David Bowie died on Sunday, just two days after his 69th birthday and the release of his latest album, “Blackstar.”
“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer,” read the official statement delivered via the singer’s social media sites. “While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”
Bowie’s son, Duncan, confirmed the news via Twitter, writing: “Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I’ll be offline for a while."
In recent years, the singer had been busy since a 2013 return to music delivered his first album in a decade, “The Next Day.”
Bowie recorded “Blackstar” in 2015 with producer Tony Visconti at the Magic Shop in New York, while the title track was commissioned for use in last fall’s Sky Atlantic Europe crime series The Last Panthers.
The TV connection with director Johan Renck saw the pair work on videos for “Blackstar” and “Lazarus,” while the latter song was used in the current New York stage production of the same name, written by Bowie and Enda Walsh and directed by Ivo Van Hove.
Born David Jones in London in 1947, he displayed talents as a young child in the areas of music, art and dance and he pursued these disciplines through his school years, eventually forming his first band at the age of 15.
Jones issued his first single, “Liza Jane”, at the age of 17 and changed his last name to Bowie in 1966 – to avoid confusion with Davey Jones of The Monkees – ahead of the release of his self-titled debut album a year later.
The 1969 single, “Space Oddity”, put Bowie on the map and led to the beginnings of a groundbreaking catalogue that saw the singer push the creative envelope while exploring various genres as a musical chameleon.
A film career as an actor delivered roles in “The Man Who Fell To Earth,” “Labyrinth.” “The Hunger,” “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” and others.
Bowie underwent emergency heart surgery in 2004 and maintained a low profile prior to his 2012 return.
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, 2016See also:
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