Article: One More Night At The Vet For Bowie's 'Glass Spider'

One More Night At The Vet For Bowie's 'Glass Spider'

By David Hiltbrand, Special to The Inquirer
Posted: July 31, 1987

David Bowie closes out tonight his two-night stand at Veterans Stadium with Squeeze and Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers. This engagement is launching the American leg of Bowie's "Glass Spider Tour," the most elaborate "rock theater" concept Bowie (or anyone else) has ever come up with.

The concert is structured around a stage set that weighs 360 tons. Clothed in a brilliant red suit, Bowie opens the show by descending on a thread from a giant spider that hovers 100 feet above the stage. I can say no more, except that there are multiple costume changes and a gaggle of dancers choreographed by Toni Basil.

Bowie, rock's most inventive and mercurial figure, hasn't skimped on the music. There are seven songs from his latest album, Never Let Me Down, as well as familiar favorites like "Heroes," "Fashion" and "China Girl." The band is composed of guitarists Carlos Alomar and Peter Frampton, bass player Carmine Rojas, keyboardists Erdal Kizilcay and Richard Cottle, and drummer Allen Childs.

Squeeze is one of the most engaging bands to emerge from England in the last decade. Credit the compositions of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook such as "Tempted" and "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)."

Between his Nordic looks and the guitar style of his music, Tommy Conwell could well be called Rockabilly Idol. This local boy is going places fast. Catch him while you can.

David Bowie, Squeeze, and Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, at Veterans Stadium, Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, tonight at 6:45. Tickets: $21. Information: 569-9416.