Ozzy tells Rolling Stone: "It knocked the sh*t out of me. I had no idea that he was so ill. I don't think anybody knew how sick he was. I'd heard the reason he stopped touring was because he had two heart attacks or something. But apparently it was cancer.

"Anyway, he's gone. It's a terrible hole in the f***ing business. He was such a talented guy, man. When you go from Ziggy Stardust to his tours, and he's a fashion guy, he was always trying to beat himself and he pulled it off time and time again."

Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx adds: "Bowie not only inspired me as a songwriter but inspired me to add layers to my creativity as an artist. People are meant to evolve. It's a natural part of life, but so many artists become stagnant. Bowie showed us that it's not only important to evolve as artists but mandatory.