Remembering David Bowie with the XPN community, one Tweet at a time

January 10 2016 – David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle… https://t.co/ENRSiT43Zy

— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) January 11, 2016

A simple social media post in the middle of the night is how news broke about David Bowie‘s passing. It was a big shock and a powerful moment – at 69, he’d just released his 25th album, Blackstar, its themes of mortality ringing all the more poignantly today. And the impact of Bowie’s death stretched far beyond the realm of music and rock and roll, evidenced by that opening sentence I just wrote. I didn’t need to write “musician David Bowie” or “singer David Bowie” or “rock icon David Bowie” – any of those generalizations would feel woefully incomplete and quite honestly unnecessary.

Bowie was so many things to so many people: a singer and songwriter, musical innovator, style icon, a forward-thinking artist who pushed creative boundaries, a fearless and inspirational public figure who refused to be bound by conventional ideas of persona and gender and age. He was who was he simply because, and he made millions of fans around the world comfortable being themselves. And that’s just scratching the surface.

All day long, talk and remembrances of Bowie have dominated our collective Twitter and Facebook feeds; here are some from the WXPN community, beginning with our staff.

@DavidBowieReal we’re so very sorry. you have been part of our lives for many years. You will be missed. Thank you @wxpnfm — Helen Leicht (@LeichtLunch) January 11, 2016

WTF Bowie? You’re seriously trying to convince us that you’re NOT an immortal superhuman sent to Earth to save us from lives w/o magic? RIP. — Kristen Kurtis (@kristenkurtis) January 11, 2016

I’m standing in the wind But I never wave bye-bye But I try I try #DavidBowiepic.twitter.com/LcXmCgj4Mh — E. Schuman (@theericschuman) January 11, 2016

Every Bowie song takes on a new meaning. Sigh. — listening to WXPN — DJ Robert Drake (@DJRobertDrake) January 11, 2016

everyone i know who loves music is awake and very sad right now. “Ain’t there one damn song that can make me/Break down and cry?” — DJ Booty Rhymez (@somevelvetblog) January 11, 2016

As Bowie’s music was spun on air today, hundreds of fans tweeted in with their thoughts and memories.

@wxpnfm@kristenkurtis RIP David Bowie Where does he rank all time? I believe up with there w/Elvis. He changed music like no other. So sad — PhillyGuy53 (@KlemovitchCarl) January 11, 2016

In 1983 Diamond Dogs and especially, We Are the Dead, was the sound track to my early coming out. Thanks #Bowie, @wxpnfm #1984 — Mia Levesque (@xmiax) January 11, 2016

My drive into work this morning was both therapeutic and heartbreaking. A thousand looks, a singular talent. @wxpnfm

— bullit16 (@CraigOstroff) January 11, 2016

The most perfect #DavidBowie sentiment I’ve heard; from @wxpnfm earlier: British Astronaut Tim Peake Tweeted his sadness from outer space.

— karin (@k_nelle02) January 11, 2016

.@wxpnfm remembering David Bowie’s film roles: aside from Labyrinth, he judged the walkoff in Zoolander and was Nikola Tesla in The Prestige

— Cindy Agoncillo (@CindyAgoncillo) January 11, 2016

Thought listening to #DavidBowie all day at work on @wxpnfm might make me too sad, but it is hard not to feel joy listening to his music. ✨

— Renée (@renserasera) January 11, 2016

sitting here listening to Bowie cover of Cactus on @wxpnfm. Bowie calls Pixies and Sonic youth 2 of the most important bands — kurt allerslev (@kzrt) January 11, 2016

And of course, David Bowie’s influence on the musician community is impossible to overstate. Here are what some of our favorite musicians are saying:

David Bowie’s music, over the years, has meant more to me than I can say. We have lost someone who imparted comfort and strength to us. — The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) January 11, 2016

Gonna listen to this Bowie jam all day: https://t.co/SisPboThNj

— Dominic Angelella (@drgnkingDOM) January 11, 2016

I am so sad that David Bowie died but so grateful for the soundtrack to so many moments of my life he provided. Thank you for the music. RIP

— Nicole Atkins (@NicoleAtkins) January 11, 2016

I was always happy to live in a city where David Bowie came to make a record: https://t.co/vhA9NFrwKN — billmoriarty (@BillMoriarty) January 11, 2016

So sad to hear David Bowie has past away. His music filled our house growing up. We were obsessed. Probably rented Labyrinth 100 times.

— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) January 11, 2016

#np Diamond Dogs on @wxpnfm. listened to my dad’s tape in HS. remember he said “Bowie will always be 10 years ahead of the current music” — mikronesia (@mikronesia) January 11, 2016

pic.twitter.com/UwIf3diSO6

— Hop Along (@HopAlongtheband) January 11, 2016

I’ll never forget my mom driving me to Disneyland as a teen + singing along to “Space Oddity.” Infinite memories of his infinite legacy ⚡️⭐️

— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 11, 2016

bowie. do not rest in peace. rise and come back to us. you were from somewhere else. on your way to somewhere else. don’t leave us behind.

— Stars (@youarestars) January 11, 2016

Going back to the fans for a parting thought, Nicole Elyce from Central Pennsylvania summed it up wonderfully:

@wxpnfm Because of music, @DavidBowieReal will live forever

— Nicole Elyce (@NicElyce) January 11, 2016