Beschreibung:

David Allen of Carmen's custom-made patchwork snakeskin and fur jacket, worn on David Bowie's TOTP midnight special, 1973. embroidered and studded with 'gems'; together with another example worn by Paul Fenton of Carmen; and a third made for 'Kristine Sparkle' with appliquéd butterfly to rear, all unlabelled, chests 86-92cm, 34-36in; and photocopies relating to the jackets, including one showing Allen pictured next to David Bowie (5) Provenance: Paul Fenton, drummer of the bands Carmen and T.Rex. British-American band Carmen (active 1970-1975) are described as being the first 'flamenco-rock-progressive-world music-glam band', with their debut album 'Fandangos in Space' ranking no.46 in the 'Rolling Stone' list '50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time'. Lead singer David Allen can be seen wearing this jacket performing 'Bulerias' on David Bowie's 'The 1980 Floorshow Live' midnight special for Top of the Pops, filmed at the Marquee Club, 90 Wardour St., London, and aired in America on the 16th November 1973. The show was opened by Bowie, who performed two songs - the last performance he was to give as the character Ziggy Stardust - and Carmen followed as the second act. In a typewritten note sent to the band following their performance, Bowie writes: 'Thank you very much for making the show a success you were marvellous as usual stop [sic] Hope to be viewing in two weeks fondess love David Bowie'. The second jacket was worn by Paul Fenton on Carmen's debut album cover. The third jacket was made for 'Kristine Sparkle', who was a singer and presenter of Crackerjack. She was also a songwriter and wrote 'Devil Woman' for Cliff Richard.