David Bowie: New Book Reveals Singer’s Cancer Secret
David Bowie Kept His Cancer Diagnosis Secret during Final Projects
This article details how David Bowie secretly battled liver cancer while creating his final album, Blackstar, and stage play, Lazarus. Hear are the key takeaways:
* Diagnosis & Timeline: Bowie was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2014 and told it was inoperable in November 2015.
* Secrecy: He deliberately kept his illness hidden from most people, only informing those directly impacted by his work.
* Impact on Blackstar & Lazarus: His diagnosis deeply influenced both projects, serving as a creative impetus.
* Observations from Colleagues:
* Ivo van Hove (Director of Lazarus): Noticed a “heartbroken” and “troubled” man,anxious about dying and leaving his family.
* Enda Walsh (Playwright of Lazarus): Bowie appeared healthy and in good shape in the summer of 2014.
* Zachary Alford (Drummer): Sensed a “weight on his shoulders” but didn’t know he was sick.
* Ben Monder (jazz Guitarist): Thought Bowie looked “super-healthy” despite a previous heart attack.
* Revealing the Truth: Bowie confided in a select few, including director Johan Renck (who was told “I’m very ill and I’m probably going to die” in November 2014) and key members of the Lazarus team when it became impossible to conceal his condition.
* Hiding Physical Symptoms: He concealed his hair loss from chemotherapy with a cap.
The article highlights bowie’s dedication to his art and his desire to maintain control and privacy even in the face of a terminal illness. It paints a picture of a man continuing to create powerfully while grappling with his own mortality.