I was never a David Bowie fan. There, I said it. I was never not a Bowie fan either. I quite liked several of his hits, but I didn't love Bowie and his whole shape-shifting shtick the way some of my friends did and still do. I was into gnarlier rock at the time of his greatest fame. I do regret not taking in the Bowie exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario a couple of years ago. We were in the building for another exhibit, but time constraints meant that we left without a gander at the Bowie legacy.
I was shocked by the news of Bowie's death, in part because he was only 69 and had released a new album on the occasion of his birthday last Friday. One of the songs, Lazarus, now takes on much greater import as a foreshadowing of his death. Bowie has lived with cancer for the past year and a half, although he shared this reality with only a few friends. The song is a bit spooky, but good and poignant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8
Of course the biblical story of Lazarus is about a friend of Jesus who dies and is mourned by his sisters. Mary and Martha are bereft, and angry at Jesus for not showing up on time to save his life. Jesus weeps, and then he raises Lazarus from the tomb.
The tributes to David Bowie are oozing from every media outlet, and rightly so. He was innovative, inquisitive, and talented. Apparently he was also a kind and caring person, good to his friends, collaborative, and gracious with interviewers. He deserves to be idolized as much as any celebrity, although the "immortal" legacies of artist doesn't literally raise them from the dead.
Are you mourning the passing of David Bowie? How are you when it comes to grieving? Do you have a "Lazarus" hope?
5 comments:
NOT a Bowie fan ... although very creative, and talented, his work is a bit too bizarre for me.... re a "Lazarus hope" - I have that every morning when I awake - "New every morning is the Love..."
I liked Bowie's music in the 80's, especially the album "Let's Dance". There's no doubt he was odd, but at least he was open about it. I think his openness may have somehow helped many people cope with their own situations, such as sexuality.
David, you mention you were into "gnarlier" music at the time. So now I'm picturing you at a Sex Pistols concert, complete with blue and green spiked hair and who knows how many piercings. Am I close?
Fortunately, not even in the ballpark Roger. As a late 60s, early 70s teen I was listening to Zeppelin, Iron Butterfly, Stones, along with the Beatles. My hair was long, but monochrome black.
Blessings David. I hear you.
I also gravitated to the Who, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, Clapton (Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith ...), although I would probably fail any test to identify all their music anymore.
Speaking as one seriously challenged by hair follicle decline, at least you still have hair (regardless of colour!).
Yes, now those were also amongst my favourite bands
Frank...Blind Faith was wonderful...
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