Having mostly completed the Pin Ups album, on 1 August 1973 David Bowie travelled from Paris to Rome for a holiday.
He was accompanied on the overnight sleeper train by his wife Angela, friend Geoff MacCormack and his girlfriend Desna Briggs, and bodyguard Stuey George.
They stayed at the Villa Ofmilla just outside Rome. Joining them from England was Zowie Bowie, his childminder Daniella Parmer, and Bowie’s assistant Gloria Harris. Flying in from Paris were Mick Ronson, his girlfriend Suzi Fussey, and tour chef Anton Jones, who later married Harris.
During the holiday Bowie began work on plans for a stage production and album based on George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. He returned to London on 7 August to continue work on the projects.
Also on this day...
- 1997: Live: Que Club, Birmingham
- 1983: Live: Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont
- 1971: Live: Marquee Club, London
- 1970: Live: Rock With Shelter, Southend-on-Sea
- 1969: Live: Festival Internazionale del Disco, Italy
- 1968: Live: Marquee Club, London
- 1965: Live: Davie Jones and the Lower Third, Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth
- 1964: Live: Davie Jones and the Manish Boys, Valley Hotel, Caterham
Want more? Visit the David Bowie history section.