It's strongly suggested that one reason Michael Jackson died, was that the stress of planning and rehearsing for the 50 02 dates could have been to much for him in his frail health state, despite reports saying that he passed his insurance medicals ( personally I think drugs might have been involved? )Which begs the question, if that were the case? then Bowie made a smart move retiring after his Reality tour heart scare, when he did.

Personally these days I'm even more of the opinion that Bowie should indeed stay retired.

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IN some ways I think you're right. Maybe Jackson was a victim of his own success. If Bowie was to tour again it shouldn't be on the same scale as the Reality tour. He was pushing it. NO human can take that.

I wonder how Prince felt after 21 nights at the O2.

<< IN some ways I think you're right. Maybe Jackson was a victim of his own success. If Bowie was to tour again it shouldn't be on the same scale as the Reality tour. He was pushing it. NO human can take that >>

For what it's worth Jackson definitely was a victim of his own success, what's particularly sad is how unproven allegations whether they are true or false can quickly overshadow the work of a musical genius. I mean it's like all those brilliant albums and singles have suddenly become unimportant in relation to the often bizarre life style of M Jackson. On a day when a truly gifted music legend has died, I really couldn't give a flying fuck what he may or may not have done in his private life. Still that's the price of mega fame I suppose

As for Bowie, yes he definitely was pushing it on the Reality tour. As a devoted fan, I really have no wish 6 years later which it now is, to see him try to give us one last hurrah at 60 odd years of age just to keep selfish fans happy, much as I'd love to see him make a comeback just like anyone else would. Stay retired db! you got out at just the right time, whilst you were still reasonably on top.

As a footnote, I hope all the tossers who milked, abused, made fun of, took advantage of a very troubled star like Michael Jackson can sleep easy now, the really troubling thing is they probably will!

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When I saw Bowie near the end of the Reality tour, the first thing I noticed about him and all of the band was how tired they looked.

There was no joy of performing on their faces at all. They looked like this was another grim night of work, a night they've repeated many times before.

After a health scare I can't blame him for taking it easy, I think I would.

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You only need stay retired if you didnt enjoy it anymore.

Im sure, regardless of enjoyment or not, the REALITY tour was done, as one last big pay day.
Bowie was always clever enough to have everyrhing in place to make touring as stress free as possible.
But hes in a lovely position, if he still wishes, to do very small tours, even acoustically based shows. He has the talent to do such things.
Perhaps when hisdaughter hits high school, he may feel ready to perform small shows.
He`s financially comfortable to do loss making tours im sure.

Love On.
Craig

'As a footnote, I hope all the tossers who milked, abused, made fun of, took advantage of a very troubled star like Michael Jackson can sleep easy now, the really troubling thing is they probably will!'

I sleep fine at night. Jackson brought on 95% of the crap he got. I don't feel bad at all for my disgust for the man/child.

As for Bowie touring...i wish he would again. I saw him before and after the heart scare on the Reality tour. Both were equally great shows and he was totally into it. I don't think that incident has everything to do with his silence at the moment, and i don't believe he should wrap up his touring career just because of his age. There are older artists out there that STILL hit the road and give their 100%!!! If his heart scare was the reason for not doing it now he would never have finished the Reality tour. Not every artist is a frail, narcotic addict that is mentally unstable. Jackson never should have announced the gigs (i knew at that moment he would not honor a SINGLE date). Jackson was a f**ked up person and his death was no shock at all. If Bowie were to go...i would be shocked. David has years ahead of him. He could tour again. Don't put him out to pasture quite yet. Hell McCartney, tHE sTONES, tHE wHO...ALL STILL GET OUT AND DO THEIR THING. If Bowie chooses not to, i don't think it is because of health. I just think he chooses not to because he is enjoying whatever it is he has going at the moment. I think he still has something up his sleeve.

'You start out wrinkled and you cry...you end up wrinkled and you die.'

I'm a little confused by your post, softvinyl. Bowie did not finish the Reality tour; his heart scare stopped the tour short.

Bowie did not tour at all after his heart condition was diagnosed. I would like to know why you are saying you saw him perform on the Reality tour after his heart scare.

I didn't mean i saw him on the Reality tour after the heart scare...i meant he performed afterwards.

'You start out wrinkled and you cry...you end up wrinkled and you die.'

Oh I see. BTW, I agree with what you are saying about Michael Jackson. People describe him as a "tortured" artist. However, the torture he brought on himself. Hell, if I climbed into bed with a young girl, I would be "tortured" by the court and police, too.

im glad david has taken some serious time out,and relaxed...i watched the bridge street benefit the other night..a very relaxed and enjoyable couple of sets..id pay an £100 to see david do a limited semi acoustic set of of hour to an hour and an half...quality rather than quantity......i paid £45 to see lou reed do the Berlin album ,and 3 hits,just over 1 hour and its was well worth the money.........and with the band bowie used for the Heathen and Reality tours,they would have fun and be able to perform a very relaxed request type set up......and i think a little simple residency at the O2 or even N.E.C in Birmingham,a more central venue would work well.....but i wouldnt expect bowie to jepodise his health or to much time with his family..as ive said before,,the man owes us nothing,we have been privaliged to have the opportunities over the years to see the great performances he as done.......


" dont care anymore "