Tony Visconti shares statement in response to final Bowie LP Blackstar hitting the top of the charts

Writing on Facebook, the seminal producer says:

"I am so proud of my dear friend's accomplishment. One is just a number, but in this case he made an example of how true artistry and real quality can reach number one in the album charts. I'm reaching out to the top artists of today. Don't pander to the the illusion of commercialism -- even the biggest hits of today's sales pale by comparison of the sales of past decades. Do what you f**king want to do, not what you think you have to do."

Bowie passed away on 10 January following an 18-month battle with cancer shortly after his 69th birthday and the release of 25th studio album Blackstar. The album shot to the top of the charts across the world, including in the USA, where it has become Bowie's first-ever number one album in the country.

Visconti spoke to Rolling Stone recently about working with Bowie on a follow up to Blackstar. The pair partnered on a great many of the latter's groundbreaking records, including Low, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), Space Oddity, and recent releases The Next Day and Blackstar.