Two legends mourned, remembered

Staff report

Lightning bolts are a sign of sadness this week with the deaths of rock ‘n’ roll legend David Bowie and “Harry Potter” star Alan Rickman, who both died last week at the age of 69.

Rickman

• Alan Rickman, who has acted in 68 titles according to IMDB.com, first broke into the movie world as Shakespeare’s famous antagonistic Capulet Tybalt in a TV movie version of “Romeo and Juliet.” He first fell into audience’s affections, however, as the character we love to hate, Hans Gruber in “Die Hard.”

• David Bowie has been the space oddity hero of rock ‘n’ roll almost as long as rock ‘n’ roll has existed. He first joined the music world at the age of 15 in 1962 with his non-consistent band, The Konrads. From there he released 51 albums including his final album, which is all about reflection on his life.

Rickman’s last movie, “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” will be released later this year, and Bowie’s last

Bowie

album, Blackstar, was released only two days before his death.

The two British icons have captured many hearts and kept them for decades, including those of local residents.

Here’s what some locals had to say about the two stars.

• Amanda Bentley, children’s and family minister

What was your favorite movie with Rickman and why?

“Sense and Sensibility,” because it’s Jane Austen, and he did a really good job as the colonel. It’s a classic.

• Thomas Tafoya, Portales High School guidance counselor

What was your favorite song by Bowie and why?

“Let’s Dance” is my favorite. I remember hearing it as a junior high kid and just loving it. MTV was a new thing when I was in the seventh grade, and he was the first one I saw. I liked the scenery and the video.

• Zoey Schneider, Portales High School student

How did Rickman’s role as Snape in the “Harry Potter” movies influence you?

It taught me just because someone seems like a bad person doesn’t mean they have bad intentions.

• Jessica Smith, Eastern New Mexico University student

How did Bowie influence you?

I first saw David Bowie in “Labyrinth.” That movie had a big influence on my childhood as a whole. I watched that movie way more times than I can count. He’s the reason I realized humans are supposed to be attracted to each other.”

• Maggie Chavez, ENMU Police Department law enforcement support specialist

What did you admire about Rickman?

I like how he was able to bring his characters to life. He could be the bad guy, which he normally was, but he could also be this smart, funny character. He was super-diverse.

• Cindy Cicero, ENMU training and technical assistance program training consultant

How do you think Bowie as a musician and Bowie as an actor differed?

I don’t think they did. With everything he was involved in, he tried to push the envelope. In everything he did, he was himself and put himself out there. That was kind of different for his time.

— Compiled by Correspondent Anna George