“I found him so inspiring and innovative. Unique and provocative. A real genius,” singer writes of Bowie

Tributes from the music community continue to pour in following the death of David Bowie, with Madonna penning a tribute to the rock icon to thank him for having such a profound impact on her career. “I’m devastated,” Madonna wrote after Bowie passed away Sunday following a battle with cancer. “David Bowie changed the course of my life forever.”

“I never felt like I fit in growing up in Michigan. Like an oddball or a freak. I went to see him in concert at Cobo Arena in Detroit,” Madonna wrote, adding that Bowie was her first concert. “I already had many of his records and was so inspired by the way he played with gender confusion. Was both masculine and feminine. Funny and serious. Clever and wise. His lyrics were witty ironic and mysterious.”

Like the chameleonic Bowie, Madonna similarly patterned her ever-changing stage personas after the “Thin White Duke.” “I saw how he created a persona and used different art forms within the arena of rock and roll to create entertainment,” she wrote. “I found him so inspiring and innovative. Unique and provocative. A real genius.”

Madonna concluded her tribute, “Thank you David Bowie. I owe you a lot. The world will miss you.”

After news of Bowie’s death was announced, Madonna also tweeted a photo of her and the rocker together with the caption, “So lucky to have met you!!!! Hot Tramp I love you So!”

Read Madonna’s entire remembrance to Bowie below.

I’m devastated.
David Bowie changed the course of my life forever. I never felt like I fit in growing up in Michigan. Like an oddball or a freak. I went to see him in concert at Cobo Arena in Detroit. It was the first concert I’d ever been too. I snuck out of the house with my girlfriend wearing a cape.
We got caught after and I was grounded for the summer. I didn’t care.
I already had many of his records and was so inspired by the way he played with gender confusion .
Was both masculine and feminine.
Funny and serious.
Clever and wise.
His lyrics were witty ironic and mysterious.
At the time he was the thin white Duke and he had mime artists on stage with him and very specific choreography
And I saw how he created a persona and used different art forms within the arena of rock and Roll to create entertainment.
I found him so inspiring and innovative.
Unique and provocative. A real Genius.
his music was always inspiring but seeing him live set me off on a journey that for me I hope will never end.
His photographs are hanging all over my house today.
He was so chic and beautiful and elegant.
So ahead of his time.
Thank you David Bowie.
I owe you a lot.  
The world will miss you.
Love
M

Read more: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-david-bowie-changed-the-course-of-my-life-forever-20160111#ixzz3x0zX80wi
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