An author who met David Bowie three times – and is writing a book about his links to Herts – has paid tribute to the music star after his death was announced by his family this morning.
Kevin Macan-Lind, who lived in Pirton before moving just over the Beds border to Broom, said he was ‘absolutely devastated’ to hear the news of Bowie’s death at the age of 69, which was announced by the music legend’s family on social media.
The 59-year-old – who is heavily involved in www.bowiewonderworld.com, a website which commemorates his career – said: “It’s absolutely shocking news to come out, especially after issuing his new album on Friday. Then to learn of his death from cancer having been diagnosed 18 months ago. We knew nothing about it, but then he was a very private person.”
Mr Macan-Lind, a former magazine publisher, was first captivated by Bowie when he saw him perform his hit Starman on Top of the Pops in 1972.
He chatted to Bowie on the three occasions when they met at concerts and has collected books, records, CDs and other memorabilia throughout the icon’s illustrious career.
He said: “When I saw him on Top of the Pops in 1972 and he went and put his arm round the guitarist and they were both wearing makeup, it was so groundbreaking and so different from what anybody had done before. That was it for me.”
Mr Macan-Lind attended numerous Bowie shows and is writing a book about Bowie’s links to Herts, Bucks and Beds, including two early gigs in Stevenage when Bowie was still known as Davy Jones.
One featured Bowie’s early band, The Lower Third at the old Town Hall in Orchard Road on January 28, 1966.
Only a couple of weeks later on February 12 he was back in town, appearing at Bowes-Lyon House in St George’s Way.
This time Bowie was backed by new band The Buzz, which had been put together in the preceding weeks.
Fans took to a Stevenage memories group on Facebook to express their shock at the singer’s death this morning.
David Cavendish Ziller posted: “Remember him in Stevenage in the 60s. R.I.P David Bowie.”
Kit Galer posted: “Saw Bowie with the Lower Third at Bowes Lyon House in St George’s Way about 1966. No hint he would become what he became.”
Mr Macan-Lind still wants to hear from people in Herts, Bucks and Beds who have memories of Bowie in the area or collections of local memorabilia so he can complete his book.
He can be contacted at kevin@bowiewonderworld.com.
Bowie sold an estimated 140 million albums since his first official release in 1967 and will be remembered for his pioneering styles in fashion, art and music.
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