David Bowie, the visionary musician and cultural icon, passed away on January 10, 2016, following an 18-month battle with cancer. He was 69. News of his passing was first confirmed on his official Facebook page and later by his son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, via Twitter. The announcement noted that Bowie died peacefully, surrounded by his family, and requested privacy during their time of grief.
Bowie began his musical journey as a saxophonist and performer in various bands. He also established a mime troupe before signing with Mercury Records. In 1969, he released the album Man of Words, Man of Music, featuring the hit single “Space Oddity.” The song introduced audiences to the fictional astronaut Major Tom and marked his first significant UK success.
His breakthrough in the United States came in 1975 with the single “Fame,” co-written with John Lennon and guitarist Carlos Alomar. The track reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was featured on the critically acclaimed soul-influenced album Young Americans, which reached the top 10 on U.S. charts.
With his striking appearance—highlighted by heterochromia, the result of a childhood injury—and slender frame, Bowie was well-positioned to cross into film. He starred in Nicolas Roeg’s cult classic The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) as an alien trying to save his home planet. His performance was praised for its ethereal intensity.
In 1980, Bowie made a significant theatrical impact with his critically acclaimed three-month Broadway run in The Elephant Man, where he played the title role. Later in his career, he revisited his alien character in the Off-Broadway musical Lazarus, inspired by Walter Tevis’ 1963 novel. Directed by Ivo van Hove and featuring actor Michael C. Hall, the production reflected Bowie's ongoing interest in theatrical storytelling.
Bowie’s ability to reinvent his sound was a hallmark of his career. After embracing soul and funk influences on Young Americans, he transitioned to avant-garde art rock with 1976’s Station to Station, which reached No. 3 on the charts and included the hit “Golden Years.”
In 1980, he released Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), a critically acclaimed work that revisited the Major Tom narrative. He followed up with commercially successful albums like Let's Dance (1983) and Tonight (1984), and collaborated with artists including Queen, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, and The Pat Metheny Group.
| Birth Date: | 8 Jan, 1947 |
| Age: | 73 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom |
| Birth Place: | Brixton |
| Education: | Ravensbourne |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | British singer, musician, and actor |
| Twitter Id: | DavidBowieReal |
| Spouse: | Iman[1992-2016] Angela Bowie[1970-1980] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 230 million |
