Paris Pays Tribute to David Bowie with Street Inauguration
Paris pays tribute to the iconic musician by unveiling David Bowie street on his 77th birthday, immortalizing his legacy in the heart of the city
A Parisian street has been dedicated to David Bowie and officially named Rue David Bowie. The ceremony took place on Monday, which would have been the musician's 77th birthday. The street is situated next to Austerlitz Station in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, as announced by the city council.
The musician died in 2016 at the age of 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer.
Rue David Bowie is in the southeast of the French capital.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
BFMTV, a CNN affiliate, interviewed fans of David Bowie who had gathered at Monday's inauguration.
"I had tears in my eyes just now… it's really moving for me, as a fan for over 30 years," said Karine.
"It's unfortunate that there is no housing available on David Bowie street. I wish I could live there. I want to have a house on David Bowie street," expressed Jean, a journalist who claimed to have a close connection with Bowie, in an interview with BFMTV. He mentioned that the artist had a strong connection to Paris.
"It's a city he adored, with its museums and nightclubs, it had everything he cherished," Jean remarked.
"He was passionate about self-improvement, well-versed in French literature, and philosophy. Paris felt like home to him."
A fan pictured at Monday's inauguration with lightning bolt face paint, used by Bowie during an early period of his career.
The art exhibition dedicated to Bowie, hosted at the 13th arrondissement town hall, will run from January 4-13. The exhibition is "imagined and designed by photographer Geoff MacCormack and painter George Underwood, childhood friends of the artist," as stated in the announcement.
Bowie was celebrated for his unique sound and his talent for constantly transforming himself throughout his career that lasted over four decades.
Starting as an unknown musician named David Jones, he evolved into the otherworldly "Ziggy Stardust," and then transformed into the stylish Thin White Duke with influences from soul music. Bowie seamlessly integrated music and fashion in a way that few other artists have been able to achieve.
