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When David Bowie announced at the Hammersmith Odeon on 3rd July 1973 that he (or, as it subsequently turned out, alter-ego Ziggy Stardust) was breaking up the band, manager Tony Defries glimpsed a golden opportunity rather than the end of an era. With the MainMan agencyÆs main man coming off the road for at least a while, there was, Defries reasoned, space in the rock star firmament for a new Bowie, particularly one who would also be under MainManÆs managementàThus it was that BowieÆs faithful right-hand man, Mick Ronson, was thrust into the spotlight. Possibly the most reluctant solo performer ever, Ronno was given three weeks to write and record a debut solo album. With BowieÆs help (he contributed three songs to the set), ôSlaughter On 10th Avenueö was quickly pieced together after the conclusion of the ôPin Upsö sessions. Despite its rushed nature it was a strong effort, and the LP reached the UK album charts Top Ten.Buoyed by this success, Ronson then recorded a second album, ôPlay DonÆt Worryö - although before it could appear, heÆd accepted Ian HunterÆs invitation to join Mott The Hoople. As a result, MickÆs sophomore solo set was largely overlooked, and his lukewarm attempts to promote it were further scuppered by his and Ian HunterÆs decision to leave Mott and relocate to America.Sadly ôSlaughter On 10th Avenueö and ôPlay DonÆt Worryö would be the only solo albums released during MickÆs lifetime: after his departure from MainMan in mid-1976, he largely preferred to work in a group context rather than as a solo performer.Nevertheless, he did continue to record sporadically as a solo act. A 4-CD set, Only After Dark chronicles his peripatetic solo work during the rest of the seventies after his split with Bowie, with those two official albums joined by B-sides, alternative versions, outtakes and a plethora of unissued-at-the-time studio recordings (including a handful with Guam, the backing band for Bob DylanÆs legendary 1975 Rolling Thunder tour) and various highlights from his live shows. Featuring some rare photos and a lengthy new essay on his Seventies career, Only After Dark is the most comprehensive anthology to date of a major talent.