Best known as David Bowie's backing band during his early-'70s glam period, Spiders From Mars consisted of members Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Boulder (bass), and Mick "Woody" Woodmansey (drums). Hailing from the town of Hull (in Yorkshire, England), the trio had been playing together since the late '60s in such outfits as the Rats and Ronno (Ronson's nickname), the latter of which issued a forgotten single -- "Fourth Hour of My Sleep"/"Powers of Darkness." It was at the dawn of the '70s that Ronson was introduced to folksinger David Bowie (via a mutual friend, producer Tony Visconti). Although Bowie had already enjoyed some chart success as a solo artist (namely his 1969 single, "Space Oddity"), he wanted to branch out into other musical styles, especially hard rock with a strong visual edge. Ronson was welcomed to join Bowie's new backing band, and in return, Ronson brought along his old Hull chums, Boulder and Woodmansey.
Spiders From Mars
© 2008