Blackstar

When I was eight years old my best friend and I nervously dialed information and asked to speak to "David Bowie in Hollywood, California." To our relief, and crushed hearts, there was no one listed under that name. It should be mentioned that "Billy Idol" was our second attempt. Also not listed.

David Bowie was one of the few artists my mother and I could agree on when we were in the car together. His music was the laser gates between our arguments about bad grades and whatever else families fight about. If Bowie came on my mom's voice would quiet and eventually accept a brief hiatus until China Girl or Starman had ended. There were only a handful of artists with this power but David Bowie could douse the fire for a time.