An extremely rare tape, found languishing in a loft is expected to sell for £10,000 when it goes under the hammer in September. Featuring the first ever studio recording of David Bowie (David Jones), with the 16 year old as lead vocalist for The Konrads, the unreleased tape is part of a treasure trove of memorabilia being sold by former Konrads drummer David Hadfield.
Hadfield recalls ‘Our agent, Eric Easton, who also managed The Rolling Stones, asked us to do a demo so he could try and get us an auction at Decca. So in early 1963 I booked into R.G.Jones small studio in Morden. In preparation for the demo David and our guitarist Neville Wills wrote 2/3 songs. We had decided that we would do a couple of guitar instrumentals and one original song. I chose “I Never Dreamed” as it was the strongest, the other two were a bit weak! I also decided that David was the best person to sing it and give the right interpretation. So this became the very first recording of David Jones (Bowie) singing 55 years ago! There is no other recording featuring David as lead in existence. Decca initially turned us down, but when they eventually gave us an auction later that year, vocalist Roger Ferris was the lead voice and David sang backing harmonies.’
In addition to the tape, the historical collection illustrating Bowie’s very early career, includes letters, bills, booking forms, photographs and promotional sketches.
Bowie left the band the later that year, but it would be a further six years before his career would take off.
According to auctioneer, Paul Fairweather, ‘for Bowie collector’s this really is a significant recording, completely unique and of great historical interest, being the earliest studio recording of a fledgling musician who would go on to super stardom’
The collection is set to go under the hammer in September at Omega Auctions in Newton-le-Willows.
Short audio clip available via You Tube here
Press Notes