Tony Visconti was one of David Bowie’s close friends and most frequent collaborators, having produced or co-produced 11 albums by the late rock legend. Among the albums co-produced by Visconti was Bowie’s final studio effort, Blackstar, which was released on January 8, 2016, just two days before David’s death.
In a new interview with the New York Post, Visconti recalled the last conversation he had with the iconic entertainer. He said that Bowie, who died from liver cancer at age 69, was looking forward to the future when they chatted sometime in late 2015.
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“He told me that he was going to make another album he started writing,” Visconti recalled. “And I said, ‘Oh, I can’t wait to hear,’ and he goes, ‘Yeah, well, right after we get over the holidays, we’ll get together, and I’ll let you hear the music.’ But that was the last time I ever heard from him.”
Tony also revealed that during the conversation, Bowie shared some family-related news that he was very excited about.
“He said, ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’ And he was whispering to me on the phone,” Visconti told the newspaper. “I said, ‘I can’t hear you. Speak up!’ He goes into another room, and he says, ‘I’m going to be a grandfather.’”
Sadly, David didn’t live long enough to meet his first grandchild, whose father was Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones. Duncan’s son, whom he named Stenton David Jones, was born in July 2016. Bowie’s birth name, of course, was David Jones.
Visconti Reflected on His Friendship with Bowie, and David’s Legacy
Visconti, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, met Bowie after he moved to London in 1968 to work as a recording studio engineer.
“We met as friends,” Tony said. “[W]e were introduced to each other, and I liked him very much, and he loved American music. And to my knowledge, I was the first American he ever met because I was living in London then.”
Visconti wound up co-producing Bowie’s second album, titled David Bowie, with Gus Dudgeon. Among the many other album Tony worked on with David were The Man Who Sold the World (1970), Young Americans (1975), Low (1977), “Heroes” (1977), Lodger (1979), Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980), Heathen (2002), Reality (2003), and The Next Day (2013).
Reflecting on Bowie’s untimely passing, Visconti told the Post, “I don’t like to think about him dying at all, because, you know, he’s so vibrant, and he’s still alive in spirit and his music.”
He added, “Generations are going to grow up and rediscover him, his records will keep selling and selling, and young kids will discover and be inspired by him.”
David Bowie’s longtime producer recalls their haunting final conversation days before singer’s death: ‘Last time I ever heard from him’ https://t.co/RgbzSCq4EI pic.twitter.com/oUnTuW8igr
— New York Post (@nypost) March 12, 2025
(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)