89: David Bowie – Space Oddity

89: Space Oddity David Bowie (1969) Producer: Gus Dudgeon Released to coincide with the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969, Space Oddity was Bowie’s first hit, reaching number five and topping the charts when reissued in 1975. Rick Wakeman plays Mellotron on it, but the most distinctive sound is made by a Stylophone, a small […]

89: Space Oddity

David Bowie (1969) Producer: Gus Dudgeon

Released to coincide with the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969, Space Oddity was Bowie’s first hit, reaching number five and topping the charts when reissued in 1975. Rick Wakeman plays Mellotron on it, but the most distinctive sound is made by a Stylophone, a small synth operated by placing a stylus on a metal keyboard. Stylophones were marketed as children’s toys and for many years were advertised on UK TV by Rolf Harris.

Listen:

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