“I heard the news today, oh boy.”
That was the line from the 1975 ballad, "Young Americans," by British rock star, David Bowie.
On the morning of Jan. 11, any fan familiar with the rock legend decades long music career since the 1970s whose flamboyant theatrics expanded into fashion and movies was probably recalling that same line when social media learned the “Starman” had passed away the night before, surrounded by family, following an 18 month long battle with cancer.
“As a total 80's child, David Bowie's "Modern Love" is my favorite song of his,” wrote Laura Silva Davis on social media. “A few years ago, we were in the Sony/Columbia building in New York and he walked down the hall. I only saw the back of his head but I couldn't tell enough people that day that I saw David Bowie!”
Bowie’s most memorable movie roles were anything but the norm that included playing an alien in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1975) a vampire in director Tony Scott’s horror film, "The Hunger" (1983) and a singing Goblin King in Jim Henson’s fantasy, "Labyrinth" (1986).
“I get offered so many bad movies,” the actor said in 1983 according to IMDB.com. “And they’re all raging queens or transvestites or Martians.”
His role as Pontius Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988), along with director Martin Scorsese’s odd choices in choosing Willem Dafoe to play Jesus and Harvey Keitel as Judas, made the casting far more interesting than the unnecessary controversy the movie spawned.
Like Ms. Davis, I, too, was an “80s child” who grew up listening to the singer’s music. Unless you have a way to sneak a webcam into my house, however, you’ll never be able to prove you saw me dancing like Bowie did with the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger in their 1985 duet rendition of "Dancing in the Street" or with Tina Turner in that 1980’s commercial for Pepsi. You’ll never know if I own a pair of red dancing shoes to “dance the blues.” Just because I get to the “Church on time” does not keep me from leaving Sunday mass early during communion let alone “put my trust in God and man” as Bowie sang in the hits, "Let’s Dance" and "Modern Love." At least I still believe “we can be heroes, for just one day.”
We have no idea where “Major Tom” is today but I think it’s fair to assume he is amongst the stars tonight.
The one meme I saw on social media in the days since his death was a picture of him saying, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.”
Perhaps the “Starman” is checking out the red planet to find out if there really is “Life On Mars.” I know NASA is standing by waiting for the answer that will never come.
©1/13/16
That was the line from the 1975 ballad, "Young Americans," by British rock star, David Bowie.
On the morning of Jan. 11, any fan familiar with the rock legend decades long music career since the 1970s whose flamboyant theatrics expanded into fashion and movies was probably recalling that same line when social media learned the “Starman” had passed away the night before, surrounded by family, following an 18 month long battle with cancer.
Young Americans wasn’t the only song I had playing in my head that day and on YouTube. Under Pressure, the 1981 collaboration between Bowie and lead Queen singer Freddie Mercury was another I couldn’t shake from memory. If Bowie hadn’t passed away, the only reason I was singing that song to myself was because those two words, “Under pressure” had to do with what I was dealing with at work that day.“Every one of his distinct eras has memorable songs,” said fan Grant Stewart on social media. “Right now, I have "Starman", "Queen Bitch", and "Blue Jean" running through my head.”
“As a total 80's child, David Bowie's "Modern Love" is my favorite song of his,” wrote Laura Silva Davis on social media. “A few years ago, we were in the Sony/Columbia building in New York and he walked down the hall. I only saw the back of his head but I couldn't tell enough people that day that I saw David Bowie!”
Bowie’s most memorable movie roles were anything but the norm that included playing an alien in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1975) a vampire in director Tony Scott’s horror film, "The Hunger" (1983) and a singing Goblin King in Jim Henson’s fantasy, "Labyrinth" (1986).
“I get offered so many bad movies,” the actor said in 1983 according to IMDB.com. “And they’re all raging queens or transvestites or Martians.”
His role as Pontius Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988), along with director Martin Scorsese’s odd choices in choosing Willem Dafoe to play Jesus and Harvey Keitel as Judas, made the casting far more interesting than the unnecessary controversy the movie spawned.
Like Ms. Davis, I, too, was an “80s child” who grew up listening to the singer’s music. Unless you have a way to sneak a webcam into my house, however, you’ll never be able to prove you saw me dancing like Bowie did with the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger in their 1985 duet rendition of "Dancing in the Street" or with Tina Turner in that 1980’s commercial for Pepsi. You’ll never know if I own a pair of red dancing shoes to “dance the blues.” Just because I get to the “Church on time” does not keep me from leaving Sunday mass early during communion let alone “put my trust in God and man” as Bowie sang in the hits, "Let’s Dance" and "Modern Love." At least I still believe “we can be heroes, for just one day.”
“I once asked John Lennon what he thought of what I do,” Bowie once said decades ago. “He said, “It’s great, but it’s just rock and roll with lipstick on.”Bowie, who was born David Jones, celebrated his 69th birthday Jan. 8 with the release of his final album, "Blackstar." For years the singer, like so many other celebrities, was the subject of Internet hoaxes claiming he had died. Sadly, on Jan. 10, to the shock of millions of fans, it became true. He leaves behind a second wife, supermodel Iman, daughter, Alexandria, from his second marriage, and son, Duncan, from his first.
We have no idea where “Major Tom” is today but I think it’s fair to assume he is amongst the stars tonight.
The one meme I saw on social media in the days since his death was a picture of him saying, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.”
Perhaps the “Starman” is checking out the red planet to find out if there really is “Life On Mars.” I know NASA is standing by waiting for the answer that will never come.
©1/13/16
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