David Bowie’s first studio recording has been found in a bread bin by a former bandmate, Pitchfork reports. The “I Never Dreamed” demo will head to auction September 11 and is expected to sell for $13,000.
Bowie, who was then primarily a saxophonist, recorded the track with his band the Konrads in 1963 as part of a demo tape intended for talent scouts.
According to Rolling Stone, Konrads drummer David Hadfield says of the track, “We had decided that we would do a couple of guitar instrumentals and one original song. I chose ‘I Never Dreamed’ as it was the strongest, the other two were a bit weak. I also decided that David was the best person to sing it and give the right interpretation. So this became the very first recording of David Jones singing 55 years ago.”
Hadfield continues, “There is no other recording of the demo featuring David as lead in existence. Decca initially turned us down, but when they eventually gave us an audition later that year, vocalist Roger Ferris was the lead voice and David sang backing harmonies.”
In addition to the recording, Omega Auctions has letters, bills, booking forms, photographs and promotional sketches that will be included in the Bowie auction lot.
Auctioneer Paul Fairweather says of the collection, “For Bowie collector’s this really is a significant recording, completely unique and of great historical interest, being the earliest studio recording of a fledgling musician who would go on to superstardom.”
Listen to a 13-second sample of “I Never Dreamed” provided by Omega Auctions below.
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