Guys, I cannot believe the man is gone! My sister, Scarlett, was a true fan through and through since she first heard him around 1970. She went to 5 or so concerts, she even got to meet him and shake his hand while he gave she and her friends an autograph. Pulling away from his huge entourage to accommodate them.About a year ago, Pam/Scarlett, found out that there would be a museum exhibit on him and that the only place it would show in the US was Chicago. She talked me into going with her. I loved Bowie songs....Changes, Suffragette City, Anything on Ziggy, Rebel Rebel, All the Young Dudes, The Jean Genie, Pretty Things, Diamond Dogs, Sweet Thing, Cracked Actor and on and on and on. These were the songs of my life, and songs I really enjoyed, but I never dwelled on the singer. Until I saw the exhibit, David is.
At the exhibit:
It was an audiovisual tour that was so amazingly complete. With every outfit, all of his songs written out in longhand as he originally wrote them, a huge pictorial review and all of his songs. The videos were spectacular and so encompassing. It addressed his acting and his artwork as well. It dawned on me then just how much I did love Bowie.
Throughout the year, I read about 5 biography's on him, bought all the CD's, and really found him remarkable. He was a true champion for all, and he was way ahead of his time. He was a master at self promotion. He was driven and oh so productive. He kicked a cocaine habit, only to become an alcoholic and then he kicked that too. He was a gentlemen of the first order.
He was a true champion for the down trodden, the isolated, and the minority of any kind! In his Let's Dance video he used Aboriginal actors which caused a huge stir. He loved all people, no matter their ethnicity. He was the first white performer to sing on Soul Train. He was the first to publicly criticize and challenge MTV for not featuring any black artists at the time.
Apparently, he was so loved by all because he was nice and kind to all. He was a devoted family man that I do think found true happiness and fulfillment with Iman. He became the home body because he had found what he had been looking for all along, and he had truly seen it all before.
So, when Woody Woodmansy, the old bandmate of Bowie's when they formed the Spiders from Mars, and Tony Visconti, and old bandmate from the Hype, and a life long friend and producer of Bowie's formed a band, Holy Holy, and scheduled a US tour, we had to go! As Bowie no longer toured we figured this would be the closest we'd ever get to his music again. We bought tickets to see them at the Highline Ballroom in NYC, and they were performing on Bowie's birthday! We were sure there would be an excellent chance that the man would be there as well!
When we made our arrangements and had our tickets, the Musical, Lazurus, written by Bowie as a sequel to the movie he starred in, the Man who Fell to Earth, was announced and it would be running just prior to our visit. But, then it was extended 2 weeks and we got tickets for the following weekend, at $125 per ticket, in an off Broadway theater. We got seats in the second row right smack dab in the center. Michael C. Hall of Dexter fame was starring, we were thrilled! We were making a "Bowie Vacation"!
We arrived in NYC on Thursday, and went to see his neighborhood and the bookstore that featured the Mick Rock collection of photos from Bowie through the entire 1973 year, as Ziggy. The book was signed by Bowie and Rock, and sold for $1000 dollars. Yikes, but it was beautiful!
With the Mick Rock Photographic collection:
Bowie with Mick Ronson...
With the Spiders from Mars:
Also, this iconic photograph was on display to, had to share...<3 Freddie Mercury
Then, Friday we went to see the show! We met Suzy Ronson, the widow of Mick Ronson who was Bowie's lead guitarist through 4-5 albums, and the only one that Bowie really shared a stage with. He died of liver cancer in his 40's. We recognized Suzy right away and we invited her to sit with us, which she accepted. She was originally the hair dresser at 21 to Bowie's mother in Britain. So, when Bowie wanted to change his look, he came to her. It was Suzy that cut that hair and dyed it red, creating the iconic Ziggy look! Even Suzy said she thought that Bowie would be in attendance!
With Suzy Ronson:
The show was fabulous! They played all of the Man who Sold the World, and most of Ziggy Stardust, and a few others. In the middle of the show, Tony Visconti called David's private number on his cell and got the audience to sing Happy Birthday to him. We sang every song at the top of our lungs and it really did justice to the music of Bowie! A wonderful celebration. We got to meet Tony as well as Woody. Amazing show that we will never forget.
With Tony Visconti:
With Woody Woodmansey:
The band, Holy Holy:
We left New York on Sunday night to go to our mother's home in Delaware. As we were driving I told Pam/Scarlett that I had really enjoyed our David Bowie year. But, after this week, I was ready to close the chapter on Bowie, that it was time to move on. The next morning when we got up, the first thing Pam saw was that Bowie had died.
We mourned, especially Pam, the death of a truly great artist, performer, musical genius, but most of all for a great human being. He did it all his way, he communicated so much through his music and his art and he seemed to savor every bit of it. He will be sorely missed, but his work and his legacy will live on. Especially through his family and his dear children, Duncan and Lexi.
We went back to NYC with a whole different perspective. We went back to his neighborhood and walked around where he frequented. We payed our respects multiple times to the shrine outside his home. We attended the Musical, Lazurus, and cried all the way through it. What a lovely ending to his story. (Tickets for the show were now up to $2,500 per seat!) There really does seem to be a big void in the world. But, when I feel sad that he's gone, I think back and realize that we all should live the life that he had. He found true happiness in life, and he was so productive. When he looked back at the story of his life he must have felt satisfaction and fulfillment. What a gift he was.
Still cannot believe the timing of it all. It was though we were pulled to NY, for our "Bowie" vacation for a reason. I'm paying attention! What a great man!
A few more pics. Suzy told us in Britain, especially the Brixton area they have Bowie on the currency...
Here is the shrine outside his apt:
Yes, Scarlett's in red, and I am not! 
Thanks Tribe for posting those links! Just thought this was an appropriate place to share....
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