international space station tribute to david bowie

Gryner and Bowie remained email pals up until his passing, and said she had found out about his death through Holly Palmer. “When it finally came out, David said on his website that he thought it was the most poignant version of the song ever recorded. He wrote back and c.c.’d his whole team and he said, ‘What can we do to help the Astroman?’ ” “With one month left in orbit for Chris, I just sent the song, which we had done by then, to David. “At first, we weren’t sure what was going to happen - whether it was going to be a song or a video or whether it would be kept private because of space agency rules, but Chris wanted to make sure it was OK with David that it was going out,” recalls Gryner, who played piano on and helped arrange the track. Years later, when astronaut Hadfield wanted to perform “Space Oddity,” he had reached out to Bowie through his old friend Gryner to seek permission. Gryner performed 18 months with Bowie, divided into a couple of promo tours for his album …hours. “At the same time, he would put some people in their place and say, ‘Oh, don’t be so much of a fan!’” she laughs. I think everyone had their moments of feeling in awe of him. Then it became like, wow, this is a very special person. Then he’d tell stories about the ’70s and ’80s, and it was getting a firsthand account of his history. “And then as we played in front of audiences, it became clear what his effect is on people and how extraordinary he was as a performer. I kind of knew the ’80s songs, so I didn’t put him on a pedestal. So I really wasn’t aware of Bowie’s extensive back catalogue. “I think that sort of developed as I continued on with the band,” she admits.

Gryner, who dated Bowie’s son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, for a spell, admits that she wasn’t really intimidated by the star - at first. So I said yes and the next thing that I know we’re on Saturday Night Live.” It wasn’t like I wanted to be a backing vocalist. We became friends and she recommended that I go for this, and I always think it’s better to say ‘Yes’ to things than ‘No’ usually. “I was touring in New York at the time, and the Bowie band was looking for another backing vocalist. “I always say I was the least qualified person to be in the band, because I never saw myself as a singer: I saw myself as a songwriter who wanted to sing her own songs,” recalls Gryner, who had released four solo albums and enjoyed a Canadian hit with “Summerlong” by the time she was recruited as support singer and keyboardist. Unlike many who might have found themselves in the position of being part of the legendary Bowie’s touring entourage, Gryner didn’t have stars in her eyes when she was hired for the gig back in 2000. Just enthusiasm - I think he had that right up until the end.” “I told him, you’ve gotta hear this new song called ‘Times Square’ and he said, ‘I just downloaded that!’ I think, in some ways, sharing that same musical taste was so cool to me. I remember last summer (2015) we were trading emails about Destroyer. “And a very keen awareness for new music. “I don’t want to say that I knew him that well, really, but the small glimpses that I had of him were always infused with humour,” says Gryner. Further shows featuring the core group - including guitarists Adrian Belew and Earl Slick, drummers Sterling Campbell and Zachary Alford, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, pianist Mike Garson, keyboardist Cat Russell and vocalist Holly Palmer - will be held in Los Angeles, Sydney and Tokyo. The first, hosted by actor Gary Oldman, a close Bowie pal, was held Sunday night on Bowie’s would-be birthday at the Brixton Academy in London. The New York show, which will mark Gryner’s only appearance of the world tour, will be the second of six performances to benefit arts education. The former International Space Station commander, responsible for the first music video recorded in space - Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” performed from the International Space Station on will be joining Gryner to play “A Better Future” from 2002’s Heathen. Appearing along with Gryner will be Chris Hadfield. Set for Terminal 5 in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, the tribute will find Canada well-represented. They’re all lovely people and they loved David so much.” It’ll just be really nice for me to say hello and give people a hug. “Plus, we all got to know each other well. I haven’t really looked fondly on a lot of tributes, but this one, I felt it was put together so well in every city, and it looks great and sounds great, and those things are reminiscent of the shows I did with David as well. “I’d like to see the old band, and see Holly (Palmer), who was my best friend during that time of touring. “There is the personal side of it,” she admits.

International space station tribute to david bowie