From Vatican to outer space, tributes flood in for David Bowie

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Several hundred fans gathered to throw a 'tribute' party to celebrate the life of David Bowie in the area of London where he was born.
A woman with a Ziggy Stardust tattoo visiting a mural of David Bowie in Brixton, south London, on Jan 11. PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - From the International Space Station to the Vatican, tributes poured in on Monday for rock legend David Bowie following his death at 69 from cancer.

Taking to social media as well as in statements, music world collaborators and fans praised Bowie's groundbreaking oeuvre and offered their own recollections of the singer.

THE ROLLING STONES

"The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie. As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original."

ROLLING STONES FRONTMAN MICK JAGGER

"David was always an inspiration to me and a true original. He was wonderfully shameless in his work."

ROCKERS QUEEN, POSTING A VIDEO OF UNDER PRESSURE, A SONG ORIGINALLY RECORDED BY QUEEN AND BOWIE

"This is our last dance..."

FORMER ROXY MUSIC MEMBER BRIAN ENO, BOWIE'S LONG-TIME COLLABORATOR

"Over the last few years - with him living in New York and me in London - our connection was by e-mail. We signed off with invented names: some of his were Mr Showbiz, Milton Keynes, Rhoda Borrocks and the Duke of Ear.

"I received an e-mail from him seven days ago. It was as funny as always, and as surreal, looping through word games and allusions and all the usual stuff we did. It ended with this sentence: 'Thank you for our good times, Brian, they will never rot'. And it was signed 'Dawn'. I realise now he was saying goodbye."

BOWIE'S RECORD PRODUCER TONY VISCONTI, ON BOWIE'S FINAL ALBUM

"He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it."

QUEEN DRUMMER ROGER TAYLOR

"David Bowie: The cleverest and most interestingly brilliant man of our time. What a vacuum he leaves, and how he will be missed. Roger"

SINGER IGGY POP

"David's friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is."

BEATLE PAUL MCCARTNEY

"David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I'm proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world... His star will shine in the sky forever."

FORMER LED ZEPPELIN LEAD GUITARIST JIMMY PAGE

"Bowie was an innovator, a unique artist with a vision that changed the face of popular music. He is greatly missed."

ACTOR AND SPANDAU BALLET MEMBER GARY KEMP

"Shocked to the core." "It feels as if the world has suddenly gone out of joint."

SINGER MADONNA

"Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit! R.I.P."

RAPPER KANYE WEST

"David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime."

ROCKER BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, REFERRING TO HIS BAND

"Over here on E Street, we're feeling the great loss of David Bowie. David was a visionary artist and an early supporter of our music."

CARDINAL AND HEAD OF THE VATICAN'S CULTURE COUNCIL GIANFRANCO RAVASI, QUOTING SPACE ODDITY LYRICS

"Ground Control to Major Tom Commencing countdown, engines on Check ignition and may God's love be with you (David Bowie)"

BRITISH ASTRONAUT TIM PEAKE, ONBOARD INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

"Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer - his music was an inspiration to many."

GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE ON TWITTER

"Goodbye, David Bowie. You are now among Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the (Berlin) Wall."

EX-KISS FRONTMAN GENE SIMMONS

"David Bowie, you will be sorely missed. Bowie's Changesand the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me."

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