David Bowie 1947 – 2016

bowie300x300The fact that you are reading this right now is likely due, in some measure, to David Bowie. Chances are, his music and that of those inspired by him, is amongst the forces which pointed your career in the direction that led you to the role you now hold.  His impact on countless souls echoes throughout this industry, and we are, no doubt, only just beginning to perceive the chasm carved by his departure.

Bowie embodied that rare quality assumed by the most true and beloved of stars– of being one of us, and simultaneously, untouchably, unattainably, inhabiting another stratosphere. Always a gentleman (and, indeed, sometimes a lady), Bowie approached and received fans and peers alike with a blind respect equal to his talent, a disorienting normalness and warmth, not always expected of one often viewing the world from such a pedestal.

To address his body of work and legacy here in great detail would be redundantly obvious. To reflect on the remembrances of fellow fans…feels more appropriately cathartic. We caught up with a few as they commiserated, paying respects.  Promo vet Jeffrey Naumann (Jeffrey Naumann Promotion) shared: “David Bowie was like wine. His music was so ahead of the “curve,” radio did not was to consume until 10 -20 years later for the trend to catch up. Example, my first song I worked at radio was “Heroes”. They thought “Heroes” was way too weird to play. It took years before it wasn’t weird anymore. Now “Heroes” is a 100-point wine. Almost all his music was ahead of its time.”

Jim Neill, Marketing honcho at Iron Horse Entertainment Group, recalled some personal memories of Bowie. “I had the privilege of running some meet and greets on David’s 1990 Sound & Vision Tour,” says Neill. “He was 43, I was 27. He was utterly charming and friendly. Each night before the show we’d gather the VIP’s in a tent and wait for his manager, Coco Schwab, to usher him in and hand him over to me. I would walk him through the guests, introducing him to each one, one at a time. Then he’d whoosh away with a smile and an ‘enjoy the show.’ It was surreal, but somehow he made it feel as natural as possible, acting like he was a humble everyman yet somehow conveying that, of course, he would never be that and that we were all in on the joke and making the best of the eternally awkward process of meeting truly famous people. By the end of the tour in Los Angeles, we had a rhythm, he knew my name we devised a two-minute warning system — a stealth wink — so he could let me know when we had to wrap it up. These meet-and-greets each lasted 10 minutes, and each felt like two.”

Sean O’Connell, founder of Creative Allies and Music Allies reflected: “David Bowie opened up a world to me where it was ok to be different and push boundaries. I can remember the first time I heard so many of his songs and the impact they had on me. So sad to lose him.”  With a fair share of star-studded experiences decorating his own career, promo guru Andrew Govatsos (WEA/Reprise, The Artist Cooperative) rightly told Play MPE “There have been many great musicians in my lifetime but only a handful that changed the direction of music. David Bowie was one of them.”  And to tug at your heart-strings, Dee Dee Kearney at Capitol shared with us, “I just remember how friendly and sweet he was to me, and how he never stopped smiling.”

Adding levity, VH1 Classic’s Nik Carter shared with Play MPE the ribbing he gave his colleague Mark Goodman, conjuring Bowie’s 1983 call-out of MTV (“There seem to be a lot of black artists making very good videos that I’m surprised aren’t being used on MTV.”) Nik also shined a light on Bowie’s dismissal of Coldplay invitation to collaborate: “SO great, he told Chris Martin outright ‘this isn’t one of your best’…. meanwhile this is the same guy who did a duet with Al B. Sure back in 1993… AL. B SURE!”  In full Ziggy face paint, KROQ’s Kat Corbett shared with us the challenge of any diehard fan…to name a favorite song. ”It’s hard to choose one song and I’ve changed my mind 5000 times today. I think this is it because it’s everything,” referring appropriately to “Heroes.” Kat also took to social media, sharing some much needed laughs with the community, by way of Ricky Gervais. (If you haven’t caught it, the time is well-invested, just to hear that unmistakable voice sing “Little fat man…”)  Atlantic’s Lou Rizzo shared with us these dryly accurate observances: “Bowie was a true artist, a pioneer:  glam before glam, punk before punk, and Skrillex before there was, well, Skrillex.”

bowie-1James Donio, president of the Music Business Association (Music Biz) shared this robust tribute with Billboard: “Music Biz is deeply saddened by the loss of David Bowie, a truly iconic artist, spectacular entertainer, and visionary innovator. From Rock to Folk to Glam to Dance, Bowie’s songs had a profound impact on the musical landscape. He had a dedicated following in popular culture and reinvented and developed striking visual presentation in his work for more than four decades. In fact, nearly every genre of music would not be the same without his contributions. His final album, Blackstar, is a fitting endpoint to his legacy, allowing him to go out on a high note while pushing at the boundaries of what Pop music can be. His legions of fans of all stripes around the world should remember him the way he would have wanted… through the amazing music he continued to create through his entire life.”
All this to say nothing, mind you, of the grieving sentiments expressed by his fellow greats: “Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning. David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world. I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever.” – Paul” (McCartney) Facebook and Twitter became a worldwide memorial, an inevitable cathedral of tributes and sharing. Bowie’s son Duncan emerged this week to share “Hi all. Just wanted to thank you for the incredibly kind words & thoughts.  I’ll be easing my way back into Twitter- “

Art soothed souls as many posted visual homages:

Credit: Digital Art of Akers

Credit: Digital Art of Akers

Credit: Leanne Walker

Credit: Leanne Walker

 

Credit: Helen Green

Meanwhile, Rough Trade in the UK and U.S. has promised to donate all album sales profits this month to Cancer Research UK, which funds those in medicine and makes policy recommendations to government officials.  #sniff

Mural in hometown of Brixton

Mural in hometown of Brixton

A hall of famer, the original “pop chameleon” whose body of work will launch countless more talents, Bowie received perhaps the most fitting tribute from an unlikely source when The Onion posted this headline: “Universe Honors David Bowie with Emotional Starlight Vigil.”

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