TRENT REZNOR Recalls How DAVID BOWIE Helped Him Get Sober

According to The Pulse Of Radio, NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor has written a heartfelt essay about the late David Bowie in the new issue of Rolling Stone, which is dedicated to the legendary musician and actor who died earlier this month at the age of 69. Reznor, who toured with Bowie in 1995, wrote: "There were a number of times where the two of us were alone, and he said some things that weren't scolding, but pieces of wisdom that stuck with me: 'You know, there is a better way here, and it doesn't have to end in despair or in death, in the bottom.'"

"A few years later, Bowie came through L.A. I'd been sober for a fair amount of time. I wanted to thank him in the way that he helped me. And I reluctantly went backstage, feeling weird and ashamed, like, 'Hey, I'm the guy that puked on the rug.' And again, I was met with warmth, and grace, and love. And I started to say, 'Hey listen, I've been clean for…' I don't even think I finished the sentence; I got a big hug. And he said, 'I knew. I knew you'd do that. I knew you'd come out of that.' I have goosebumps right now just thinking about it. It was another very important moment in my life."

Reznor began his essay by discussing his early memories of Bowie and the influence he had on his own career, saying, "For me, every Bowie album has its own set of memories... His music really helped me relate to myself and figure out who I was. He was a tremendous inspiration in terms of what was possible, what the role of an entertainer could be, that there are no rules."

When the two joined forces for "The Outside Tour" in 1995, Reznor did not want Bowie to open for NINE INCH NAILS even though the latter was selling more tickets. He recalled: "We found out a way to do the show that made sense, where it all felt like one experience… One of the greatest moments of my life was standing onstage next to David Bowie while he sang 'Hurt' with me. I was outside of myself, thinking, 'I'm standing onstage next to the most important influence I've ever had, and he's singing a song I wrote in my bedroom.' It was just an awesome moment."

Bowie died of cancer on January 10, just two days after his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, "Blackstar". His death sent shockwaves around the world and throughout the global music community.

Reznor recently hinted that new NINE INCH NAILS music will be coming in 2016.