Life on Mars was first released on David Bowie's 1971 album Hunky Dory. In 1968. Bowie was commissioned to write English lyrics for the Claude François French song Comme d'habitude. After his lyrics were rejected, songwriter Paul Anka rewrote it into My Way, which was made famous by the singer Frank Sinatra. Annoyed at the success of My Way, Bowie used the song as a template and wrote Life on Mars as a parody of Sinatra's recording. Musically, Life on Mars is described as a soaring, cinematic ballad. It is primarily glam rock, with elements of cabaret and art rock. The song has a complex structure, containing different chord changes throughout. Despite its title, the song has no connection to Mars itself.
The English singer-songwriter and actor David Bowie was born David Jones in Brixton, South London in 1947. He was a leading figure in the music industry and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was acclaimed by critics and musicians for his innovative work during the 1970s. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, with his music and stagecraft having a significant impact on popular music. During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at over 100 million records worldwide, made him one of the world's best-selling music artists. In the UK, he was awarded 10 platinum album certifications, 11 gold and 8 silver, and released 11 number-one albums. Bowie developed an interest in music as a child, eventually studying art, music and design before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1963. Space Oddity became his first big hit in July 1969. After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of his single Starman and album The Rise and Fall ofZiggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted radically towards a sound he characterised as plastic soul, garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single Fame and the album Young Americans. Bowie had UK number ones with the 1980 single Ashes to Ashes. He reached his commercial peak in 1983 with Let's Dance. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including industrial and jungle. He also continued acting; his roles included Major Jack Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth (1986) and Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988).
Jock McKenzie studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he was a joint recipient of the college’s concerto prize. Since 1987 Jock has based his musical career in Hampshire, working as a freelance trumpeter, conductor, composer, arranger and brass teacher. Currently Jock holds the position of Professional Leader (Brass) for Hampshire Music Service and is the Director of the Hampshire County Youth Band. It is the mix of all of these musical roles that has led to Jock establishing a reputation as a leading creator of brass music resources, particularly in the field of education and brass ensemble music. In 2020 Jock was awarded an “Honorary Fellowship of the University of Winchester” for services to music education. Currently Jock is working part-time for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; providing tuition for their Brass Teaching Module. In 2024 Jock was given the award for “Services to Youth” by Brass Bands England.
