David Bowie K.West Sign On Show For Fans

Iconic images and memorabilia from rock legend David Bowie's golden years are going on show in London.

For the first time in 30 years, fans can take a look at the famous K.West sign that featured on the front cover of his album Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars.

The free exhibition is due to run at The Movie Poster Art Gallery until December 1, and the sign that disappeared back in 1982 takes centre stage.

Called David Bowie - Golden Years 1969-81, the exhibition displays publicly for the first time the original K.West sign which belongs to a private collector.

Co-curator Tim Maddison said: "After the road crossing from The Beatles Abbey Road, it's probably the single most iconic piece of street architecture as it were that you would find on any rock and pop album cover, certainly from this country.

"It's from Heddon Street in London's West End and anyone who knows the album ... will know the K.West sign, because it is directly above David Bowie on the album cover."

Now restored and on display attached to a giant image of the album cover, many fans had no idea the sign still existed after it was taken from Heddon Street.

"The story behind, it was essentially rescued almost exactly 30 years ago to this day from near destruction in Heddon Street.

"It was almost falling off. Bowie fans had tried to remove it and the gentleman who actually rescued it managed to take it down one night before it fell to pieces," Mr Maddison added.

As for who this 'gentleman' is, Mr Maddison remained tight lipped: "We can't give his name away. He's a private collector but he is a music industry veteran.

"He has some connections with Bowie in the past with his work. Bowie, I can tell you, does know that the sign survives now and we gather he's very pleased that it did."

There was plenty of interest in the iconic sign at the exhibition's private view night on Thursday.

Musician and actor Gary Kemp, from 80s band Spandau Ballet, was there and gave an impromptu speech before turning on the sign's light.

Jokingly he said: "Some celebrities get Regent Street Christmas lights.

"The last time I saw this it was in situ, and it has always meant a lot to Bowie fans. As you know it doesn't just mean the name of a furrier, it is also 'quest' and we are still on that journey. This is a little bit of it, magic."

The K.West sign belonged to a firm of furriers which at the time had a business just off Heddon Street. Some fans of the 1972 album believed it meant 'quest'.