The footage of Bowie performing “Jean Genie” on Top Of The Pops in ’73 was reaired for the first time since its original January 4, 1973 broadcast; it was featured as part of this week’s BBC 2 90-minute “Top Of The Pops Christmas Special.”
The footage had been “wiped,” or erased, by the BBC and presumed lost forever.
Retired BBC cameraman John Henshall found the footage in his personal archives. After the original recording, Henshall asked producers for a personal copy on 2in (5cm) broadcast videotape because he wanted it for his show reel.
"I didn't realize that it had been wiped by the BBC,” said Henshall. “They'd been looking for it for years, hoping that somebody had maybe pointed an 8mm home movie camera at the screen, because there was no VHS in those days.”
Bowie's performance recorded on January 3, 1973 and transmitted the following day for the first and only time…until this week.
David Bowie David Bowie – Jean Genie
BBC – Top Of The Pops – January 4, 1973
See also:
David Bowie: Lost 1973 BBC footage discovered
David Bowie denies licensing songs for UK musical
David Bowie: live album from 50th birthday concert due in April
Will Ferrell as David Bowie in Christmas video spoof
1996: David Bowie rocks The Bridge School
