Skulls, for me of late, have been all about inspiration. It began a few months ago with the release of a solo project, a band called The Mortal, by my favourite singer Sakurai Atsushi. The music of The Mortal with Sakurai’s Shakespearean inspired lyrics, and the Gothic look they created with their tophats and props spoke to me from the start.
But today, with the news of the death of David Bowie the co-incidences and the very meaning of how deeply music can inspire us was driven home and has been revolving in my head faster than I can process it.
I fell in love with “A Space Oddity” the first time I heard it. I was in my parent’s best friends’ basement with their niece, Beverly. She was a teenager – a mythical creature to me at my tender age of about six years. On this particular afternoon she was listening to the song over and over. I’ve never tired of it.
At my first glimpse of the man himself I was totally fascinated. His slightly feminine features which seemed to blur but not hide his masculinity, his style (which was his Ziggy persona at the time), and his lyrics made my mind whirl at the possibilities of what even my life could be like: wild, bohemian, and perhaps out-of-this-world exciting. Bowie made me dream. Ultimately he sparked my imagination and guided me to the worlds my characters live in.
As a young man this “cat from Japan” was also inspired by David Bowie.
During Sakurai’s first solo outing in 2004, before I knew he existed, he covered “A Space Oddity.”
And so we fast-forward to my discovery of Mr. Sakurai. Eleven years after this video was recorded I had the privilege to see Sakurai perform for the second time. He described The Mortal as an opportunity to be himself; to do what he wanted on stage, with the dark, Goth-inspired atmosphere that moves him.
I suppose you could say that I’ve been influenced twice by the same man. First directly, when I was very young, and now again indirectly by the influence he had over Sakurai Atsushi.
David Bowie, the hero that blew the spark that lit the flame of our imaginations has flown. May his influence live forever.
The “Skulls” prompt is brought to you by Dean Kealy at Dean’z Doodlez. Please check out his amazing doodles, and tell him I said hi while you’re there!
To find the rules for Just Jot It January, click here and join in today. It’s never too late! And don’t forget to ping back your January 12th post here!
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January 13, 2016 at 4:11 am
Incredible post. Perfect for skulls and David Bowie’s death. Thanks for introducing a new take on things.
https://adarkenedhouse.wordpress.com/2016/01/13/skulls/
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January 21, 2016 at 10:54 am
Thank you. 🙂
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January 12, 2016 at 10:38 pm
sorry, the previous link doesn’t work. try this one 🙂
http://rhymeswithbug.com/2016/01/12/skull/
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January 12, 2016 at 10:17 pm
<3! Linda, you write your passion with such beauty! =D
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January 21, 2016 at 10:56 am
Thank you so much, Shan. 🙂 That’s a huge compliment coming from you.
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January 12, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Beautiful tribute. David was one of a kind. Here is my link http://wp.me/p2Qoij-1XJ
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January 12, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Thank you, John. 🙂
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January 12, 2016 at 9:40 am
I’m always fascinated by how we are all connected in so many ways. Great post, Linda!
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January 12, 2016 at 9:50 am
It is fascinating to see the connections in action, isn’t it? Thanks very much, Helen. 🙂
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January 12, 2016 at 9:28 am
This is just amazing Linda … Bowie was a huge hero of mine and he coloured a lot of my teans and right up to now and no doubt beyond.
I also can see the link between Sakurai Atsushi and Bowie ! Love the post and enjoyed the Mr Tom rendition . I have enclose my favourite Bowie track .. Sound and vision, funnily enough I really this version , even more than the original!, it was used for a Sony advert but they slowed it up slightly and David’s voice is sp pure and gentle hope you like it !
OH! and by the way for some odd reason I had to refollow you today! I thought you had decided not to send me your latest post 🙂 strange going ons! I am following you now though… even though I have been for years…. and so to Bowie and how I shall remember him all my live. Thank you David.
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January 12, 2016 at 9:54 am
Thanks for the video and for sharing your experience of Bowie. We’re lucky to have had him to look to. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the Sakurai rendition and thanks for your kind words, as always. 😀
WP does the unfollow thing to us occasionally. I’m sure it’s a glitch and I often wonder how many people I’ve unfollowed without realising it. It sucks!
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January 12, 2016 at 11:24 am
Yes it does suck .. we must be ever vigilant!! 🙂
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January 12, 2016 at 9:06 am
Amazing! The song does speak to you. What is its name, and how can I get it? Where was this at?
http://www.fiddledeedeebooks.wordpress.com
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January 12, 2016 at 9:47 am
The full video is only available now on Blue Ray. The DVD went out of print years ago. Here’s where you can buy the new Limited Edition. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/VIZL-872 Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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January 12, 2016 at 10:31 am
Thanks
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January 12, 2016 at 7:27 am
Great post and what a wonderful way to incorporate the challenge!
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January 12, 2016 at 9:59 am
Thanks, Vic. 🙂 The “skulls” prompt was never going to be much of a challenge for me. I look forward to seeing how many others give it a try. 🙂
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January 12, 2016 at 4:14 pm
I will have mine in later tonight. Still drawing a blank, lol.
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January 12, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Just gotta get it outta the ol’ skull… 😉
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January 12, 2016 at 5:49 am
Very beautiful tribute to an amazing man and artist.
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January 12, 2016 at 10:01 am
Thanks, Tasha. He was truly amazing.
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January 12, 2016 at 5:48 am
https://cornerofconfessions.wordpress.com
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January 12, 2016 at 4:30 am
Still can’t quite believe he’s gone, thanks for adding your voice to the chorus of tributes.
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January 12, 2016 at 10:14 am
A chorus it is. Neither can I.
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January 12, 2016 at 3:45 am
http://finallyawriter.com/2016/01/12/just-jot-it-january-12th-the-cry-heard-around-the-world/
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January 12, 2016 at 3:44 am
Great post Linda. David Bowie was, and will continue to be, a huge influence to so many.
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January 12, 2016 at 10:17 am
Thanks Judy. Indeed he must.
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January 12, 2016 at 3:13 am
I got to work this morning and have been listening to David Bowie all morning. He was clearly a very influential man and a great musician. Just watched Sakurai Atsushi’s version of Oops I did it again…love it. 🙂
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January 12, 2016 at 10:38 am
It’s a great cover, isn’t it? As long as you can get past his accent. 😛
Bowie though… such a loss.
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January 12, 2016 at 10:43 am
True.:-(
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