There’s A Starman Waiting In The Sky: David Bowie (1947-2016)

There’s a sense of sad deja-vu here. Not even half a month ago, days after celebrating his 70th birthday we learned of the passing of Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister from cancer. Now, days after his 69th birthday, the world of music has lost one of its biggest inspirations – David Bowie – following an 18 month battle with cancer.

Bowie, being the quiet character he was, never disclosed the news in public – thus waking up to find out the news was a major shock to everyone. Suddenly, you woke up in alerted style to make sure you weren’t hearing things. You weren’t. “Very sorry and sad to say it’s true”, wrote Bowie’s son Duncan Jones on Twitter, sharing a picture of him as a child with his Father.

As the news spread this morning, it didn’t take long for the tributes to come from wide and far. Not only from the world of music, but even TV personalities, politicians and even the Vatican shared their thoughts of one of music’s finest “chameleons”.

“David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.”
Kanye West

“David Bowie impacted culture globally. The entire planet appreciated his music, style and look. He did it all with so much soul.”
MC Hammer

“Talented. Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever!”
Madonna

“All Hail, David Bowie, Star Man, Hero.”
Brian May, Queen

“Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown,
engines on
Check ignition
and may God’s love be with you (David Bowie)”
Cardinale Gianfranco Ravasi, Vatican

“I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.”
David Cameron, British Prime Minister

David Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, shared this picture on his Twitter account this morning.

There is no denying Bowie was able to re-invent himself successfully. With 61 singles in the UK Top 40, five of which reaching number 1 and eight number 1 albums from the twenty six released before Blackstar, the album he released on his 69th birthday just three days ago. Blackstar already looks to be heading to #1 in the album charts, and this even before today’s saddening news.

Moreover, he was able to touch millions across generations – a gift few are ever able to truly possess. As our favourites come and go from the music scene, there’s the small minority who can still inspire to the younger music fans throughout the decades. Bowie was one of those.

Whether you were there for his beginnings, the Ziggy Stardust era, the soul and funk times, the New Wave and Pop era or even learning of his cultural impact from coming across his music used in TV (most notably as the main themes (and inspiration for the titles) of BBC Dramas Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes), he opened the door to experiencing a wide range of music styles across the decades, and made the unusual seem normal.

There’s a Starman waiting in the sky, and his name is David Bowie. Rest in Peace.

Ashley Redman