David Bowie and someone else’s ‘Heroes’
David Bowie in the 1976 film “The Man Who to Fell to Earth.”
Losing David Bowie isn’t like losing a favorite musician or losing a parent. I’ve experienced both. I am not sure I know what he was to me.
In my life, Bowie ended up embodying the plot of a science fiction novel. I don’t think he’d have minded showing up in someone’s life, but he might have been disappointed that he was acting out a novel someone else had already used.
My ex-wife, the mother of my children, spent years talking about a college boyfriend. They had gone on this romantic, slightly obvious trip to Europe, during her sophmore year, and said goodbye to the strains of “Heroes.” It was a story that, by osmosis, became my memory. Very little made my wife cry, but “Heroes” did. We always had to turn it off when it came on. Eventually, I would cry when I’d hear the song in public, though I wasn’t referencing my own memory. I was responding to the echo of someone else’s memory.
As I take in the news of Bowie’s death, I see trucks rolling out in the night, filled with rebar and wires and plumbing.
I don’t know what is in any of those trucks. Maybe nothing I need, maybe everything.
On Twitter: @sfj
MORE:
David Bowie: A half-century of music
Full coverage: David Bowie’s life and career
Remembering David Bowie through his 100 favorite books
Mikael Wood review: David Bowie looks far beyond pop on jazz-inspired ‘Blackstar’
From the Robert Hilburn archives: David Bowie spends the ‘80s convincing us he’s just a normal guy
-------------------------------
For the Record
Jan. 11, 2:42 p.m.: A previous version of this post referred to the high school boyfriend of the author’s wife. He was her college boyfriend.
-------------------------------
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.