Lykke Li on how meeting David Lynch “changed my life”

Lykke Li has paid tribute to David Lynch following his death and said that he “changed my life”.

His death was announced by his family yesterday (January 16) and came after the Twin Peaks creator was reportedly “forced to relocate from his house” due to the Los Angeles wildfires. He was aged 78.

Taking to her Instagram, Li shared her collaboration with Lynch ‘I’m Waiting Here’ which featured on his 2013 album ‘The Big Dream’ and wrote: “Goodbye my dear friend, you saved my life, your words and lessons will always ring in my ear, I guess this was what this song was really about, to me you are the king of LA, forever in our hearts.”

She also documented how she met the legendary director and shared her memories of him on her Instagram Story.

Li wrote: “I met David Lynch when I first moved to LA and he changed my life. He was the one that introduced me to meditating and that saved my life. He is one of the many reasons why I love Los Angeles, it’s not a place, it’s a state of mind; an ashram for dreamers, artists, mystics, those who get it, get it. Heartbreaking to hear this symbolic cinematic departure. I will cherish our meetings and your wisdoms forever.”

Along with her collaboration with Lynch, Li also performed Chris Isaak‘s ‘Wicked Game’ at a tribute concert to the director which later appeared on a tribute album dedicated to him in 2016 entitled ‘The Music Of David Lynch’. Lynch directed the video to the original track and the song featured in his 1990 movie Wild At Heart starring Nicolas Cage.

His longtime collaborator and friend Kyle MacLachlan has also since paid tribute to the late filmmaker, saying he “owes” his life and career to Lynch. The pair have worked on numerous titles together including Dune, Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks.

Other names who have paid homage to David Lynch since his death include Steven Spielberg, Edgar Wright, James Gunn, Hugh Jackman, Billy Corgan, Questlove and more – see more tributes here.

Over the years, Lynch’s musical interest stretched to on-record work with his film music collaborators such as Angelo Badalamenti and Cruise and three solo albums of electro-blues and rock between 2001 and 2013, featuring the likes of Karen O and Li. Characteristically, he played guitar on his 2001 debut BlueBob upside down and backwards, lap guitar style. His most recent musical release was with long-time collaborator Chrystabell on last year’s ‘Cellophane Memories’.

Following his death, fans have been remembering the legendary director through his favourite bands and songs.

Lynch’s favourite artists included Otis Redding, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Duran Duran, Lissie, Pixies and David Bowie.