Biography
The Spiders From Mars first earned widespread notice as the core unit behind David Bowie throughout his initial glam phase in the early 1970s. Guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Boulder, and drummer Mick "Woody" Woodmansey formed the trio, all of whom originated from Hull in Yorkshire, England. They had already performed together since the late 1960s across groups including the Rats and Ronno, the latter issuing the overlooked single "Fourth Hour of My Sleep"/"Powers of Darkness." At the start of the 1970s, producer Tony Visconti connected Ronson with folksinger David Bowie. Though Bowie had secured prior chart traction via his 1969 solo release "Space Oddity," he sought to explore fresh directions, particularly hard rock infused with striking visual elements. Ronson integrated into Bowie's emerging support ensemble and recruited his Hull associates Boulder and Woodmansey. The configuration required several albums to refine its aesthetic and sonic identity, as heard on 1970's The Man Who Sold the World and 1971's Hunky Dory, before achieving breakthrough on the third effort, which first applied the Spiders From Mars designation to the Hull musicians.
The 1972 concept album The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust elevated the ensemble to rock prominence while advancing glam's signature traits such as makeup, flamboyant attire, and androgyny. David Bowie and the Spiders From Mars sustained that trajectory on the subsequent 1973 release Aladdin Sane, another substantial commercial success. During the same period Ronson contributed arrangements and co-production to Lou Reed's 1972 comeback album Transformer alongside Bowie. On July 3, 1973, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, the final date of the tour supporting Aladdin Sane, Bowie declared onstage without prior notice to his bandmates that the performance marked their permanent conclusion. Ronson and Boulder remained briefly with Bowie for the all-covers album Pin Ups and a short Marquee Club taping that became the television special The 1980 Floor Show, yet Bowie upheld the separation and never again recorded or appeared live with the Spiders. Ronson subsequently pursued a modestly received solo path through 1974's Slaughter on 10th Avenue and 1975's Play Don't Worry while also collaborating with Bob Dylan, Ian Hunter, and John Cougar.
Meanwhile Boulder and Woodmansey revived the Spiders From Mars moniker for a solitary self-titled album in 1976. Guitarist Dave Black filled Ronson's position, with Pete McDonald handling vocals and longtime Bowie associate Mike Garson on keyboards; the record vanished from view soon after issuance, prompting the group's dissolution. Boulder later joined Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash, whereas Woodmansey established Woody Woodmansey's U-Boat. Any prospect of Ronson rejoining his former colleagues ended when the guitarist died of cancer on April 29, 1993. His final solo project Heaven and Hull appeared posthumously in 1994. That same year a Mick Ronson Memorial Concert took place at the Hammersmith, featuring Boulder and Woodmansey together with Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliot and guitarist Phil Collen. The shared experience among the Spiders and Leppard participants led to the side project Cybernauts, which has performed multiple European concerts and released Cybernauts Live plus the internet-only album The Further Adventures of the Cybernauts.
The 1972 concept album The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust elevated the ensemble to rock prominence while advancing glam's signature traits such as makeup, flamboyant attire, and androgyny. David Bowie and the Spiders From Mars sustained that trajectory on the subsequent 1973 release Aladdin Sane, another substantial commercial success. During the same period Ronson contributed arrangements and co-production to Lou Reed's 1972 comeback album Transformer alongside Bowie. On July 3, 1973, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, the final date of the tour supporting Aladdin Sane, Bowie declared onstage without prior notice to his bandmates that the performance marked their permanent conclusion. Ronson and Boulder remained briefly with Bowie for the all-covers album Pin Ups and a short Marquee Club taping that became the television special The 1980 Floor Show, yet Bowie upheld the separation and never again recorded or appeared live with the Spiders. Ronson subsequently pursued a modestly received solo path through 1974's Slaughter on 10th Avenue and 1975's Play Don't Worry while also collaborating with Bob Dylan, Ian Hunter, and John Cougar.
Meanwhile Boulder and Woodmansey revived the Spiders From Mars moniker for a solitary self-titled album in 1976. Guitarist Dave Black filled Ronson's position, with Pete McDonald handling vocals and longtime Bowie associate Mike Garson on keyboards; the record vanished from view soon after issuance, prompting the group's dissolution. Boulder later joined Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash, whereas Woodmansey established Woody Woodmansey's U-Boat. Any prospect of Ronson rejoining his former colleagues ended when the guitarist died of cancer on April 29, 1993. His final solo project Heaven and Hull appeared posthumously in 1994. That same year a Mick Ronson Memorial Concert took place at the Hammersmith, featuring Boulder and Woodmansey together with Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliot and guitarist Phil Collen. The shared experience among the Spiders and Leppard participants led to the side project Cybernauts, which has performed multiple European concerts and released Cybernauts Live plus the internet-only album The Further Adventures of the Cybernauts.
Albums
