Ayrshire is a bit of backwater in rock n' roll terms, so very big names are unlikely to play here when they are big. However, nobody starts big, so there is always a chance of a future showbiz legend performing in our humble venues when he or she is on their way up. This is what happened on the 8th of November 1969 when perhaps the greatest rock star ever, David Bowie, played Kilmarnock's Grand Hall.
The venue is still in business and probably could hold around 500 to a 1000 people in those days. Not much is known of Bowie's visit to Killie and there seem to be no photos of the historical event, but interestingly it took place just as the singer-songwriter was finally breaking big, with his first hit song "Space Oddity" at number 7 in the charts.
It was also part of a Scottish tour, which had probably been planned months before. The tour included a punishing 10 gigs in 9 days, however four of them ended up being cancelled. Luckily Kilmarnock was not one of the shows axed.
The backing musicians were Hull-based band Junior's Eyes, an outfit that included Mick Wayne and Tim Renwick on guitars, John Lodge on bass, and John Cambridge on drums.
According to some memories of the gig collected by the local paper, and then republished by another paper, Mhairi Gouck said her uncle was in the old Tam O’ Shanter pub in Waterloo Street close to the venue when Bowie and his entourage entered the bar before the show. She said: “My uncle offered to buy Bowie a drink, but he had to leave for the gig.”
It seems that audiences were not exactly blown away by Bowie, with his one hit "Space Oddity" standing out in recollections, while the more hippy-like music, typical of his set in those days, failed to strike a chord.
A Stewarton pensioner who was 17 at the time admitted she was more interested in her date on the night than the colourful character onstage. Isabel Dunsmuir met her husband-to-be at the Bowie show. Her daughter Kirsten Duncan said: “It was my mum’s first date with Hugh Dunsmuir, but they went on to marry in 1972.
Kirsten says her mum remembers going along to the Grand Hall most Saturday nights as there was a band on every week. At that time, tickets weren’t needed, you just paid at the door. Fans think it cost about 10/- (50p) to get in. (Note: the shows in Kirkcaldy on the same tour were £1)
Said Kirsten: “Mum recalls David Bowie wasn’t really that famous at the time. She was more interested in seeing my dad. They watched from the balcony and she vaguely remembers Bowie was dressed as a clown. The only song she remembers is Space Oddity.”
Russell Wilson, who wasn’t even born when Bowie came to town, recalls that one of his relatives, a roadie at the time, was at the Bowie bash.
He said: “He was Duncan Clark and he lived in Onthank for a spell. A few years ago I worked at [the bar] Paris Match, and so did he. When the bar closed we’d sit down and he’d reminisce about music, particularly the time Bowie was in Kilmarnock. There was an aftershow party in one of the local hotels apparently, and Bowie was in great form because Space Oddity was still in the Top 10.”
Jacqueline Taylor, a teenager, was at her first-ever concert.
She said: “I went with two friends. I was 16. We came up from Ayr and it was amazing. I’m so proud to be able to say ‘I was there when David Bowie was in Ayrshire’.”
Ucilla Wilson, who was also at the gig, added: “I saw Bowie at the Grand Hall and remember being mesmerised by his whole act. Now I’m afraid it’s a fading memory, but one I hold dear.
Dougie Gass, 19 at the time, from Kilmarnock, said he was also in the audience and couldn’t believe how badly Bowie played the mouth organ!
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