A brand new exhibition celebrating the iconic life and music of David Bowie was officially opened at Kingston's Museum on Friday (March 31).

Bowie and Beyond: Ziggy Stardust & Kingston's Music Heritage reveals how David Bowie first became Ziggy Stardust and his connections to Kingston's music scene, starting with the pivotal moment the music icon launched his Ziggy persona at Tolworth's Toby Jug in February 1972 and how he later returned for a gig at Kingston Polytechnic (now Kingston University) in May 1972.

Friday night's launch was met with a thrilling turnout with residents, members of Kingston Council and Mayor, Cllr Yogan Yoganathan in attendance alongside representatives of local charities Community Brain and Creative Youth, who collaborated on the project with Kingston Museum.

Bowie and Beyond: Ziggy Stardust & Kingston's Music Heritage (Credit: Stuart Tree)

Running from March 31st - 16 September 2023, the exhibition is a story told through music and memorabilia sourced from local people, with original artworks from, and interviews with, those who were inspired by Bowie and have influenced national and international music and arts trends since. 

Kingston Council's Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Governance, Cllr Peter Herlinger said: "This wonderful exhibition has been staged through a partnership between local charities Creative Youth and The Community Brain with Kingston Museum.

"The free exhibition highlights Kingston Council's commitment to celebrating the borough's heritage and working together with our charity and community organisations for the benefit of the borough."

The new exhibition reveals how Bowie became Ziggy Stardust and his connections to Kingston's music scene (Credit: Stuart Tree)

As well as Bowie's renowned association with Kingston, the royal borough was also home to The (Jazz) Cellar Club between 1962-1966, an important music venue which played host to many notable local bands in their formative years, most notably The Yardbirds and The Nashville Teens. The Animals also played at the spot regularly in the early months of 1964 after moving down to London from the northeast.

Located at the Kingston Museum, Bowie and Beyond: Ziggy Stardust & Kingston's Music Heritage is free for visitors to attend Thursday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm.

For more information, visit the Kingston Heritage website HERE.