Cultural and music icon David Bowie passed away at the age of 69 after a long battle with cancer. The news was announced on his social media stating, “January 10 2016 – David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.” His death occurred just two days after his 69th birthday when he had released his new album, Blackstar.
David Bowie was born David Jones and rose to prominence in the 1970s with the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. His androgynous alter-ego, Ziggy Stardust, pushed the envelope in cultural and musical circles. His live shows were marked by flamboyant spectacle amidst the background of science fiction, which Bowie immersed himself into when in character during on-stage performances, once stating: “Offstage I’m a robot. Onstage I achieve emotion. It’s probably why I prefer dressing up as Ziggy to being David.”
Devastated to hear about David Bowie. A true legend who will live forever in his cultural impact. Wow.
— HALSEY (@halsey) January 11, 2016
Rest in peace, David. pic.twitter.com/9Kv9yM9igh
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) January 11, 2016
Hunky Dory made me want to be a musician. There will never be another icon like David Bowie. The world will never be the same. Heartbroken.
— Elle King (@ElleKingMusic) January 11, 2016
Bowie was always pushing toward new sounds and ideas as evidenced during the 1980s starting with the release of Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). The album’s lead single, “Ashes to Ashes” propelled the New Romantic movement and the accompanying video was and still is considered one of the most innovative. Commercially, Bowie experienced even more mainstream success with his duet with Queen on “Under Pressure”, as well as individual success from the album, Let’s Dance.
Farewell Major Tom 🚀… There are no words. RIP David, another hero remembered #legend… https://t.co/nClU7wJtQk
— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) 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
oh man. goodbye King Bowie.
— el-p (@therealelp) January 11, 2016
Goodbye friend. So many tears, and so lucky to have passed in the same solar system. https://t.co/9PVSoi4q9b
— DJ Windows 98 (@DJWindows98) January 11, 2016
I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016
rest in peace David Bowie .
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 11, 2016
can’t believe it. we will forever be inspired by/love u, bowie 💙 pic.twitter.com/oXMq6HuhWY
— HAIM (@HAIMtheband) January 11, 2016
As I get older my respect 4 Bowie grows.He transcended every genre & generation during his career-We lost a good one pic.twitter.com/WcuyypsOGc
— The Squadfather (@diplo) January 11, 2016
R.I.P. David Bowie. You were an icon, you changed the idea of what a man should be, your musical genius will live on pic.twitter.com/29ijZOh6Kp
— Frances Bean Cobain (@alka_seltzer666) January 11, 2016
David Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and awarded the awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. Bowie was not as active in the early 21st century due to a heart attack in 2004 but still managed to put out The Next Day in 2013 and the aforementioned Blackstar in 2016. His influence spans all genres of music, fashion and inspiration as numerous artists including Lady Gaga, U2, Arcade Fire, Madonna, Arctic Monkeys, Charli XCX, Lorde, The Killers, Radiohead and countless others have cited David Bowie as an influence and it’s clear his legacy will continue to inspire countless generations of future artists.
You must be logged in to post a comment.