I can’t say that yesterday I was a huge fan of David Bowie’s, but I am now. Why is it that often when someone leaves us, we appreciate them more?

I got an email today, after his passing yesterday, that linked me to Mr. Bowie’s 12 greatest moments on stage. I watched the first one just to pay my respects, but then I was hooked. For the next couple of hours I watched and listened to this great artist spin his magic on stage. I became a huge fan and that will never go away.

David Bowie: an absolutely gorgeous man with true originality and filled with music. A committed actor, a fascinating performer with charisma just pouring through him to his screaming, devoted audience. He had it all.

I had the thought that if the Martians came to Earth and wanted to experience a couple of interesting Earthlings, I’d first like to introduce them to David and his wife, Iman. What a couple!

I’ll stick my neck out here and say that David Bowie was probably the Rock n’ Roll wayshower. He paved the way with his androgynous self and was always one of the leaders of style, content and musical groove. A true entertainer. And yes, the epitome of cool.

The song that stopped me in my tracks and required 5 listening/watchings today was his song, Fame. Its totally infectious groove, its ferocious drive and its classic funk put the song in my top 10 Rock n’ Roll songs of all time. In one word, the title word, he miraculously captures a boatload of feelings. It is musical genius at its best. That one word, repeated throughout the song in several different ways captures his disdain of fame, his deep insight into the concept and his star power.

Fame

David Bowie

Fame, makes a man take things over
Fame, lets him loose, hard to swallow
Fame, puts you there where things are hollow
Fame
Fame, it’s not your brain, it’s just the flame
That burns your change to keep you insane
Fame
Fame, what you like is in the limo
Fame, what you get is no tomorrow
Fame, what you need you have to borrow
Fame
Fame, “Nein! It’s mine!” is just his line
To bind your time, it drives you to, crime
Fame
Could it be the best, could it be?
Really be, really, babe?
Could it be, my babe, could it, babe?
Really, really?
Is it any wonder I reject you first?
Fame, fame, fame, fame
Is it any wonder you are too cool to fool

Fame
Fame, bully for you, chilly for me
Got to get a rain check on pain
Fame
Fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame, fame,
fame

His chant reminds me of my own bout with fame and my own personal insights into the word. You can find this in this week’s Looking Back post on my blog. Here’s a link if you’re interested:

http://sparksfromthefire.org/2009/03/on-fame/

It’s a good story told many times by yours truly over the years.

We lost a great artist yesterday – a truly original man. But, of course his music remains – his videos, his originality, his charm, his amazing talent …

Bowie Lives!