We Asked David Bowie Fans What He Taught Them About Life

Face painting at last night’s tribute in Hyde Park. All photos by the author

Four days have passed since David Bowie lost his 18-month battle with cancer. Fans everywhere have been paying their respects, including in Sydney, Australia, where last night throngs of people put on their best Bowie costumes and headed for Hyde Park. Organized by the Sydney Festival, it was Australia’s first large-scale public tribute.

There have been many tributes already to Bowie, the star who defined several epochs of pop culture through his music, videos, and fashion, but his influence was such that everyone who loved him was touched by his work in a unique, personal way. To get some of those perspectives, we walked around and asked a few mourners, What did David Bowie teach you?

Here are their responses:

Gary Brown, 47

He was how I got through my childhood. I grew up in a conservative house. It wasn’t OK to be different. If you were wearing a pink shirt people instantly thought you were gay. David Bowie was the shining light of confidence that I needed and as you can see, I still embrace.

Laura Mccann, 21

That it’s OK to dance no matter what! I’ll miss Bowie so much. My cat is named Ziggy Stardust. He’s lost a part of himself now that his father has died.

Jorja Scheibe, Sydney 16

What did I learn from David Bowie? So much! But mostly that it’s OK to be odd and you should embrace it.

Chris James, 24

Well, among other things, you should always wax your balls. If you don’t wax your balls tight pants won’t fit. Next time you watch a David Bowie video, look at his crotch. There’s no hair there, definitely waxed.

Dan Andrews, 44

I learned how to laugh while people are laughing at you. I was always bullied when I was younger. Life was bad. He was stronger than I was, and he showed me how to be strong.

Matt Henderson 39, Jess Sachs, 28

Matt: We actually met at a David Bowie concert back in 2007 and we’ve been friends since. He was someone who made misfits make sense. When you are an outsider you definitely latch on to him.

Jess: I could relate to him. I never could fit in at high school and he made a point of not fitting in.

Eight-year-old Hugo Jones with his dad

I really liked David Bowie. I loved his music and my favorite song is ‘Space Oddity.’ When I found out he had cancer before he died, I felt really sad.

Charlotte Hamlyn, 26

Don’t trust the Goblin King with your baby brother! I also learned how to look fabulous when you wear your sparkling spandex, hence the outfit today.

John Summers, 64

He was different and true to himself, no matter what.

Rochelle Gerrie, 27

David Bowie taught me to be myself and to believe in myself. You can do whatever you want in this life.

Follow Greta on Twitter.