Photo by Jimmy King
There aren’t many entertainers who have been more influential, ground-breaking and relevant than David Bowie. The musician, actor, fine artist and fashion icon passed away on January 10th, 2016 at the age of 69, due to cancer.
Upon the news of his death, thousands of fans and friends of David Bowie have taken to social media to express their condolences.
Bowie WAS The Man Who Fell to Earth.Curious, brilliant, enigmatic and sweet.We needed him and he appeared, changing our perceptions forever.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) January 11, 2016
#RIP @DavidBowieReal Your life changed my life. Love forever.
https://t.co/yQ3NsCesTH pic.twitter.com/sLH2ZyFSE5
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) 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
I'm devastated. David Bowie changed the course of my life forever. I never felt like I fit in growing up in… https://t.co/D1GnQzIRqw
— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
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
Born David Robert Jones in the South London section of Brixton, David Bowie’s family relocated to Bromley where he attended Burnt Ash Junior School, followed by Bromley Technical High School, now known as Ravens Wood School.
David Bowie played in bands from the time as a teenager, but it would be with The King Bees that he would eventually record his debut single ‘Liza Jane’ in 1964. Credited as Davie Jones, he later changed his name to David Bowie, taking the surname of the American Colonel James Bowie.
David Bowie’s self-titled debut album was released in 1967, with his second album under the same title released two years later. Although Bowie had experimented with the sounds of psychedlic rock, his third album The Man Who Sold The World, found him delving into styles ranging from blues rock to heavy metal. Although praised by the press, with his fourth album Hunky Dory, David Bowie again his reinvented his sound incorporating glam rock and light pop.
Bowie’s fifth LP The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, released in 1972, would go on to be one his most iconic works. The theme is based on the fictional character Ziggy Stardust, an alien rockstar brought to deliver messages of hope. Bowie also explored the subject of sexuality, cleverly adding fuel to the press and public’s speculation of his own personal preferences. The record has been added to multiple ‘Greatest Albums’ lists spanning from Rolling Stone Magazine to Q Magazine.
David Bowie would go on to release twenty-two more albums including Aladdin Sane in 1973, “Heroes” in 1977 and The Next Day in 2013.
Bowie’s final album Blackstar was unveiled on January 8th, the date of his birthday.
As an actor, David Bowie studied theatre, working with Lindsay Kemp in the 1960s. His breakthrough role came in 1976, playing the character Thomas Jerome Newton in the Nicolas Roeg-directed film The Man Who Fell to Earth. His acting claims to fame as include roles in Jim Henson’s 1986 Labyrinth, Martin Scorsese’s 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ, David Lynch’s 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me and more.
David Bowie exemplified the true meaning of an artist whose range was never limited to one specific medium. A renaissance man in every sense of the word, his influence can be traced throughout the past four decades in music and fashion. Blending genres including pop, art rock, jazz, baroque and more, it is hard to imagine someone who will
fill the shoes of Bowie’s ever lasting contributions to the industry.
David Bowie is survived by his second wife Iman and children Duncan Jones (born with his first wife Angie Bowie) and Alexandria Jones.