New David Bowie app celebrates 50th anniversary of “Space Oddity” and the first moon landing

m_davidbowiespaceoddityboxsetcover630_071119
m_davidbowiespaceoddityboxsetcover630_071119

Parlophone

ParlophoneToday, July 11, marks the 50th anniversary of the release of David Bowie‘s classic song “Space Oddity,” which hit stores nine days before the historic moon landing.

To commemorate both milestones, a new app has been launched called “Space Oddity x Unlock The Moon Experience,” which lets you access a brand-new mix of the song, created by longtime Bowie producer Tony Visconti, one day before its official release. To unlock the track, users must align their mobile phone’s camera with the moon. The app is available at SpaceOddity50.com.

The 2019 “Space Oddity” remix will be included on the previously announced vinyl box set Space Oddity: 50th Anniversary Edition — due out Friday — that features two seven-inch singles.

One disc boasts the original mono single edit of the tune and its B-side, “Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud.” The other single features new Visconti remixes of both tracks. The new “Space Oddity” remix will also be released Friday as a digital single and via streaming services.

In related news, a new “Space Oddity” video will be premiered on July 20 at a multimedia event paying tribute to the moon landing’s 50th anniversary at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C.

The clip combines footage of Bowie performing the song at his 50th birthday concert in 1997 with footage shot and directed by Canadian choreographer Edouard Lock that was used as the backdrop of David’s 1990 tour.

The event, dubbed “Apollo 11: A 50th Anniversary Celebration — One Small Step, One Giant Leap,” will feature music from the National Symphony Orchestra and will be staged in collaboration with NASA.

The show also will include performances by Herbie Hancock, Pharrell Williams and others, spoken-word presentations, and pre-taped greetings and/or performances by Elton John and other celebs.

Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.