David Bowie has died

[Freddy58]

I too was really shocked at the news, still am. I grew up listening to his music, and it was the backdrop to to some great times. Very hard to understand why this feels so personal, but it does. I still listen to my favourite Bowie albums ( Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdinsane) on a regular basis. Don't know if I'm going to be able to listen to them again without getting 'choked'....

 

[Deleted member 108165]

I too was really shocked at the news, still am. I grew up listening to his music, and it was the backdrop to to some great times. Very hard to understand why this feels so personal, but it does. I still listen to my favourite Bowie albums ( Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdinsane) on a regular basis. Don't know if I'm going to be able to listen to them again without getting 'choked'....

Freddy, I completely understand where you are coming from, (and many others on here). I guess it all depends on how important a particular artist is to a certain period of your life. Many say that you can't feel grief over the loss of someone you never actually knew or met personally. I always thought this way too, until a few years ago.

It was very sad to hear about David's passing, he was a true genius, yet I felt sadder at the loss of Freddie Mercury. However, over three years ago Donna Summer died and I got very emotional when I heard it on the evening news, and continued to feel very sad for quite some time. I'm talking months, not days. I analysed these feelings over and over again. I've lost both my parents and loved ones over the years so I know what true grief feels like, and all I can say is I was experiencing a similar grief for someone I had only known through their music. What makes this even weirder is that I only followed her career from 1975-79 and then she dropped off my radar as my taste in music changed, (wife, kids and house came along in the early 80's). I only re-kindled my interest in her about 3 months before she passed away. This may all sound very weird to some out there as it is a very strange feeling; you kind of feel like a fraud.

The wonderous thing we can take from this is that we were on this earth at the same time as they were. How many kids these days are going to feel the same way when Kanye West or Katy Perry go? Personally, I can't see many stars these days making the grade for iconic status.

Please don't shoot me down just because I've mentioned Donna, Freddie and David in the same breath.

 

[drummerman]

Whilst D Bowie's dead is regrettable even sad, (as is anyones who lived a peaceful life), if I am honest, I don't quite understand this 'intense grief' some announce.

Just don't geddit.

 

[MajorFubar]

For those really into his music, he was a true icon, and an idol, in a way that artists in the generations which followed him were perhaps not.

The day after DB’s death was announced, I read a post on Facebook from a young fella who admitted he was too young to have any great affection or affinity for DB, but he had observed just how much the passing had upset his parents and many other adults of a similar generation. I thought he was about to go off on a rant about how ridiculous we all were. But he didn’t. What he actually said is, he was deeply envious of the fact adults of his parents generation and before had artists and cultural icons who had truly touched their lives at such a personal and emotional level that they felt genuine grief when that person passed. Bowie, Mercury, Presley, Lennon, to name but a few. He opined with some remorse that his generation have no such icons, instead they have ‘plastic people with plastic personalities seeking 15 minutes of fame and while we buy their records and watch them disgrace themselves on TV honestly no-one my age really cares whether they live or die’.

If that’s the true, ie if he’s speaking for the majority of his peers, I think I feel quite sad for him / them.

 

[plastic penguin]

Whilst D Bowie's dead is regrettable even sad, (as is anyones who lived a peaceful life), if I am honest, I don't quite understand this 'intense grief' some announce.

Just don't geddit.

The reason is simple: Not only did he produce some wonderfully original songs, but he was a innovator in fashion. In addition it is hard to pin him down to one genre: I remember when he formed 'Tin Machine' people were saying "this is not a typical Bowie album blah blah". I've never heard (I own 9 Bowie albums) a 'typical' Bowie LP. Add in his longevity and he has proved the exception.

I don't expect everyone to love his music - I'm a big Bowie fan but there are some albums I'll bypass.

IMHO the only songwriter who comes close is Elvis Costello. These two IMO are head and shoulders above everyone else.

 

[manicm]

Drummerman, I think Bowie had a brilliant 10 years from 1970 to 1980, in a variety of musical ways catering to many different tastes. He was a jack of all trades and master of all of them. I'm going to get crucified for saying this but I don't think even the Beatles achieved that. I'll get crucified too by saying by and large Bowie overtook Dylan in that decade too. And his lyrics in Scary Monsters were just brilliant. Teenage Wildlife was more Dylan than Dylan.

By his own admission he lost the plot in the 80s after Let's Dance but he had a great resurgence in the noughties starting with Heathen - don't overlook this album folks.

And I certainly resonate with those who say they felt strange when he died. I mean I was about Bowie's age as when he made Low and Heroes when I discovered those albums.

 

[drummerman]

Ah, you guys misunderstood.

I appreciate that he was a trail blazer and his musical achievements are beyond doubt.

However, I just don't understand that deep personal grief some experience/express, it's as if a family member has died.

I thought idolism to this extent is the prerogative of teenager ... ?

Perhaps I'm just a cynical old git ... .

Anyway, he is a great loss to music, even if it was not all to my taste.

 

[tonky]

And this forum is full off old gits of one sort or another - cynical and/or otherwise!

tonky

 

[manicm]

Ah, you guys misunderstood.

I appreciate that he was a trail blazer and his musical achievements are beyond doubt.

However, I just don't understand that deep personal grief some experience/express, it's as if a family member has died.

I thought idolism to this extent is the prerogative of teenager ... ?

Perhaps I'm just a cynical old git ... .

Anyway, he is a great loss to music, even if it was not all to my taste.

I know what you meant, that's why I used the word 'strange'. I certainly can't explain my tinge of sadness but I'm sure it was partially because of how I discovered his 'Berlin' albums. I was incidentally the same age as he when he made Low.

I got into Bowie very late. Then again I also loathed The Joshua Tree until 7 years ago, when I thought ok maybe all the idiots may have been right about something. And also realised Achtung Baby was really only half-good. Second side sinking like the Titanic and all that....

 

[MrReaper182]

I've was never a big Bowie fan but I liked some of his songs. My favourite was probably Starman. He was also a great actor. A lot of my goth freinds were huge fans and say he had a big influence on them.

 

[drummerman]

I shall do a little Bowie searching on Tidal over the next few weeks, see if there is some stuff I really like but didn't know.

I have a feeling I won't be the only one ... .

 

[tonky]

I've enjoyed using spotify (3 months 99p a month trial period). It's been great revisiting some music from the seventies that I liked (Mountain and Manassas to name but two) . Been also catching up on Bowie stuff. Was recommended Station to Station. It's not bad at all and I am sure I will get more out of it as I listen some more.

What a career the guy had. He can't be compared to the Beatles - their career was so short in comparison.

tonky

 

[steve_1979]

For those really into his music, he was a true icon, and an idol, in a way that artists in the generations which followed him were perhaps not.

The day after DB’s death was announced, I read a post on Facebook from a young fella who admitted he was too young to have any great affection or affinity for DB, but he had observed just how much the passing had upset his parents and many other adults of a similar generation. I thought he was about to go off on a rant about how ridiculous we all were. But he didn’t. What he actually said is, he was deeply envious of the fact adults of his parents generation and before had artists and cultural icons who had truly touched their lives at such a personal and emotional level that they felt genuine grief when that person passed. Bowie, Mercury, Presley, Lennon, to name but a few. He opined with some remorse that his generation have no such icons, instead they have ‘plastic people with plastic personalities seeking 15 minutes of fame and while we buy their records and watch them disgrace themselves on TV honestly no-one my age really cares whether they live or die’.

If that’s the true, ie if he’s speaking for the majority of his peers, I think I feel quite sad for him / them.

That's an interesting post which rings true for me too. Corporate manufactured music made by plastic people with no soul. With the exception of possibly Dave Grohl I can't think of any other artist from my generation that could be considered an cultural icon.

The only music people that I can identify with and feel any emotion for were from before time. Bowie, Mercury, Lennon etc.

 

[MrReaper182]

For those really into his music, he was a true icon, and an idol, in a way that artists in the generations which followed him were perhaps not.

The day after DB’s death was announced, I read a post on Facebook from a young fella who admitted he was too young to have any great affection or affinity for DB, but he had observed just how much the passing had upset his parents and many other adults of a similar generation. I thought he was about to go off on a rant about how ridiculous we all were. But he didn’t. What he actually said is, he was deeply envious of the fact adults of his parents generation and before had artists and cultural icons who had truly touched their lives at such a personal and emotional level that they felt genuine grief when that person passed. Bowie, Mercury, Presley, Lennon, to name but a few. He opined with some remorse that his generation have no such icons, instead they have ‘plastic people with plastic personalities seeking 15 minutes of fame and while we buy their records and watch them disgrace themselves on TV honestly no-one my age really cares whether they live or die’.

If that’s the true, ie if he’s speaking for the majority of his peers, I think I feel quite sad for him / them.

That's an interesting post which rings true for me too. Corporate manufactured music made by plastic people with no soul. With the exception of possibly Dave Grohl I can't think of any other artist from my generation that could be considered an cultural icon.

The only music people that I can identify with and feel any emotion for were from before time. Bowie, Mercury, Lennon etc.

There are lots. How about Trent Reznor or Marliyn Manson (both influenced by Bowie) or Mark Everett (E from the Eles). These people will be talked about long after I'm dead and forgoten.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I spoke to a mate yesterday, and we were talking about how sad it was that Bowie had died. He then told me that his wife expressed surprise at the reaction to Bowie's death, and told him that she thought it was a bigger deal when Cilla Black died.........and she was serious.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

There are lots. How about Trent Reznor or Marliyn Manson (both influenced by Bowie) or Mark Everett (E from the Eles). These people will be talked about long after I'm dead and forgoten.

I'm not sure they're even talked about now, are they?

 

[Covenanter]

There are lots. How about Trent Reznor or Marliyn Manson (both influenced by Bowie) or Mark Everett (E from the Eles). These people will be talked about long after I'm dead and forgoten.

I'm not sure they're even talked about now, are they?

+1 - never heard of Trent Reznor or Mark Everett.

Chris

 

[MrReaper182]

There are lots. How about Trent Reznor or Marliyn Manson (both influenced by Bowie) or Mark Everett (E from the Eles). These people will be talked about long after I'm dead and forgoten.

I'm not sure they're even talked about now, are they?

There were times when David Bowie was not at this peak music wise and not so much talked about. David said of one of his 90's albums (can not remember the name of it but one of the songs had The Pet Shop Boys on) that he wanted the album to sound like the Nine Inch Nails. So he influenced Trent Reznor but wanted to sound like him. I think Trent will long remembered.

 

[drummerman]

I spoke to a mate yesterday, and we were talking about how sad it was that Bowie had died. He then told me that his wife expressed surprise at the reaction to Bowie's death, and told him that she thought it was a bigger deal when Cilla Black died.........and she was serious.

Your post summises precisely what I dont like about this celebrity idolism/worship.

If you would say that what Bowie achieved more recognition for what he did or influenced more people than Cilla Black, fair enough and I don't even care whether it is true or not.

But to compare one death against another in terms of 'bigger deal', whether done by your mates wife or by yourgoodself for implying she got it the wrong way round is ... ludicrous.

Sorry and nothing personal.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I think it was back in the 90s, when Bowie was asked whether he'd been listening to NIN, and if they'd been an influence on his new album; Bowie answered: "The band that I was actually quite taken with was three guys from Switzerland called The Young Gods... I’d been aware of them previous to knowing about Nine Inch Nails."

The Young Gods are awesome, but sadly overlooked. See them live if you ever have the chance.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I spoke to a mate yesterday, and we were talking about how sad it was that Bowie had died. He then told me that his wife expressed surprise at the reaction to Bowie's death, and told him that she thought it was a bigger deal when Cilla Black died.........and she was serious.

Your post summises precisely what I dont like about this celebrity idolism/worship.

If you would say that what Bowie achieved more recognition for what he did or influenced more people than Cilla Black, fair enough and I don't even care whether it is true or not.

But to compare one death against another in terms of 'bigger deal', whether done by your mates wife or by your goodself for implying she got it the wrong way round is ... ludicrous.

Sorry and nothing personal.

In 'bigger deal', and I was quoting my friend's wife by the way, I meant exactly what I've highlighted above. You knew that, so stop being a ****.

 

[MajorFubar]

Maybe the problem with many modern artists (artists new the the scene this century, let's say for argument), if there is indeed a problem, is perhaps their public image is so controlled, refined and managed to perfection that young fans don't get chance to feel afinity with any real person behind the highly polished plastic outer shell. It could be anyone filling the shoes because it's the end product that maybe youngsters feel afinity towards, not the person acting out the part. So maybe what this young lad on FB was saying is when the real person dies, he/his generation won't really feel grief because they never even began to feel they knew the person behind the mask.

 

[drummerman]

I spoke to a mate yesterday, and we were talking about how sad it was that Bowie had died. He then told me that his wife expressed surprise at the reaction to Bowie's death, and told him that she thought it was a bigger deal when Cilla Black died.........and she was serious.

Your post summises precisely what I dont like about this celebrity idolism/worship.

If you would say that what Bowie achieved more recognition for what he did or influenced more people than Cilla Black, fair enough and I don't even care whether it is true or not.

But to compare one death against another in terms of 'bigger deal', whether done by your mates wife or by your goodself for implying she got it the wrong way round is ... ludicrous.

Sorry and nothing personal.

In 'bigger deal', and I was quoting my friend's wife by the way, I meant exactly what I've highlighted above. You knew that, so stop being a ****.

Actually, no I didn't 'knew' that and your post certainly didn't read that way.

Each to their own.

 

[steve_1979]

There are lots. How about Trent Reznor or Marliyn Manson (both influenced by Bowie) or Mark Everett (E from the Eles). These people will be talked about long after I'm dead and forgoten.

I'm not sure they're even talked about now, are they?

+1 - never heard of Trent Reznor or Mark Everett.

Chris

+2. Never heard of them.

As for Maryln Manson - I've heard of him of course but he's hardly what you'd call an icon like Bowie or Lennon.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

Your post summises precisely what I dont like about this celebrity idolism/worship.

Bowie's influence on music over the last 30 years or more is immeasureable, so I can't express in words how much I admire him, and how much his presence wll be missed; but I do not even have a favourite artist, let alone worship or idolise one.