David Bowie “Aladdin Sane” released on this date, April 13th, 1973. Bowie’s 6th release, the album debuted at #1 in the UK and reached #17 in the US. His Aladdin Sane (A Lad Insane) character, and album, was the evolution of his Ziggy persona, one that Bowie described as “Ziggy goes to America.”

Four singles were released from Aladdin Sane: “The Jean Genie” (released in late ‘72 prior to the full album and purportedly based on Iggy Pop), the doo-woppy “Drive-In Saturday,” the show-tuney “Time,” and a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” Not released but really great is “Panic in Detroit” melding soaring lyrics over a conga drum Bo Diddley beat. “Panic” was also influenced by Iggy: Bowie supposedly based it on Pop’s Detroit’s stories of 60′s riots and revolutionaries.

He looked a lot like Che Guevara, drove a diesel van
Kept his gun in quiet seclusion, such a humble man
The only survivor of the National People’s Gang
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone
Panic in Detroit

He laughed at accidental sirens that broke the evening gloom
The police had warned of repercussions
They followed none too soon
A trickle of strangers were all that were left alive
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone
Panic in Detroit

Putting on some clothes I made my way to school
And I found my teacher crouching in his overalls
I screamed and ran to smash my favorite slot machine
And jumped the silent cars that slept at traffic lights

Having scored a trillion dollars, made a run back home
Found him slumped across the table a gun and me alone
I ran to the window looked for a plane or two
Panic in Detroit he’d left me an autograph
Let me collect dust I wish someone would phone
Panic in Detroit
Panic in Detroit
Panic in Detroit