Image by Federico Napoli By Audrey Connelly Published Aug 7, 2026, 12:19 AM EDT Audrey Connelly is a writer living and working in Boston, MA. Music is and has always been one of the most important parts of her life. While rock & roll is her true love, Audrey's taste runs the gamut. Deep cuts, overplayed Billboard Hot 100 hits, trip hop, reggae, musical theater. It's all fair game. However, if she's being totally honest, she is not a huge fan of (most) country music, but she is (mostly) willing to give anything a listen or two. She has previously contributed to Atwood Magazine and has brought her passion for writing and music – specifically classic and alternative rock – to Collider. Sign in to your Collider account Add Us Add on Google Preferred Source Google News Summary Generate a summary of this story Like Like follow Follow followed Followed Listen Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap David Bowie is synonymous with eccentricity when it comes to the world of rock and roll. He used music, fashion, and acting to engage with the culture and politics of the changing times, constantly reinventing himself as he saw fit. Bowie had many personas throughout his prolific career, ranging from glamorous rock alien to buttoned-up conservative, each with a specific message and intent. While Bowie adopted nearly every style in the book, the early ‘70s saw him in peak glam rock form .
Bowie’s dazzling, outlandish fashion sense and bizarre lyrics set him apart from the other stars of the time. While David Bowie is known as one of the greatest glam rockers to ever do it, he owes much of his success in the field to someone else: the fictional character Ziggy Stardust . Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona can be easily distinguished through his iconic electric orange mullet, vibrant face paint and eyeshadow, and loudly patterned outfits. The Ziggy Stardust character was essentially a jumper cable for David Bowie’s career, kickstarting his ascension into superstardom.
David Bowie performing "Rebel Rebel" on the Dutch television series TopPop (1974) Image via AVRO The concept behind Ziggy Stardust was conceived alongside Bowie’s album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars , which was released in 1972. He performed in character throughout the tour. But who is Ziggy Stardust? And why did David Bowie create such a persona? In keeping with his colorful body of work, the answers to these questions are as layered as they are eccentric.
Ziggy Stardust is an androgynous, intergalactic rock star , arriving on earth before an impending apocalypse to spread a message of hope to earth’s youth. Advised by a team of aliens called the “infinites,” Ziggy brings rock music back to a world that has lost electricity, along with most natural resources. The end time was nigh, and Ziggy Stardust was earth’s last chance of survival. If this fictional tale seems a bit bizarre, just wait – somehow, it gets crazier.
A harbinger of hope (armed with incredible music), Ziggy Stardust becomes a beloved prophet for so many earthlings down on their luck. He is worshiped blindly and intensely by his disciples as he preaches about a starman ; an alien savior who is coming to save the world and put a stop to the people’s suffering once and for all. Ziggy Stardust begins to revel in the attention and adoration of his followers – and, as is so ofte…