David Bowie‘s longtime producer Tony Visconti mourned the death of his friend on Facebook early Monday, saying that Bowie’s death was “a work of art” and that his recently released album, “Blackstar,” was a “parting gift” for fans.
“He always did what he wanted to do,” Visconti wrote on his Facebook page. “And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life — a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift.”
“Blackstar” was released on Jan. 8, 2016, just two days before the legendary British singer died at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer. In one of his songs, “Lazarus,” the singer alludes to the Gospel of John figure who was resurrected just four days after his death.
The music video shows Bowie laying on what appears to be a hospital bed with a blindfold covering his eyes. The video ends with Bowie dressed in black, stepping into a wardrobe and closing the door.
Fans have pointed out that the lyrics to “Lazarus” eerily foreshadow his death: “Look up here, I’m in heaven” and “Look up here, man, I’m in danger, I’ve got nothing left to lose” are just two of the lines in the song. The last line says, “Oh I’ll be free. Just like that bluebird. Oh I’ll be free. Ain’t that just like me.”
Visconti wrote in his Facebook post that he “wasn’t prepared” for Bowie’s death.
“I knew for a year this was the way it would be,” he wrote. “I wasn’t, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry.”
See his Facebook post below, and watch Bowie’s “Lazarus” music video above.
He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was... Posted by Tony Visconti on Monday, January 11, 2016