Early Monday morning, fans of legendary musician David Bowie learned some devastating news: at just 69 years old, the rock star has passed away from cancer.
“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer,” the official statement, dated Sunday, read. “While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”
The news came as a shock to fans, as Bowie’s battle with cancer had not been made public prior to the Jan. 11 announcement on social media.
Given the devastating effect the news has had on fans all over the world, it’s possible that we can all find a little bit of comfort by watching Bowie’s last public performance alongside Alicia Keys. The sensational duo performed together in 2006 at NYC’s Hammersmith Ballroom, at the Black Ball fundraiser and mesmerized the audience with their beautiful rendition of Bowie’s hit song “Changes.”
>>Read more: Legendary musician David Bowie dies of cancer at 69
Following this performance, Bowie never appeared on stage again, even issuing a statement on the matter through his booking agent John Gidding in October 2015:
"David [Bowie] is one of the best artists I’ve ever worked with. But every time I see him now, before I even speak to him, he goes, I’m not touring and I say, I’m not asking… He has decided to retire and, like Phil Collins, you can’t demand these people go out there again and again and again. I’m really pleased and proud that the last show he ever did in the UK was the 2004 Isle Of Wight Festival."
>>Related: Listen to David Bowie and Freddie Mercury's isolated vocal of Under Pressure
Though the video certainly doesn’t ease the pang of despair knowing the world lost a musical genius today, it serves as a reminder of Bowie’s enormous talent and amazing stage presence.
