David Bowie’s Family Issues Statement on Singer’s Death
The family of David Bowie has thanked fans around the world for their “love and support” in a note on Facebook. They also requested that their privacy continue to be respected as they plan a private ceremony celebrating the late singer.
“The family of David Bowie is currently making arrangements for a private ceremony celebrating the memory of their beloved husband, father and friend,” the post reads. “They ask once again that their privacy be respected at this most sensitive of times. We are overwhelmed by and grateful for the love and support shown throughout the world.”
Bowie’s death has inspired myriad tributes from musicians and fans, and a concert in his honor has been scheduled for March 31st at New York’s Carnegie Hall featuring the Roots, Cyndi Lauper, the Mountain Goats, Heart’s Ann Wilson, Perry Farrell and Jakob Dylan. A smaller show, per the BBC, boasting longtime Bowie producer Tony Visconti was held in Toronto on Tuesday.
Bowie’s family, however, noted that “while the concerts and tributes planned for the coming weeks are all welcome, none are official memorials organized or endorsed by the family. Just as each and every one of us found something unique in David’s music, we welcome everyone’s celebration of his life as they see fit.”
Bowie died on Sunday after an 18-month battle with cancer, which he largely concealed as he continued to work on a musical stage production, Lazarus, and his final album, ★ (pronounced “Blackstar”). In an interview with Rolling Stone, Visconti said that in the weeks leading up to his death, Bowie had written and demo-ed five new songs for a planned follow-up to Blackstar.
“I was thrilled,” Visconti said, “and I thought, and he thought, that he’d have a few months, at least. Obviously, if he’s excited about doing his next album, he must’ve thought he had a few more months. So the end must’ve been very rapid. I’m not privy to it. I don’t know exactly, but he must’ve taken ill very quickly after that phone call.”