Entertainment

Tributes flow for David Bowie as the world comes to terms with our great loss

Jan 12, 2016

Overnight millions of messages, memories and photos have been shared about the legendary David Bowie, who passed away on Sunday, following an 18-month battle with cancer that he managed to keep secret from the world.

From celebrities to politicians, fans to support crew on his world tours, tributes are flowing in as the world comes to terms with the fact that David Bowie will no longer be pushing the boundaries of music and art.

Paul McCartney posted the above image and wrote on his Facebook page:

Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning. David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world.

I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever.

– Paul

Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais, fresh from hosting the Golden Globe awards, recalled the moment he first met Bowie, who would later appear on his TV show Extras playing himself and taking the mickey out of Gervais.

I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016

Meanwhile, Mick Jagger, wrote:

We had so many good times together. He was my friend, I will never forget him. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/9xfPj88x8b — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2016

Bowie’s son, film director Duncan Jones, tweeted:

Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m

— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016

Sky news reports that Bowie’s new album, Blackstar, released just three days before his death, is expected to reach number one in the British charts this week.

Its lead single, Lazarus, opens with the lyrics: ‘Look up here, I’m in heaven.’

The UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron, said: ‘I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of reinvention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.’

Both Madonna and Molly Meldrum hailed David Bowie as a “genius”, whiel an Aussie music promoter wanted the world to know that the huge star was always a gentleman.

“He was one of the nicest people in the industry. When you combine amazing talent with such a nice guy, it’s hard to imagine, it puts a smile on my face thinking about that. He came from that generation of gentlemen. He was always a gentleman, said Paul Dainty, who toured Bowie several times in Australia and New Zealand.