Recorded: 10–31 July 1973
Producers: Ken Scott, David Bowie
Engineer: Dennis MacKay
Released: 19 October 1973
Personnel
David Bowie: vocals, guitar, saxophone, harmonica, Moog synthesizer
Mick Ronson: guitar, vocals
Trevor Bolder: bass guitar
Mike Garson: piano, electric piano, harpsichord, Moog synthesizer
Aynsley Dunbar: drums
Ken Fordham: baritone saxophone
Michel Ripoche: violin
Geoff MacCormack: backing vocals
Tracklisting
- ‘Rosalyn’
- ‘Here Comes The Night’
- ‘I Wish You Would’
- ‘See Emily Play’
- ‘Everything’s Alright’
- ‘I Can’t Explain’
- ‘Friday On My Mind’
- ‘Sorrow’
- ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’
- ‘Shapes Of Things’
- ‘Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere’
- ‘Where Have All The Good Times Gone’
Perhaps David Bowie’s most overlooked studio album of the 1970s, Pin Ups was a collection of twelve cover versions, mostly by British groups from from the 1960s mod scene.
Pin Ups was Bowie’s final album featuring guitarist Mick Ronson, until 1993’s Black Tie White Noise. It was also his final collaboration with producer Ken Scott.
The album was recorded in the weeks immediately after Bowie’s on-stage retirement of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. Although he had publicly broken up the band, Bowie retained Trevor Bolder on bass guitar after his first choice, Cream’s Jack Bruce, was unable to attend the sessions.
Also retained from the previous album and tour were Mike Garson, who added electric piano and harpsichord to his normal piano, and backing singer Geoff MacCormack. Ken Fordham played baritone sax and flute, and Michel Ripoche was drafted in on violin.
The Spiders From Mars had been broken up after the famed Hammersmith Odeon ‘last show ever’ performance and only Mick Ronson and Mike Garson were to be kept on for this recording. Aynsley Dunbar was brought in on drums and there was supposed to be a new bass player, but he pulled out and so Trevor Bolder was brought back into the fold. This led to a slightly less conducive atmosphere than on the last three albums.
Five Years (1969–1973) book
Each of Bowie’s previous albums recorded with Scott – Hunky Dory, The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, and Aladdin Sane – had contained one cover version and a number of Bowie originals. The intention was to reverse the formula on Pin Ups, by including a solitary Bowie song.
It was originally conceived to contain one of David’s songs and the rest covers of songs by English club bands of the Sixties, the opposite of the last three albums, but somehow David’s song never came to fruition. For the covers we would listen to the original records, then a decision was made as to whether to keep close to that arrangement or change it, then work it out and record.
Five Years (1969–1973) book
An early plan was to record a new version of Bowie’s 1966 song ‘The London Boys’, as a series of single-verse snippets to be interspersed between the other songs. This idea never came to pass, and there is no evidence that the song was re-recorded at the sessions.
Eel Pie Island was also mentioned in George Harrison’s song ‘Cockamamie Business’.
Excellent research and fascinating detail. Just wondered why guests Pete Townshend (Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere) and Dave Davies (Where Have All The Good Times Gone) weren’t mentioned. They’re on the album sleeve. Aynsley Dunbar’s drumming on this album is fantastic, especially on “Anyway….” A nice surprise as I remembered he played with John Mayall”s Bluesbreakers on the album A Hard Road (with Peter Green). So many people are negative about Pin – Ups but I love it – especially as it introduced me to the early Yardbirds and The Pretty Things -the arrangements (especially See Emily Play and I Can’t Explain) are inventive and exciting, the musicianship exquisite and Bowie’s vocals are stunning. Thanks very much for creating this wonderful site – and The Beatles Bible !
I can’t find any mention of Townshend or Davies being on the album, in the sleeve notes or elsewhere. Where did you hear that?
I’m posting various Bowie, Who and Kinks fan pages to find out if anyone knows the facts about this. I bought the Lp of Pin – Ups when it was released in the UK and I’m sure I recall Bowie’s handwritten notes on the back or inner sleeve stating that Dave and Pete had provided backing vocals on respectively , Anyway, Anyhow , Anywhere and Where Have All The Good Times Gone. But I haven’t been able to confirm this anyway, anyhow or anywhere ! Perhaps Pete and Dave would know ? It certainly sounds like them and they’re both very distinctive vocalists. I’ll let you know the results…. Love On Ya !
If ya didn’t know already? The 1980 floor show showcased some of the tracks on Pin-ups plus space oddity, jean genie,+ i got you babe the Sonny+ Cher song, the outfits he wears are incredible and outrageous if ya haven’t seen it do so its frigging awesome and David looks fabulous as usual
Anybody who dismisses this is thick. David really started working his vocals. Although the sessions were fraught w/tension it sounds like a light hearted fun arvo with his m8s.