Remembering genius David Bowie and how he heralded 2016 – a year of exponential loss in showbiz history

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I have a friend who’s a music journalist and has interviewed tons of famous artists. I always enjoy asking him about his experiences – things like who was the rudest, shortest, or most charming. When I asked about the most charismatic, he immediately replied, “David Bowie. He was always smiling.”

I remembered something he’d said when I heard the news about David Bowie’s death on January 11, 2016. I’d stayed up all night writing about the Golden Globe Awards and was heading to a TV studio when it broke. I made it to the studio, but suddenly no one was interested in the Globes anymore – everyone was talking about Bowie, his incredible 50-year career, his lasting impact, and the heartbroken fans who were painting red lightning bolts on their faces.

The overwhelming show of love for David Bowie was especially striking considering he’d already released over half of his studio albums – 14 out of 26 – by 1980. It was also notable that his last album, Blackstar, came out just two days before he passed away, filled with thoughtful references to his past work, like the character Ziggy Stardust, and even playfully acknowledging the topics the media often focused on – his bisexuality, drug use, and fondness for cats.

Looking back, Bowie’s passing felt like the first domino in a truly devastating year. It was as if, being ahead of the curve as he always was, his death signaled a wave of loss that just kept coming. One after another, so many of the artists and icons I loved disappeared – Prince, Leonard Cohen, George Michael, Alan Rickman, Victoria Wood… even Debbie Reynolds passed away just a day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher. And then Gene Wilder and Muhammad Ali… it honestly felt endless.

Ten years after a particularly devastating year for the entertainment industry, I still vividly remember the figures we lost. Their talents were one-of-a-kind, and their impact is unmatched, largely because we no longer celebrate or support stars the way we once did. While there’s not much new to say about them, the upcoming documentaries and continued fan interest prove that people still want to remember their legacies and relive their greatest performances. It was a truly difficult year for losing so much talent, and any opportunity to celebrate their lives is a welcome one.

It feels right that we’re starting with David Bowie, a true original. There are special nights dedicated to him on Channel 4 and BBC Four, and so much more to explore. Since he passed, it’s become clear that everyone had their own Bowie – for me, he really was music’s Peter Pan, with that incredible stage presence, blurring of gender, and constant ability to reinvent himself. I remember the debates – the serious music fans loved his Berlin-era work, while others discovered him through the huge hits like ‘Let’s Dance’ and his glamorous, 80s look. It was fascinating to hear Iman talk about marrying the man, David Jones, not the icon, David Bowie – a lovely reminder of the person behind the legend.

I’ll always remember Bowie’s casual predictions about the future, like how he described the internet as both exciting and frightening back in 1999 during an interview with Jeremy Paxman. He also famously turned down a knighthood, explaining that wasn’t his motivation. And who could forget his hilarious self-deprecating cameo on the show Extras? He even playfully responded to Ricky Gervais’s birthday wishes with, “I have a proper job. David Bowie, 57, Rock God.”

He possessed a remarkable ability to remain genuine and approachable, famously describing himself to Jeremy Paxman as simply curious and enthusiastic. His life was rich and complex, and even ten years later, he continues to inspire with his ever-present smile.

David Bowie, in a rare interview, shared that intense passion was a major source of his inspiration and creativity.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-01-10 11:39