Rest in Peace David Bowie

Welcome to mortality.

David Bowie is one of those guys who wasn’t supposed to die. He was more than a human being. He was an icon, an image….maybe even the guy we’d all hope to be someday.

But we never got there, did we? Bowie could do it all. He could sound like the Rolling Stones with “Rebel Rebel,” he could change the direction of rock and roll with a song like “Changes.” He could create Glam Rock and he could create Ziggy Stardust. And Bowie could do duets with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, Elton John and Bing Crosby and never miss a beat. Why not? He was Bowie.

Bowie recreated himself with “Let’s Dance” and became a worldwide phenomenon once again. But why shouldn’t he? Here was a guy who was more than a personality. He was an actor. Remember “Merry, Christmas Mr. Lawrence”? It was all Bowie. I wonder how many people remember that when “The Elephant Man” debuted on Broadway it was Bowie who had the lead role. Night after night. Not something you would expect either Elton John or John Lennon to pull off.

What is ironic is that Bowie had just emerged from hibernation and released a new album. I haven’t heard it yet, but according to Rolling Stone the music is majestic. Maybe Bowie saw something we didn’t. Maybe it was his farewell.

I had the pleasure of catching Bowie live at what was then known as Foxboro Stadium. Every song was great, but every song was like a play unto itself as if there was something more important to be conveyed. Bowie seemed to bow at the end of every song. So be it. I loved the show.

He took 10 years off and then was coming back with a vengeance, but we can only go so far. Maybe David Bowie wanted to leave a legacy. I’m sure it’s great. I will buy it.

In closing all I can say is that this man has achieved immortality. Maybe David Bowie has died but Ziggy Stardust never will.