David Bowie released his breakout song “Space Oddity” 51 years ago today (July 11), and truth be told, the world was never the same.

The iconic track signaled an imminent changing of the guard in music. While the wonder that was Ziggy Stardust was a couple of years away, this was Bowie’s first “giant leap for mankind,” if you will.

Take a look at the video below of a rare early television performance of “Space Oddity.” The musical subject of Major Tom may have been a clue as to what was to come, but who would’ve thought this lovely man in the peach bell bottoms would soon become the “leper messiah”?

David Bowie: Iconic Ziggy Stardust Photos

• David Bowie: Iconic Ziggy Stardust Photos

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  David Bowie in concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, during the last performance he made in the guise of his character Ziggy Stardust. (Photo by Graham Wood/Getty Images)

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  David Bowie performs his final concert as Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The concert later became known as the Retirement Gig. (Photo by Steve Wood/Getty Images)

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  May 1973: In a black and white horizontally striped jacket with wide lapels glam rock star David Bowie. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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  3rd July 1973: Adoring fans reaching out to touch the hand of the English pop star, David Bowie, during the concert at the Hammersmith Odeon where Bowie announced that he was retiring his alter-ego 'Ziggy Stardust'. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)

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  3rd July 1973: David Bowie on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon in London at the last of the Ziggy Stardust concerts. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)

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  3rd July 1973: David Bowie in concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, on 3rd July 1973, the last concert performed in the guise of his spacerocker character Ziggy Stardust. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)
• David Bowie: Iconic Ziggy Stardust Photos

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  3rd July 1973: David Bowie performs his final concert as Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The concert later became known as the Retirement Gig. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

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  David Bowie (1947 - 2016) performing at the Hammersmith Odeon, at the last of his Ziggy Stardust concerts, London, 3rd July 1973. (Photo by Steve Wood/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• David Bowie: Iconic Ziggy Stardust Photos

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  David Bowie (1947 - 2016) performing at the Hammersmith Odeon, at the last of his Ziggy Stardust concerts, London, 3rd July 1973. (Photo by Steve Wood/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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  David Bowie (1947 - 2016) performing at the Hammersmith Odeon, at the last of his Ziggy Stardust concerts, London, 3rd July 1973. On the right is guitarist Mick Ronson (1946 - 1993). (Photo by Steve Wood/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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