Do heroes really die? by Hanne Marie Nord
Have you ever really looked up to someone famous, in a way that was more than just admiring their work? So much that you know they’ve influenced your life?
for. The fact that someone disagrees is their issue, let them deal with it. It’s natural that people mourn someone like Bowie; his music and his message have been tremendously important for several generations of fans. The amount of news coverage and social media storms he generated both in life and with his death, are proof of that. Even now, even when he no longer walks amongst us, he lives on through the marks he made on us all. The music he made, interviews he did, films he starred in, will still be out there. And they will always be remembered.
It might have been their creative work; a novel, a film or an album, inspiring you to a different outlook. It’s like they know you and your inner feelings, even though you’ve never met them, and perhaps never will. Maybe it’s that you feel they’ve played an important part in forming your view of the world, and you’ll be forever grateful for it. That’s how I, and a lot of other people around the world, feel about the late and truly great David Bowie. Just days after he released his incredible new album, Blackstar, David Bowie passed away. I couldn’t believe it, and didn’t want to believe it, I felt physically drained for days after his death. Suddenly his lyrics had a new meaning, and his last album stood like a carefully planned goodbye to us all. The importance of what he’s done for music, and for all the outcasts and weirdoes out there, dawned on us clearer than ever before. A creative genius, and for someone like me, the closest thing we’ve ever had to a god, died. God is not supposed to die. Suddenly every screen showed films Bowie starred in, and every club played old classics. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media feeds filled with pictures, quotes and videos. People who knew and had worked with Bowie, as well as fans all over the world, shared memories and grief online. And then a few days later, Alan Rickman passed too, and
everyone belonging to the Harry Potter generation lost a little part of their persona. The amount of social media posts that came with these deaths, sadly also came with negative and hateful comments. Apparently some people feel the need to belittle and ridicule others for feeling sad because someone has died. I saw many comments like ‘he was just an actor’ and ‘you didn’t even know him’. It doesn’t matter if you knew them or not. You knew their work and it meant something to you, and that’s ok, that’s brilliant, embrace it.
Musicians like Bowie go down in history, and in a way live forever. The only real change, for those who didn’t know him personally, is that the expectations of new music, or the feeble hopes of going to a concert, are no longer there. We will continue to listen to his music, take his lyrics to heart, and be encouraged by his way of living. With Blackstar, Bowie added his last creative contribution to this world. He will, however, continue to influence musicians, artists, writers, and people, until the end of time. Bowie, and whoever else who has left a mark on your world, will always be there for you. Always.
“No matter what or who you’ve been No matter when or where you’ve seen All the knives seem to lacerate your brain I’ve had my share, I’ll help you with the pain It’s certainly ok to be sad when someone who’s made You’re not alone Just turn on with me and you’re not alone” melodies that caress your ears, delivered lines that sent chills down your spine, or wrote lyrics that spoke to your soul, dies. It’s ok to grieve when your hero can no longer create new things for you to live and love
(Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide – David Bowie)
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