So Bowie's left Earth. Briefly put, he was an artist who was a constant part of my growing up. I think I saw him first as an actor. He was playing the Elephant Man and it must have been shown on PBS. I have never been able to find it since, unfortunately. He was riveting. For much of the play he wore a diaper-like thing and twisted himself into Merrick's character. That's it. No makeup or prosthetics, just his contorted almost-naked body and a voice that sounded like it was pushed through a great deal of flesh. As an oldest child with little access to college radio or record stores, it was probably not until the "Young Americans" album came out that I heard him again. Once we got the satellite dish and MTV, everything changes. I found Bowie and Grace Jones and the Eurythmics and Kate Bush...all the wondrous, freaky sounds and images I craved. There are so many of his songs and videos to love, but I have a special feeling about "Heroes," specifically his performance during Live Aid. The powder blue suit, the GIRL saxophonist, the mass of people screaming in joy!! (I also remember Mama talking about what pretty hair he had.) I was 16 on that day and earlier in the summer I had traveled to France, at (unappreciated at the time) expense to my family. For almost two weeks, I saw castles and Parisian streets. I stood in front of Van Gogh paintings trying not to cry. I came back home and worked in the same tomato fields as always, dizzy from heat and culture shock. My teenage brain veered between grandiosity and self-loathing, hope and fear. The world was so big and so beautiful and so troubled. Was this the beginning of the world or the end? Bowie always chose the wise path - not choosing an answer, kissing under gunfire, looking death in the eye, living til the end and then....somehow, impossibly, beyond. Matt posted the Lazarus video the day Bowie died with the statement: "today's lesson: Do your thing. Every day. Until you die." I can think of no better tribute.
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1/18/2016 11:33:19 am
Oh, I love this! I was really inspired this year, unusually inspired like never before, and then when I woke up to the news about Bowie, I somehow was inspired even more after the initial shock wore off. I keep saying to Christian, "Who is going to be the next hero? Bowie is gone! Is it you? Is it me?" What an amazing testament to live by. I enjoyed reading your tribute. I have heard some people offended that so many were touched by him in such a way that we are all mourning his departure, but the truth is, he had a way with coming out of the woodwork every now and again, and THAT was something to look forward to - it was always a mystery. Like when Valentine's Day came out a few years ago, it was a surprise to me, and then Christian got Blackstar on Friday when it came out and we were talking about how dark it seemed, and how cool it was that at 69 he still made such great music - how it seemed he would live forever. Then Monday morning rolled around and it all made sense. Siruis XM did a tribute station that was all Bowie (it was still going strong this morning as well), and wen I am in the car listening, I sometimes imagine all the people, all over the world listening to THAT SAME SONG at that EXACT SAME TIME and how cool that must seem from wherever Bowie is sitting now... Again, I loved this post and the pics you chose!! Xo!
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Michelle
1/18/2016 11:45:12 am
Thanks for reading, Sandice! I understand what you mean about the mourning/inspiration combo. And how he didn't let age or even illness stop him. I wish I had known when I was 16 how many other wonderful people I would meet (like you and Xn, among others) who were just as excited by Bowie's creativity. But then again, it's been such a nice surprise finding you along the way. Here's to a creative and joyful '16! Xo!
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