The passing of David Bowie got me wondering …

The events of yesterday have been likened to the deaths of Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Freddie Mercury.
If we’re honest, we knew this day would come – just no-one was expecting it when it did actually happen.

Lemmy popped off just after Christmas, and whilst his life was widely reported and celebrated, it was on a much lower scale than what occurred yesterday (and if I'm honest, rightly so).
(John Bradbury went on the same day, but his lower profile meant there was little mention across TV, Radio and Print media)

The events of yesterday got me pondering …

Of the big hitters (or MASSIVE hitters) still with us, beyond Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan (although probably to a lesser extent in the UK), would anyone else garner the same sort of attention and affection?

(and this is where I apologise if the tone begins to sound morbid)

I think back to George Harrison – undoubtedly a shock, but after two of three weeks of “My Sweet Lord” on every radio station, and several write-ups of “My Life With George …”, the world returned to where it was previously.
I think when Ringo finally shuffles of this mortal curl, the response will be similar.
Not because they don’t deserve the plaudits and grieving, but because they maybe haven’t “touched” people in the way David Bowie did (always changing, always influential).

The sad day will come for Mick Jagger, Keith Richard, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, or any other Music Royalty you care to mention. But can they be considered as eclectic, innovative and influential as Bowie?

Of those who came to prominence in the late 70s (Elvis Costello, Paul Weller, to name but two) do they have the same presence as Bowie. When their time comes, huge numbers of people will be affected by the loss, but on the same scale as yesterday?

Love him or loathe him (and there are some in the latter camp), everyone knew of him and was aware of at least one song by him (even if it was only due to watching Life On Mars, or seeing Astronaut Chris Hadfield on the News).

This is a massive loss, but who’s coming through to fill the void?

The world will recover, because it always does, but I don’t see anyone stepping up to the Top Table. It is gradually clearing, and when it is empty I fear it will stay that way, with no-one being able to be quite as omni-present as the previous and current tenants.

So, Where Are We Now?