Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesAs befits a musician whose work had influenced generations of artists for four decades, social media is full of reactions to the death of David Bowie, who passed away from cancer at the age of 69. The wide range of celebrities mourning his passing speaks to his influence:
Madonna, who accepted Bowie’s Rock Hall of Fame award on his behalf, posted a photo of her and Bowie together in their younger days. “So lucky to have met you!!!! Hot Tramp I love you So!” she wrote, quoting a line from Bowie’s classic “Rebel Rebel.” On Twitter, she wrote, “Talented . Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever!” She added, “Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit! R.IP”
Iggy Pop: “David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is.”
Gene Simmons of Kiss: “David Bowie, you will be sorely missed. Bowie’s ‘Changes’ and the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me.”
Mark Ruffalo: “Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always.”
Jack Antonoff of fun.: “deeply sad to hear about david bowie / his work means more to me than I can express. what incredible things he did that last forever.”
Elijah Wood: “Never imagined a world without him. He has ascended into the cosmos from whence he came. Farewell, David Bowie.”
Adam Lambert: “Bowie was one of the bravest artists of the century. A true Icon. He is the first and foremost Glam Rockstar. Rebel Rebel, Life On Mars, Lady Grinning Soul…..”
Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies: “A hero has fallen.He will never be forgotten. Please allow his family time to grieve. RIP DavidBowie.”
Director Paul Feig: “Absolutely devastated by the death of Bowie. Cannot process this. At this point, the world makes no sense. RIP David. You were a genius..”
Travis Barker: “2016 is off to a bad start. Another one of my musical idols gone, may his legacy live on forever #RIPDAVIDBOWIE “I DONT KNOW WHERE I’M GOING FROM HERE, BUT I PROMISE IT WON’T BE BORING” -DAVID BOWIE.”
Anderson Cooper: “Find it hard to believe David Bowie has died. What an incredible life.”
Foo Fighters tweeted a photo of Dave Grohl with, among others, Bowie, Billy Corgan and Robert Smith of the Cure, and wrote, “Rest in peace, David.”
Billy Idol: “Nearly brought to tears by sudden news of @DavidBowieReal David Bowie’s passing RIP.”
Pharrell Williams: “David Bowie was a true innovator, a true creative. May he rest in peace.”
Kanye West: “David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron: “I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.”
Joe Manganiello: “People always asked me what actor I wanted to work with the most, and I’d always say David Bowie. Sad I’ll never get that chance. RIP.”
Bob Saget: “Oh God, rest in peace the genius that was David Bowie.”
Russell Crowe: “RIP David . I loved your music. I loved you. One of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived.”
Ricky Gervais: “I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.”
Cher: “DEVASTATED… A LEGEND IS GONE”
Josh Groban: “He never seemed of this earth. Now he’s left it. He bent rules, gender, genres, and our minds. RIP David Bowie. One. Of. A. Kind.”
“Weird Al” Yankovic: “I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me – I was not ready for this. RIP Bowie.”
Chart-topping songwriter Diane Warren: “Oh my God not David Bowie…I don’t want to hear about the stupid fashion at the Golden Globes who gives a f**k I want to play David Bowie records. Unreal.”
Val Kilmer wrote on Facebook, “The last time I saw David Bowie was in Brooklyn, with some very very lucky people who got to hear Lou Reed play his dark glory, BERLIN, live. He was sitting directly in front of me with Lou’s wife, Laurie Anderson…he turned and I recognized him instantly. Instead of saying hello, I just started petting his shoulders. I can’t describe it any more accurately. He was just so special it was the only way I seemed to be able to express my joy. I haven’t petted that many men in my life. I’m so glad I got to do that. And more importantly, that he let me. He just smiled as I apologized for petting him. He seemed to not only understand, but accept the strange offering of gratitude and recognition….we all wanted to be as cool as David. Even Lou. He was the always, always the coolest guy in the room. And he was a master singer – song writer. God bless David Bowie.”
The official Twitter feed of the late Bing Crosby, with whom Bowie duetted on the holiday favorite “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy,” acknowledged his death, writing, “Peace on earth…” Remembering David Bowie – Godspeed,” and posting the video they did for the song.
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