When I was a teenager it felt like I’d live forever. By 18 or 19 I had lost that feeling of invincibility, but transferred some of its essence to a select group of celebrities whom I admired. David Bowie was one of those lucky few. Brilliant, enigmatic, mysterious … in my mind, mythical … it felt like Bowie would live forever.
I had a chance to see the Ziggy Stardust tour in NYC, but for some reason it didn’t work out. Funny how I can’t remember what kept me from going, but if I had seen Bowie in 1973, I’m quite sure I’d have no problem recalling THAT experience today.
Then in 1974 I had a chance to see his Diamond Dogs tour when he came to Indianapolis. “But I want to see Ziggy,” I thought. (A friend who had gone to the show I was too “busy” to attend told me how “completely blown away” he was.) I’ll just wait until he comes back around with that show.
Here’s the thing: Bowie never came back around with anything. Rather, he broke barriers and blew our minds for another 42 years … and every time I might have seen Bowie live there was always something keeping me from going, any sense of urgency lulled to sleep by my fabricated assumption that he’d be around forever.
When I saw “The Man Who Fell to Earth” (I think at the Harvard Square Theatre — still one of my favorite movies) I remember saying to myself I MUST see Bowie live someday.
Monday morning when I awoke to the news of Bowie’s death (which felt shockingly untimely) reality hit: “Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do …” I’m never going to see Bowie live.
Vickie and I were just saying last week that we had to see Bowie on this next tour … and I was confident that we would because, even as recently as last week, it still felt like Bowie would live forever. And he will through his music. We still have that … here’s his latest masterpiece.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Great post, Peter.
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Thank you. Starting Monday, I made it a point to ask if we really are “too busy” with all those things we feel we must get done the next time an opportunity for some fun arises . . .
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Good thoughts for the day ~ “words to live by” ~ thank you for the reminder
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You’re most welcome. Now I have to remind myself to try and live by them 😉
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So well said. I saw him in 1987 for the Glass Spider Tour, it was surreal. Your point is so true, make an extra effort to see the greats before it is too late. Even if they are no longer at their peak, what made them great is still there. Alas, they are not being replaced as fast as we are losing them.
This is true for travel as well, see the places you want to see before it is too late.
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Great point about travel. It refreshes the soul — just like music.
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In 1990, a good friend of mine said to me Nelson Mandela is coming to Boston and will hold a rally at the esplanade, Do you want to come? I had nothing better to do but I still said no, too much of a hassle. Great regret.
Saw Bowie twice. 1990 and 1997. Brilliant!
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10 years before David Bowie’s rise, another famous singer hit number one with “It’s Now or Never.” It’s now 2016. So, Peter, do your comments just prove that we learn and re-learn the same lessons… Sigh … 🙂
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Funny you mention that song by another baritone (Elvis). Bowie was a baritone and there really aren’t many major rock stars who are baritones. I can only think of a few more (besides Elvis & Bowie): Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Eddie Vedder (maybe). If anyone can think of some others, feel free to chime in.
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Excellent memories and well said thanks for sharing these! Music is like a great escape without every having to leave! What a line up too!! 🙂 Dave & Kim 🙂
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I saw him on the Earthling tour (’97 or ’98) at a small venue in Toronto. As a rabid Bowie fan, it was the best show I have ever seen! However, I have a been to a few shows that were complete let downs including Stereolab and Lou Reed. Life is like that, many of your best experiences are going to be a surprise and some that you have built up are going to be a let down. Don’t worry too much about missing out, just be willing to enjoy new things (unless of course, you missed out on David Bowie, in that case you really messed up! 😜)
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