David Bowie's last release, Lazarus, was 'parting gift' for fans in carefully planned finale
The producer of Blackstar confirms David Bowie had planned his poignant final message, and videos and lyrics show how he approached his death
By
Hannah Furness, Arts Correspondent
12:30PM GMT 11 Jan 2016
David Bowie's final record was a carefully-orchestrated farewell to his fans, his producer has confirmed.
Lazarus, released on his 69th birthday
just two days before his death, opens with the lyrics: "Look up here, I'm in Heaven!"
Its video, which will be viewed in a very different light by millions of fans today, features the musician in a hospital bed, and finishes with him retreating in to a dark closet.
David Bowie in the video for Blackstar
Tony Visconti,the producer who worked with
Bowie to complete his final album, has released a statement saying it was deliberately created and timed as a "parting gift" for his fans.
In a statement on his Facebook page, he said: "He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way.
"His death was no different from his life - a work of Art.
"He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift.
"I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it.
"He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us.
David Bowie performing in Paris in 2002 Photo: EPA PHOTO AFP/BERTRAND GUAY
"For now, it is appropriate to cry."
Visconti has previously spoken of creating the album, which was recorded in just three sessions over the course of three months at the beginning of 2015.
It now appears the singer and those closest to him arranged its release at the end of his life, after 18 months of living with cancer.
David Bowie applying his Ziggy Stardust makeup in May 1973
Music videos for Blackstar and Lazarus both feature a skull motif, with lyrics that will now be read and re-read by fans.
'Blackstar' Photo: David Bowie/Youtube
The title of Lazarus refers to the biblical character who was raised from the dead four days after he died by Jesus.
'Blackstar' Photo: David Bowie/Youtube
The singer's 25th studio album, which features seven tracks, was the first that did not feature his photo on the cover but instead a black star.
The Telegraph has already
given the album five stars, calling it "extraordinary".
[url]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/12092542/Bowies-last-album-was-parting-gift-for-fans-in-carefully-planned-finale.html
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