So much has already been written about the shocking and seemingly sudden death on Sunday of David Bowie. I say seemingly because even though he was diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago, the world, and even close friends like Brian Eno, didn’t have any idea until news of his death began hitting the Internet.
I spent much of my high school years listening to David Bowie, and I remember reading everything I could about the man. One of the things I remember being struck by was reading about how very controlling of every aspect of his music and his stage show he was. No movement was done without purpose or forethought.
His death was handled the same way, right down to not only the announcement but the timing of the release of his newest, and last, album. Just a couple of hours after I woke to the tragic news, a copy of “Blackstar” arrived on my desk, as I’m sure it did on the desks of music writers and media types around the world.
By early afternoon, people around the world were analyzing Bowie’s video for the song “Lazarus” from “Blackstar,” looking for clues as to whether the star was singing about his own imminent death.
A friend forwarded an analysis of the video by the Rev. James Martin, a Catholic priest and a man who, if he wasn’t a fan of Bowie’s, is clearly familiar with his work. You can read the full essay and find a link to the video on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FrJamesMar tin/posts/10153227791926496.