Farewell David Bowie

David Bowie, the legendary glam rock icon, has died. He was 69 and the cause of death is listed as cancer. The New York Times has a lovely memorial about Bowie's life in music and fashion.

#NEWSGRAPHIC David Bowie discography: notable albums 1969 - 2016 pic.twitter.com/HSwB5juRZr

— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 11, 2016

Comments

[Steve Argentina]

R.I.P... one of the fathers of Glam Rock, with Marc Bolan...

Bye David, Bye Ziggy.... thanks for the music.. and the image inspiration....

Regards from Buenos Aires

[Metalboy!]

Without question, Bowie was a HUGE and indelible influence on Glam Metal. Just ask Def Leppard, or better yet, just listen to Joe Elliott namecheck Bowie in the song "Rocket" three times, more than any other artist referenced.

In it, Elliott references Ziggy from "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust", "Jean Genie", the song from "Alladin Sane" and Major Tom from the song "Space Oddity", his breakthrough hit from his self-titled first album, later renamed for the song.

Beyond his music, it was also his style that, not only marked the invention of Glam Rock, but also made a huge impact on "the look" of Glam Metal -- many of his unique hair styles, his penchant for make-up and his fashion were also mimicked by many a Glam Metal band.

Though it's hard to choose, my personal favorite Bowie song is "Rebel Rebel" and my favorite albums are "Alladin Sane", "Diamond Dogs" and "Young Americans", primarily because those are where the guitars are cranked up the most.

I was fortunate to see "The Thin White Duke" point blank off his megahit "Let's Dance" album at a sold out Capital Centre (since demolished). Needless to say, it was one of THE most incredible performances I've ever witnessed, featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar as he also played on the album.

Tonight I'm feeling "strung out in heaven's high, hitting an all time low" like Major Tom, who Bowie revisited in his song "Ashes to Ashes" as I mourn one of the greatest rockers of all time, a true original, a legend and a genius.

[Ace Steele]

Possibly the most important artist ever, in the world of Glam.

David's passing leaves a huge hole in the world of music, theatre, fashion, & glam rock.

Never, ever a nostalgia act, Bowie was the consummate artist... releasing new music right up until the end... 2 days before his passing.

Farewell David Bowie, You are a true icon & an artiste. Rest in Peace.

"... and the stars look very different today..." :(

[Dj]

Although I was never really a huge fan, I do love Diamond Dogs and he wrote one of my all time favorite songs "All The Young Dudes"
It's still a shame that we have lost yet another rock n roll legend. Even if you're not a Bowie fan, you can't ignore the influence and impact he's made on glam, Rock N Roll, heavy metal, punk, and pop. It seems like he's inspired everyone across the board and he basically set the stone for image and art in rock music.
Rest in peace.

[Gary]

Icon. Completely floored me when my wife called me at work to tell me,as I wasn't even aware he was sick,and had just saw a commercial on television the day before plugging his newest release. First time I heard Ziggy and its monstrous guitar tones, I was hooked. (Thank you Mick Ronson) Lemmy's and Bowie within weeks of each other. God must've thought his house band needed some attitude and style. RIP Mr. Jones.

[Kixchix]

RIP.

Sad. He just released new music too.

[Metalboy!]

Ace said it best... Bowie wasn't just an artist, he was a true artiste!

[Him]

Late to the game, but agree with you all: an icon.

Not a fan of all of his stuff, but an amazing talent with influence like a tractor beam, zapping across genres and beyond music.

I still love the song "Blue Jean" and think that Tin Machine was an amazing band that had more potential than they showed. Even those two poles show how he could stand out on purpose and then again without effort.

Hell, you can't even blame the ones who bowed before him. Still think the Bauhaus remake of "Ziggy S." was one of those rare moments when admirers showed their love by inching out the master. And, lest we forget, both Bowie and Murphy sharing some filmic time in _The Hunger_ only a year later.

Hate that it comes so close on the heels of another loss. But it still matters: RIP Bowie.