JANUARY:
Formed in February 1966, auditions for David's new band were held at the Marquee and at Ralph Horton's flat. The name 'Buzz' was suggested to them by DJ Earl Richmond (aka John Dienn).
THE BUZZ members were: David Bowie (Vocals, Guitar, Saxophone); John 'Hutch' Hutchinson (Guitar); Derek 'Dek' Fearnley (Bass Guitar); John 'Ego' Eager (Drums) and Derrick 'Chow' Boyes (Keyboards).
FEBRUARY:
*5th Feb: John Hutchinson: "I first met David after I had spent a year playing Rhythm & Blues with The Apaches in Goreborg in 1965. I turned up at a very professional audition at the Marquee Club in Wardour Street, London, one Saturday morning and got the gig. I reckon David chose me because I was wearing Swedish clothes, a suede jean-jacket, suede jeans and blue clogs - nobody in England had seen that stuff before and I think David was impressed. I was also probably the best of the guitarists at the audition by the way!"
*11th Feb: This show is advertised as David Bowie and The Lower Third although it was The Buzz who backed David. Also on the bill were Boz and The Sidewinders.
*12th Feb: This show at the 'largest youth centre in Europe' is advertised as David Bowie and The Lower Third, again, it was The Buzz who backed David.
MARCH:
*12th Mar: The show is advertised as Dave Bowie & The Lower 3rd although it was The Buzz who backed David.
APRIL:
* Starting on the 10th April through to 12th June, David and The Buzz appear at the Marquee Club, Soho, London for a series of six Sunday afternoon shows at 3.00pm and 6.00pm, entitled 'The Bowie Showboat'. The show was sponsored by Radio London (also known as Big L).
MAY:
JUNE:
*15th June: John Hutchinson leaves the band.
* Billy Gray ('Haggis') replaces him on the 27th June, his first gig being The Lion Hotel, Warrington on 2nd July 1966.
JULY:
*2nd July: At The Lion Hotel in Warrington the booking was made for 'David Bowie and The Lower Third' for the princely sum of £30. This was the first gig with new band member Billy Gray ('Haggis'). Also on the supporting bill were The Powerhouse - Eric Clapton (Guitar); Pete York(Drums); Jack Bruce (Bass); Steve Winwood (Vocals, Organ); Paul Jones (Harmonica) and Ben Palmer (Piano). They were only paid £25.
*9th July: Billed as 'Davie Bowie and The Boz' - 180 people came and the band were paid £35.
* For a total of eleven weeks, 21st August to 13th November, 'The Bowie Showboat' is performed at The Marquee Club in Soho, London.
AUGUST:
SEPTEMBER:
OCTOBER:
NOVEMBER:
*19th Nov: Billy Gray leaves The Buzz and they continue as a trio.
DECEMBER:
The final gig by The Buzz in December saw them perform "Waiting For The Man" by the Velvet Underground as one of the encore songs. David played this song live before anyone else - he performed it before the album was actually released after receiving a test pressing from his then manager Kenneth Pitt.
UNKNOWN: