Filming: Life On Mars?

On 13 June 1973, prior to a concert at the Gaumont State Theatre on London’s Kilburn High Road, Mick Rock directed David Bowie in a promotional film for ‘Life On Mars?’

The shoot took place in Blandford West a studio in Ladbroke Grove. Bowie wore an ice-blue suit designed by Freddie Burretti, with make-up by Pierre Laroche.

I always knew when Pierre Laroche was having a bad day, as he would give me green eye shadow, which he knew I hated.

We had two cameras and we also used stills, so it was relatively sophisticated for its era. It stands up. I didn’t make a single penny out of those films at the time. However, once David split from MainMan and made his final settlement he gave me the visual rights. He has always been a gentleman.

‘Life On Mars?’ was released as a single in the UK on 22 June 1973.