British pop master David Bowie passed away January 10th after a year and a half battle with cancer. According to those closest to him, Bowie died as he lived, making art.
Bowie's final album, Blackstar, was released last Friday on his 69th birthday. The artist's friend and long time producer Tony Visconti wrote on Facebook that Blackstar was a "parting gift" to the world.
Visconti wrote that, "I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man full of love and life. He will always be with us."
Curiously, a David Bowie tribute concert at Carnegie Hall was announced only hours before the performer's death. The event, scheduled for March 31st, will go on as a memorial concert.
The show will include twenty different artists like Cindi Lauper, The Roots, Perry Farrell, Ann Wilson, Jakob Dylan, with Tony Visconti leading the house band.
For some perspective on how prolific and influential Bowie's work was, consider that he racked up 111 singles since his first release in 1967, which averages to about two singles per year since his rise to fame.
Blackstar is, of course, on track to top charts across the world. Artists from across the spectrum of music have poured out love and sadness on the web, from Madonna to Kanye West, Sir Paul McCartney and Iggy Pop among the most heartfelt messages.
[anad]
While the tribute-turned-memorial concert, and indeed, even "farewell" tracks on Blackstar, such as "Lazarus" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" are admittedly spooky, David Bowie was, and forever will be, a musical genius.
Something that'll cheer you up? Well, take a look at the video below for Bowie's 1997 hit featuring Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, "I'm Afraid of Americans." The video was shot in NYC and features Bowie as the role of a British tourist.
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[via BBC] [Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]