Radio Times: Review by:; Jack Seale

Ziggy Stardust was only a brief flash of alien light: James Hale’s superb David Bowie and the Story of Ziggy Stardust reminds us that there was just a year between Starman on Top of the Pops and Bowie’s brutal axing of his alter ego at the Hammersmith Odeon. But 40 years later Ziggy is still shining, still inspiring musicians and fans to turn rock music into a wide canvas splashed with strange colour. Bowie and the late Mick Ronson are about the only absentees as the Spiders and their acolytes recall how Bowie, after years of fickle fame-chasing, found himself by pretending to be someone else. Gary Kemp, Elton John and Marc Almond are among those expressing gratitude.

About this programme

Jarvis Cocker narrates an insight into the singer-songwriter's creation of his glam-rock alter ego, revealing how his hairstyles, fashion sense, stage presentation and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars turned him into a star. Featuring contributions by Elton John, Marc Almond, Holly Johnson, Peter Hook and Jon Savage.