The Hype (David Bowie band)

Hype was a band formed by David Bowie in 1970. They were originally called Harry the Butcher, then David Bowie's imagination. Bowie settled on the name Hype.^[1] Bowie has said he choose the name tongue in cheek.^[2] The band has been credited with helping to form the glam rock scene in the 1970s.^[3] The band was also the debut for Mick Ronson when they played at the Round house.^[4][5]

Their first performance was badly received, the band was laughed and jeered at as they left the stage.^[6]

Members included:

• David Bowie, alias Space Star/Rainbowman - vocals, 12-string guitar
• Mick Ronson, alias Gangsterman - Les Paul guitar
• Tony Visconti, alias Hypeman - bass guitar, vocals
• John Cambridge, alias Cowboyman - drums (until April 1970)
• Mick 'Woody' Woodmansey - drums (from April 1970)
• Benny Marshall - vocals, harmonica (from November 1970)

In February 1970, David Bowie required a more permanent band to back him for the promotion of his latest album, 'David Bowie.' John Cambridge was retained from the 'Space Oddity' recording session and Tony Visconti volunteered for Bass duty. Cambridge recommended his friend Mick Ronson as guitarist.

On February 5, 1970, on John Peel's The Sunday Show on BBC Radio 2 'Hype' make their first radio appearance, performing after a short Bowie solo spot, an embryonic 'Width of a Circle', followed by 'Janine', 'Wild eyed boy from Freecloud' 'Unwashed & Somewhat Slightly Dazed', 'Fill Your Heart', 'I'm Waiting for the Man' 'The Prettiest Star', 'Cygnet Committee' and 'Memory of a Free Festival.' Later that same month Hype signed to Mercury records.

In the March 28, 1970 edition of Melody Maker, Bowie stated "I'm very happy with the band, I have Tony Visconti who has played bass on nearly all my records, John Cambridge who used to be with Juniors Eyes and Mick Ronson on guitar and I play 12 sting guitar. Although we're all happy with the set up I can't see it becoming a really permanent thing. I want to retain Hype and myself as two separate working units whereby we can retain our own identities. We've had these costumes made by various girlfriends which make us look like Dr. Strange or the incredible hulk. I was a bit apprehensive about wearing them at the Roundhouse gig because I didn't know how the audience would react. If they think it's a huge put on the whole thing will backfire but they seemed to accept it which was nice."

References

1. Doggett, Peter (2011). The Man Who Sold the World: David Bowie and the 1970s. Random House. p. 79. ISBN 978-1-84792-144-4.
2. Paytress, Mark (2002). Chris Charlesworth, ed. Bolan: The Rise and Fall of a 20th Century Superstar. Omnibus Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-7119-9293-1.
3. Auslander, Philip (2006). Performing glam rock: gender and theatricality in popular music. University of Michigan Press. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-472-06868-5.
4. Brown, Len (2009). "Icons Influences And A Walk On The wild side". Meetings with Morrissey. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84772-987-3.
5. McIver, Joel (2011). Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Omnibus Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-84938-970-9.
6. Sandford, Christopher (2005). Bowie: loving the alien. Da Capo Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-306-80854-8.