Television: Juke Box Jury

The day after its UK release, David Bowie’s first single, ‘Liza Jane’, was featured on the BBC television show Juke Box Jury.

The song was one of several being considered a future hit or miss by a panel, which included Diana Dors, Jessie Matthews, Bunny Lewis, and Charlie Drake.

Only Drake considered ‘Liza Jane’ a hit. Following the verdicts, Bowie was briefly shown reacting, and was brought on stage to shake the judges’ hands. This was his first appearance on television.

‘Liza Jane’ was released on Decca’s Vocalion Pop label, with ‘Louie, Louie Go Home’ on the b-side. It was credited to Davie Jones with The King Bees.

In line with the jury’s verdict, the single was not a commercial success, and Bowie left the King Bees shortly afterwards to front the Manish Boys.

Also in the audience was the King Bees’ George Underwood. The show was filmed at the BBC’s Television Centre on Wood Lane, London.