Bowie Devotees Gather 10 Years After Iconic Singer's Passing
For Debbie Hilton, David Bowie is more than just an artist – he's a part of her very being. Her house is a shrine to his memory, with every room filled with mementos and reminders of the legendary singer-songwriter. Ten years after his passing, fans like Hilton are still holding onto the music, fashion, and creativity that defined Bowie's legacy.
Hilton traveled from Liverpool to join fellow fans in Brixton, south London, where Bowie was born, for a memorial service on the anniversary of his death. The event has become an annual pilgrimage for some, but this year saw larger-than-usual crowds gathered to pay their respects. Hilton, 64, recalled her first encounter with Bowie when she was just 11 years old and watched him perform live at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester.
"I was hooked ever since," she said, her eyes shining with nostalgia. For Hilton, as for many fans, Bowie's impact extends far beyond his music. His fashion sense, his androgynous style, and his unwavering commitment to artistic expression continue to inspire new generations of artists and musicians.
For Julian Furnival, 68, a lifelong fan who has been following Bowie since he was just 13 years old, the singer's passing was a traumatic event that still feels like yesterday. "It rubs in pretty bad," Furnival said, his voice trembling as he spoke about the day of Bowie's death. The pain of losing someone so iconic and influential is something that can't be easily overcome.
Furnival and his partner, Laura Hough, 69, have made it a tradition to visit the Starman memorial in Brixton every year on the anniversary of Bowie's passing. They write messages on the wall from fans around the world who can no longer attend the gathering. This year, they decided to go all out, covering the entire memorial with stickers in honor of their beloved friend.
Jenny Wasiak, 65, a train conductor from Norwich, made the pilgrimage to Brixton for the first time last year, and she's been hooked ever since. For her, Bowie's music is not just a collection of songs – it's a way of life. "He gave something to everybody," she said about his final album, Blackstar. The song that was released just days before his passing has been interpreted as a poignant expression of the artist's impending mortality.
Astrid Ballhorn, 74, who is retired and has no taste in music like Wasiak, can appreciate Bowie's impact without understanding every note he sang. "He was an iconic legend," she said. "If you listen to musicians speaking, they nearly all reference David in some way or another." And for many fans, that's exactly what it's about – the connection between generations of artists and the ways in which their work continues to inspire and influence.
As the 10th anniversary of Bowie's passing approaches, fans are reflecting on his legacy and the enduring power of his music. For many, he will always be the Beethoven of our day – a visionary artist who pushed boundaries and redefined the possibilities of rock music. As one fan so eloquently put it, "He was a genius, there'll never be anybody else like him."
For Debbie Hilton, David Bowie is more than just an artist – he's a part of her very being. Her house is a shrine to his memory, with every room filled with mementos and reminders of the legendary singer-songwriter. Ten years after his passing, fans like Hilton are still holding onto the music, fashion, and creativity that defined Bowie's legacy.
Hilton traveled from Liverpool to join fellow fans in Brixton, south London, where Bowie was born, for a memorial service on the anniversary of his death. The event has become an annual pilgrimage for some, but this year saw larger-than-usual crowds gathered to pay their respects. Hilton, 64, recalled her first encounter with Bowie when she was just 11 years old and watched him perform live at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester.
"I was hooked ever since," she said, her eyes shining with nostalgia. For Hilton, as for many fans, Bowie's impact extends far beyond his music. His fashion sense, his androgynous style, and his unwavering commitment to artistic expression continue to inspire new generations of artists and musicians.
For Julian Furnival, 68, a lifelong fan who has been following Bowie since he was just 13 years old, the singer's passing was a traumatic event that still feels like yesterday. "It rubs in pretty bad," Furnival said, his voice trembling as he spoke about the day of Bowie's death. The pain of losing someone so iconic and influential is something that can't be easily overcome.
Furnival and his partner, Laura Hough, 69, have made it a tradition to visit the Starman memorial in Brixton every year on the anniversary of Bowie's passing. They write messages on the wall from fans around the world who can no longer attend the gathering. This year, they decided to go all out, covering the entire memorial with stickers in honor of their beloved friend.
Jenny Wasiak, 65, a train conductor from Norwich, made the pilgrimage to Brixton for the first time last year, and she's been hooked ever since. For her, Bowie's music is not just a collection of songs – it's a way of life. "He gave something to everybody," she said about his final album, Blackstar. The song that was released just days before his passing has been interpreted as a poignant expression of the artist's impending mortality.
Astrid Ballhorn, 74, who is retired and has no taste in music like Wasiak, can appreciate Bowie's impact without understanding every note he sang. "He was an iconic legend," she said. "If you listen to musicians speaking, they nearly all reference David in some way or another." And for many fans, that's exactly what it's about – the connection between generations of artists and the ways in which their work continues to inspire and influence.
As the 10th anniversary of Bowie's passing approaches, fans are reflecting on his legacy and the enduring power of his music. For many, he will always be the Beethoven of our day – a visionary artist who pushed boundaries and redefined the possibilities of rock music. As one fan so eloquently put it, "He was a genius, there'll never be anybody else like him."
David Bowie's impact goes beyond his tunes - his style, artistry & commitment 2 self-expression r what inspire new gen artists & fans alike 
His legacy lives on, even if it hurts sometimes 
. I remember when I first found out about Bowie's passing, it felt like a part of me had been ripped away 
. But then I started listening to his music again and it was like discovering all over again why I fell in love with him in the first place 
. The way he blended glam rock with art, music, and poetry... it's just pure magic 
. And can we talk about how iconic his style is? David Bowie inspired an entire generation of artists and fans to express themselves freely 
. What I love most about this 10 year anniversary is that people like Debbie Hilton, Julian Furnival, Jenny Wasiak, and Astrid Ballhorn are keeping the spirit alive by sharing their memories and passions with each other 
. It's a beautiful reminder that music can transcend time and generations, bringing us all together in a shared love of art and creativity 
.
. I personally love how people are still making the pilgrimage to celebrate him, its like a tribute to the impact he had on the music industry 
.
these ppl need to chill, Bowie's music is iconic not just for them 
its been influencing new gen artists for yrs. Not everyone needs a shrine in their house 
its about the music. Covering the memorial with stickers? 
get a life 
these fans are still holding on to the spirit of Bowie, it's beautiful 
he may have left us 10 years ago but his influence can still be felt across generations and industries. his commitment to artistic expression and nonconformity has inspired countless musicians, fashion designers, and creatives alike 
people say he's still influencing artists today but for me, it's more than that - it's like he left a part of himself behind and we're all just trying to find it 
just thinkin bout how much he changed the game for artists everywhere though 
10 years gone and still we're feeling it. I've always been fascinated by how Bowie's legacy isn't just about his music but the whole vibe he gave off - fashion, style, and attitude that inspires new waves of artists. Love how fans are keeping the spirit alive with these memorial services and creative tributes like Astrid's sticker cover-up
. The fact that fans like Debbie Hilton and Julian Furnival are still going strong, attending these memorial services in Brixton, is a testament to how much his music means to them