A quiet hero of the glam era… and the backbone of a revolution in sound 🎶 🎸

On this day in Music History May 21, 2013,

On this day in history we lost Trevor Bolder at the age of 62 a key figure in one of the most iconic bands ever to walk a stage.

As the bassist for David Bowie’s legendary backing group Spiders from Mars, Bolder helped drive the sound that would change music forever.

This wasn’t just a band… it was a movement.

From the soaring, cinematic layers of Hunky Dory (1971) to the explosive arrival of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), Bolder’s bass lines gave weight and punch to Bowie’s vision. He powered through the raw energy of Aladdin Sane (1973) and the gritty swagger of Pin Ups (1973) helping define the sound of glam rock at its peak.

On stage, alongside Bowie, Mick Ronson, and Mick Woodmansey, he was part of something electric, theatrical, dangerous, and completely new. The Spiders didn’t just play songs… they created a universe.

After Bowie famously “retired” the band in 1973, Bolder continued his journey, joining Uriah Heep in 1976, stepping in for John Wetton and going on to enjoy decades of success in the hard rock world.

But for many… he’ll always be one of the Spiders part of that lightning-in-a-bottle moment when Bowie changed everything.

🎸 On my Bowie Walking Tour of Brixton and Soho, we dive into this era in vivid detail the rise of Ziggy, the creation of the Spiders, and the London streets where these musicians lived, worked, and made history.

From tiny clubs to iconic venues, you’ll walk the ground where Bolder and Bowie turned ambition into legend.

👇 Do you think the Spiders from Mars were the greatest backing band of all time?

 🎶 And that’s how music makes history.

📆 Check the Calendar in the main website menu for available tour dates and times.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Private group and Corporate tours are available please just email me direct for details.