On July 5th, 1972, Ziggy and the Spiders filmed a performance of “Starman” for the July 6th broadcast of Top of the Pops. The performance was a smash success, and became one of the show’s greatest moments. Bowie’s career had been buoyant for a couple of years, and had garnered both critical and commercial success. This was something different. The Spiders’ appearance on TOTP was a watershed moment all its own.
The band’s appearance and performance created droves of new fans. From there, the Ziggy Stardust tour benefitted from a dramatic spike in audience attendance. Like the quilted jumpsuit on the cover of the Ziggy album, Freddie Burretti designed the quilted suit worn for this appearance.