FANS MOURN BOWIE’S PASSING BY
SNAPPING UP HIS “FAREWELL” ALBUM

David Bowie’s death has sent shockwaves around the world, along with outpourings of love and admiration for the man’s achievements, which span nearly a half century. Inevitably, fans are honoring the legendary artist’s memory by snapping up his music, including his new album, Blackstar, released last Friday, which was also Bowie’s 69th birthday.

Some see this seemingly bizarre sequence of events as an orchestrated musical farewell. As British journalist Graeme Thompson put it in a tweet: “We were so thrilled to have him back we failed to notice he was saying goodbye.”

Bowie’s farewell is #1 on the iTunes album chart in the U.S., while “charging to #1” in the U.K.,” where it was expected to finish the week, the Official Charts Company confirmed this morning.

“Today is an awful day for all lovers of music,” said Official Charts Company CEO Martin Talbot. “And the fact that David Bowie’s new album Blackstar was on course for #1 this week, even before today's terrible news says everything about his continuing relevance—over 40 years since his first hit records.

"But we are expecting a huge surge for a wide range of Bowie albums in this week’s Official Albums Chart. Bowie made so many great albums, constantly reinventing himself, that everyone has their own favorites, and fans are clearly reminding themselves of his massive contribution to popular music by buying these great, iconic works.”