Musicians React To David Bowie’s Death & Pay Tribute
David Bowie died Sunday (January 10) at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer, and just days after releasing his 25th album, Blackstar. He was a progressive, genre-bending pop and rock visionary, and nothing illustrates that better than the tremendous scope of his influence. There’s that old saying that everyone who bought The Velvet Underground’s debut album was inspired to start a rock band, and Bowie had a similar effect on musicians. He pioneered glam rock, and pretty much any artist who has unveiled a new persona, aesthetic or sonic palette between albums is indebted to Bowie. Everyone from Madonna to Kurt Cobain, Lady Gaga to St. Vincent, Nicki Minaj to Kanye West, were inspired and influenced by the legend.
And so Bowie’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes from musicians across generations, whether collaborators, peers or just fans. His longtime producer Tony Visconti started things off with a heartfelt message on Facebook which effectively confirmed that Bowie fully intended for Blackstar to be his final artistic statement:
He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life – a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. 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. For now, it is appropriate to cry.
Below, see more reactions from Bowie’s fellow musicians. We’ll be updating the list throughout the day as tributes roll in on social media.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie… 1/2
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) January 11, 2016
As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original. 2/2 #DavidBowie
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) January 11, 2016
Madonna
So lucky to have met you!!!! Hot Tramp I love you So! ❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/INKPRCeofK
— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
Paul McCartney
Iggy Pop
MESSAGE FROM IGGY:"David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is.– Iggy Pop"
— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) January 11, 2016
Kanye West
David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 11, 2016
Kesha
rest in peace you beautiful soul. you will live forever through your art. your influence is infinite. pic.twitter.com/marfv0jd5o
— kesha (@KeshaRose) January 11, 2016
Cher
DEVASTATED…💔A LEGEND IS GONE✨🌟✨
— Cher (@cher) January 11, 2016
Brian Eno
Words cannot express: RIP David Bowie https://t.co/g40zLWl3qq pic.twitter.com/R94E6LMw9C
— Brian Eno (@dark_shark) January 11, 2016
Pharrell
David Bowie was a true innovator, a true creative. May he rest in peace 🖖🏾 #RIPDavidBowie
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) January 11, 2016
Sia
So much love to @DavidBowieReal 's family right now. what a great loss.
— sia (@Sia) January 11, 2016
The Weeknd
rest in peace David Bowie .
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 11, 2016
Haim
can't believe it. we will forever be inspired by/love u, bowie 💙 pic.twitter.com/oXMq6HuhWY
— HAIM (@HAIMtheband) January 11, 2016
Sam Smith
Thoughts and heart with David’s family and loved ones 💔 A photo posted by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on
Florence + The Machine
David Bowie was a huge influence on me throughout my life… The original star-man returned to the stars. Thank you for everything you brought us. RIP David Bowie xx Posted by Florence + The Machine on Monday, January 11, 2016
Questlove
Disclosure
🙏🏼😔 Spent a substantial amount of time studying and learning this great mans music at school. Mr. Bowie.. Us and planet Earth will miss you. A photo posted by Disclosure (@disclosure) on
Diplo
As I get older my respect 4 Bowie grows.He transcended every genre & generation during his career-We lost a good one pic.twitter.com/WcuyypsOGc
— florence mayweather (@diplo) January 11, 2016
Marina Diamandis
— Marina Diamandis (@MarinaDiamandis) January 11, 2016
Ryan Adams
You made being yourself look so cool. The universe is only as bright as what you showed us.Truly gratefulRIP Bowie pic.twitter.com/0eab3NnvmO
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) January 11, 2016
Sky Ferreira
Erykah Badu
DAVID BOWIE 💜💜💜💜💜
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) January 11, 2016
Courtney Love
Farewell Major Tom 🚀… There are no words. RIP David, another hero remembered #legend #davidbowie A photo posted by Courtney Love Cobain (@courtneylove) on
St. Vincent
NO A photo posted by St. Vincent (@st_vincent) on
Pet Shop Boys
We are all David Bowie’s children. He inspired us and changed our lives. Love, gratitude and respect always for him and… Posted by Pet Shop Boys on Monday, January 11, 2016
Peter Gabriel
I was shocked to learn of David Bowie’s death this morning. He meant so much to me and to so many.He was a one-off, a… Posted by Peter Gabriel on Monday, January 11, 2016
Foo Fighters
Rest in peace, David. pic.twitter.com/9Kv9yM9igh
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) January 11, 2016
Massive Attack
Immortal unbelievableA gentleman and a hero RIP https://t.co/LfOz42cGgH https://t.co/jmg9JBGpwB
— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) January 11, 2016
The Kinks
RIP Bowie, a true genius. Davie Jones and the Manish Boys toured with the Kinks back in 1964.and ever since they… https://t.co/LtxP2E4eVy
— TheKinksOfficial (@TheKinks) January 11, 2016
Gary Numan
A True Legend. David Bowie. RIP
— Gary Numan (@numanofficial) January 11, 2016
Big Boi
Win Butler
Goodbye friend. So many tears, and so lucky to have passed in the same solar system. A photo posted by djwindows98 (@djwindows98) on
“Weird” Al Yankovic
I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me – I was not ready for this. RIP Bowie.
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) January 11, 2016
Caroline Polachek
Linda Perry
Oh this is terrible news. We lost an extremely important and influential artist. David Bowie has been a huge inspiration and will be missed.
— LINDA PERRY (@RealLindaPerry) January 11, 2016
Randy Jackson
The legend that pushed all the boundaries so that artistic freedom of music, style, fashion and life were at the discretion of that artist
— Randy Jackson (@YO_RANDYJACKSON) January 11, 2016
Liz Phair
I can't handle that he slid that one by us new level of appreciation for the man IMO David Bowie top 5 all time, curator to the end
— Liz Phair (@PhizLair) January 11, 2016
Duran Duran
"Seriously, what could you say to the man who changed everything, and made anything possible?" – John Taylor https://t.co/9b5S5Og3vT
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) January 11, 2016
U2
Planet Earth is blue – Bono A photo posted by U2 Official (@u2) on
Kendrick Lamar
What a honor, what a soul. David Bowie, Spirit of Gold. RIP.
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) January 11, 2016
Justin Timberlake
Mariah Carey
David Bowie we will remember your brilliance. Heartfelt condolences to family, friends & fans around the world pic.twitter.com/hhLocL4hDS
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) January 11, 2016
Diddy
M.I.A.
RIP David Bowie – someone who was connected to the source
— M.I.A P.O.W.A (@MIAuniverse) January 11, 2016
Michael Stipe
DAVID BOWIERight now, it feels as if the solar system is off it’s axis, as if one of our main planetary anchors has…
Posted by R.E.M. on Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Cyndi Lauper
Oh no I am so sorry to hear of David Bowie's passing. He was such a great artist and has lead the way for so many of us.
— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) January 11, 2016
Gwen Stefani
A photo posted by Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) on