David Bowie's Friend Reveals Why He Kept Late Singer's Cancer Diagnosis A Secret
![Tony Visconti](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/2282673/tony-visconti.jpg?w=736&f=d7c3501790b36f7480815cfc655778e4)
David Bowie's fans were left shocked and heartbroken after the legendary musician's Jan. 10 death. The confusion continued after it was announced that the father of two had been battling an aggressive form of cancer in secret. Weeks after his death, close friend and music producer Tony Visconti, who worked with Bowie, 69, on his final album, "Blackstar," is speaking out about helping the award-winning musician hide his diagnosis from the world.
According to People magazine, the "Space Oddity" singer, dubbed the Star Man by fans, opened up to a chosen few about his cancer prior to his death. Visconti told British music magazine Mojo that Bowie invited him to a secret meeting in January 2015. Shortly after arriving at the meeting place, the producer recalled, Bowie removed his hat to reveal his bald head. Visconti told Mojo his life was forever changed from the moment Bowie told him he had cancer, adding that "it's been hard to live with." He admits he was "choked up" after getting the news but agreed to hold onto Bowie's secret.
"David said, 'I have something to show you,' and he pulled his woolly had off and he was completely bald. And he said, 'I have cancer...' And my life hasn't been the same since that moment," Visconti said. "We were already keeping the album secret, but this added an extra burden."
Visconti isn't the only one struggling in the wake of Bowie's passing. The singer's wife, supermodel Iman Abdulmajid, is also said to have had a hard time coming to grips with her loss. As was previously reported, she is doing her very best to "stay strong" for the sake of her and Bowie's young daughter, Alexandria Jones. June Ambrose, Abdulmajid's close friend and stylist, has commended the "Pan's Labyrinth" actor's wife for being "brave." She noted that Abdulmajid's bravery is something that Bowie admired most about her during their relationship.
Fans have rallied together in the wake of their idol's death, creating various memorials around the world. Among those planned tributes is a concert at New York City's Carnegie Hall on March 31. While Bowie's family has not had a hand in planning any of the tributes or concerts, they have thanked those responsible. Tickets for the upcoming show sold out almost immediately, leaving many fans out in the cold. Those without tickets are being urged to hold out for resale tickets to surface on sites like Ticketmaster StubHub and Vivid Seats.
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