Rock icon David Bowie passed away Sunday at the age of 69. This was news that came as a shock to most of the world, who did not know he had been battling cancer for over a year and half.
As fans reacted to Bowie's death, however, it was not just the music his fans were expressing an appreciation for; it was his transcendent message of being bold, different and fully yourself.
“David Bowie has always been one of those voices of reason—he was a bold voice of reason that has always empowered me to be myself and be passionate about being driven to do what you believe in,” said Travis Harvey, the owner of Village Green Records.
Harvey added that in addition to encouraging the acceptance of one’s self, Bowie also demonstrated the importance in evolving that self.
“As much as he has been an inspiration [to be different], he has been an inspiration for me to change and grow and evolve over time,” Harvey said.
Bowie was certainly a model for change. His music career, which began in the 1960s, evolved greatly over the 50 years he was in the business. He blended and tested out many different genres, including rock, cabaret, jazz and pop. He also often bent traditional expectations, creating personas that were often androgynous and experimenting with bold fashion.
“He was unique in just about every way. His music style and fashion sense were constantly evolving. Musically, he was just so much different than those that were also popular at the time,” said Josh Watters, a Ball State student and Bowie fan.
Bowie was still growing within his art up to the very end. His new album, “Blackstar,” was released just days before his passing and has been lauded by critics for its ambition and emotion.
Za Cooley, a junior who bought the album the day it came out, sees “Blackstar” as Bowie’s way of signing off on his own terms.
“When his producer said this was his parting gift to fans, a chill just ran up my spine because it was so beautiful and haunting, that this was his way of saying goodbye — he definitely went out the Bowie way,” Cooley said.
Cooley became a fan of Bowie after renting his album "Reality Tour" in high school from the local public library, and has been inspired ever since to follow his example of bold uniqueness.
“I do anything to break the mold and be weird because that’s what he did in his art. I’ve taken up drag, and am pretty much breaking all of the gender stereotypes because of him,” Cooley said.
Part of Bowie’s incredible staying power is due to the way his influence spans across generations.
“People are broken up about the loss of David Bowie because there are confused 13-year-olds searching for themselves who have just discovered him, and yet there are also 60-year-olds who had David Bowie in their lives for over 50 years,” Harvey said.
He feels this, in part, was due to Bowie’s ability to stay relevant throughout the decades.
“I can’t think of any other artist with that kind of influence,” Harvey said.
Ryan Fine, another student and Bowie fan, agreed.
“Most musicians have one peak and then fade out, but David Bowie is the only artist I can think of who made almost 50 years’ worth of great music,” Fine said.
Bowie's influence also changed the music industry itself greatly, with mega-stars Lady Gaga and Madonna citing him as a key influence in their own work.
However, Bowie’s ultimate legacy is that of the outsider, and the idea that being different and against the norm is okay, even encouraged. His message has inspired so many fans to embrace who they are and be the person they want to be despite any fears.
“David Bowie was a living example that it is okay to be different,” Watters said. “...and no matter how many people oppose you, somewhere, someone is going to love you for it.”
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