David Bowie's Producer Reveals His Bittersweet Final Phone Conversation with the Late Singer

Mar. 15, 2025

David Bowie.Photo:J. Shearer/WireImage

David Bowie in Concert during “Area2” Festival at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.

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The final conversationDavid Bowiehad with his longtime producer was bittersweet.

In an article published on Wednesday, March 12, Tony ViscontitoldThe New York Postabout the last thing he and the “Starman” singer —who died in 2016— spoke about was.

Tony Visconti in New York City in January 2017.D Dipasupil/WireImage

Tony Visconti attends the GRAMMY Nominee Reception NYC

D Dipasupil/WireImage

The producer also recalled Bowie talking about working on another album. Visconti told Bowie he was excited to hear. “He goes, ‘Yeah, well, right after we get over the holidays, we’ll get together, and I’ll let you hear the music.' " This was the last time the two ever spoke.

Visconti worked with Bowie for decades, first collaborating in 1968. He produced Bowie’s final albumBlackstar, which was released on Jan. 8, 2016 — two days before he died after being diagnosed with liver cancer. The musician’s Facebook page confirmed his death in a brief post.

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Visconti called Bowie’s final album a “parting gift.““He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life – a work of Art,” Viscontiwrote on Facebookin January 2016.

“He madeBlackstarfor us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn’t, however, prepared for it,” he continued. “He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry.”

David Bowie in New York City in June 2007.Bryan Bedder/Getty

David Bowie speaks onstage while accepting the Webby Lifetime Achievement award at the 11th Annual Webby Awards at Chipriani Wall Street on June 5, 2007 in New York City.

Bryan Bedder/Getty

Visconti also toldNYPabout Bowie’s enduring legacy, saying that he doesn’t think about the “Changes” singer dying. “He’s so vibrant, and he’s still alive in spirit and his music.”

Visconti noted that new generations will discover his music and older generations will continue to rediscover it.

source: people.com