Unknighted Golden Years

On the way to work Monday morning, the radio DJ was remarking on the death of David Bowie. David Bowie, a musical legend of our time pasted on the morning of January 11, 2016; he lost his battle with cancer.  Just two days prior, he celebrated his 69^th birthday and the release of his latest album, Blackstar and with the first single Lazarus. 

Among those facts that I found most interesting was the fact that David Bowie turned down knighthood. 

   When Bowie was asked about this he stated, “I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don’t know what it’s for. It’s not what I spent my life working for.”

 This little tidbit made me think of one of my favorite movies, A Knights Tale. 

A Knights Tale, starring Heath Ledger is one of several movies that contain a song by David Bowie.  Golden Years is incorporated into the memorable dance scene. There are several movies where Bowie’s music helped to tell the story, set the tone or add a sense of unique artistry.  Just with the last few years there has been  Heroes in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) ,  Space Oddity in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) , The Jean Genie in American Hustle (2013),  and  Starman in The Martian (2015). 

Photo Source :http://rebloggy.com/post/lady-gaga-madonna-david-bowie-grace-jones-kylie-minogue/27499807855

While Bowie’s music has been captured on screen in a wide variety of genres.  His musical collaborations and artist he has inspired span the gamete as well.  He worked with Queen, John Lennon, Cher, Iggy Pop, Bing Crosby and Tina Turner just to name of few.  While artist and bands such as Nirvana, Joan Jett, Smashing Pumpkins, Ozzie Osborne, Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arcade Fire and Lady Gaga have covered and or been inspired by David Bowie’s music. 

Geoffrey Marsh was the curator of ‘David Bowie is’ an exhibition that was held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London said, “David Bowie has to be one of the key figures because of his influence extends far beyond music and song writing to fashion and style.”   Bowie was an artist in the truest form.   His co-producer Tony Visconti posted “He [David Bowie] always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it this way. His death was no different from his life- a work of art.  He Blackstar for us his parting gift.” I can’t help but wonder if David Bowie’s life was a movie would Blackstar its soundtrack?

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 [KB1]