David Bowie 8th January 1947 – 10th January 2016
Today is my birthday and also marks the third anniversary of the untimely passing of perhaps Britain’s finest ever contemporary creative genius.
David Bowie, Street Art in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
When I heard the news of his death from cancer three years ago, I played Lazarus on my MP3 and bawled my eyes out. I had never been what you call a true fan and had never seen the great man live, yet the news hit me for six and felt like a great personal loss.
Twelve months ago to the day I went to Berlin for the day to pay homage to him. My very first port of call therefore had to be the flat where Bowie lived in the city during the late 1970s, a period that saw him record three iconic studio albums – the Berlin Trilogy of Low, “Heroes” & Lodger. The Brandenburg Gate etc. could wait!
I reached Hauptstrasse 155, a bland apartment building in the Schöneberg district of the city, by bus. I lingered for 45 minutes and listened to “Heroes” as tears once again filled my eyes.
Rest in peace Star Man. Your legacy will live for ever.
David Bowie Memorial Plaque, Berlin
Tributes to David Bowie outside his former flat in Berlin – 10th January 2017
I was never a great fan I have to say. I only really ever liked his Ziggy Stardust years.
First – happy birthday. Hope your day is full of all the stuff you love.
I wasn’t a Bowie fan until I was dragged to one of his concerts by a true-blue fan back in the mid-70s. Then I was completed mesmerized by the man and his music.
He was a unique star.
Which reminds me of something I read recently that said we should be embracing our inner Ziggy Stardust. We should stop trying to be ‘normal’ or whatever normal means to us, and embrace that odd part of ourselves that makes us unique.
When you see the clothes he wore in the 70s when he didn’t give a fig about what people thought of him, that does make you think. You can’t lose sight of the role illegal substances played but I just loved his uniqueness and amazing ability to reinvent himself. Thanks for the birthday wishes.