David Bowie: Madonna pays tribute with Rebel Rebel cover: 'He showed me it was alright to be different'

'He's the first rebel heart that I laid eyes on.'

(Madonna/Twitter)

Madonna took a moment to remember David Bowie in the middle of a concert in Houston, Texas on Sunday, before launching into a cover of his classic track ‘Rebel Rebel’.

"I want to pay tribute to a man who inspired my career," she told the crowd. "If you haven't heard about David Bowie then look him up, motherf*ckers.”

"He was one of the geniuses in the music industry. One of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 20th century and he changed my life when I went to see him in concert in Detroit.

"He showed me that it was alright to be different. And he's the first rebel heart that I laid eyes on.”

Bowie has been honoured by legions of musicians since his death from cancer was announced on Sunday.

In his hometown of Brixton, London, an impromptu street party was held in his honour.

Madonna followed her mini-speech with a spirited performance of Rebel Rebel, as pictures of Bowie through the ages were projected on the screens behind her.

The singer also paid tribute to Bowie on Instagram on Sunday, describing him as “inspiring and innovative, unique and provocative.”