In 2005, David Bowie stepped onto the stage for what would be his last full public concert, lending his presence to a charity event that year.
The following year, in 2006, he made a rare appearance at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, joining Alicia Keys during the Black Ball fundraiser for Keep a Child Alive, offering fans a glimpse of his timeless magnetism one more time.
Technically, though, Bowie’s last live appearance in front of an audience might have come in 2007, when he appeared at Madison Square Garden to introduce his friend Ricky Gervais. True to form, he brought the house down with a cheeky performance of “Chubby Little Loser” from the series Extras, reminding everyone of his playful side.
No matter which of these moments you consider his final bow, each highlighted a different facet of Bowie’s artistry and charm, capturing the wit, depth, and versatility that made him a legend.
David Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, at age 69 in New York City, following an 18-month battle with liver cancer. It was only in the final three months of his life that he learned his illness was terminal, yet even then, he continued to create, leaving behind a legacy that remains as vibrant as ever.
