David Bowie's Producer Confirms That Blackstar Intended As A "Parting Gift"

With his untimely passing last night, it's safe to say that friends, family and fans of music icon David Bowie have been finding solace in his art, primarily his last album Blackstar released this past Friday (Jan. 8) on his 69th birthday. In the wake of Bowie's death, the producer of Blackstar, Tony Visconti, took to Facebook to confirm that this was Bowie's plan all along, and that the album was created as a "parting gift" to fans.

"He always did what he wanted to do." Visconti said in his post. "He wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life - a work of Art." He went on to confirm that Bowie "made Blackstar for us, his parting gift."

The album was preceded by singles "Lazarus" and title track "Blackstar." While the musician kept his 18-month battle with cancer private, it's become painfully apparent to fans today that he was slowly saying goodbye. In the video or "Lazarus" (released only three days before his passing), scenes of a bedridden Bowie struggling to get up are cut with shots of him at a desk searching for the right words to write before retreating into a closet.

"Look up here, I'm in heaven" he sings. The visual for "Blackstar" was released back in November and takes a more abstract approach, following a group of women as they perform a ritual for the bejeweled skull of an astronaut they find. Scenes of Bowie singing and holding a bible are sprinkled throughout. The songs housing album takes on the same somber approach, with much of the music being melancholic and introspective.

Clearly moved and grieving for the loss of his friend and collaborator, Visconti ended his post with "I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't however prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life"

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David Bowie