In Loving Memory of David Bowie - 1947 - 2016

In loving memory of David Bowie

1947 - 2016

~

It's a weird thing when musicians pass. You somehow think they are physically immortal and will never actually die. However, one thing that will always be immortal is their legacy - the mark they have left on the world will never fade. David Bowie's music was more than just a collection of sounds and vocals - it was a visionary, a spectacle, an artistical masterpiece.

David Bowie tragically passed yesterday aged 69 after an 18 month fight with cancer that nobody knew about. His life kept so tightly discreet for years that nobody knew that his latest album Blackstar, which released last Friday, was simply foreshadowing his own death. A carefully planned "farewell gift" to his fans. The video for Lazarus visually picturing the idea of his death. A thought that crossed nobody's mind as they watched the video in awe on Friday night was how real it would all become.

But just why was David Bowie such an exceptional artist? Maybe it was because that not one of his albums was the same. There is not one genre that he did not experiment with. He created a variety of personas to enable his music career to go from strength to strength. Just when music critics thought they had a name to define him, he evolved into somebody new.

His death came as shock not only for the suddenness of it, but also the loss of such an musical icon. Fans from across the world have taken to Twitter to post of their sadness. Even more touchingly, thousands flocked to Brixton, Bowie's hometown, last night for a "Bowie Brixton Street Party" There was fireworks, singing, dancing and an all round celebratory roar created by those who adored him, old and young. Thousands of candles and handwritten messages have also been placed outside of the David Bowie memorial which is also situated in Brixton. Celebrations have also occurred in Berlin and New York - two other cities Bowie called home.

David, I write this post as a final farewell to your body. Your physical presence may have left us but your music, the declaration of your mind and soul, will live permanently on this earth for my children and my children's children to enjoy. I hope that the future generations will look at artists the way that most of us do now, which is with admiration. I hope that the future generations will listen to artists in the same way. Who knows, maybe in 20-30 years, CD's will come back in revolt, just like vinyls are today. Many children of today will grow up and name their children "David" or "Ziggy" or their favourite persona of yours. When their children ask why they have such a weird and unusual name compared to their classmates, they will say it is because of you and the impact you had on their lives, whether that be from passively listening to their parents' music collection or discovering you for themselves whilst in search of something new and exciting to liven up their music library. Your music will find a way into many people's lives through one way or another for many years to come. We will never forget you.

Return home, Starman.