On receiving the news of David Bowie's death earlier this week, we shared a number of our favorite Bowie memories and asked you for yours.

The response was incredible.

What became clear is that David Bowie has touched so many lives in so many ways — whether it was his music itself, his onstage presence, his freedom with gender expression, his acting roles or his artistic persona — Bowie's influence on the lives of people is immense and immeasurable.

Here is just a sampling of the literally hundreds of stories we received. Thank you for sharing them.

Seeing Bowie perform live

My favorite memory was finally being able to see him perform live. I had been following him, musically, since I fell into "Space Oddity" but couldn't go to see him until the Station to Station CD. I was mesmerized!! OMG..he was as good live as he was on vinyl!! The performance is right up there with my favorites ever! Also was blessed to see Luther Vandross (he, along with Ava Cherry, were background singers!!). I will truly miss just knowing David is here on earth but I know he's glamming things up where he is now! Love You, Mr. Bowie!

– Jill, Chicago

Hooked forever

Being introduced to his music with "Ziggy Stardust" when I was 15. I was fan, totally hooked forever.

– Tim, Buffalo, Minn.

Joining together

I believe my current favorite memory of David Bowie happened on Monday when The Current and its audience all joined together in grieving our loss and celebrating his life. The bond that connected us throughout the day was so real and so moving. I needed it!

– Sue, Anoka, Minn.

Madison Square Garden

I was lucky enough to see David Bowie at Madison Square Garden for the "Serious Moonlight" tour when I was just out of high school back in July 1983. The seats were in the tenth row on the floor, and the first time I'd ever sat that close. Needless to say, I remember parts of it like it was yesterday. He was a huge influence on my musical taste, and even playing style. RIP David Bowie. "Look up there, you're in heaven. You've got scars that can't be seen."

– Paul, Minnetonka, Minn.

Discovered on AM radio

When I was a young boy, I'd spend summers at my grandparents' house in Oregon. After long days of helping Grandma in the garden and swimming in the river, I'd fall asleep at night listening to Grandma's old AM radio. One particular night a new song by an up-and-coming artist started to play. It was "Space Oddity." I'd never heard anything like it. I knew I had to hear more of this David Bowie guy. More than 40 years later, I still haven't heard anything like it. "The Stars Look Very Different Today."

– Bryce, Santa Monica, Calif.

Quoted in a film

It was 1995 and I was in 10th grade. I was watching The Breakfast Club with my then-girlfriend. I read David's quote at the beginning (from "Changes"). I asked her, "Who is David Bowie?" She said, "You know, the Goblin King from Labyrinth?" I said, "Oh, yeah!!! Cool."

– Ryan, Austin, Texas

In 'Labyrinth'

I first discovered David Bowie in the movie Labyrinth. I was seven years old when the movie came out, and Bowie simultaneously scared and enthralled me as Jareth the Goblin King. He won me over with "Dance Magic Dance," and so a life-long love of David Bowie began…

– Krista, Duluth, Minn.

'Awesomely groovy'

I'm a young guy, so I didn't really grow up with Bowie and am admittedly only just now delving deep into his impeccable discography, but I distinctly remember hearing "Fame" when I was about 9 or 10. I'd never seen or heard of David Bowie when I first heard the song, and it was just about the goofiest song I'd ever heard — but it was awesomely groovy at the same time; I would later come to realize that that's exactly what a David Bowie song is. I imagined what kind of weirdo would sing a song like this, one who wore crazy outfits and just wasn't quite of this world; even to an outsider, the majestic weirdness of David Bowie was unmistakable.

– Collin, Rochester, Minn.

Introduced to Bowie's music by a friend

Like many '80s babies, the first time I was probably really aware of David Bowie was seeing Labyrinth. My favorites, however, all intersect with a longstanding friend who I've known since I was a teenager. We met and bonded through LiveJournal and several art websites, the principal social networking of the very early 2000s. While I was a total devotee of The Cure, Joanna's obsession with everything Bowie — her largest aesthetic influence, her favorite recording artist — really tuned my ear to glam rock, something I'd never paid much attention to before. Music streaming largely didn't exist at the time, and with limited funds, it wasn't as easy to explore an artist's back catalogue as it is now. I lucked out and found a copy of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars on cassette in a thrift store and the rest was history.

– Allison, Minneapolis

Sharing with daughter

Just last Friday, my six-year-old was listening to "Under Pressure" and asked about "the other guy singing with Queen." So we listened to some Bowie songs, pulled up some pictures on Google and explained who Ziggy Stardust was (she thought that was hilarious). We talked about how he just turned 69 (older than Grandpa!) and was still making new music. We also talked about how great it was that "weird" people like David Bowie were in the world because they were creative, made cool art and just made things more fun. Monday morning, I had to tell her that he died. She looked really sad, but then perked up a bit and said, "But we can still listen to his songs."

– Tony, Rochester, Minn.

Summers in Michigan

I have such fond memories of listening to Bowie's music with my family. The incredible "Under Pressure" was a particular favorite. On our annual summer vacations to Traverse City, Michigan, we would just blast it and dance until it hurt. What a legend. He will be missed.

– Hannah, St. Louis Park, Minn.

Bowie in concert

I saw David Bowie when he was on the Area2 tour. Even with the tour being organized by Moby, we were surprised that Bowie wasn't going to be the one to close the show. I mean, how do you follow that?!

I remember excitedly discussing what he might play — how do you pick a handful of songs from such a rich catalogue? We also debated what he would open with. I voted "Let's Dance," just because it sounded like an invitation; my friend guessed "Ziggy Stardust." We were both wrong — it was "Life on Mars." And it was perfect.

I remember the stage being so bare, and before he came out I felt a little let down that we weren't going to experience the spectacle of his earlier tours. But the man did not disappoint, and filled the stage with his voice and his presence. Once he stepped on, it didn't feel like there was room for anything else.

– Valerie, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

A life-changer

The Ziggy Stardust album was a life-changer for a lot of friends and schoolmates. It made it cool to be different in a way that did not exist before it, and it ran counter to the dinosaur rock era. RIP David. Hard to imagine a world without him.

– Dan, St. Paul, Minn.

Made a huge impression

"Changes." This song made a huge impression. But my favorite is "Fame." Bowie made me uncomfortable most of the time, but this taught me that being uncomfortable could be a good thing.

– Cinda, Minneapolis (via YourClassical.org)

An inspiration

He gave us COURAGE to JUST BE who we are. As an artist, I was inspired by his embracing of many artistic forms, expressions of art, and his exploration of gender roles and sexuality … Ambiguity is A-OK, just BE YOURSELF! THERE IS NO WRONG, just different!

– Suzanne, Minneapolis

Thanks to uncle

My uncle David was British and loved David Bowie. I was a young teenager in middle school. I would clean my aunt and uncle's house to earn money for records. Over the years while cleaning, I was able to get through my uncle's amazing Bowie collection. After cleaning, unbeknownst to my parents, I would hop on the bus at Southdale heading downtown — straight to Northern Lights and Shinders. I purchased every single import of Bowie I could find; magazines, posters and buttons, too (if I could post a photo you'd see me standing in front of my cork-board bedroom wall, literally COVERED in Bowie). In such a transformational part of my life, he provided a depth, freedom, elasticity and complexity that has remained within me for over 30 years.

– Kristen, Chaska, Minn.

Thanks to parents

Stealing the "Space Oddity" record from my parents when I was eight years old, listening to it over and over. David Bowie has been such a part of everything I've done since. The first song I ever sang to my daughter was "Kooks." I'm lost, but so thankful.

– Jessie, Eden Prairie, Minn.

First heard 'Five Years'

The first Bowie song I ever heard was "Five Years" on this very radio station. It was one of those tracks that was so powerful I HAD to find out who it was. I found Ziggy Stardust and things just rolled on in succession from there. Thank you for all you were, David Bowie; you will never be forgotten.

– Eric, Minneapolis

Influence of teenage friends

In the late '70s, both my sister (who was concert mistress of the high school orchestra) and myself, a flutist, were vacationing with our family in Ocean City, N.J. My father decided to take us to a local pizza parlor for dinner one evening. As we ate our pizza, David Bowie's song, "Fame," came on the jukebox. My father, who had grounded us in classical music, suddenly sat upright and asked, "What on earth was that?" in response to Bowie's very psychedelic song. Both my sister and I very happily explained to our father about the song and David Bowie's music. That's when he realized how much influence our teenage friends' musical taste had impacted on us. (Today I share an equal love for both classical music and rock 'n' roll.)

– Ginny, Miami (via YourClassical.org)

Enthralled by music and lyrics

My first introduction to David Bowie was as a kid when "Fame" came on the radio. I remember it being one of the first songs I ever became enthralled by, both musically and lyrically. Music was never the same for me.

– Adam, Port Costa, Calif.

A friends' meet-up in New York

Several years after finishing college, I and three of my college roommates traveled, each from different cities, to meet in New York City in 1997. Our destination: David Bowie's 50th Birthday Concert at Madison Square Garden. What a weekend! What a show. All I can say is that I live, eat and breathe David Bowie. He's been by personal inner soundtrack for the past 33 years, giving me all kinds of solace in all kinds of tough times, and all kinds of energy, joy and creativity in good times. I'm thankful he's left us all one more gift in his last album.

– Paul, St. Paul, Minn.

'Weird and cool'

I remember being a kid and seeing Labyrinth for the first time. I wanted to like the protagonist so much, as a fellow Sarah (I think I was 10?), but I thought she was annoying and whiny (I quite liked MY little brother …). The Goblin King just blew my little pre-teen brain though — was he for real? Could you even BE that cool? Then I went out and found David Bowie himself, and realized that you could. That being totally weird AND cool was actually a thing. As a weird kid, that was transformational.

– Sarah, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Posed for a photo for my son

My favorite memory is a photograph David Bowie posed for that my son took of him in Greenwich Village in New York City in 1976 or '77.

– Vally, Pompano Beach, Fla. (via YourClassical.org)

On the school bus

In the '80s, while riding the school bus to and from elementary school in western Wisconsin, listening to pop music on the bus's crappy radio is where I first heard Davie Bowie's music. I absolutely have been hooked ever since.

– Andy, North Aurora, Ill.

Listening to vinyl

In the 1970s, buying albums was an indulgence I had to save for. I bought so many and would listen to them on my plastic-suitcase record player over and over. One of my favorites was "Peter and the Wolf" with the Philadelphia Orchestra that David Bowie narrated. His voice was magic and I will miss him deeply. Thank you, The Current, for honoring him all day!

– Cara, White Bear Lake, Minn.

'Captivated immediately'

An old friend of mine turned me onto David Bowie's music. I was captivated immediately. Many fond memories, but one in particular was hitting up Cheapo Records and searching obsessively for the rare Ryko Discs.

– Jen, Saratoga, Calif.

Thanks to cousin

The first time I heard David Bowie was at my cousin's house, listening to "Ziggy Stardust" on his record player. It was weird and magical, and still is to this day.

– Marjorie, Maplewood, Minn.

A song on the jukebox

I grew up in a rural farming community in central Minnesota. One block from my home was a "beer joint" where a kid could enter unattended to purchase chips, candy, and pop … or a song on the jukebox. I loved pop music, and in the summer of '72, at age 10, when I had a dime to burn, I would drop it in that jukebox and play my favorite song, "Changes." I loved how it took me on an emotional ride. I'm sure I wouldn't have described it in such a way then, but I knew it was something remarkably different from the "oldies" and country music it shared space with. I was hooked. A new musical world opened up to me. Thanks for the tribute!

– Diana, Mounds View, Minn.

Unforgettable road trip

Drove an old Chevy Caprice Classic with five college girlfriends from Madison, Wis., to Chicago to see David Bowie at the Rosemont Horizon on Aug. 2, 1983. Epic road trip! Still have the ticket stub! Our $14 cheap seats were behind the stage, but if I would've had a cell phone back in the day, I could've got a nice photo from about five feet away as he was heading on stage!
RIP Bowie, your music lives on!

– Kathy, Prior Lake, Minn.

'David Bowie introduced me to music'

The first memory I have of David Bowie is seeing him in Labyrinth. This was before I knew of him as a musician or knew anything about his music, or really knew anything in terms of music. … [it was] the first time I was ever introduced to who he was as a person and as a musician. It set me on a path of music exploration that has carried with me to this day. Simply put, David Bowie introduced me to music.

– Nathan, Minneapolis

Thanks to aunt

I remember being 9 or 10, sitting on the floor with my aunt (gone now 15 years) and listening to "Suffragette City" … and, of course, having no idea what "Wham, Bam, Thank you ma'am!" meant.

In the succeeding years and decades, I could always rely on "Young Americans" to reside on that short list of songs that could invariably, whatever my mood, crease my face with a smile.

– Curtis, Davis, Calif. (via YourClassical.org)

Sharing music with dad

My father was always a musical influence on me. I did some exploring on my own and found this intriguing man, David Bowie. I immediately fell in love with Bowie's sound and eccentricity. My favorite Bowie memory is the long car ride(s) I've spent with my father, spilling my knowledge about this amazing man, spilling out my heart. My dad listened, and he stood in awe with me. I can't express my adoration of David Bowie in full, but he had a great impact on me.

– Ashley, Mankato, Minn.

Always a friend

My dad has an extensive collection of vinyl that had been collecting dust for a long time. For his birthday a couple of years ago, my brother and I bought him a record player so he could revisit his many treasures. This ended up being gift to both him and me, as I was able to experience songs I had never heard before — on VINYL instead of a streaming service. As I sifted through his gems, I noticed that my dad had multiple copies of various Bowie albums. Though I had heard Bowie songs and knew he was an influential artist, I never fully understood Bowie's impact. This was before I listened to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I will never forget hearing "Soul Love" for the first time. I finally understood the importance of David Bowie. His ability to reach out and touch your soul was like nothing I'd experienced before. To me, he was a wise-beyond-his-years friend who could comfort you and make you THINK. Ziggy Stardust carried me through the months ahead and "Soul Love" became a staple in my daily soundtrack.

I moved to Washington, D.C., for a job in the fall of 2014 and brought Bowie with me. My roommate was having a party, and I didn't know any of the people in the room but was tasked with being the "DJ." In an awkward attempt to bond with strangers, I said, "This song will play at my funeral" — and I played "Soul Love" by David Bowie. I didn't bond or make any new friends that night, but I found comfort in knowing that David Bowie would always be a friend to me.

– Jenny, Washington

'Without him, I would not have become myself'

I started collecting David Bowie's music when I was 12 years old. As I moved on into those confusing and often-painful teenage years, he helped guide me on a non-macho, expansive and gender-fluid journey into adulthood. Without him, I would not have become myself, I would have been beaten into a farce of a masculine construct. When I started seeking out David Bowie's movie roles to watch over and over, my love grew exponentially. I will miss him so much, but I am so glad that I have all his music, to play for the rest of my life.

– Eric, Duluth, Minn.

'Gave me hope'

I remember January of last year, I traveled to Chicago with my mom and sister to see the Bowie exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. I went in already a fan of his music but without much knowledge of his personal life (I was born in 1998, I didn't really have a lot of time to learn). I went in as one person and left as another. Everything that David Bowie was — from Davy Jones in the Kon-rads to the Thin White Duke — gave me hope. I've been kind of a lonely kid; at the time I saw the exhibit, I wasn't really surrounded by friends. David Bowie showed me that there are other worlds out there. "Life on Mars" and "Starman" I hold most dear, to me they are the most hopeful. Being yourself, being who you want to be, being someone totally crazy just for fun, David Bowie taught me that all of this was okay. He made it cool to be weird and out there. He made all us lonely kids feel okay.

– Name withheld

Always there

Being a mopey teenager and hearing him sing "you're not alone" through my headphones. He was always there when I needed him.

– Tara, St. Paul, Minn.

Light and joy

I was given a stack of older vinyl by a family friend, lots of '70s and '80s stuff, most wasn't interesting to me. I knew Bowie, so the first I spun from the stack was ChangesOneBowie because I knew a track or two. Wow! That became one of my favorites over the years until I started getting into his individual releases. Bowie's been with me for my entire life since my first spin of that LP, and the news of his passing is very shocking and saddening to me. I know that he brought a lot of light and joy into many peoples' lives, however, and I expect he'll be remembered and honored for that for a long time to come. Thanks for the great tunes to celebrate David Bowie's spirit.

– Jeffrey, St. Paul, Minn.

'I believe in Bowie'

Some people believe in God. I believe in Bowie. He was and still is everything. I have so many memories and he's shaped so much of who I am, I can't pick one in particular. One memory I will be creating this week is seeing Lazarus in New York on Thursday. I bought these tickets last year and had no idea that they would be tickets to the last time I will ever experience David Bowie's original work for the first time. You're truly immortal now, Starman.

– Ellie, Santa Monica, Calif.

Dancing in the living room

My first memory of David Bowie is dancing in the living room to ChangesOneBowie with my brother. He used to play the record over and over, and I let him. It never got tiresome. We both loved (and love) Bowie passionately. I am so grateful for all of the music he made in his too short time on Earth. Farewell, David Bowie.

– Tatiana, St. Anthony, Minn.

Sharing with daughters

Introducing my daughters to Bowie and having them totally "get" him from the start. My oldest identifies with him, decades later through his gender-bending personas, while my youngest seems to be in love with his wife as well as his music.

– Erin, Decorah, Iowa

A view from backstage

The 1976 Station to Station tour — I was home in Virgina Beach, and a friend invited me. He brought his Nikon with a telephoto lens, and we were allowed in a behind-the-stage balcony section that was roped off for the press, but we were the only idiots (or so we thought) who positioned ourselves there. We both took turns taking photos whenever David Bowie turned around, but mostly they were pics of the back of his beautiful head. A couple of times, Bowie went behind the band to grab a drink or a smoke, and once or twice he looked at us, smiled and posed. He was having fun. He loved it. So did we, of course!

My friend had a crush on me and tried to kiss me that night. I laughed and said, "I like you a lot … but as a friend." I never saw those photos. The memory is enough.

From this station to the station you've gone to, thank you, Sir David, for everything.

– Amy, Glendale, Calif.

Transcendant talent

Two years ago, my wife and I went to Chicago to see the Bowie exhibit. I was always a fan, but walking through the exhibit with headphones taking me through Bowie's career left me speechless. The music, art, fashion, and his incredible ability to create experiences and personas that pushed the boundaries of our social norms and made us think in new ways … he has left an enduring mark.

I feel lucky to have grown up in the age of Bowie. "Genius" has become an overused word with artists, but with Bowie, the word seemed to not only fit, but to be restored as a description of a rare, transcendent talent.

– Brian, Minneapolis

Provided comfort

I was 16 and had moved to a small Minnesota town as a junior in high school. I had a last-minute invitation to the prom, but just days before the big dance, I had to have my appendix removed. I was depressed to miss the event. My date came to visit me in the hospital with several of his friends. I was simultaneously horrified and pleased. He brought me several early tapes by David Bowie. Before that, I only knew mid-'80s Bowie. Those songs were a revelation to me and provided comfort as I listened in my hospital bed on my Walkman (they also blocked out the lady using the commode in the bed next to me). I was so grateful and in love!

– Anne, St. Louis Park, Minn.

A social and cultural icon

My favorite memory of David Bowie is a concert he gave at the Music Hall in Boston in 1972. It was the Ziggy Stardust Tour. One couldn't help but think that we were witnessing a brilliant talent. And he was so much more than that. He was a social and cultural icon that told us all to celebrate our individuality and our creativity and to have fun doing it.

Hearing of his death Monday morning brought tears to my eyes. "Gone too soon" is all I could think, but he left us with the gift of Blackstar. Sheer brilliance and one for the ages.

– Julian, Studio City, Calif. (via YourClassical.org)

Everything was going to be OK

I first truly discovered Bowie for myself my freshman year of college. I was having an unnerving time on psychedelics and, listening to "Ziggy Stardust," I felt like everything was going to be OK. Bowie saved me that night, and countless times since.

– Cyrus, Eugene, Ore.

At the 'David Bowie Is' exhibit

I was first introduced to David Bowie just over a year ago when I attended the "David Bowie Is" exhibit in Chicago. Being a writer myself, I found his lyrics as well as his personality to be magical, phenomenal, and inspirational. His creativity has inspired me every day since. David Bowie is truly a rare commodity. Many will grieve with this loss, but his legacy is infinite. He is Ziggy Stardust, after all.

– Katie, Northfield, Minn.

Courage to challenge gender norms

In 1978, Bowie appeared on Saturday Night Live in a skirt. I was a senior in high school wrestling with being gay. I was obsessed with that image! He was the first positive image I had ever seen of a man who did not fit the gender norms. He immediately became my hero. He appeared to me completely masculine, and entirely comfortable in a skirt. I didn't care if he was gay/straight/asexual. I cared that he had the courage to challenge gender norms. Post Script: In 1978, there was no way I could articulate this. I was just fascinated. And I maintained that boy crush through to today.

– Rand, Minneapolis

A favorite memory

My favorite memory, when I truly felt like I channeled the living memory of David Bowie. I pulled into the old Vera's parking lot on Lyndale and was listening to "Rock n' Roll Suicide". I stayed in my car to hear the song because, why would you ever stop it halfway through? Right as it reached its climax of "YOU'RE NOT ALONE" my passenger window shattered. I couldn't have been happier, it couldn't have happened at a better time them when that voice, those horns and those drums kick it. YOU'RE NOT ALONE!

I took a picture of my Bowie vinyl collection this weekend as I was celebrating his birthday and Blackstar this weekend. Thank you for your outpouring of music and community today.

– Jason, Minneapolis

'An exquisite masterpiece'

David Bowie is in a documentary titled Inspirations — he, himself, is a work of art, every inch of his soul is an exquisite masterpiece. I'm grateful and humbled to have witnessed such …

– Susan, Faribault, Minn. (via YourClassical.org)

Felt like he was singing to us

I had the privilege of seeing David Bowie twice live in the early 2000s. The first was in outdoor show in in 2002 in Denver with general admission. My friend and I got there early and ended up standing in what would be the equivalent of third row. He was only 10 feet away from us. It was amazing and incredible and I'll never forget it. When he was singing, "Everyone says Hi", my friend and I swear he was singing right to us when he said "hi". We talk about it all the time. RIP Mr. Bowie!!! I'll love you always!

– Jenny, Minneapolis

Mind-blowing musical experience

When I was 15 years old my best friend and I got to go see our musical idol on what would be his last tour, Reality. It was the most mind-blowing musical experience I have ever had. We sang along with every word. Best concert I have ever been to, and since I'll never have another chance, probably the best concert of my life.

– Erica, Minneapolis

A way to bond with co-workers

At my first professional cooking job, I was the only woman in the kitchen. I wanted a way to fit in and bond with the dudes in the kitchen. It happened accidentally when I threw Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust on the speakers one afternoon. Everyone started singing along passionately, and I knew these were great guys; from then on, we were a team. I have a lot of great Bowie-related memories, but I can't help but think of that time in my life when I hear that album, and it makes me incredibly happy.

– Sarah, Minneapolis

Appreciate his work and creativity

I'm a late Bowie appreciator, but came around finally after a trip to Chicago. My girlfriend (now fiancée) who LOVES Bowie planned a weekend around seeing the David Bowie Is exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Seeing Bowie's span of work in one place highlighted his work ethic and creativity. I was converted to a Bowie fan on that trip.

– Matt, Minneapolis

Enthusiasm and strength

I'm 31 and I don't think there's been a time when I didn't know who he was (thanks, parents!). Rediscovered him at 14. I used to clean the house every Friday for pocket money, which I hated. But what I remember most now is getting home and listening to Bowie, cranked up to 11, and dancing with the mop and vacuum Mrs. Doubtfire style. I never outgrew that enthusiasm.

I am days away from surgery to treat my own cancer, and really, I am angrier that this happened to him than when I got my diagnosis. I know it's been said over and over, but f*** cancer. How fitting that he turned the tumultuous feelings you get with this sh*tty disease into art.

Thanks so much for doing this. It helps.

– Hannah, Minneapolis

'He taught me to love myself'

I first witnessed the magic of Bowie when I was about ten years old when I was looking through my dad's old CD collection. I came across ChangesOneBowie. The cover struck me. I put it in my CD player and listened to it all. After that, I knew I would never be the same.

Bowie became my spirit musician. No matter how I felt, Bowie had a song for me. In high school when I was struggling with my sexuality, he taught me to love myself and gave me the courage to come out to my parents. My first kiss was even to "Under Pressure."

Even though his gone, his songs will always be with me.

– Elizabeth, West Lafayette, Ind.

Bolstered by 'Heroes'

I've always been a little "odd"; felt kind of chronically different. My mom didn't really like a lot of rock, but I grew up listening to tons of music. The first time I heard, "This is ground control to Major Tom…" David Bowie's voice took me on a journey. I found my way through his music in my late teens and always enjoyed his beyond the box, not just out of it, style.

When I left a sad marriage and went out on my own with five kids in my 30s, I was sitting alone wondering what I was going to do, and "Heroes" came on my Pandora. I sat and cried, bolstered myself and knew … I could be a hero … just for one day.

For Christmas, my new love presented me with my first real sound system with a real turntable to play my hundreds of vinyls. I was making a list of what I really needed, and Bowie was on top. When I heard the news this morning, I cried like a baby. Thank you for the tribute. I've enjoyed EVERY Single Second. Across the universe, up and over, RIP David Bowie — thank you for breaking ground for the odd.

– Bambi, Gillette, Wyo.

'Made me fall in love with music'

For whatever reason, Bowie's song "Changes" really spoke to me as a 12- or 13-year-old, and made me fall in love with music in general. I remember hearing it for the first time in the car with my parents and wondering where I could find more music like it. Hearing it is one of those moments in my life where things "changed" and I have loved Bowie ever since. His music is important, but that song is particularly important to me. Thank you, David Bowie! RIP

– Shane, Golden Valley, Minn.

Finding new music on TV

My older brother Xavier introduced me to David Bowie when I was young. He and I have 10 years between us, so I was about seven years old when he'd play "Ziggy Stardust" for me. My most vivid memory was when we got a Betamax video recorder. My brother would stay up and watch the music shows. One morning, he said to me that I had to see some new music from David Bowie. I saw the video clip for "Boys Keep Swinging." It was the first time that I saw men dress up as women. I didn't think it to be off the wall. I just loved the song immediately and made my brother play it a couple of times.

– Leticia, Waukesha, Wis.

Sparked a flame

I was just making the transition from middle school to high school the year that Diamond Dogs hit the racks (1974). No longer the lonely and geeky little kid, I was beginning to enjoy what it felt like to be something new and better. At one of my first massive house parties, I sat down on a couch with some friends and the needle dropped: "As they poured you out of the oxygen tent, you asked for the latest party." I was dead hooked on Bowie from that very moment. A few years later, the first CD I ever heard was Let's Dance. I was floored by the sound quality. Within a week, I had a first generation CD player (a Kenwood for more than $1,000!) and that CD to kick off my collection. As my good friends all know, to this day I am a music fanatic. Bowie sparked in me a flame that has burned bright and steady for more than 40 years now. When I awakened to the news this morning, I had an explanation for the mystery of seeing but a single unusually bright star in the winter sky last night just before I fell asleep. Shine on, you crazy diamond dog!

– Steven, Brooklyn Park, Minn.

College decision

When I was looking at colleges, I was struggling to find one that really resonated with me. I knew I had found the right place when my host took me down a narrow staircase into a seedy-looking basement containing a fantastic David Bowie cover band. The room was packed and everyone was dressed as different versions of Bowie getting down to Let's Dance. We stayed for two hours and to this day it was still one of the best parties I've ever been to. I sent my acceptance letter the second I got home. It was the best decision I ever made.

– Emily, Minneapolis

Discovered on the radio

My first real exposure to David Bowie was as a 13-year-old taping songs off the radio (you old people know how that works). Bowie's "Let's Dance" song and album were huge and young fan was born. I then spent years discovering his back catalog, all the while keeping up with his new music that continued to evolve and impress. His fiercely unique vision will be missed.

– Chris, Hutchinson, Minn.

Strength to endure worst years of life

Like many of us of a "certain age," my most distinct early memory of David Bowie came from Labyrinth (that VOICE! Those PANTS!). So I suppose I first I fell in love to him thanks to Jim Henson.

But, a decade or so later, Bowie helped me endure some of the worst years of my life. I spent five years in an abusive relationship, and I remember the DAY that Heathen came out, because I used it as an excuse to escape the house and pick it up. I remember popping it in the CD player in my car and driving around town with it blaring. I got to "A Better Future" and pulled over and sobbed. I listened to that song five times in the next day, and it and the album as a whole became an escape and a glimmer of hope as I could dive into that music and hope to, someday, find a better future for myself, too.

– Sara, location withheld

Brought different cultures together

When I was in the 6th grade, we had our first and only foreign exchange student. Ignacio was from Spain and, as I am an only child, it was great to have the experience of a big brother for a year and to learn about another country and culture.

He and I fought like cats and dogs most of the time, but on the night before he left, I was allowed to stay up all night. Ignacio took out his guitar and played Bowie songs most of the warm summer evening. I still have it recorded on a cassette tape. "Ziggy Stardust," "Heroes," "Let's Dance" — it brought different generations and cultures together. It was magical.

– Lara, Bemidji, Minn.

'A wonderful time'

My favorite memory is seeing Bowie live in Toronto, during the Serious Moonlight tour in 1983. We were driving back to Minnesota from summer vacation in Maine, and a friend who lived in Toronto got the tickets for us.

Prior to entering the stadium my friend realized she had lost her ticket. I was totally prepared to go in without her — I was not going to pass up what felt like the chance of a lifetime, but remarkably we retraced our steps and found it lying on the ground!

The concert was amazing; I've rarely seen a performer engage with the crowd the way he did. He was clearly having a wonderful time and so were we.

– Sophie, Minneapolis

Solace and reverence

My favorite memory of David Bowie is hearing him wail "YOU'RE NOT ALONE!" for the first time during the song "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide." I was just finishing high school and feeling insecure and obsolete about whatever my future held. I immediately downloaded the Ziggy Stardust album and listened to it front to back. That album brings me solace and reverence for every experience I have ever received in this life.

– Eric, Lakeville, Minn.

First got me talking about music with my father

My first memory of David Bowie was hearing Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars in my dad's car. It was always in his CD player, and I had never heard anything like it before. I began to learn what song came after the next, without knowing the artist or the titles of the songs. I knew after I heard the last "Suffragette!", I would soon hear the acoustic strumming that weaved a story about rock and roll suicide.

When I began wanting to learn more, my dad was more than happy to share. David Bowie was the original musician that got me first talking music with my father, opening the floodgates to loving other acts in my father's collection … but Bowie was always the one we bonded over the most. We even took a road trip to Chicago to see the "David Bowie Is..." exhibit because of our mutual love for the music, shouting David Bowie songs the whole drive.

To this day, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is my favorite of Bowie's amazing catalog, not just because of the fond memories it gives me, but because of the raw emotion and sheer power that I was able to grasp onto while young, and the incredible lyrics and complexity I came to find as I matured.

Thanks for being a huge part of my life from early on, David. You hold a special place in my heart, my father's heart, and in spurring our relationship together.

– Stephen, Minneapolis

Discovered playing Dance Dance Revolution

My first memory of David Bowie and the impact of his music on my life was created through spending time over at my neighbor's house with all of the neighborhood kids. Her mom would order us third and fourth graders a pepperoni pizza, we would head on down to the basement and pull out the Playstation and Dance Dance Revolution and play it until what we thought were the early hours of morning (Really it was just 10 p.m., but it was dark when we had to walk home, so it had to count).

On DDR it was always a struggle of what song to dance to, so as I scrolled through the songs, I hear this punchy, upbeat song that reminded me of what my mom and dad always played around the house. Lo and behold, the song is "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. Being in the third grade, I was horrible at DDR, and knowing that the level "medium" was too difficult for me, I went with it anyway. "Let's Dance" was the first song I beat all of the neighborhood kids to in our weekly competitions.

Fast forward a few years with the age of iPods and portable music players, the first song I ever purchased on iTunes was this song, which evidently led me to purchasing much more of his music either online or in CD format at Cheapo to listen to in the car or wherever I was.

– Kailee, Minneapolis

Camped out five days for tickets

In 1987, my friends and I slept out at the Minneapolis Metrodome for David Bowie tickets. It was the Glass Spider tour, and Duran Duran were opening. We couldn't believe the double bill — I love both artists! We decided to camp out, and I held our spot down for all five days as my parents and friends brought supplies. I was first in line!

I got my photo in the local paper (Star Tribune); my grandma also saw the photo in the newspaper and called my mom to bust me smoking. Then Duran Duran cancelled … but all was well when the show was rescheduled to the St. Paul Civic Center (now Xcel Energy Center). I had front-row seats, shot a few nice photos and caught a guitar pick! It was among the first of many amazing concert experiences for me.

Just like so many who have a passion for music, my heart weighs heavy and hurts, but I will always have his music and memories to make me smile, laugh, cry and feel nostalgic. Thanks, David Bowie!"

– Billy, Minneapolis

Hitchhiking to a record store

As a high school student in the mid-1980s living in southern Maine, my best friend and I use to hitchhike to Portland (the big city) to buy records. At one particular store on one such visit, the owner had just finished tacking up on the wall 25 or so David Bowie seven-inch singles covering Bowie's entire career up until then. Most were import versions; there were two early David Jones releases and numerous picture sleeves, each lovelier than the next.

The owner saw me light up at the sight of them and offered to let me buy them all for a lower price. He also allowed me to pay for them over time — living on a paper boy's wages at the time, I was not able to buy them all at once. I'll never forget the day I made the final payment and took them all home. I was in heaven. I still have every one of them today — some 30 years later.

– Fred, Maynard, Maine

'Moved in unearthly ways'

As an '80s child, I already felt swayed by the coolness of Bowie, growing up hearing "China Girl," "Modern Love" and "Let's Dance" on radio and MTV. But it was in college in the early '90s that I first heard the Bowie I truly connected with: the Spaceman, Ziggy, the Thin White Duke, the one who moved in unearthly ways and had blazed a path in music and in fashion and in life long before I'd ever heard a note. Save room for us weirdos way up in the sky, you beautiful creature.

– Lori, Minneapolis

Remembering David Bowie

Use this form to share your first or favorite memory of David Bowie and to enter The Current's David Bowie Five Years: 1969-1973 reissue boxset giveaway between 12 p.m. CST on Monday, Jan. 11 and 11:59 p.m. CST on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016.

One (1) winner will receive one (1) 13-LP reissue box set of David Bowie's Five Years: 1969-1973 on vinyl.

Prize retail value: $300

We will contact the winners on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016. Winners must accept by 10 a.m. CST Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.

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