Paul McCartney has paid tribute to David Bowie, describing the late singer as “a great star”.
The news that Bowie has lost an 18-month battle with cancer was announced this morning with his son, film director Duncan Jones, among the first to shares his message of love for his late father.
Although McCartney and Bowie never worked together, Bowie did collaborate with his Beatles bandmate John Lennon, most notably on 1975 single ‘Fame’.
SEE MORE: Kanye West, Ricky Gervais and David Cameron: World reacts to David Bowie’s death
Sending his best wishes to Bowie’s family, McCartney remembered Bowie fondly and places him as a vital part of British music history.
“Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning,” McCartney begins. “David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world. I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever.”
McCartney is the latest big name artist to comment following Bowie’s death. Long time producer Tony Visconti claimed that his final album ‘Blackstar’ is a “parting gift” to fans while Iggy Pop said that Bowie’s friendship was the “light of my life.” The Rolling Stones, meanwhile, paid tribute to an “extraordinary artist.”
David Bowie released his first studio album in 1969, having changed his name from David Jones the year before. His early records included ‘Space Oddity’ and 1971’s ‘Hunky Dory’.
In 1972 Bowie reinvented himself and released ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’ which features the singles ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and ‘Suffragette City’.
His hits include ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Space Oddity’, ‘Heroes’, ‘Under Pressure’, ‘Rebel, Rebel’, ‘Life on Mars’ and ‘Changes’.
Bowie has released two albums in the past decade. New album ‘Blackstar’ and 2013’s ‘The Next Day’. His last live performance was at a New York charity concert in 2006.