David Bowie memorial concert set for Carnegie Hall

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A David Bowie memorial concert is set for March 21 at New York's Carnegie Hall following the singer's tragic death.

Originally, the event called The Music of David Bowie, was announced hours before his death Sunday as a tribute concert dedicated to the legendary rocker's musical legacy.

Now musical guests The Roots, Cyndi Lauper, the Mountain Goats, Heart's Ann Wilson, Perry Farrell and Jakob Dylan will proceed to treat the event as a memorial concert instead.

Bowie's longtime collaborator Tony Visconti is in charge of the house band, according to the New York Times, with Bettye Lavette, Robyn Hitchcock and many more set to appear during the show to pay respects to Bowie and the influence he's had as an artist.

"The unexpected death of David Bowie has made this tribute to him into a memorial concert," organizers wrote on the concert's official website.

"While the series has had the surprise appearances and performances of the honoree several times in the past, this one will certainly become a poignant honor of his music by his friends, peers, and fans. We are all deeply saddened at this news, the timing of our public on-sale bizarre in its timing, and the show is taking on many more emotions. RIP David and may gods love be with you..."

The Music of David Bowie will take place March 21. Tickets are already sold out. 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."

Following his tragic death, artists, leaders, assorted admirers and even a cardinal from the Vatican paid tribute to the groundbreaking musician, including late night hosts Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon who opened their shows Monday with touching tributes to Bowie.