Madonna honors David Bowie with 'Rebel, Rebel' cover

HOUSTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Madonna took some time out to honor David Bowie during her Rebel Heart world tour following the legendary rocker's tragic death.

"I want to pay tribute to a man who inspired my career," Madonna said onstage to a packed crowd in Houston before performing Bowie's classic single "Rebel, Rebel." "If you haven't heard about David Bowie, then look him up, [expletive]."

"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," she continued. "He showed me that it was OK to be different. And he's the first Rebel Heart that I laid eyes on."

With images of Bowie displayed behind her, Madonna was seen in videos posted online by fans in attendance rocking out onstage as she changed out of a skirt that was clinging to her hips.

The pop star shared moments from the concert on Instagram Wednesday writing, "Paying tribute to my favorite rebel! In Houston. Thank you!..........David Bowie. #rebelheartour," alongside a photo of the 57-year-old laying down onstage as Bowie's image was featured behind her.

Back in 1996, Madonna famously inducted Bowie into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where she also mentioned seeing him in Detroit, her first concert and how she "came home a changed woman."

Bowie died Sunday at the age of 69 following a yearlong battle with liver cancer. "David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," an official statement said Monday. "While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."