How like an artist who defied norms and bent rules to cause confusion even in his death.
As his official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts posted about his death, the news was quickly dismissed as a hoax, before, equally quickly, being confirmed.
Oh my GOD someone please tell me this is a hoax?!?! https://t.co/DiGkQ7D5Sr
— Lizzie Marvelly (@LizzieMarvelly) January 11, 2016
From here I'm going to ignore Bowie news until actual journalists confirm actual facts.
— Tim Nicholas (@timnicholas) January 11, 2016
When a celebrity dies, like Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister did just a few weeks ago, there is usually a flurry of tweets and Facebook posts. Then the sarcasm sets in, and the fans are left to publicly mourn, while others quickly go on about their lives.
Not Bowie. For hours, social networks were all about him, as people posted their tributes, their grief, and their memories.
OMG, people in my feed who don't agree on ANYTHING are sharing #DavidBowie memories. LEGENDARY.
— Craig Ranapia (@CMRanapia) January 11, 2016
You know a really big thing has happened when your twitter feed has literally nothing else in it, but no news, no details at all.
— Lew (@LewSOS) January 11, 2016
A true sign of the loss of a legend is when your timeline is filled only with tributes to one person #RIPDavidBowie #sorrow
— Pip Keane (@pipkeane) January 11, 2016
Everyone from celebrities to astronauts to politicians shared a thought.
"The truth is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time" David Bowie we will miss you so much
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) January 11, 2016
Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I will be in serious mourning for a while. #bowie pic.twitter.com/dTDRG0cei8
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) January 11, 2016
I feel kinda bad for any media editor who'll be expected to eulogize Bowie in brief this week. It's like summarizing Hydrogen.
— Merlin Mann (@hotdogsladies) January 11, 2016
Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer – his music was an inspiration to many. @DavidBowieReal
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) January 11, 2016
Good-bye, David Bowie. You are now among #Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the #wall. https://t.co/soaOUWiyVl #RIPDavidBowie
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) January 11, 2016
Terrible news to hear Brixton born David Bowie has died. No one in our age has better deserved to be called a genius
— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) January 11, 2016
David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 11, 2016
So sad to hear about the great David Bowie - his music was a backdrop to my life. An incredible icon of British creativity who made us proud
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) January 11, 2016
The world's media pulled out their obituaries.
David Bowie's endlessly surprising career in one spectacular GIF https://t.co/HdfE13kZ1I pic.twitter.com/CTSOvwc0jL
— Mashable (@mashable) January 11, 2016
Tilda Swinton on David Bowie: "[He] looked like someone from the same planet as I did" https://t.co/5uxHu02wrK pic.twitter.com/v8ctUtR1hF
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) January 11, 2016
David Bowie dies at age 69 https://t.co/6DlgqKjkPi pic.twitter.com/E3ZliZbkgq
— BuzzFeed UK (@BuzzFeedUK) January 11, 2016
And in amongst it all, memories and reflections.
Jamie xx open's his set with David Bowie's 'Let's Dance'. Girl next to me is crying pic.twitter.com/JpKi56ntJz
— Ellen Falconer (@Ellen_F) January 11, 2016
How very... wonderful of him to keep it secret, and manage to release that record. That is really, really something. #DavidBowie
— Hot Tramp (@dimsie) January 11, 2016
@nzben Lou Reed has been waiting for them both.
— Rohan MacMahon (@rohmac) January 11, 2016
The CakeTin,2004.Rain and plumes of weed smoke.He says:"I love the smell of Wellington in the evening." #DavidBowie pic.twitter.com/nPEpFNpHbE
— Robert Johnson (@deltablues_king) January 11, 2016
Current mood courtesy of 1983 Geeling Ng pic.twitter.com/t3yQETCR81
— Suburban Sea Lioness (@harvestbird) January 11, 2016
He inspired us to go beyond the norm & reach out & dispel the void of life in 70's England wth r own art forms.... https://t.co/saFNM9CJI7
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) January 11, 2016
Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit! R.IP. ❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/hGfxI967Bw
— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
Good lord. He was saying goodbye and we never knew it.
— Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) January 11, 2016
Perhaps the last word should go to this tweet - from the morning before the announcement of Bowie's death.
If you're ever sad, just remember the world is 4.543 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie.
— Dean Podestá (@JeSuisDean) January 10, 2016
