“Passionate bright young thing”
Today sees the release of the strictly limited, one run only, silver vinyl edition of Aladdin Sane. This pressing contains Ken Scott’s approved 2013 remaster and is released 45 years to the day since the original release date for the album (April 20th, 1973).
As mentioned previously, Aladdin Sane was thought to have been issued the week before on 13th April, 1973. However, we uncovered new evidence proving the release date was officially the 20th, but being Good Friday in the UK, the album was 'made available' on the 19th (see trade advert in montage).
Mainly on account of having received 100,000 pre-orders, the LP entered the UK chart at #1 on Saturday May 5th 1973. It retained the top spot for five weeks and stayed in the Top Ten for 27 weeks. Aladdin Sane peaked at #17 in America, making it Bowie's most successful album commercially in both countries to that date. It is estimated to have sold 4.6 million copies worldwide, making it one of Bowie’s biggest-selling LPs.
Aladdin Sane spawned two hit singles in the UK, The Jean Genie and Drive-In Saturday, which reached #2 and #3 respectively. Both preceded the album’s release.
The album cover features a red and blue lightning bolt across Bowie's face in a picture taken by Brian Duffy, with a full length shot adorning the inner gatefold. It’s regarded as one of the most iconic album sleeves of all time. Mick McCann writing in The Guardian described the image of Bowie as "the Mona Lisa of album covers".
In 2003, Aladdin Sane was ranked among six Bowie entries on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time.
This silver vinyl edition of Aladdin Sane will only be available to ‘bricks and mortar’ retail stores and not through on-line emporiums. The perfect warm-up for RSD 2018 on Saturday.
Go here for the full press release.
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