Arnold Corns
Encyclopedia
Arnold Corns was a band formed by David Bowie
in 1971
. The name was inspired by the Pink Floyd
song "Arnold Layne
".
This was one of Bowie’s side projects and something of a dry run for Ziggy Stardust
. The band was formed in Dulwich College and Bowie agreed to write for them. At the same time he also agreed to write for the 19 year old dress designer Freddie Burretti (aka Rudi Valentino). Bowie came up with the idea of combining Burretti and Arnold Corns, and with the help of Mick Ronson
, Mick Woodmansey
and Trevor Bolder
, a revised version of Arnold Corns was created during the spring of 1971. Bowie was writing material that later became Hunky Dory
, as well as songs earmarked for Burretti. Burretti as the frontman was a total fabrication, and his contributions were simply lost alongside Bowie's.
The band’s first single was "Moonage Daydream
(with a spoken intro "Whenever You're Ready")"/"Hang on to Yourself
", released on B&C Records on 7 May 1971 and was a flop. Both these songs later reappeared on Ziggy Stardust
in new versions with updated lyrics. The Arnold Corns versions appeared as bonus tracks on the Rykodisc
CD re-release of The Man Who Sold the World
(minus the spoken intro on "Dream").
A second single "Looking for a Friend"http://www.helden.org.uk/t/thecompletearnoldcornssessions.htm/ "Man in the Middle
(vocals by Valentino)" was planned but scrapped (it was released by Krazy Kat in 1984). In 1972, B&C issued "Hang on to Yourself
"/"Man in the Middle
" as the second single.
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
in 1971
1971 in music
-Events:*February 1 – after months of feuding in the press, Ginger Baker and Elvin Jones hold a "drum battle" at The Lyceum.*February 8 – Bob Dylan's hour-long documentary film, Eat the Document, is premièred at New York's Academy of Music...
. The name was inspired by the Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
song "Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
David Gilmour, during his solo tour promoting On an Island, unexpectedly added the song to the setlist near the end of the American tour on the 17 April 2006 show at the Oakland Paramount Theatre...
".
This was one of Bowie’s side projects and something of a dry run for Ziggy Stardust
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a 1972 concept album by English musician David Bowie, which is loosely based on a story of a rock star named Ziggy Stardust. It peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number 75 in the United States on the Billboard Music...
. The band was formed in Dulwich College and Bowie agreed to write for them. At the same time he also agreed to write for the 19 year old dress designer Freddie Burretti (aka Rudi Valentino). Bowie came up with the idea of combining Burretti and Arnold Corns, and with the help of Mick Ronson
Mick Ronson
Michael "Mick" Ronson was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. He is best known for his work with David Bowie, as one of The Spiders from Mars...
, Mick Woodmansey
Mick Woodmansey
Mick 'Woody' Woodmansey is an English rock drummer from Driffield, Yorkshire, best known for his work with David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars...
and Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder is an English rock bassist, musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his long association with Uriah Heep and his tenure with The Spiders From Mars, the one-time backing band for David Bowie, although he has played alongside a variety of musicians since the...
, a revised version of Arnold Corns was created during the spring of 1971. Bowie was writing material that later became Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory is the fourth album by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, released by RCA Records in 1971. It was Bowie's first release through RCA, which would be his label for the next decade...
, as well as songs earmarked for Burretti. Burretti as the frontman was a total fabrication, and his contributions were simply lost alongside Bowie's.
The band’s first single was "Moonage Daydream
Moonage Daydream
"Moonage Daydream" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 and first released as a single under the name Arnold Corns. A rerecorded version was released in 1972 on the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars....
(with a spoken intro "Whenever You're Ready")"/"Hang on to Yourself
Hang on to Yourself
"Hang On to Yourself" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 and released as a single under the name Arnold Corns. A re-recorded version was released on the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars...
", released on B&C Records on 7 May 1971 and was a flop. Both these songs later reappeared on Ziggy Stardust
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a 1972 concept album by English musician David Bowie, which is loosely based on a story of a rock star named Ziggy Stardust. It peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number 75 in the United States on the Billboard Music...
in new versions with updated lyrics. The Arnold Corns versions appeared as bonus tracks on the Rykodisc
Rykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
CD re-release of The Man Who Sold the World
The Man Who Sold the World
The Man Who Sold the World is the third studio album by David Bowie. It was originally released on Mercury Records in November 1970 in the United States and in April 1971 in the UK. The album was Bowie's first with the nucleus of what would become the "Spiders from Mars", the backing band made...
(minus the spoken intro on "Dream").
A second single "Looking for a Friend"http://www.helden.org.uk/t/thecompletearnoldcornssessions.htm/ "Man in the Middle
Man in the middle
Man in the middle may refer to:* Man-in-the-middle attack, a form of cryptographic attack* Man in the Middle , a 1963 movie* Man In The Middle , a memoir of basketballer John Amaechi-In music:...
(vocals by Valentino)" was planned but scrapped (it was released by Krazy Kat in 1984). In 1972, B&C issued "Hang on to Yourself
Hang on to Yourself
"Hang On to Yourself" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 and released as a single under the name Arnold Corns. A re-recorded version was released on the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars...
"/"Man in the Middle
Man in the middle
Man in the middle may refer to:* Man-in-the-middle attack, a form of cryptographic attack* Man in the Middle , a 1963 movie* Man In The Middle , a memoir of basketballer John Amaechi-In music:...
" as the second single.
Band members
- David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
: Vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Freddie Burretti: Vocals
- Mick RonsonMick RonsonMichael "Mick" Ronson was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. He is best known for his work with David Bowie, as one of The Spiders from Mars...
: guitar - Mark Carr Pritchard: guitar
- Trevor BolderTrevor BolderTrevor Bolder is an English rock bassist, musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his long association with Uriah Heep and his tenure with The Spiders From Mars, the one-time backing band for David Bowie, although he has played alongside a variety of musicians since the...
: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Mick WoodmanseyMick WoodmanseyMick 'Woody' Woodmansey is an English rock drummer from Driffield, Yorkshire, best known for his work with David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars...
: DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
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