The Mirror reports that the music legend has already been secretly cremated without any of his family or friends present – including his wife of 23 years, supermodel Iman.
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A handsome tribute was paid by fans in his original home town of Brixton as they gathered outside the Ritzy cinema to celebrate his life and sing his hits while laying flowers.
The iconic singer’s death comes just days after the release of his 29th album, Blackstar, which coincided with his 69th birthday on January 8.
“From what I understand, these last 18 months he really curated his death, and the play Lazarus and the album”.
With no official comment available, Bowie’s place of death remained a mystery, as did funeral arrangements.
Bowie had kept his terminal liver cancer secret for over a year, sharing the information with only those closest to him, Belgian theatre director Ivo van Hove said.
David Bowie won his last BRIT Award in 2014 when he picked up the award for Best British Male for his album The Next Day.
The critically acclaimed album, described by his long- term producer and friend Tony Visconti as Bowie’s “parting gift”, has also topped the iTunes charts, and more than half of the UK’s top 40 chart has been taken up by albums from Bowie’s back catalogue. Van Hove said he was one of the few people Bowie told about the condition, because it would prevent the musician from attending all of the Lazarus rehearsals.
“His death was no different from his life – a work of art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift”.
Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, who collaborated closely with Bowie, said in a statement: “David Bowie was one of the band’s earliest supporters and champions”. He will always be with us.
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A source told the newspaper: “In many respects you don’t need a memorial or service to remember David by… you have his music instead”.
