“Fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame…FAME!”
As we pointed out recently and you likely knew anyway, Fame hit the top spot on the BILLBOARD HOT 100, 45 years ago today, on 20th September 1975.
Here’s a bit from Tony Visconti expressing his disappointment about the recording of Fame:
“At the same time I was working on the strings and new mixes something was afoot in New York. David personally phoned me to tell me he had met up with John Lennon and got him into to the studio with a band now consisting of Carlos Alomar, Dennis Davis and bassist Emir Ksasan. They wrote and recorded ‘Fame’ in one evening, also recording Lennon’s ‘Across The Universe’ for good measure. David said, “I’m sorry Tony, but they have to be on the album.” I also met John Lennon earlier for the first time with David and responded with, “If you gave me a day’s warning I would’ve flown myself on the Concorde to do that session.” I was quite upset. Well, anyway, ‘Fame’ is a great song; a great record and we all love it.”
And who could disagree with that? David Bowie and Harry Maslin made a pretty good fist of things and America agreed by giving Bowie his first #1 45 there.
A side: Fame (Bowie/Lennon/Alomar)
B side: Right (Bowie)
Original UK release date: July 18 1975
Highest chart position: UK: #17 US: #1
Originally appeared on: Young Americans
Produced by: David Bowie, Harry Maslin
#BowieFame #YoungAmericansGold