In the fall of 1969, David Bowie embarked on a tour of the UK with supergroup Humble Pie, performing an acoustic opening set as his classic track “Space Oddity” finally began climbing the charts. Always shy of controversy, the BBC had been reluctant to play the song immediately following its June release, believing the astronaut-themed piece might be considered in poor taste in the event that summer’s historic first mission to the moon was unsuccessful. With the tune finally in rotation, Bowie’s star was on the rise and Alec captured this stunning portrait of the 22-year-old future icon in Paddington Green, London. Featured in the forthcoming book David Bowie Icon.
David Bowie, Paddington Green #1, 1969
Paddington Green Park, London, September, 1969
Featured in the new book DAVID BOWIE: ICON.
“I was expecting him to be some kind of withdrawn, arty guy, but David was warm and easy to be with that day. We were both south London boys and we clicked right away. His star was rising, but he didn’t arrive with an entourage of publicists, makeup artists, and hangers-on the way an artist would today. When we met at the park gates he was on his own.” – Alec Byrne from London Rock: The Unseen Archive
Limited edition museum quality print signed by Alec Byrne.
16×20 Edition of 75
20×24 Edition of 50
30×40 Edition of 10
40×60 Edition of 5
Dimensions indicate paper size.
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Prints are made to order – production and shipping times vary.
NOTE: Photographer watermark is for web display purposes only and is not added to the physical print.