David Bowie's Wild Night in Atlanta: The Infamous Diamond Dogs Tour Afterparty
David Bowie concluded his Diamond Dogs world tour at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia on December 1, 1974. Following the show, Bowie hosted an end-of-tour party at the Hyatt hotel, where guitarist Earl Slick recalls a wild scene with drugs and local guests. Suddenly, a group of men barged in with guns drawn, causing panic among the party attendees. The intruders turned out to be undercover cops targeting Bowie in a drug raid.
Slick, who had a stash of cocaine hidden in his sock, feared being arrested but was relieved when the cops focused on Bowie's bedroom. Bowie's bodyguard, Tony Mascia, took the blame for the drugs, allowing Bowie to escape charges. MainMan's resources ensured Mascia's quick release from jail, frustrating the cops who missed the opportunity to arrest Bowie for cocaine possession.
Despite the close call, Bowie and Slick continued working on the Young Americans album in New York, which later became Bowie's breakthrough in the US. The album's success, including the hit single "Fame," marked a turning point in Bowie's career, solidifying his presence in the American music scene.