Thank you David Bowie, goodbye.
It has taken me a few days to begin to process the passing of David Bowie. He has been an instrumental influence on me while growing up and as an adult I came to admire both his talent and his inspiring attitude toward life.
From the age of 1 or 2 I watched in awe as Jareth the Goblin King took the little baby Toby in the 1986 film ‘The Labyrinth’, Bowie played the part that was written with him in mind. He was born to play the role of the evil yet enchantingly beautiful goblin king — and he had the right vocals to put to towards two of my most beloved tracks from the movie, ‘Within You’ and ‘As the World Falls Down’ and lets not forget the very catchy ‘Magic Dance’ that’s always a favourite.
While watching the movie nearly every week when I was a kid (since I had the crazy notion that the Sarah in the movie could be me) I always wished that the character Sarah stayed with Jareth instead of caring about her annoying baby brother. Somehow if Bowie hadn’t played the role I don’t think I would have had that attitude.
There has always been something magical about him. I’ve listened to his songs for many years and I wish I was around when he first released the hits such as ‘Space Oddity’, ‘Starman,’ and ‘Ziggy Startdust,’ there are too many to name but needless to say I have been playing them all endlessly for the past few weeks. His songs have even been my motivation in writing several short stories.
But it wasn’t just his music that has inspired me. It was his way of life and the way in which he lived it! He didn’t care about what people thought of his sexuality, his music or the way he dressed. He was a rock star!
In everything he did he was a true creative and that rang true to me last year when I saw his wonderful exhibition ‘Bowie Is’ the exhibit showed an amazing collection of his handmade costumes, scribbles of lyrics he had written and drawings of costume designs and plans for his music videos and concerts. I squealed with glee when I saw the hand written letter from Jim Henson to Bowie after sending him the script for ‘The Labyrinth’ along with Jareths staff from the movie.
The exhibition opened up my eyes to just how much Bowie has accomplished in his life throughout his career in the music industry and it showed me just how far his influence has reached thousands of people. It made me appreciate him more.
David Bowie taught me to be happy with who I am, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
I feel privileged to have been lucky enough to live in the same time as him and to have been inspired and influenced by both his music and his life.
I know his music will live on through the ages and his spirit and message will travel on in the hearts and minds of all of his fans and those who loved him.
Goodbye Starman you’re dancing in the streets of Heaven now.
‘Ziggy played guitar…’
© Sarah K. Gill - January 2016