One of the most prolific phases of Bowie's iconic career was the character of Ziggy Stardust during 1972-73.

An alter-ego that inspired his fifth album, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, with its associated tour, Ziggy Stardust Tour which also saw Bowie through the release of Aladdin Sane for two years. That tour was filmed for release as a concert documentary titled Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars in 1973, and a soundtrack album followed. 

Ziggy played guitar for the final time 45 years ago on July 3rd, 1973, at the Hammersmith Odean in London. Bowie abruptly announced it would be the last show they ever played, as Ziggy Stardust, which meant he could move on to reinvent himself again and again. 

Here we look at some rarely seen photos from that period, and we encourage you to listen to the album that gave us unforgettable hits such as "Starman", "Suffragette City" and the title track "Ziggy Stardust", while you scroll through to get the full effect! 

 Friars Club in Aylesbury, 15th July 1972. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

1973 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

First date of the group's Ziggy Stardust Tour, at the Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 29th January 1972. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Music Hall, first US date on Ziggy Stardust tour (Photo by John Lynn Kirk/Redferns/Getty Images)

1973. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Earls Court Arena on May 12, 1973 during the Ziggy Stardust tour (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns/Getty Images)

1973. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

100, 000 sales of his album, 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars', 1972. (Photo by Gems/Redferns/Getty Images)

May 1973. Mike Gardon and Trevor Bolder are pictured behind. (Photo by Mark and Colleen Hayward/Getty Images)

June 1972 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Last ever show as Ziggy, July 3rd, Hammersmith Odeon. (Photo by Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

L-R Ringo Starr, Lulu, David Bowie and Edgar Broughton at the Ziggy Stardust retirement party held at the Cafe Royal (Photo by John Rodgers/Redferns)

Bowie continued to rock that striking ginger mullet through to 1974 and the Diamond Dogs era...

Angie and Zowie, Amstel Hotel on 7th February 1974 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)

7th February 1974 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)

Goodbye Ziggy... we'll never forget you!

Wife Angie. (Photo by Smith/Express/Getty Images)