Everyone wanted to be near Ziggy Stardust when he touched down. The androgynous, alien alter ego of David Bowie transformed the “Space Oddity” singer into a larger-than-life glam rock god. And while Bowie enjoyed the fame and attention, Ziggy’s adoring public sometimes needed to be kept at an arm’s length.
That’s where Stuart ‘Stuey’ George came in. Along with the rest of the Spiders from Mars—Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Mick “Woody” Woodmansey—Stuey George was part of Ziggy Stardust’s inner circle as David Bowie’s bodyguard. And on Sept. 16, Bowie’s official social media accounts broke the news that George had died, while sharing tributes from Bowie alumni.
Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
“Sad to learn of the passing of Stuey George, one of Bowie’s bodyguards who worked for him for a decade,” wrote Bowie’s account. George had been working with The Rats, Mick Ronson’s band. George “eventually moved south from Hull to join David and The Spiders as success created the need for protection,” wrote Bowie’s account.
“When Bowie and The Spiders were first touring the show, it got quite scary as we seemed to stir up a lot of animosity from some of the male members who didn’t like how excited their girlfriends were during and after the show,” remarked Woodmansey, who played drums on Ziggy Stardust.
“After a few times where we were in real danger of getting hurt, David said, ‘Do you know anyone who we could get as a bodyguard?’” continued Woody. “Mick and I said ‘Yes Stuey George from Hull he was a roadie of ours in The Rats. He once lined a whole audience up by the walls in a gig after several fights had broken out whilst we were playing. After that, no more fights.’ He did an excellent job for Bowie & The Spiders. He was a loveable rogue and as hard as they come. RIP Stuey.”
Mike Garson, a celebrated pianist who was Bowie’s longest-serving band member, remembered George as having “the greatest sense of humor.”
“We never stopped laughing on the Ziggy tour, and of course, no one would ever mess with him,” wrote Garson. Geoff MacCormack—the songwriter and vocalist also known as Warren Peace, who worked with Bowie from Aladdin Sane through Station to Station—said he “always felt safe when [Stu] was around!”
“Stuey, we go back nearly 60 years to the days in the Hull grou,p The Rats, we shared a birthday and a sense of humour,” wrote John Cambridge, drummer and lifelong friend of Bowie. “I’ll miss our phone chats. A lovely, lovely man, good night, God bless Stu. R.I.P.”
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The Legacy of Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie died on January 10, 2016, days after his 69th birthday. In the years since his passing, Bowie’s legacy has grown, with many recognizing his significant influence on popular music.
But he wasn’t always so beloved. Bowie released The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars on June 16, 1972, to mixed reviews from the critics. Commercially, it was initially a success. Ziggy Stardust reached No. 6 on the U.K. albums chart in ‘72. It peaked at No. 75 on the US Billboard album chart the following year.
But the character of Ziggy Stardust resonated with rock fans, specifically those outsiders looking for an alternative to the mainstream rock of the day.
In the subsequent decades, fans and critics alike have reappraised Ziggy Stardust as Bowie’s glam masterpiece, one of the many gems in his discography.
Related: Fans Are Ready To Be ‘Emotionally Destroyed’ After New David Bowie Announcement
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