David Bowie, the transcendental spaceman who pioneered multiple personas in music and pop culture, and who helped shape a foundation for sonic drama, died on Sunday. Just two days after his 69th birthday, it's been confirmed that his death comes from an 18-month battle with cancer.
Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, confirmed his death via a statement issued on all social media accounts by the musician. A post on his Facebook page reads, "David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family."
His latest album Blackstar released two singles prior to its debut and just recently premiered a conceptual music video for the song "Lazarus," which is also an Off-Broadway musical that was a sequel to his definitive 1976 film role The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Bowie was also to be honored with a concert at Carnegie Hall, too, on March 31, which would feature the Roots, Cyndi Lauper, the Mountain Goats and more.
He was able to morph into different personalities with ease--coining some of the most influential and unique hits of the last hundred years. Divas like Madonna and Lady Gaga lend their uniqueness to his groundbreaking arrival on the music scene.
His themes included feeling like an outsider, channeling the lonely spaceman Ziggy Stardust and singing about being a misfit and a wanderer.
His list of admirers stretches across the music spectrum, everywhere from pop icons to hip-hop acts to neo-classical composers like Philip Glass--who based two symphonies on the Bowie albums Low and Heroes.
Born David Robert Jones on Jan. 8, 1947 in South London, Mr. Bowie was constantly reinventing himself and the times he lived. His ability to push the limits of fashion and fame are motifs still omnipresent in pop culture and the underground alike.
Friends of the artist posted their thoughts to Twitter, one including Ricky Gervais who wrote, "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."
The world is a lonely place and Mr. Bowie made us feel a little less blue about it.
We remember David Bowie fondly and our condolences to his family and loved ones.
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