The Diamond Dogs Tour was a concert tour by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie in North America in 1974 to promote the studio album Diamond Dogs (1974). The first leg of the tour utilized a rock opera-style stage show format with multiple sets, costume changes and choreography. The remainder of the tour was alternatively known as The Soul Tour, which included some songs from the forthcoming album Young Americans (1975) and featured a revamped, stripped-down presentation and different backing band.
Bowie performing at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina on 5 July 1974
Bowie during the Diamond Dogs Tour on 5 July 1974 at the Charlotte Coliseum
Performing at the Washington DC Capital Centre on 11 November 1974, during the "Soul Tour" phase of the tour
Diamond Dogs is the eighth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 24 May 1974 through RCA Records. Bowie produced the album and recorded it in early 1974 in London and the Netherlands, following the disbanding of his backing band the Spiders from Mars and the departure of producer Ken Scott. Bowie played lead guitar on the record in the absence of Mick Ronson. Diamond Dogs featured the return of Tony Visconti, who had not worked with Bowie for four years; the two would collaborate for the rest of the decade. Musically, it was Bowie's final album in the glam rock genre, though some songs were influenced by funk and soul music, which Bowie embraced on his next album, Young Americans (1975).
Diamond Dogs
Diamond Dogs reunited Bowie with producer Tony Visconti (pictured in 2007), who would work with Bowie for the rest of the decade.
Bowie performing during the Diamond Dogs Tour in July 1974
Image: George Orwell press photo
