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On 11th January we woke to the news that the musical genius David Bowie had died . A statement was issued on his social media accounts, saying he “died peacefully, surrounded by his family” after an “18-month battle with cancer”.
David Bowie was one of the most influential musicians of his time who released his first album, the World of David Bowie, in 1967.
In 1972 he released his 5th studio album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The album’s huge popularity and the accompanying tour, in which Bowie featured as the bisexual alien rock superstar Ziggy, brought him worldwide stardom.
In 1980 David Bowie released his 14th studio album Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) and then in 1983, his best-selling album to date “Let’s Dance” which has sold at least 7 million copies worldwide.
Hits like China Girl and Modern Love, coupled with the spectacular Serious Moonlight world tour, introduced Bowie to a whole new generation. And his 1985 duet with Mick Jagger, “Dancin’ in the Street”, was a major factor in the success of the Band Aid project.
David Bowie went on to produce 12 more albums. He was an actor on stage and in films including Absolute Beginners, Labyrinth and The Last Temptation of Christ.
In a 2003 interview, Bowie said: “It’s a struggle to understand how I am no longer 20. I don’t know anybody else that this has ever happened to. Most people they get to 20 and then they stay 20. It didn’t happen for me though, I just went on and on and on and suddenly I’m 56! So I have to write from this unique perspective of somebody who never stopped being 20, but I went on. Isn’t that weird?”
Tributes:
Gene Simmons, from rock band Kiss, was one of many musicians to cite Bowie’s influence on their careers. He tweeted: “David Bowie, you will be sorely missed. Bowie’s ‘Changes’ and the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me.”
Midge Ure has labelled David Bowie “the guv’nor”. The former Ultravox singer and Live Aid co-founder said: “We are all still walking in his slipstream.”
Madonna tweeted: “I’m Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert I ever saw in Detroit! R.I.P.”
Marc Almond, the former frontman of Soft Cell, said “A lot of the lyrics on the album (Blackstar) now seem quite prophetic… it’s an enormous loss. David Bowie taught me more than my teachers did at school. He was a real world changer.”
“The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie. As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original”
Queen drummer Roger Taylor said: “The cleverest and most interestingly brilliant man of our time. What a vacuum he leaves, and how he will be missed.”
Alison Moyet hailed Bowie as “our greatest, gone and here forever”. “A world’s heart breaks”
Annie Lennox from The Eurythmics “I feel stunned by the news. Our personal & collective inner landscape has shifted and we’re trying to come to terms with it”
Human League founder Martyn said “[Bowie] symbolised not only the glamour of popular music, but his career was really one of an artist rather than just a musician.”
Sir Paul McCartney posted a tribute on his website: “Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning. David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world.
SONGS PLAYED
David Bowie – Ashes to Ashes
David Bowie – Fashion
David Bowie – China Girl
David Bowie – Modern Love
Kiss – Crazy Crazy Nights
David Bowie – Blue Jean
Midge Ure – No Regrets
David Bowie – Absolute Beginners
Alison Moyet – Weak in the Presence of Beauty
David Bowie – Underground
Eurythmics – Right By Your Side
David Bowie – Loving The Alien
David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the Street
Madonna – Live To Tell
Soft Cell – Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
David Bowie – This Is Not America
Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – Ebony and Ivory
David Bowie – Day In Day Out
Queen (feat. David Bowie) – Under Pressure
Madness – Grey Day
The Jam – Beat Surrender
Culture Club – Karma Chameleon
INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
The Human League – Open Your Heart
The Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me
Janet Jackson – What Have You Done For Me Lately
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
