by Johnny Couch
- “New Killer Star,” performed by Brett Thiele
- “The Hearts Filthy Lesson,” performed by Minnie Dee
- “Under the God,” performed by Corey TuT
- “Strangers When We Meet,” performed by Athan Maroulis
- “This Is Not America,” performed by Steve Myers
- “I’m Afraid of Americans,” performed by Craigman
- “When the Wind Blows,” performed by Lorinda Lisitza
- “Absolute Beginners,” performed by Rob Buchwald and Maryanne Piccolo
- “Magic Dance,” performed by Mike Pfeiffer
Set 4
- “Station to Station,” performed by Michael T.
- “Look Back in Anger,” performed by Michael T.
- “Breaking Glass,” performed by Michael T.
- “Up the Hill Backwards,” performed by Michael T
- “Boys Keep Swinging,” performed by Michael T.
- “Blackout,” performed by Michael T.
- “Fashion,” performed by Michael T.
Sets 5/6 (merged)
- “The Man Who Sold The World,” performed by Michael T.
- “Sorrow,” performed by Michael T.
- “Life on Mars,” performed by Mike Greko
- “Starman,” performed by Jeremy Fury
- “Space Oddity,” performed by Jack James Busa
- “Ashes to Ashes,” performed by Boy Radio
- “Sound and Vision,” performed by Fiona Silver
- “Golden Years,” performed by Zacher
- “Changes,” performed by Kyle Supley
- “All The Young Dudes,” performed by Shannon Conley
- “Ziggy Stardust,” performed by Richard Dev Greene
- “Heroes,” performed by Michael Hong
- “Fame,” performed by Nata Palan
- “Under Pressure,” performed by Chris Hall & Cassie Nadeau
- “Rebel Rebel,” performed by Richard Barone
- “Moonage Daydream,” performed by Mike Fornatale
- “Let’s Dance,” performed by Peppermint
- “Jean Genie,” performed by Michael T.
- “Waiting for the Man,” performed by Michael T.
The Manhattan Beat covers New York City’s live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.
For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the home page and click on the pop-up tab “Where to Find Live Music.”
For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat’s February calendar.
Photo Credit – Ben Eisendrath / @insomnigraphic
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