On his 69th birthday, just two days before his death, David Bowie’s 25th and final studio album Blackstar was released as a carefully orchestrated farewell to his fans. Seen in a much different light today, the video for “Lazarus” features Bowie in a hospital bed and ends with him retreating to a dark closet. It opens up with the lyrics: “Look up here, I’m in heaven”
Over the last 18 months he has been secretly battling cancer. His producer Tony Visconti suggested that Bowie knew for a year that his cancer was incurable and added that his final album Blackstar, recorded in early 2015, was ‘a parting gift’ to the world.
The album is the first not to feature his photo on the cover, but the many faces of David Bowie will live forever in the body of his life’s work. May you dance your way to heaven Ziggy Stardust. Thank you for the poignant goodbye.