On this day in 1972, spaceman Ziggy Stardust first appeared on Earth at Greater London’s Toby Jug Pub and performed to about 60 patrons. It was five months until his first album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars would be released to the public. The androgynous alien rock star came to Earth to deliver a message of hope and to save the planet from disaster due to our draining of natural resources. After accumulating a hoard of fans and being worshipped as a messiah, Ziggy eventually dies as a victim of his own inflated ego, succumbing to fame and excess. His brief time on Earth became a reflection of a society that worships its celebrities.

David Bowie was an obscure young artist at the start of 1972, but he had full confidence that his Ziggy Stardust character would be a big international hit, and he was right. He had quickly created an icon and launched a life-long career with two Ziggy albums and an ambitious rock tour of 60 concerts in the UK, the US, and Japan. Then Bowie retired the character in July of 1973, just 18 months after Ziggy’s first little performance.

Music Du Jour: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Films Du Jour:

• Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars 1973 Movie
• David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust (2017)
• David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust – Bob Carruthers
• Moonage Daydream (2023)
• Labyrinth (1986)
• The Hunger (1983)
• The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
• Basquiat (1996)
• Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983)
• The Prestige (2006)
• The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
• Zoolander (2001)

Miscellaneous:

• Graphic Novel: BOWIE: Stardust, Rayguns, & Moonage Daydreams
• Bing Crosby and David Bowie Power Duo Little Drummer Boy
• Got a record player? Buy the vinyl of the remastered album
• Ziggy Starduck

Snacks du Jour: Bowie as Ziggy Stardust in the 1970s survived mostly on red peppers, milk, and cocaine, but later his favorite meal was said to be shepherd’s pie. Also, here’s a recipe for Spiders from Mars Cupcakes.

Cocktail Du Jour – Ziggy Stardust Cocktail

Bowie quit drinking completely in 1990, but in the 1960s he dabbled in mixology. This honorary martini comes from ObsevFood. Here’s a video.

• 5 oz vodka
• 5 oz violet liqueur
• 1 dash orange bitters
• 5 oz Goldschlager

Pour your vodka, violet liqueur, and bitters over ice and strain into a martini glass. In a separate shot glass add Goldschlager, light it on fire with a match or grill lighter and raise it above the martini glass. As you pour in the flaming Goldschlager, sprinkle powdered cinnamon over the martini.

Mocktail Du Jour – Ziggy Stardust Mocktail

This recipe is inspired by Somerset Bar in Cincinnati, OH and is probably something Ziggy would like:

• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz hibiscus syrup
• 5 oz lime juice
• 3 oz coconut milk

Pour ingredients over ice and stir. Garnish with a spear of fresh blueberries or cherries.

 Beer Du Jour

Weird and Gilly beer, Major Tom beer, Labyrinth labels, Starbase Starhopped, and Mars Beer all follow the theme. Also, Bowie was known to drink Heineken as well as barley wine, which is a strong beer often used for aging.

Wine Du Jour

Wines to drink in honor of David Bowie.

Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer. 

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Photo credit: “Ziggy on Mars” AI art by BDJ, 2023