Up to now I've resisted responding - partly because I expected the craner/Luka response and partly because I am one of those blokes who woke up just over a fortnight ago and was surprised by the depth of unbidden feelings I had for someone I didn't actually know.
I was 14 when my mate discovered Hunky Dory, I bought Ziggy so we could swap lps - from that moment a musical adventure has played out - the whole gamut of styles/genres that then allowed me to explore, the sheer sonic excitement, the bizarre sense of identification, the books, the art, the films - the education. But still, the weight and power of his work - the thing with Bowie (until Let's Dance) was the sincerity - it might be a new style but it always mattered - full throttle, never half arsed, he never gestured at something. He inspired a ridiculous love for his work which I've never felt for anyone else and I've had some bloody strong musical passions in my time!
For me he gave me my musical education and also my artistic benchmark - are they making it new, are they taking risks, are they honest? Some may trash this and sneer but fuck them - I'm not interested in Camilla Long et al telling me how a genuine feeling should be expressed, if we're so moribund and fucked up that we have to repress our real feelings that's a sad statement of affairs.
For some the response to Bowie's death may appear extreme but whatever the body of work remains - from Hunky Dory to Scary Monsters - what a journey and almost no step out of place.
If you don't get it, fair enough... but don't slag off those of us who do.