Brooke Fraser said she had the honour of supporting Bowie on his Reality tour in New Zealand in 2004. Photo / AP, NZHerald
Kiwi musician Brooke Fraser has paid tribute to David Bowie as an "utter gentleman" who was humble and kind to the then emerging young artist.
In a post on Instagram, Fraser said she had the honour of supporting Bowie on his Reality tour in New Zealand in 2004.
"After my soundcheck at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, I had wandered out into the middle of the field, taking in the 35,000 empty seats and the gravity of the occasion when all of a sudden I had a sense someone was behind me," she wrote.
"Turning, I saw David Bowie walking towards me. No minder, no entourage, just one of the great musical pioneers of our time approaching me with a warm, welcoming grin. He introduced himself and proceeded to give me some really specific feedback and encouragement. I certainly didn't expect him to be aware of who his support act was, let alone to have hand- picked me himself, to have watched me in interviews and taken the time to listen to my record, and have nice things to say to me about it.
"Our interaction was brief but so impacting for me. I arrived back in my dressing room to find flowers from him welcoming me to the tour.
"My impression of him was that he was an utter gentleman, genuine, humble, so kind, and as a young artist I was so blown away by this -- if an artist of his status and influence had remained so down to earth and generous, then who of us could have any excuse for getting too big for our britches?
"RIP David Bowie. Thank you."
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