Bowie recording of album promo to get airing after 40 years

The 15-minute programme, found in a cache of archive material, features the then 26-year-old Bowie discussing the music scene and playing songs from the album.

It is thought to have been put together as a promotion tool for the release of the album, which was released 40 years ago this week and will air for the first time on BBC Radio 6 Music today.

Produced by the musician and Ken Scott, who worked on Bowie’s albums from Hunky Dory to Pin Ups, it features five of his recordings from the album – Rosalyn (originally by The Pretty Things), Here Comes the Night (Them), I Wish You Would (The Yardbirds), Sorrow (The Merseys) and I Can’t Explain (The Who).

Bowie discusses the music scene of the late 60s and how he came across the bands whose songs he covered.

The recording was unearthed by Nigel Reeve, who oversees Bowie’s back catalogue and said he found it “jaw-dropping” to hear for the first time.

Mr Reeve added: “It was in an old tape vault on quarter-inch tape with simply the words ‘Radio Show’ written on it. This is such a rare find.

“No one knew of its existence, apart from David and Ken. To play it for the first time was quite simply a jaw-dropping moment.”

Excerpts will be played throughout the day on 6 Music and it will also be available on the station’s website bbc.co.uk/6music for a short time.

The album – whose sleeve featured Bowie and Twiggy – was recorded in France as a follow up to Aladdin Sane and it topped the chart.

James Stirling, editor of 6 Music, said: “As a network showcasing music of alternative spirit, David Bowie is at our core and it’s fantastic that our listeners will have the opportunity to hear this radio show for the first time ever.”

The first excerpt will be played during Shaun Keaveny’s breakfast show with the last chunk being played in Marc Riley’s evening programme.

It will be available online until Sunday night.

Keaveny said: “It’s beyond exciting for 6 Music to be showcasing the first ever airing of this historic recording in a year that has been all about the Bowie comeback.”