David Bowie performed at New York’s Madison Square Garden on 19 July 1974.
It was the 30th date of the Diamond Dogs Tour, which had kicked off in Montreal on 14 June, and the first of two nights at the venue.
The musical director was Michael Kamen, who also played electric piano, Moog synthesizer, and oboe. Earl Slick played guitar, and Mike Garson was on piano and Mellotron. The bass guitarist was Herbie Flowers, and the drummer was Tony Newman.
The backing singers were Geoff MacCormack (billed as Warren Peace) and Gui Andrisano. The line-up was completed by David Sanborn and Richard Grando on saxophone and flute, and percussionist Pablo Rosario.
An aftershow party was held at the Plaza, organised by the concert promoter Ron Delsener. The 40 invited guests included Mick Jagger and Bette Midler.
After a while I noticed Bette was missing, so I went to look for her. I heard some commotion in a walk-in closet. I walked in and saw her smoking a joint with David and Mick. I freaked out. They asked me to join them but I said no, thank you. It was too heavy in there.
Chicago Tribune, 18 December 1977
David Bowie returned to Madison Square Garden on 26 March 1976 during the Isolar Tour, and on 7, 8, and 9 May 1978 for the Isolar II Tour.
He played another three dates there during the Serious Moonlight Tour, on 25, 26, and 27 July 1983.
The Glass Spider Tour saw a further two concerts at the venue, on 1 and 2 September 1987, and on 9 January 1997 a special 50th birthday celebratory concert took place, with Bowie sharing the stage with Foo Fighters, The Cure’s Robert Smith, Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Pixies’ Frank Black, Sonic Youth, and Lou Reed.
Bowie’s final show at the venue was on 15 December 2003 during A Reality Tour.
The setlist
- ‘1984’
- ‘Rebel Rebel’
- ‘Moonage Daydream’
- ‘Sweet Thing’
- ‘Candidate’
- ‘Sweet Thing (Reprise)’
- ‘Changes’
- ‘Suffragette City’
- ‘Aladdin Sane’
- ‘All The Young Dudes’
- ‘Cracked Actor’
- ‘It’s Gonna Be Me’
- ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll With Me’
- ‘Watch That Man’
- ‘Knock On Wood’
- ‘Space Oddity’
- ‘Future Legend’
- ‘Diamond Dogs’
- ‘Panic In Detroit’
- ‘Big Brother’
- ‘Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family’
- ‘Time’
- ‘The Width Of A Circle’
- ‘The Jean Genie’
- ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide’
Also on this day...
- 1997: Live: Tao Jones Index, Phoenix Festival, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 1990: Live: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia
- 1983: Live: Spectrum, Philadelphia
- 1973: Recording: Pin Ups
- 1964: David Bowie auditions for The Manish Boys
Want more? Visit the David Bowie history section.
The Eagles & Jackson Browne were playing in the same building that night but at the smaller Felt Forum.