A text from Alex following David Bowie’s passing:
I haven’t been present quite much on the Your Favorite Enemies (YFE) social networks over the whole holidays, having to greatly recharge my batteries and to refresh my mind if only a little, but David Bowie’s passing compelled me to share not only my profound admiration for the artist that Bowie has always been to me, but to share how much of a gentleman he was as I’ve met him in Paris, backstage, after an amazing concert he offered to a crowded and devoted Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy (which is now called AccorHotels Arena) …
I was invited to the show by the American band The Dandy Warhols, who were opening the night and whom Bowie was a fan of. It was quite surreal for me to be in the private space of a man who had always been larger than life to me, who was one of the reasons I found the courage to take a pen to write a few words of my own. I didn’t take a picture with him; it was way before the iPhone. It was 2003, a lifetime away, but a night that’s still vividly alive.
A few days ago, I was sharing that moment with Jeff again while listening to Bowie’s incredible new album Blackstar. It’s 2016, 13 years later, but it felt like yesterday, as if I was looking at him backstage, wondering what it feels like to be a monument, a man who changed the world, a genius in his own rights. He was so calm, so cool, all smiles, kind to everyone, radiating in a very inclusive way. Everyone seemed important to him, even if only for a second while shaking hands. It was very empowering to witness; a man larger than his colossal body of work.
And today, thinking about the night of October 20th 2003, I realize that what David Bowie left us with is way more than his incredible revolutionary art and world changing cultural crafts. He left us with the idea that being a monument, a world changer, a genius in his own rights is to be yourself, faithful to who you are and what you want to share. The rest is only images, illusions and make-believes… entertainment. David Bowie was himself and redefined everything. Looks like it’s also an invitation to everyone to do the same, based on who we are and defined by our own ways.
Rest in peace David, you did more for us than we will ever understand.
