As millions of fans and admirers around the world continue to come to terms with the loss of the late, great David Bowie, it has been confirmed that New York is planning its own memorial concert to honour the recently deceased musician. The American city’s Carnegie Hall is to be the venue for the specially arranged gig on 31st March.
Long-term New York resident
After living in New York for the past 20 years, it is believed that his funeral will be held somewhere nearby rather than in the UK where he was born. Expect many famous faces to turn out to pay tribute to a “Starman” in all respects, with those influenced by his stylish demeanour ranging from Iggy Pop to Boy George.
Outpouring of emotion
Bowie’s tragic death from cancer was announced over the weekend and the news has resulted in an outpouring of emotion from those who were profoundly affected by his influence and impact on their lives. With a back catalogue of wonderfully emotive songs to draw on, the maestro’s Music seems to have featured on television and radio ever since. Many people have been playing their own personal favourite records by the British artist, remembering the good times that they enjoyed while listening to his music.
New York’s change of plan
New York had originally planned to hold ‘The Music of David Bowie’ event as a tribute show, with many of his popular songs expected to feature. Recent events have cast a rather different complexion on their preparations though, so the rapid alteration to make it more of a memorial instead seems altogether justified.
Long-term producer
Acts already confirmed to appear on the show include Cyndi Lauper and Tony Visconti’s house band. Visconti had a long-term connection with Bowie throughout his career, producing and even occasionally appearing on several of Bowie’s albums, including “Diamond Dogs”, “Young Americans”, “Heroes”, “Scary Monsters” and his latest work.
Parting gift of latest album
Reflecting on Bowie’s recently released album “Blackstar” (commonly stylised as a black star image), Visconti believed that his great friend’s death “was no different from his life - a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift.”
Poignant words
The album is sure to attract heightened attention from Bowie fans, with many already intimating the poignancy of the track “Lazarus”.
The opening line “'Look up here, I'm in heaven / I've got scars, that can't be seen” seems to be a clear reference to his impending death.
Viewers critical of ‘CBB’ images
Former wife Angie Bowie was shown by television cameras to be crying after hearing of the sad news about her ex-husband’s death. Consequently, viewers of the Celebrity Big Brother programme she has been involved on have been critical of the images, accusing Channel 5 of taking advantage of her obvious grief. She divorced Bowie back in 1980 and the couple had one son, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones who is now a successful film director in his own right.
