Khris Royal, Art Neville And Other New Orleans Musicians React To David Bowie’s Passing

Over the past 24-hours, emotions have rippled through the hearts of David Bowie fans. With nearly 5 decades worth of material, Bowie’s music has transcended the ages. A handful of New Orleans artists have shared their reaction to this music legend’s passing.

“I was quite shocked to hear last night of David Bowie’s passing. Being a fan from the very beginning, I feel fortunate being there for the span of his career. It was quite an adventure witnessing his artistry mature over the years. With every new album you never knew what to expect stylistically, but with anticipation you knew that lurking around the next corner was some startling combination of darkness, light, and anomalous beauty. He was a true artist all the way through his last breath.” -Brian Stoltz, Guitarist- Funky Meters

“I’m so sad about David Bowie’s passing. I just started digging into his shit two years ago. Two months ago he announced he was going into the studio to work on an album influenced by To Pimp A Butterfly. This is kinda fucking me up. All I can do is honor his genius by telling you all I love you and I cherish the moments I have shared with you all, on and off stage. Let’s record as much as we can. When we are gone, the only thing that will remain is the music we make. Love you all.” – Khris Royal, saxophonist for Rebelution, George Porter’s The Running Pardners, and Khris Royal & Dark Matter

“The fact that there are so many salutes to David Bowie that cut across race, gender, age, and class really says something amount how many lives he touched. My favorite type of artist is one who expresses nonconformity, and he certainly did that through his embracing soulful music and working with soulful artists, especially in songs like “Golden Years,” “Fame,” “Let’s Dance,” “Fashion,” “China Girl,” and “Modern Love,” all my faves of his. Not to mention, he was one of the first white artists to perform on Soul Train (1975), and he recorded his ‘Young Americans’ (1975) album at Sigma Sound in Philadelphia, a recording studio long associated with the Gamble and Huff “Philly Soul” sound. I am thankful for his sharing his real connection with soulful feeling through his fearless art and a life well lived.” –DJ Soul Sister

“There are no words to describe the impact and influence that David Bowie has had on our culture. We have truly lost a once in a lifetime artist. Fearless til the end.” –Eric Bolivar, drummer for Anders Osborne, Bonerama, Pimps of Joytime

“It’s sad that our Rock n Roll icons are leaving us. But what’s great to remember and study is the legacy they leave behind and how each one changed the popular world. For David Bowie, it starts with his beautifully versatile and distinct voice, no one sounds like that…still. He wrote great songs, hooks and anthems that personally meant something which then he was able to relate to the world through characters, stories, fashion and design. He had a complete thought from conception to reception. My fav Bowie track is his duet with Freddie Mercury on Under Pressure. Such a profound emotional song that gives me chills every time Bowie sings the second bridge.” –John Papa Gros, Keyboardist for Papa Grows Funk

“Sad news of the Star Man’s sudden departure. He was such a unique and fearless artist, the kind of creative force that seeps into the consciousness of everyone who hears it. Beautiful, undeniable weirdness and truth.” –Sam Price, Bassist for Honey Island Swamp Band & Otra

“As a kid, though I loved rock and roll, my voice never seemed to fit the songs I loved…until I discovered Bowie. He made rock music safe for baritones. If I didn’t listen to him daily as a teenager, it was damned close. And I accompanied myself on guitar with Young Americans as my audition song for two pivotal jobs in my life–my first TV series Fame, and the Broadway production of The Who’s Tommy. So I owe him a lot. I met him once, saw him many times from arenas to a 500 capacity place in the Bronx. I wouldn’t sing how I do or be where I’ve been without him. Carrie Brownstein said it best today; “It feels like we lost something elemental, as if an entire color is gone and the influence he had in his life and art giving comfort and inspiration to generations of misfits and freaks and anyone who felt like an outsider is incalculable. Fearless and peerless.” –Michael Cerveris, Broadway Actor and Vocalist/Guitarist

“My first reaction was shock because I didn’t expect to see that and the second was thinking of the song Fame and how it influenced me and so many. David Bowie was a classic icon that everyone liked.” –Gaynielle Neville, Vocalist

“Amazing artist. I’ve always respected his ability to reinvent himself as an artist, whether it be in his music or his image or trying new things like acting …a great loss.” –Billy Iuso, Guitarist/Vocalist

“He was a creator of change and reinvention. He was always setting a new self. He was like Miles Davis, he was David Bowie.” –Johnny Vidocavich, Drummer for Astral Project, Johnny Vidocavich Trio

RIP David Bowie. Our thoughts are with your loved ones, friends, family, and everyone who’s lives were touched by your music.