A BBC radio presenter and local music champion has said he would be surprised if many bands from the county had not been influenced by David Bowie.
The death of the creator of Ziggy Stardust was announced yesterday morning just days after the release of his last album Blackstar.
Stephen Foster, presenter of the Drivetime show on BBC Radio Suffolk, said he admired the 69-year-old star’s ability to alter his image.
“I was a huge fan,” Mr Foster said. “Obviously he was one of the most important figures in pop and rock history.
“He reinvented himself so many times. My only regret is I never saw him live.”
Mr Foster also believes Bowie’s reach was so wide he will have had an affect on many trying to forge a career in the music industry.
“I don’t think there will be many, if any, local musicians who have not been influenced by the great man down the years.
“His work in the 1970s is up there with the very best pop and rock in the UK.”
Of the rocker’s last album Mr Foster added: “Blackstar to me is up there with some of his best work. For me it was a welcome return to form.
“It makes his death even more surprising and incredible he could make such a great album when he was clearly ill.
“He was an incredible figure and I felt his loss, as a big music fan, as much as I did when John Lennon left us all those years ago.
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