Rock chameleon and one of the most influential recording artists of all time, David Bowie, passed away on January 10, 2016, after a battle with throat cancer.
The 69-year-old released his 25th studio album, “Blackstar,” to strong reviews on Friday. Born David Jones, Bowie was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famein 1996.
The pop icon’s death was announced on his Facebook page early Monday morning, and confirmed by his son Duncan Jones on Twitter soon after.
Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016
“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer,” a statement posted on the star’s official Facebook page said. “While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”
Bowie’s strongest quality as a recording artist was his ability to adapt and change with the times. Though he first found massive fame in the US with 1972’s glam-rock masterpieceThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, he also performed in numerous other genres, including disco, electronica, and punk. Bowie hit the top spot on the US charts twice, with 1975’s “Fame” and 1983’s “Let’s Dance”; he hit number six on the UK charts as recently as 2013. But Bowie’s influence stemmed from far more than success on the charts. Social media immediately erupted with messages of mourning, including from several of his contemporaries and peers in the music industry.
Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always Legendary singer David Bowie dies at 69 https://t.co/ezRx7NVhSC # via HuffPostEnt — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 11, 2016
“But the key to the city is in the sun that pins the branches to the sky…” #DavidBowie
— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) January 11, 2016
David Bowie, you will be sorely missed. Bowie’s “Changes” and the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me. pic.twitter.com/N1nkD9h82W — Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) January 11, 2016
David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 11, 2016
He never seemed of this earth. Now he’s left it. He bent rules, gender, genres, and our minds. RIP David Bowie. One. Of. A. Kind. — josh groban (@joshgroban) January 11, 2016
Rest in peace, David. pic.twitter.com/9Kv9yM9igh
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) January 11, 2016
