US album release: Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), David Bowie’s 14th studio album, was released in the United States of America on 15 September 1980.

The album had been released in the UK three days previously, on 12 September 1980. It was the follow-up to his acclaimed Berlin trilogy of Low, “Heroes” and Lodger, and his last to be released by the RCA label.

RCA, who were relieved to have what they considered to be a relatively mainstream Bowie album, promoted Scary Monsters with the tagline: “Often copied, never equalled.” Bowie had had intended to tour in support of the album in September 1980, but the live dates were postponed after he accepted the title role in the Broadway play The Elephant Man. It was claimed at the time that the tour would take place in spring the following year, although Bowie did not go on the road again until 1983.

In the US the album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200, Bowie’s highest album chart placing since Low. It topped the charts in the UK, Australia, France, and New Zealand.

When we finished mixing we knew we had done something very special. Scary Monsters was so incredibly satisfying to make; fans and critics alike validated us. This was one of our finest hours – and Blackstar was yet to come some thirty-six years later.