Is this just a plaque? No. This Ziggy Stardust Plaque marks the spot where rock history was made. It commemorates the iconic album cover for David Bowie’s “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.”
This Ziggy Stardust Plaque sits on Heddon Street. Heddon Street is a small side street off Regent Street in London. The Ziggy Stardust album cover was photographed here on a cold, wet evening in January 1972.
David Bowie posed as his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. He stood outside number 23 Heddon Street. The photo was taken by Brian Ward. Ward’s studio was on Heddon Street. The other band members found it too cold to stay. Bowie braved the weather alone.
The Ziggy Stardust album cover is a defining image of the 1970s. It shows Bowie staring pensively at the camera. His guitar is slung over his shoulder. The original photo was in black and white. Artist Terry Pastor hand-colored it later.
The fabrics for Ziggy’s look came from Regent Street shops nearby. Heddon Street has changed a lot since 1972. It is now a bustling pedestrian area with cafes and bars.
The Crown Estate owns the property. They installed the Ziggy Stardust Plaque in March 2012. Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp unveiled it. Kemp is a huge Bowie fan. Spiders from Mars members Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey joined him.
The Ziggy Stardust Plaque is black, not blue. English Heritage and Westminster Council use blue plaques. The black plaque sets it apart. It is one of few plaques for fictional characters. Sherlock Holmes and Lara Croft also have plaques.
David Shaw of the Crown Estate called the Ziggy Stardust Plaque exceptional. He said they did not want to “litter the place with plaques.” The K. West sign was above Bowie’s head in the photo. It belonged to a furrier. A fan removed it in 1982. Bowie lamented its loss. He said people read too much into it.
The Ziggy Stardust album catapulted Bowie to international fame in June 1972. The Ziggy Stardust Plaque ensures Heddon Street’s place in rock history. It is a pilgrimage site for Bowie fans worldwide. So next time you are in London, visit the Ziggy Stardust Plaque. Remember the Starman who touched down here.