In what might be one of the most remarkable performances of his career, David Bowie delivered a full live show and upon finishing was rushed to hospital by helicopter where he underwent surgery for a blocked artery!
Since his death it’s been revealed that Bowie was in incredible pain at the Hurricane Festival in Scheesel, Germany on June 25th 2004.
He had shortened a show just two days earlier over what he thought was a pinched nerve. He didn’t look the best, but somehow, he took the stage and got through a full gig.
You can watch Bowie walk off stage at the end of the concert below.
His career-spanning set kicked-off with Rebel Rebel and included Ashes to Ashes, Changes, The Man Who Sold The World and Life On Mars? Also on the set were his covers of Iggy Pop’s Sister Midnight, Pixies’ Cactus and his Queen collaboration Under Pressure.
As part of the set, Bowie—who was uncharacteristically wearing jeans and a hoody—performed what became his final live rendition of his iconic track ‘Heroes’ to rapturous applause.
The song, which was co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno and subsequently produced longterm contributor Tony Visconti, was released on 23 September 1977 as the lead single from his 12th studio album of the same name.
After a final encore of “Ziggy Stardust” he went backstage and collapsed. He was taken to a hospital by a helicopter and underwent immediate surgery. The rest of the tour was cancelled.
The late rocker’s pals opened up about the secret health emergency in the TV documentary David Bowie: The Last Five Years..
“We played the entire set and it seemed normal, not quite as energetic and as charged as the performances before,“ guitarist Gerry Leonard said. “We finished the show and then it seemed like David was in a lot of pain and obviously something was wrong.”
Earl Slick revealed the band was told Bowie had suffered a mild heart attack, but his life wasn’t in danger.
The rocker lost his battle with cancer on 10 January, 2016.
Setlist for David Bowie’s final official gig at Germany’s Hurricane Festival, 25 June 2004:
Rebel Rebel
Fame
Battle for Britain (The Letter)
Sister Midnight (Iggy Pop cover)
New Killer Star
Cactus (Pixies cover)
All The Young Dudes
China Girl (Iggy Pop cover)
Modern Love
Station to Station
The Man Who Sold The World
Changes
The Loneliest Guy
Under Pressure (Queen collaboration)
Ashes to Ashes
Quicksand
I’m Afraid Of Americans
“Heroes”
Encore:
Life on Mars?
Suffragette City
Ziggy Stardust
