How did I miss the reports of David Bowie battling cancer for the past 18 months. Knowing that would have certainly helped soften the gut punch I took upon awakening to the fact that one my musical idols was gone. That was two hours ago. I'm still stunned and deeply saddened.
David Bowie is the artist who truly opened up the world to me. The discovery of Bowie's music and, in particular the Ziggy Stardust record which is my second favorite album of all time, coincided with my move from top 40 to progressive rock on the radio dial. He influenced my musical taste at the time, turning me on to the likes of Roxy Music, Mott The Hoople, Kraftwerk, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and others.
I can recall as a naive kid stopping in Disc Records at Westgate weekly to see if the Aladdin Sane album had been released yet. Obviously I bought it the week it finally did arrive. The same pattern of waiting anxiously for new Bowie continued for years and every album seemed like a new beginning with a new character. The original rock and roll chameleon.
I was curious to see what radio stations might abandon their format this morning to concentrate on the music of David Bowie. Surely WNCX, Cleveland's classic rock station would. Nope. I knew the BBC's 6 Music would be though and have found great solace in listening to the songs and shared remembrance texts and emails being read and shared by the DJs.
I want to go to a bar after work and singalong to Bowie's music with friends. I hope you can join me.
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