Boy George pays tribute to hero David Bowie

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer”, read the official announcement on Facebook on Monday.

Bowie’s final music video for the song “Lazarus” alludes to the late rocker’s death as he lies in a hospital bed and sings: “Look up here, I’m in heaven”.

Thousands of fans around the world paid tribute to the “Sound And Vision” creator when news of his death broke, and on Monday evening, hundreds gathered in his birthplace Brixton for an impromptu street party to honour him. He was a man who was so many things to so many people that it’s hard to think of a facet of entertainment or popular culture that he wasn’t involved in at some point.

Blackstar, a jazzy, experimental LP also influenced by hip hop artists like Kendrick Lamar, came out just three days ago on January 8.

“It was then that I knew that it may be the last time I would see him”.

The singer has spoken about their encounter before, telling Rookie magazine in 2014 that Bowie described listening to her music as “listening to tomorrow”.

After David Bowie’s death, his wife of 24 years, Iman Abdulmajid, 60, has yet to post any direct messages about her late husband on social media. The singer’s final album was released on Friday to coincide with his 69th birthday, and was already on track to reach the top spot.

Although the song was never a big chart hit, it did receive album-rock airplay at the time and is one of Bowie’s better-known songs, covered by artists including Wallflowers and Peter Gabriel. Thank you David Bowie.

He said: “David Bowie was one of the most important and influential songwriters and performers ever and, like so many fans around the world, we’re devastated to hear of his loss. I am missing him greatly”, she said.