The lightning flash appealed because it’s the opposite of that – a precise, neat reproduction of a defined graphic image.ĭavid Bowie has been a background presence throughout my entire life. My other tattoos are all individually designed and coloured, with fairytale overtones and washes of colour. I have a gold purse with a red version of the lightning bolt on it and even with different colours, the first thing anyone says when they see it is ‘Oh my god, you have a Bowie bag!’Įveryone know who that flash means even if they don’t know why, which is why I decided to break my self-imposed rule and have it inked permanently onto my skin. The Aladdin Sane lightning flash is the most iconic image of Bowie ever created and the one that is used most often by others.Įveryone knows that album cover, even if they’ve never heard its contents, and the imagery has filtered down onto the most mundane of items. I sat on the floor and howled when I heard the news, surprising even myself with just how awful I felt – and I did the same on pretty much a daily basis for the next two or three weeks.Įven now, a year later, just thinking about him or listening to his music makes hot tears prick at the back of my eyes. How could Bowie be dead? People as iconic and charismatic as him don’t die – they carry on forever in some kind of cosmic life support bubble alongside Keith Richards. It was such an unexpected and seismic shock to so many of us.

David bowie lightning bolt tattoo