DAVID BOWIE - BOWIE SURPRISES FANS WITH SURPRISE APPEARANCE

Rock veteran DAVID BOWIE thrilled New York City last night (15SEP05) with a surprise appearance alongside Canadian rockers ARCADE FIRE.

The HEROES hitmaker inspired a rapturous response as he took to the stage in Central Park wearing a sharp white suit, and joined the band in a rendition of their hit WAKE UP.

Bowie performed with the Montreal-based rockers at New York City's Fashion Rocks concert last week (ends11SEP05), to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

He says, "I told them I'd only do it if they got Arcade Fire to perform. They're fantastic."

The performance marks 58-year-old Bowie's second return to the stage since he suffered a heart attack last year (04).