Coping with the Loss of Your Source of Inspiration? Follow these Bowie-isms

So, we’ve reached the six-month mark since our chronically routine existences were shattered by the news of the demise of the iconic David Bowie. A great deal of us had grown accustomed to being grooved by the grimy, sliding guitars in Lightning Frightening; transported back in time to that backseat (or finished basement) when Bowie told us to, “take it in right”, and played air guitar when he exclaimed, “I can’t explain.” Now, we hold onto his memory with a Kung Fu grip when we hear him sing, “I’m never gonna let you die. ‘Cuz we’re never, never gonna get old.” It feels like a gut punch and begs the question, for someone not of this world, then why did you die?

Sorry, but any expectation of him actually being human left with him.

Bowie-ism: “I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human. I felt very puny as a human. I thought, ‘…. I want to be a superhuman.”

Bombastic Bio

Bowie, born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947, in Brixton, London, England, succumbed to a courageous 18-month battle with liver cancer on January 10 at the age of 69.

His career spanned just over a spectacular five decades, excluding the five years during his late teens through young adulthood, which was riddled with multiple false starts in unsuccessfully starting a rock band. It wasn’t until the 1969 release of his self-titled, second studio album that Bowie would finally taste the fruits of his labor.

Bowie used his new-found success to challenge societal conventions by wearing dresses and makeup. With each frenzied reaction from the United Kingdom all the way to America, he would push the envelope with each re-invention via polarizing stage personas that obliterated all boundaries between gender and sexuality.

It wasn’t until his 15th studio album, Let’s Dance that he finally settled on David Bowie — the performance artist — alone was enough. By his 26th album, Blackstar, the man decided — and rightfully so — although he gave us the best he could, he plumb couldn’t “give it all away.”

Bowie-ism: “I had to resign myself, many years ago, that I’m not too articulate when it comes to explaining how I feel about things. But my music does it for me, it really does.”

Bowie. Bowie, Everywhere

I manage quite a few private Facebook business page communities and am amazed at just how far-reaching Bowie’s influence has been not only in our personal lives but our businesses, as well.

Bowie-ism: “I’m just an individual who doesn’t feel that I need to have somebody qualify my work in any particular way. I’m working for me.”

Creatives typically cite the Starman as the source of inspiration for art (E.g., Avant-garde prints, murals, etc.); published works (E.g., fan fiction, comics, sci-fi); and of course, apparel. I recently communicated with a book publisher who binds books as a hobby. He shared an image of the Bowie-inspired front and back book covers with one of the Facebook Bowie communities I’m a part of.

His work was indeed high-end and a sight to behold. With so much inspiration from such an innovative source (and with a David Bowie-sized hole in the universe), we’re left behind trying to figure out where do we go from here?

Time: American Chronicles

Like everything else, the Starman only got better with time. We had him fooled during his initial fascination with us on the Young Americans album, but the rose-covered glasses inevitably came off courtesy of 20-plus year’s residency in the US and alas, our cover was blown by the release of Earthling with “I’m Afraid of Americans”.

During his 1997 concert at Madison Square Garden for his 50th birthday celebration, he proved exactly why he’s the icon to end all icons by rocking a stage with artists who undoubtedly watched him on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert and Top of the Pops during their youth in the mid-60s to the early 70s. From Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and former Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan, to Robert Smith of The Cure, Bowie’s stamp of influence was clearly signed, sealed and delivered that magical night. He was vibrant — far removed from the same man who once warned us, “I’m not a piece of teenage wildlife” — and was rightfully honored through the love and admiration of his younger peers and fans.

Correction: even his peers were fans.

Bowie-ism: “I’m not a prophet or a stone aged man. Just a mortal with potential of a superman. I’m living on.” ~ Quicksand, from the album ‘Hunky Dory’

Where Are We Now?

So, life obviously goes on. Bills require payment. Families require our care and attention. Those are moot issues. However, as we return to sleepwalking through our daily rituals, there will always be this noticeable void and it is as only as dull or sharp according to how much of our lives were inspired by (or dedicated to) the one man whose reach was acknowledged and duly honored by NASA and the Vatican, for crying out loud. Some of us feel it in our hearts. Others wear it on their sleeves. Some others just pushed it to the back of their minds.

Wherever it hits you, it’s a reminder that things are different.

Creatives view our works through a new set of eyes, oftentimes reddened by the remaining memories of our source of inspiration. The Bowie-inspired fashion designer continues to create apparel that defines new generations while defying all convention.

Bowie-inspired illustrators and authors will continue to create characters and personas that resonate with niche audiences, some of whom self-identify as outcasts. And Bowie-inspired marketing community managers will continue to engage with and inspire online communities with a great human interest in the consumer — a hero of Bowie through his own admission.

Bowie-ism: “….I hate sleep. I would much prefer staying up, just working, all the time. It makes me so mad that we can’t do anything about sleep or the common cold.”

Lovers of good music everywhere keep those 45s and 33–1/3s close. Those precious pieces of vinyl bore witness of sorts to the turn of events which comforted some of us when Bowie belted out, “Just turn on with me, ‘cuz you’re not alone.”

Whether that alarming tingle felt in your nether-regions when Jareth the Goblin King calmly instructed Sarah, “Just fear me. Love me. Do as I ask and I shall be your slave,” was pre-pubescent or in the present — never forget how the generations we’ve bore have gravitated towards Bowie’s genius and awe-inspiring talent.

Kind of gives a deeper sense of pride toward our offspring, no?

Bowie-ism: “I find only freedom in the realms of eccentricity.”

Remaining Heroes

Never forget the intelligence and humility Bowie displayed with every interview (even the stoned ones). Above all else, never forget the zest for life this man exuded with family, friends and fans.

It’s safe to say Bowie’s band of merry men (and women) that helped him make all that magic have picked up the pieces. So should we. Otherworldly guitarists extraordinaire Reeves Gabrels, Earl Slick and Gerry Leonard are still performing, producing solo albums and spearheading their own music enterprises. Bassist and vocalist Gail Ann Dorsey is touring with Lenny Kravitz who is scheduled to share stage billing for Guns n’ Roses’ July 24 concert.

Vocalist and keyboardist Catherine Russell returned to her jazz roots and is currently on tour.

Classically-trained pianist Mike Garson is scheduled to perform at various locations throughout California this year. Percussionists Sterling Campbell and Zachary Alford are still performing with various artists and long-time Bowie friend and producer, Tony Visconti, is still producing great music and toured earlier this year with Woody Woodmansey’s (the lone surviving Spider from Mars) Bowie tribute band, Holy Holy.

Miracle Goodnight

I don’t imagine it’s easy for anyone whose life has been touched even in the slightest by Bowie’s lyrics, his friendship or his love.

For how long must we endure this void?

God only knows.