South Yorkshire tribute to 'genius' David Bowie
A South Yorkshire academic who studied David Bowie has paid tribute to him and his 'enormous' contribution to music and culture.
A South Yorkshire dad and university professor has paid tribute to David Bowie.
Matthew Pateman, who's the head of Humanities at Sheffield Hallam University has told us it was a "terrible shock" when he heard the news about the star's death.
Professor Pateman has written an academic article about the singer but said he's also been a fan since he was a teenager:
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"I'm an oldish sort of chap in my late 40's. I've got a daughter, parents and a huge number of people who mean a lot to me. I've never met David Bowie - I've seen him in concert a number of times - but I've never met him but the loss felt truely personal and deep and sincere. I was a grown man crying in my pyjamas and I've spoken to a few other people this morning who were doing exactly the same."
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Commenting on the impact David Bowie had on the music industry and popular culture Prof. Pateman added that his contribution was "enormous".
He also described it as being "dramatic and profound":
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"I think his contribution to culture generally as a musician, as an actor, as a critic has been massive. I can't think of many individuals who have shaped contemporary culture as much as David Bowie has, both through fashion and music and of course through his questioning of gender and sexuality."
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David Bowie died days after the release of his latest album Blackstar.
He was 69 and had been diagnosed with cancer eighteen months ago.