A close-up photo of a man playing a guitar during a concert. The man is playing an acoustic guitar and wearing a blue shirt, the face is invisible. Some blured lights can be seen at the background.

Here’s what David Bowie and others sounded like at band practice

March 27, 2020 Alan Cross 0 Comments 0 min read

There’s a reason a lot of acts won’t allow people into their rehearsal space. They’d rather no one hear them make mistakes, revise arrangements, or otherwise see rough and unready versions of their songs.

At the same time, though, it’s awfully nice to know that even the biggest artists can sometimes struggle through band practice like everyone else.

Pitchfork has gathered together a series of band practice recordings by everyone from Kate Bush to John Coltrane to Jimi Hendrix. Here’s a sample of how Bowie prepared for the Thin White Duke tour in Vancouver back in 1976 around the time of the release of Station to Station.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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