David Bowie died this week, which anyone with access to media of any kind should know. In his time, he accomplished a great deal, made a lot of music that will endure, and left an indelible mark on culture. No words of mine will in any way add to his legacy.
But I do want to express just how much a role model he should be to any artist, whether a writer, painter, sculptor or musician. We should all look to David Bowie for inspiration.
In a career that spanned fifty years, the man was fearlessly independent. He never shrank from controversy, never was content to repeat a formula that had worked in the past. In fifty years, he never became the aging parody of himself, doing the nostalgia tour.
David Bowie was always a pioneer, always pushed boundaries. He was always alternative, always innovative. He was an early adopter of the cinematic video back when MTV was just full of bands performing in front of a white background. He was an early advocate of the internet and of satellite radio. And he was an advocate for diversity, using his position and charisma to call out MTV for its lack of representation of black artists, back when MTV was relevant.
David Bowie was always relevant.
I like to think that he remained important, relevant, central to the discussion, because he committed. He fully committed to his art, to every new adventure. In his music, his image, in fashion and acting and the causes he championed.
He wasn’t afraid to make people uncomfortable.
In short, he lived his life as an artist should. Boldly, flamboyantly, unapologetically.
We should all take a lesson from him. We should all try to live like that.
We should all try to be heroes.
Just for one day.