Graham Rivens & David Bowie | Bassist with The Lower Third (1965–1966)

Where Graham Rivens fits in Bowie’s timeline

Although relatively little has been documented about guitarist Graham Rivens himself, his brief period with The Lower Third coincided with one of the most important turning points in David Bowie’s early career. By 1965, Bowie was moving away from the British rhythm & blues scene that had shaped his work with The King Bees and The Manish Boys, searching instead for a more contemporary mod identity and a stronger artistic direction.

The Lower Third became the vehicle through which Bowie increasingly presented his own compositions alongside the contemporary material performed by many London mod groups. Although the band existed for only a relatively short period, it represents an important stage in Bowie’s gradual development from band vocalist into an original songwriter and creative leader.

The Lower Third and the mod sound

Compared with Bowie’s earlier groups, The Lower Third increasingly centred its identity around Bowie’s own songwriting while continuing to perform contemporary rhythm & blues and mod repertoire on stage. The band reflected the changing musical landscape of mid-1960s London, where mod influences were rapidly replacing the earlier rhythm & blues boom.

Graham Rivens served as the band’s guitarist throughout this period. His playing can be heard on the surviving recordings with The Lower Third, supporting the tighter, mod-oriented sound that distinguished the group from Bowie’s previous bands. While relatively little contemporary information about Rivens has survived, his contribution formed part of an important transitional chapter in Bowie’s musical development.

“You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving”

Released by Parlophone in August 1965, “You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving” was the only single issued by David Bowie and The Lower Third. Written by Bowie, it marked another important step in his development as a songwriter, moving further away from the rhythm & blues covers that had dominated his earlier bands.

Davy Jones and The Lower Third You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving single

Graham Rivens‘ guitar can be heard throughout the recording, supporting the tighter, mod-oriented sound that characterised The Lower Third. While relatively little has been documented about the individual contributions of the band members, the single clearly reflects Bowie’s growing confidence as both a songwriter and bandleader.

Although You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving failed to chart, it has become an important recording in Bowie’s early catalogue. The song has since appeared on several retrospective releases, including Early On (1964–1966) (1991), Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond 1964–1969 (2001), and the dedicated compilation Bowie 1965! (2013), introducing this important transitional recording to later generations of Bowie fans.

“Can’t Help Thinking About Me”

Released on 14 January 1966 as David Bowie with The Lower Third, Can’t Help Thinking About Me became the first commercial release to use the name David Bowie rather than David (Davy) Jones. It marked an important milestone in Bowie’s career and is widely regarded as one of his earliest genuinely autobiographical songs.

Can't Help Thinking About Me

The single was recorded on 10 December 1965 at Pye Studios in London and was produced by Tony Hatch, who also played piano on the recording. The Lower Third line-up consisted of David Bowie (vocals), Denis “Tea-Cup” Taylor (guitar), Graham Rivens (bass guitar) and Phil Lancaster (drums).

Although the single failed to chart, it occupies an important place in Bowie’s history as the first record released under the name David Bowie. The song has since appeared on numerous compilations and was revived by Bowie himself during his live performances in 1999 and again on VH1 Storytellers.

The end of the band

Despite growing confidence and a stronger artistic identity, The Lower Third struggled to gain commercial attention. As with Bowie’s earlier groups, frustration and lack of progress led to its eventual dissolution.

Bowie would soon move on again, passing briefly through The Buzz before embarking on his solo recording career.

Historical importance

Graham Rivens’ contribution lies in helping Bowie cross a crucial threshold: from being a singer within a band to becoming a songwriter with a clear personal direction.

The Lower Third may have been short-lived, but it was essential preparation for everything that followed.