Groundbreaking artist, musician and performer David Bowie died on Sunday at the age of 69. The shocking news was first shared on his official Facebook page yesterday evening. “David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer,” reads the message. “While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”
Met with disbelieve by many music fans, the news was soon confirmed by his rep to Hollywood Reporter, and by his son, the filmmaker Duncan Jones.
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
Bowie’s influence on pop culture in the second half of the 20th century is incalculable. His singular fashion and inimitable theatricality revitalized rock performance. He was Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke. His music helped sew the seeds of glam in the early 1970s, before careening off into unexplored spacey sonic realms with the help of production greats like Ken Scott and Brian Eno. Like Picasso and his blue or cubist periods, Bowie constantly sought musical reinvention through his Berlin, New Age, and electronic eras.
His acting roles have endeared himself to multiple generations of fans, from the children’s fantasy staple Labyrinth to the surreal-yet-sweet holiday special with Bing Crosby in 1977. Thomas Jerome Newton in The Man Who Fell To Earth is perhaps his most fully-realized character, but his appearances in big budget Hollywood films like 2006’s The Prestige (as Nikola Tesla) and 1988’s The Last Temptation Of Christ (as Pontius Pilate) cemented his status as more than just a singer who dabbles in movies. But playing himself in the Ricky Gervais comedy Extras might just be his finest onscreen hour.
David Bowie was many things to many people. A rock star who didn’t give a damn, a gender bending fashion icon, a flamboyant performer extraordinaire, a leading man on the silver screen. But perhaps most importantly, he served as a template for an uncompromising artist who followed his muse and his heart. Bowie was unapologetically himself, and gave us all permission to accept and embrace our own inner weirdness. That’s perhaps his greatest legacy.
Celerities have flooded twitter with tributes to the fallen legend.
Words cannot express: RIP David Bowie https://t.co/g40zLWl3qq pic.twitter.com/R94E6LMw9C
— Brian Eno (@dark_shark) January 11, 2016
DEVASTATED… A LEGEND IS GONE✨✨
— Cher (@cher) January 11, 2016
Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit! R.IP. ❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/hGfxI967Bw
— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
Talented . Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever! ❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/k3k3lfL3Bv
— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
So lucky to have met you!!!! Hot Tramp I love you So! ❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/INKPRCeofK
— Madonna (@Madonna) 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 pray for his friends and family.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 11, 2016
David Bowie was a true innovator, a true creative. May he rest in peace #RIPDavidBowie
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) January 11, 2016
MESSAGE FROM IGGY: "David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is. - Iggy Pop"
— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) January 11, 2016
Please could every radio station around the globe just play David Bowie music today – I think the world owes him that.
— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) January 11, 2016
Farewell Major Tom … There are no words. RIP David, another hero remembered #legend… https://t.co/nClU7wJtQk
— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) 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
I wish he could have stayed on earth longer. RIP #DavidBowie pic.twitter.com/jnYLaaootw
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 11, 2016
The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie… 1/2
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) 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
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
David Bowie was 1 of the 1st ppl to make weird acceptable for the masses & give kids who didn't connect w/ 60's do-op, someone to connect to
— Frances Bean Cobain (@alka_seltzer666) January 11, 2016
Meet his little hussy with his ghost town approach Her face is sans feature, but she wears a Dali brooch #KeepitWeird #bowie
— Frances Bean Cobain (@alka_seltzer666) January 11, 2016
What a great loss… I was fortunate to work with a genius on "Cat People." #DavidBowie pic.twitter.com/uWCTrJSs69
— Giorgio Moroder (@giorgiomoroder) January 11, 2016
rest in peace David Bowie .
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 11, 2016
RIP David Bowie. A true InspIration pic.twitter.com/My0BrfSqgS
— PIXIES (@PIXIES) 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
#RIP @DavidBowieReal Your life changed my life. Love forever. https://t.co/yQ3NsCesTH pic.twitter.com/sLH2ZyFSE5
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) January 11, 2016
Nearly brought to tears by sudden news of @DavidBowieReal David Bowie's passing RIP
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) January 11, 2016
David Bowie was a huge influence on me throughout my life. The original star-man returned to the stars…
— florence welch (@flo_tweet) January 11, 2016
David Bowie: The cleverest and most interestingly brilliant man of our time. What a vacuum he leaves, and how he will be missed. Roger
— Queen Official (@QueenWillRock) January 11, 2016
All hail, David Bowie, Star Man, Hero. RIP. More words on my Soapbox. But this will take a while to compute. Very sad. Bri
— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) January 11, 2016
What terribly sad news to wake up to. One of the immortals. #AshestoAshes
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 11, 2016