Before Lorde took the stage to pay tribute to David Bowie by performing “Life on Mars?” Annie Lennox and Gary Oldman each paid tribute to the late legend at the 2016 Brits Awards including a presentation of their Icon Award:
“For me, it’s almost impossible to mention Bowie’s name in the past tense. Everything he represented as an artist was, and always will be, vital and incredibly present,” Lennox said. “The legacy of his extraordinary sound and vision will be loved and revered for as long as the earth still spins.”
Lennox then invited Bowie’s good old friend Gary Oldman to the stage to receive the award on the late rock legend’s behalf. Oldman upon receiving the award reminisced about his time with his friend.
“Those closest to David lost a dear friend, and the world lost a man, an artist of transcendent talent,” Oldman said. “I can share with you that David faced his illness with enormous courage, dignity, grace and customary humor. Even in dire circumstances, when he wrote to tell me the bad news that he had cancer,” he added. “But the good news is, I’ve got my cheekbones back.’ He was the sweetest soul ever.” Oldman then introduced Lorde’s performance.”
Keep going to the video below: