Some of David Bowie’s bandmates have joined the countless number of people paying tribute to the music icon on the 10th anniversary of his death.
READ MORE: An oral history of David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’
The posts have all been shared online, and come as this past Saturday (January 10) marked exactly a decade since Bowie passed away after an 18-month battle with cancer.
His death came as a shock in 2016, particularly as his health battles had not been publicly disclosed, and given he had released his landmark final album ‘Blackstar’ just two days before his passing.
Among those who celebrated his life and legacy over the weekend were The Libertines, The Horrors, Anna Calvi, The Molotovs, who each performed covers of his songs, and his widow Iman, who got a new tattoo to commemorate the artist.
Two of Bowie’s bandmates have also made touching posts online to remember the music legend and share what it was like to work with him. One of the updates came from bassist and vocalist Gail Ann Dorsey, who regularly performed and toured with Bowie from 1995 to 2004.
“So many around the world are thinking of him, and sharing their special memories at this time. With all of that energy abound, I have no doubt his Spirit is feeling our overwhelming love and appreciation,” Dorsey shared.
“Looking back, it’s sometimes hard for me to believe that I had the incredible fortune of being a part of his life and a contributor to his musical legacy. There are constant reminders of that magical period of my life and career that will live on forever in music history; sometimes they bring great joy, and other times a deep sadness for a time and a man long gone,” she added.
“I have so much to be grateful for, for having had David as a mentor, a kind and loving supporter of my own creative dreams and endeavours, and a friend. I will never hesitate nor tire of singing his praises.”
As well as playing bass with Bowie between the mid-‘90s and mid-’00s, Dorsey also sang Freddie Mercury’s section of ‘Under Pressure’ during live renditions of the hit song. She also provided vocals and bass for albums including 1997’s ‘Earthling’, 2002’s ‘Heathen’, 2003’s ‘Reality’ and 2013’s ‘The Next Day’.
Keyboard player Mike Garson also shared a post remembering Bowie 10 years after his death, saying that even after a decade, the singer’s legacy is “never really absent”.
“David lived in curiosity and courage. I still feel him when I sit at the piano. His spirit lives on in the music, challenging us to listen harder, think deeper, and never settle for the obvious,” he wrote. “What we shared went beyond notes and performances. I’m grateful every day for the time, his trust, and the music.”
Garson served the longest as a member of Bowie’s live band, and appeared with him on stage more frequently than any other musician. He toured as part of Bowie’s band for three decades, was there for his first and last US dates, and also played on ‘Aladdin Sane’ and ‘Outside’.
Back in 2018, the keyboard player honoured Bowie’s legacy by recruiting a handful of other former live bandmates, and touring together for the ‘Celebrating David Bowie‘ shows. Those gigs saw them come together to perform the icon’s greatest hits with various special guest vocalists
Speaking to NME at the time, he said: “You can’t compare anyone to David, but you just need to keep rotating and finding great singers to do the best they can. Every once in while, you do great one.
“We had Lorde singing ‘Life On Mars’ at the BRIT Awards – she did a great job and that was great to part of. We’ve also had some great performances from Perry Farrell and Mr Hudson. I’m learning as master of ceremonies how to conduct these things.”
In 2023 Garson also shared that he feared he was to blame for Bowie deciding to quit touring after 2004.
Recalling how Bowie asked him in 2006 if they should go out on th road again, the pianist shared: “I think the band and my wife want to kill me because I said something absurd, but actually deep and correct and honest… I said, ‘David, only if you’re feeling it’, because he wasn’t feeling it.
“I knew it but he wanted to give work to the band – our tour was cut short in 2004, so he was feeling guilty.”
Also to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing, Bowie’s childhood home in Bromley, South London is going to be restored and made available to the public, and the British Library will host an event to honour Bowie later this month.
Bowie’s daughter, Lexi, shared her own tribute too, posting an old photo of herself and her father on his birthday, and the singer’s final years were explored in a recent Channel 4 documentary titled The Final Act.
The BBC have also announced a Bowie doc for 2026 in the form of Bowie In Berlin.
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