Singer Madonna said she was devastated by the death of David Bowie. AP FILE
LONDON, United Kingdom — Tributes have poured in for singer David Bowie, who died Sunday aged 69. Politicians, entertainers, actors and astronauts have expressed their sadness at his death. Here is a look at some of the reactions:
BACKSTORY: Iconic singer David Bowie dies at 69
Bruce Springsteen:
“Over here on E Street, we’re feeling the great loss of David Bowie. David was a visionary artist and an early supporter of our music. Always changing and ahead of the curve, he was an artist whose excellence you aspired to. He will be sorely missed.”
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Debbie Harry:
“Without this visionary and his friend Iggy Pop where would Blondie be today? Silly question and one that can’t be answered really but there is no doubt in my mind that Bowie played a big part in our future successes. As for now, love you David Bowie.”
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Mick Jagger:
“David was always an inspiration to me and a true original. He was wonderfully shameless in his work. We had so many good times together… He was my friend. I will never forget him.”
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Bette Midler:
“Bowie WAS The Man Who Fell to Earth. Curious, brilliant, enigmatic and sweet. We needed him and he appeared, changing our perceptions forever.”
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Yoko Ono:
“As John & I had very few friends, we felt David was as close as family. Sweet memories will stay with us forever.”
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Bowie’s son, director Duncan Jones, posted a picture of his smiling father on Twitter:
“Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all.”
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Yusuf Islam, also known as Cat Stevens:
“He has left us for another world, beyond the darkness of this present one vividly so depicted in the shadows of his last video. I truly pray he’s welcomed to the light by his Maker in that great today, which has no tomorrow.”
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Irish singer Hozier:
“Unthinkable. The world has lost one of the most important artists and icons of our time. I was moved immeasurably by David Bowie. RIP.”
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Mariah Carey:
“David Bowie we will remember your brilliance. Heartfelt condolences to family, friends & fans around the world.”
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Astronaut Tim Peake, who is aboard the International Space Station:
“Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer – his music was an inspiration to many.”
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Josh Groban:
“He never seemed of this earth. Now he’s left it. He bent rules, gender, genres, and our minds. RIP David Bowie. One. Of. A. Kind.”
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Former astronaut Chris Hadfield, who performed “Space Oddity,” on the International Space Station in 2013.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to stardust. Your brilliance inspired us all. Goodbye Starman.”
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German Foreign Office:
“Good-bye, David Bowie. You are now among #Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the #wall.”
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The Rolling Stones:
“The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie. As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original.”
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Madonna:
“Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit!”
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Paul McCartney:
“His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world.
“I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever.”
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Iggy Pop:
“David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is.”
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Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling:
“I wish he could have stayed on earth longer. RIP.”
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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby:
“I remember sitting listening to his songs endlessly in the ’70s particularly and always really relishing what he was, what he did, the impact he had.”
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British Prime Minister David Cameron:
“Genius is an over-used word but I think musically, creatively, artistically David Bowie was a genius.”
“For someone of my age he provided a lot of the soundtrack of our lives.”
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Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair:
“From the time I saw his Ziggy Stardust concert as a student, I thought he was a brilliant artist and an exciting and interesting human being.”
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Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny who worked with David Bowie on the song “This Is Not America”:
“He carried the kind of broad view of music and art that was inspiring to me as a collaborator and a fan. I feel very lucky to have had the chance to be around him.”
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London Mayor Boris Johnson:
“No-one in our age has better deserved to be called a genius.”
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Tony Visconti, Bowie’s longtime producer:
“David always did it his way and his way was the least obvious way. He was a true genius who proved it over and over again through groundbreaking albums. I co-produced his new album ‘Blackstar.’ He sang with powerful energy and determination, his performances were brilliant. He will live forever in our hearts, mine especially.”
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Comedian Ricky Gervais:
“I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.”
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Rapper Kanye West:
“David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.”
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Singer Pharrell Williams:
“David Bowie was a true innovator, a true creative. May he rest in peace.”
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Actor Mark Ruffalo:
“Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always.”
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Columbia Records:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of David Bowie. It was an honor and a privilege to release his music to the world.”
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Jim Nicola, artistic director of New York Theatre Workshop, where the musical “Lazarus” is playing with Bowie songs:
“We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Mr. Bowie on his theatrical piece, ‘Lazarus,’ and we look forward to honoring his work onstage as ‘Lazarus’ plays its final performances.”