Bowie's old studio opens doors for fan farewell

"We are all still shocked and endlessly sad about David's passing and his unsuccessful battle against cancer," the event organizers wrote on Facebook.

"Only a few days ago we were celebrating David's birthday and Blackstar album release," at the Meistersaal (formerly Hansa Studio 2), they went on. "Now we have to say goodbye to the true chameleon of pop music."

Among the guests is sound engineer Eduard Meyer, who worked with Bowie at Hansa Studios during his Berlin period in 1976-9, when the singer produced the albums "Low" (1977), "Heroes" (1977) and "Lodger" (1979).

"Now we're standing here and crying," he told fans gathered in the Meistersaal.

Fans are invited along all afternoon on Friday to "say goodbye to David Bowie in their own way" at the singer's former haunt.

And by the morning a queue had already formed along the street to join in the memorial.

"You can use the stage to share personal words or memories with us, play his music or just light a candle and think of him together," organizers wrote.

"We can be heroes, forever and ever!"

Petition for a 'David Bowie Street'

The event is just the latest in a series of moves to commemorate Bowie in the city where he left an indelible mark on culture and consciousness.

Almost 10,000 people had by Friday signed a petition to administrators in the Schöneberg district to rename Hauptstraße, where the rock icon lived with Iggy Pop at number 155, in Bowie's honour.

"There are many Haupstraßen in Berlin, but still no David Bowie Street," the petition read. "This extraordinary artist has earned a special honour in Berlin."

SEE ALSO: Berlin pays tribute to dearly departed Bowie