Tributes pour in for 'extraordinary' David Bowie

Stars from the world of showbiz and entertainment have summoned the words of David Bowie to pay tribute to the rock star.

The 69-year-old – known for hits such as Changes, Ashes To Ashes and Starman - left a legacy created by pioneering musicianship and ground-breaking lyrics dating back almost half a century.

He died on Sunday after suffering from cancer for 18 months.

Scottish singer-songwriter Midge Ure paid tribute on ITV's Good Morning Britain, saying he and other musicians had seen Bowie as a role model.

He said: “I think if you spoke to any musician who has been around in the last 30, 40 years, we all have benchmarks that we try and emulate, we all have benchmarks that we put our feeble efforts next to, and somewhere along the line you do think, ’well, what would David Bowie do here?’.

“Because he wasn’t just a brilliant songwriter and an amazing creator, he excelled at everything. He gave us the point to run towards, we are all still trying to run towards that, everyone.

“We are all swimming in his wake, so I don’t think you could top on creativity, and consistent creativity, I don’t think you could top, anyone could top, David Bowie in the UK musical history.”

On Bowie’s illness, Ure said: “I think people within the industry had heard rumours about cancer, we’d heard rumours about him not being well.

“We all knew something was amiss but this is more than just turning on your phone in the morning or turning on the television and finding out that another celebrity has passed on.

“I’m standing here, my hands are shaking, I feel as though I’ve lost something, I’ve lost something incredibly important today.”

Top Gun actor Val Kilmer offered his own passionate tribute on Twitter: ``David Bowie is a searing genius who will inspire millions for thousands of years. Planets will be named after him.''

David Bowie is a searing genius who will inspire millions for thousands of years. Planets will be named after him.

— Val Kilmer (@valkilmer) January 11, 2016

Australian actor Russell Crowe, referencing one of Bowie’s better known singles which featured on covers album Pin Ups 1973, wrote: “RIP David. I loved your music. I loved you. One of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived. £sorrow”

RIP David . I loved your music. I loved you. One of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived. #sorrow

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) January 11, 2016

Rock guitarist Joel Madden, quoting Changes, simply added: “Turn and face the strange.”

“Turn and face the strange.”
― David Bowie

— ARTISTFRIENDLY (@JoelMadden) January 11, 2016

Actor Mark Ruffalo wrote: “Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always Legendary singer David Bowie dies at 69.”

Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always Legendary singer David Bowie dies at 69 https://t.co/ezRx7NVhSC # via HuffPostEnt

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 11, 2016

While comedian and writer Eddie Izzard said: “Very sad to hear about the death of David Bowie but through his music he will live forever.”

Very sad to hear about the death of David Bowie but through his music he will live forever

— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) January 11, 2016

Please could every radio station around the globe just play David Bowie music today - I think the world owes him that.

— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) January 11, 2016

And British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose musical tastes are well documented, also offered his condolences.

I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 11, 2016

He said: “I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.”

Rapper Kanye West said: “David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Terrible news to hear Brixton-born David Bowie has died. No-one in our age has better deserved to be called a genius.”

Terrible news to hear Brixton born David Bowie has died. No one in our age has better deserved to be called a genius

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) January 11, 2016

Bowie collaborator Rick Wakeman credited the star as having been the greatest influence on his career.

He wrote on Twitter: “As I’m sure you can imagine I’m gutted hearing of David’s passing. He was the biggest influence & encouragement I could ever have wished for.”

as I'm sure you can imagine I'm gutted hearing of David's passing. He was the biggest influence & encouragement I could ever have wished for

— Rick Wakeman CBE (@GrumpyOldRick) January 11, 2016

American musician and performer Pharrell Williams, a long-time Bowie fan, described the late performer as ``a true innovator, a true creative'', while Leicester rockers Kasabian described themselves as ``devastated''.

David Bowie was a true innovator, a true creative. May he rest in peace 🖖🏾 #RIPDavidBowie

— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) January 11, 2016

Heartbroken. RIP David Bowie.

— KasabianHQ (@KasabianHQ) January 11, 2016

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, quoting Bowie’s Eight Line Poem from 1971’s Hunky Dory, added: “But the key to the city is in the sun that pins the branches to the sky...”

"But the key to the city is in the sun that pins the branches to the sky..." #DavidBowie

— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) January 11, 2016

Comic writer David Baddiel wrote on Twitter: “Not just upset by Bowie’s death but disorientated: like I’ve woken up and the world is out of joint. I think I assumed he was immortal.”

Not just upset by Bowie's death but disorientated: like I've woken up and the world is out of joint. I think I assumed he was immortal.

— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) January 11, 2016

Death is such a bully, stealing away the things you love #DavidBowie

— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) January 11, 2016