David Bowie passed away early in this New Year. When I first read the news, as I was zipping through FB headings and tidbits, at first I was in complete denial (Bullshit! A unbelievable mistake!). But as I continued to read about his ongoing battle with cancer, one that he and his family kept under tight wraps until the inevitable end, it struck like a punch in the gut. Tears overwhelmed me. I fast-tracked through all the memories of this incredible man's music, and the years that it ran through my life like the best of soundtracks. As a child, developing a huge crush as I watched him own the Goblin King role in Labyrinth; being completely hooked on the movie soundtrack for years afterwards; listening to the classics like "Golden Years" and "Fame" that were the bedrock of my musical upbringing; getting into the Ziggy Stardust phase in my early 20, fueled by a rocker boyfriend and the group of people I was hanging with at the time. After my breakup, with the boy and the group, I spent hours at dive bars feeding coins in the juke, and listening to my "old friends". I even got Mom into my phase, and she loved "Ziggy" as much as I did. It was fun to think that I was teaching Mom about music from her generation. It definitely had the power of crossing the lines and reaching everyone. David Bowie's music was a living entity; I found consolation and hope in its companionship. These songs reminded me that some things do last forever.
In more recent years, David Bowie has been my standby, his music on so many playlists. He became a friend, family, more than just entertainment or background noise. When he passed on from this life, it hurt so deeply that it felt as though all the memories in my life involving his music- childhood, the 20's, today- somehow departed right along with him. I grieved then, and am grieving now, for this enormous loss, not only in the music world but for everyone who played his songs and connected through his lyrics and the memories that walked hand in hand with his music. It seems impossible to think he is really gone- he was one of those rare souls who aged with such grace, bigger than life, his music evolving, changing and always growing. He was more than just a rock n roll icon; he was a builder of dreams. He brought us all together. He had the confidence and guts to remain true to his individuality, regardless of how strange that looked at times. He put his heart and soul into his songs, and was unafraid to express himself at the highest level. He will never be replaced and will never be forgotten.
"There's a Starman waiting in the sky,
He'd like to come and meet us,
but he thinks he'd blow our minds..."
