UK: The original K.West sign from David Bowie's album 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' is on display in London for the first time in 30 years

Record ID: 749184

  • Title: UK: The original K.West sign from David Bowie's album 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' is on display in London for the first time in 30 years
  • Date: 16th November 2012
  • Summary: ALADDIN SANE 1973, ORIGINAL RCA RECORDS POSTER YOUNG AMERICANS, 1975 ORIGINAL RCA MAINMAN POSTER
  • Embargoed: 1st December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVAD1CV6C23N4BYV21AQ07TLH4R9
  • Story Text: For the first time in 30 years, David Bowie fans can take a look at the famous K.West sign that featured on the front cover of his album 'Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars'.
    A selling exhibition of vintage David Bowie posters and memorabilia is due to open in London on Saturday (November 17) at The Movie Poster Art Gallery, and the sign that disappeared back in 1982 takes centre stage.
    Called 'David Bowie - Golden Years 1969-81', the exhibition displays for the first time publicly the original K.West sign.
    "It's probably after the road crossing from The Beatles Abbey Road, probably the single most iconic piece of street architecture as it were that you would find on any rock and pop album cover, certainly from this country. It's from Heddon Street in London's west end and anyone who knows the album 'Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars' will know the K.West sign, because it is directly above David Bowie on the album cover," explained Tim Maddison, who works at the Gallery.
    Now restored and on display attached to a giant image of the album cover, many fans had no idea the sign still existed after it was taken from Heddon Street in London's West End.
    "The story behind, it was essentially rescued almost exactly almost 30 years ago to this day from near destruction in Heddon Street. It was almost falling off. Bowie fans had tried to remove it and the gentleman who actually rescued it managed to take it down one night before it fell to pieces," Maddison added.
    As for who this 'gentleman' is, Maddison remained tight lipped: "We can't give his name away. He's a private collector but he is a music industry veteran. He has some connections with Bowie in the past with his work. Bowie, I can tell you, does know that the sign survives now and we gather he's very pleased that it did."
    There was plenty of interest in the iconic sign at the exhibition's private view night on Thursday (November 15). Musician and actor Gary Kemp, from 80s band Spandau Ballet, was there and gave an impromptu speech before turning on the sign's light.
    Jokingly he said: "Some celebrities get Regent Street Christmas lights. The last time I saw this it was in situ, and it has always meant a lot to Bowie fans. As you know it doesn't just mean the name of a furrier, it is also 'quest' and we are still on that journey. This is a little bit of it, magic."
    The K.West sign belonged to a firm of furriers who at the time had a business just off Heddon Street. Some fans of the 1972 album believed it meant 'quest'.
    Fan and musician Spizz from Spizzenergi was impressed, saying he only just found out the sign was still in existence: "I mean, I just thought it was a mock up until I could see it looks aged, so it's the real McCoy, I think."
    Ever since the release of Space Oddity in 1969, David Bowie has been a major figure in the world of pop music.
    The exhibition is due to run until Saturday December 1.
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