David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer.
He died Sunday, two days after his birthday, when his album “Blackstar” was released.
Bowie rose to fame in the early 1970s and was revered as an innovative songwriter and performer, including his particularly eye-catching alter ego Ziggy Stardust.
His many hits included “Let’s Dance,” “Space Oddity,” “Heroes,” “Life on Mars,” “Rebel Rebel” and “Changes.” He was also an actor, appearing in cult films such as “Labyrinth” and “The Last Temptation of Christ.”
His new album includes the song “Lazarus,” which begins with the words: “Look up here, I’m in heaven.”
Bowie was among the primary innovators and showmen of rock ‘n’ roll for four decades. He didn’t just push the edge of the envelope. He often manufactured the envelope itself, with such creations as glam rock and Ziggy Stardust, the otherworldly representative of extraterrestrials; the post-apocalyptic Thin White Duke of the mid-1970s; and cutting-edge explorations into dance music (“Let’s Dance,” 1983), European electronic music and even guitar-driven speed metal (the poorly received band Tin Machine, which he fronted in the late 1980s).
Shocked fans are debating if the tragic news will cause his ex wife Angie to quit Celebrity Big Brother to mourn David, who she was married to for ten years.
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
Arsene Wenger, Lewis Hamilton and David Beckham were among those to pay their respects to one of rock’s true icons. Arsenal manager Wenger said: “I am a fan of his music. The message he gave to my generation was important – be strong enough to be yourself.”
As news of his death was released, social media tributes from around the world paid homage to the artist.
“I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie,” British Prime MinisterDavid Cameron wrote on Twitter. “He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.”
I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 11, 2016
“Very sad to hear about the death of David Bowie but through his music he will live forever,” English comedian and actor Eddie Izzard tweeted. On Twitter, Kanye West called him “one of my most important inspirations.”
“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
We had so many good times together. He was my friend, I will never forget him. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/9xfPj88x8b
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) 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
Rest in peace, David. pic.twitter.com/9Kv9yM9igh
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) January 11, 2016
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
As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original. 2/2 #DavidBowie
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) January 11, 2016
Paul on @DavidBowieReal https://t.co/KVxmjBdYT1 pic.twitter.com/aNJi3BjAuv
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 11, 2016