DOVES ARE CRYING IN THE PURPLE RAIN....

I wish it would stop! Shut the doors!  Close the windows!

This morning, once more, I woke to sad news. 

In January I had the wind knocked out of my sails when I learned of David Bowie’s passing. I’m still trying to process the fact David Bowie is no longer with us - and now, today, 22^nd April, I woke to the upsetting news that Prince has died.  I’ve been a fan of Prince for many, many years; more years than I can count on my fingers; two-fold plus.

Prince might have only been pint-size, but he packed a punch full of talent.  He brimmed to overflowing with musical genius; and to me, he was a sensual, sexy little bugger!

I’m still trying to process the fact David Bowie is no longer with us....and now this has happened!

If there was a Rock ‘n Roll/Musical Heaven there certainly would be one hell of a party going on right now.

Last week, with little prior warning, the Okie from Muskogee, Merle Haggard departed the scene to join Glen Frey.

 “Earth, Wind & Fire’s” Maurice White had already arrived.  His arrival immediately turned it all into a Boogie Wonderland.  The party was well under way!

Paul Katner of “Jefferson Airplane” also left this moral earth in January; as did Pete Huttlinger who, at one time, had been the late John Denver’s lead guitarist.  He’d also toured with John Oates (of Hall & Oates fame) and with LeeAnn Rimes.

Enough is enough, already!

At the time of David Bowie’s passing I wrote the following article for publication in our local rag up here on the hill.... in his honour....

“GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM – PLANET EARTH IS BLUE...

Like millions of others throughout the world the news of David Bowie’s passing saddened me greatly.  I’ve always been a fan of Bowie; I always will be.

The Thin White Duke has left us...without our permission to do so.

As with everything else he did in his life Bowie left us on his own terms. He didn’t make a fanfare leading up his death, but we, his dedicated, devastated fans have, I guess, but in a respectful way.

The Man Who Fell to Earth has returned to the great beyond whence he came.

However, David Bowie has left us in the physical form only. And in space, he will not be an oddity. Bowie will forever be an eye in the sky watching and urging us to never allow our self to fall prey to normality; for us to always follow our dreams, even if we don’t make it to the end of one particular road; that there is always another path and another, and so on.

Bowie inspired us to test the waters; for us to push ourselves to our creative limits and beyond.

David Bowie, the chameleon, was the most originative star among the stars.

In his early days his penchant for flamboyant outfits; his sometimes bright orange hair; his lack of fear in wearing stilettos on stage led the way for others, who, in turn, understood one could experiment along the path of discovering one’s true, inner self.  

He opened doors that needed opening.  Many followed, tossing away their inhibitions, stepping forward eager to discover the possibilities waiting in store for them.

Bowie’s brave explorations of his individual creativity, of his brilliant and varied talents gave others the confidence to set aside their delicate, gauzy guises. Instead of yearning to be like him, they became individual artists in their own right.

Others began questioning and exploring their own creativity; their own individual talent. Following his example, others expanded their minds; their thoughts, ideas and artistic abilities.

David Bowie selflessly and generously gifted humanity with his intelligence, his music, his lyrics, words and art.  He dauntlessly went where many had feared to tread.

 In 1978 my ex and I lived in the Brisbane suburb of Torwood, high on a hill looking down towards Lang Park.  On a summer’s night in November we sat out in our sun-room listening to Bowie performing live in concert at Lang Park.  We felt we were part of the open-air audience. The music filled the night. 

Unlike Russ Hinze (a controversial Queensland politician of the 1970s and 1980s) we didn’t complain; instead we enjoyed the concert even if we couldn’t see Bowie in person. 

However, that situation changed in 1983 when David Bowie toured the world with his “Serious Moonlight” concert.  There was no way I was going to miss seeing Bowie live in concert again.  Missing him once was one time too many. 

With enough time up our sleeves (I’m one of those people who like to be at an airport or train station a week or two before departure)...Randall and I drove from Sunshine Beach to Lang Park where, once again, the concert was being held.

Bowie did not disappoint.

For me, David Bowie was/is unforgettable; he was mesmerising.  I doubt I took my eyes off him throughout the concert. From the moment he stepped onto the stage he had me in his spell...I was a willing subject.

Nothing Has Changed from when I first discovered Ziggy Stardust, 

The Man Who Sold the World, who was also suspected of being The Man Who Fell To Earth. The appearance of Aladdin Sane and his Pin-Ups Diamond Dogs just confirmed my opinion.

No matter where - from Station to Station - I’d recognise The Thin White Duke. So everything is still Hunky Dory.

I’ve always said if I were a sculptor or a painter, Bowie would have been my muse.  

Shoo the Scary Monsters away; don’t feel Low. We’ll invite some Young Americans to join in - Let’s Dance to Heroes!”

RIP.....But don’t despair....this is not the day the music died....the music will go on and on.....