Legendary Singer David Bowie Dies At 69

Stephanie Marcus
Updated

British singer David Bowiedied Sunday at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer. The news was posted on the artist's official social media accounts; Bowie's rep also confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. He died two days after his birthday.

Bowie, who was bornDavid Robert Jones in Brixton, south London, scored his first hit in 1969 with the song "Space Oddity" and secured an enduring fanbase with his early albums "The Man Who Sold the World" and"Hunky Dory."

But the singer's breakthrough didn't happen until 1972, when he unveiled his androgynous alter ego,Ziggy Stardust,which catapulted him from "cult figure to rock icon." He leveraged that glam-rock persona and popularity to produce albums for Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, beforeretiring the Stardust character in 1973. Bowie made his last appearance as his alter ego at a London show on July 3 of that year. At one point during the 18-song set, he told the audience, "Of all the shows on the tour, this particular show will remain with us the longest, because not only is it the last show of the tour, it’s the last show we’ll ever do.”

David Bowie performing as Ziggy Stardust in 1973.
David Bowie performing as Ziggy Stardust in 1973.

In 1975, he achieved his firstNo. 1 hit in the U.S. with the song "Fame,"co-written by John Lennon.

Though best known for his music, Bowie also had anotable career on the silver screen, appearing in films such as "The Man Who Fell To Earth," "Basquiat," "The Prestige" and the cult-classic "Labyrinth," in which he starred as Jareth the Goblin King.

Bowie wasinducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and given theGrammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 1997, hecelebrated his 50th birthday, playing a sold-out show at Madison Square Gardensalongside the Foo Fighters, Billy Corgan, Lou Reed, Robert Smith and Frank Black.

In 2004, the musician sufferedchest pains while performing at a festival in Germanyand collapsed backstage. While Bowie initially thought he pinched a nerve in his shoulder, thepain was later diagnosed as a clogged coronary arteryandrequired emergency heart surgery. Rumors of his failing health persisted after the incident and his appearance was apparently cause for concern in 2012, when he was spotted inNew York City looking like a "pale shadow of his former self,"according to The Telegraph.

Rumors he was not well continued as Bowie went on to release his first single in 10 years, "Where Are We Now" in January 2013, prompting his close friend, producer Tony Visconti, to deny that the singer had Alzheimer's disease.

Bowie released his 25th album, "Blackstar," on Jan. 8. Additionally, the musical"Lazarus,"which he co-wrote with playwright Enda Walsh and features old and new Bowie songs,opened in December to positive reviews. It earned bragging rights as thefastest-selling Off Broadway show ever, according to The New York Times.

Bowie is survived by his model wife,Iman,their daughter Alexandria Zahra Jones, and his filmmaker son Duncan Jones, from his first marriage to Mary Angela Bowie (née Barnett).

More coverage of David Bowie:

David Bowie's Final Album, 'Blackstar,' Is A Goodbye Letter To Fans

15 Duets That Prove David Bowie Was A Genre-Bending Mad Genius

Remembering David Bowie's Incredible Decades-Long Career In Music

In Movies, David Bowie Was Always So Perfectly Himself

See David Bowie Defend Long-Haired Men In TV Interview At Age 17

David Bowie's Majestic Style Evolution, In Photos

Celebrity Fans And Friends Pay Tribute To David Bowie

These Quotes Show The Wit And Wisdom Of David Bowie

David Bowie's Most Groundbreaking Moments

5 Things You Didn't Know About David Bowie, Even If You Were Obsessed

Bowie's Proust Questionnaire Is Just As Wonderfully Weird As We Hoped

What David Bowie's Turn As A Sci-Fi Star Can Teach Us About Grief

Also on HuffPost:

Natalie Cole

Natalie Cole, the Grammy-winning singer and daughter of Nat “King” Cole, died on Dec. 31, 2015. She was 65.
Natalie Cole, the Grammy-winning singer and daughter of Nat “King” Cole, died on Dec. 31, 2015. She was 65.
Actor Wayne Rogers, whose Trapper John McIntyre character brought mischief, martinis and meatball surgery to the masses in the 1970s every week on "M.A.S.H.," died on Dec. 31, 2015 at 82.
Actor Wayne Rogers, whose Trapper John McIntyre character brought mischief, martinis and meatball surgery to the masses in the 1970s every week on "M.A.S.H.," died on Dec. 31, 2015 at 82.

Jason Wingreen

Jason Wingreen, 95, prolific character actor who played the bartender on "All in the Family" and provided the voice of Boba Fett in "Star Wars," died on Dec. 25, 2015.
Jason Wingreen, 95, prolific character actor who played the bartender on "All in the Family" and provided the voice of Boba Fett in "Star Wars," died on Dec. 25, 2015.

Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister

Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, frontman for heavy metal band Motorhead, died on Dec. 28, 2015 at age 70.
Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, frontman for heavy metal band Motorhead, died on Dec. 28, 2015 at age 70.

Haskell Wexler

Haskell Wexler, one of Hollywood's most famous and honored cinematographers and one whose innovative approach helped him win Oscars for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and the Woody Guthrie biopic "Bound for Glory," died on Dec. 27, 2015. He was 93.
Haskell Wexler, one of Hollywood's most famous and honored cinematographers and one whose innovative approach helped him win Oscars for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and the Woody Guthrie biopic "Bound for Glory," died on Dec. 27, 2015. He was 93.

William Guest

Gladys Knight, center, and "Pips" William Guest, left, and Merald "Bubba" Knight, take the stage as they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Guest died on Dec. 24, 2015. He was 74.
Gladys Knight, center, and "Pips" William Guest, left, and Merald "Bubba" Knight, take the stage as they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Guest died on Dec. 24, 2015. He was 74.

Patricia Elliott

Glenn Close, left, and Patricia Elliott during the 60th Annual Tony Awards - Cocktail Celebration in New York City. Elliott, who won a Tony Award on her Broadway debut, went on to star opposite David Bowie in "The Elephant Man" and spent 23 years aboard the TV soap opera "One Life to Live," died on Dec. 20, 2015. She was 77.
Glenn Close, left, and Patricia Elliott during the 60th Annual Tony Awards - Cocktail Celebration in New York City. Elliott, who won a Tony Award on her Broadway debut, went on to star opposite David Bowie in "The Elephant Man" and spent 23 years aboard the TV soap opera "One Life to Live," died on Dec. 20, 2015. She was 77.

Martin E. Brooks

Martin E. Brooks, "The Six Million Dollar Man" star, died on Dec. 7, 2015. He was 90.
Martin E. Brooks, "The Six Million Dollar Man" star, died on Dec. 7, 2015. He was 90.

Robert Loggia

Oscar-nominated actor Robert Loggia, who had a durable career in television and movies, notably in “Scarface” and “Big,” died on Dec. 4, 2015. He was 85.
Oscar-nominated actor Robert Loggia, who had a durable career in television and movies, notably in “Scarface” and “Big,” died on Dec. 4, 2015. He was 85.

Scott Weiland

Former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland died on Dec. 3, 2015 on his tour bus. He was 48.
Former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland died on Dec. 3, 2015 on his tour bus. He was 48.

"Little" Melvin WIllaims

The infamous Baltimore drug kingpin whose rise to power was one of the inspirations for HBO's "The Wire" and who also appeared as an actor on the show, died on Dec. 3. He was 73.
The infamous Baltimore drug kingpin whose rise to power was one of the inspirations for HBO's "The Wire" and who also appeared as an actor on the show, died on Dec. 3. He was 73.

Joshua Shintani

The "Shallow Hal" star died on Nov. 25. He was 32. 
The "Shallow Hal" star died on Nov. 25. He was 32. 

David Canary

'All My Children' star David Canary died on Nov. 16, 2015. He was 77.
'All My Children' star David Canary died on Nov. 16, 2015. He was 77.

Don Vito

The "Jackass" star died on Nov. 15. He was 59
The "Jackass" star died on Nov. 15. He was 59

Allen Toussaint

Legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, who racked up hits like "Working in the Coal Mine" and "Lady Marmalade" as a behind-the-scenes songwriter and producer before he gained new fame as a performer, died on Nov. 10, 2015. He was 77.
Legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, who racked up hits like "Working in the Coal Mine" and "Lady Marmalade" as a behind-the-scenes songwriter and producer before he gained new fame as a performer, died on Nov. 10, 2015. He was 77.

Gunnar Hansen

Actor and writer Gunnar Hansen, 68, who was best known for playing the masked killer Leatherface in "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," died on Nov. 7, 2015.
Actor and writer Gunnar Hansen, 68, who was best known for playing the masked killer Leatherface in "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," died on Nov. 7, 2015.

Fred D. Thompson

Fred D. Thompson, a former United States senator, actor and Republican presidential candidate, died on Nov. 1, 2015. He was 73.
Fred D. Thompson, a former United States senator, actor and Republican presidential candidate, died on Nov. 1, 2015. He was 73.

Al Molinaro

Al Molinaro, the basset-hound-faced character actor who was known for playing Al Delvecchio on “Happy Days," died on Oct. 30, 2015. He was 96.
Al Molinaro, the basset-hound-faced character actor who was known for playing Al Delvecchio on “Happy Days," died on Oct. 30, 2015. He was 96.

Maureen O'Hara

Legendary actress Maureen O'Hara, who was best known for her roles in "Miracle on 34th Street" and films by John Ford, died on Oct. 24, 2015. She was 95.
Legendary actress Maureen O'Hara, who was best known for her roles in "Miracle on 34th Street" and films by John Ford, died on Oct. 24, 2015. She was 95.

Judy Carne

"Laugh-In" star Judy Carne died on Sept. 3. She was 76. 
"Laugh-In" star Judy Carne died on Sept. 3. She was 76. 

Wes Craven

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Horror maestro Wes Craven, 76, who directed "Scream" and the 'Nightmare on Elm Street" films, died on Aug. 30, 2015.</p>

 

Horror maestro Wes Craven, 76, who directed "Scream" and the 'Nightmare on Elm Street" films, died on Aug. 30, 2015.

Kyle Jean-Baptiste

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the youngest actor and the first black actor to play the lead role in a Broadway production of "Les Miserables,&rdquo; died on Aug. 27, 2015. He was 21.</p>

 

Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the youngest actor and the first black actor to play the lead role in a Broadway production of "Les Miserables,” died on Aug. 27, 2015. He was 21.

Yvonne Craig

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Actress Yvonne Craig, who was best known for originating the role of Batgirl in the 1960s &ldquo;Batman&rdquo; TV series, died on Aug. 17, 2015. She was 78.</p>

 

Actress Yvonne Craig, who was best known for originating the role of Batgirl in the 1960s “Batman” TV series, died on Aug. 17, 2015. She was 78.

Frank Gifford

<p>Frank Gifford, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who led the New York Giants to the 1956 NFL title and later teamed with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith in the "Monday Night Football" booth, died on Aug. 9, 2015. He was 84. Gifford was also married to talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford, seen here.</p>

Frank Gifford, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who led the New York Giants to the 1956 NFL title and later teamed with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith in the "Monday Night Football" booth, died on Aug. 9, 2015. He was 84. Gifford was also married to talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford, seen here.

Cilla Black

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Big-voiced British singer Cilla Black, a product of Beatles-era Liverpool who became a national treasure over a 50-year music and television career, died on Aug. 2, 2015. She was 72.</p>

 

Big-voiced British singer Cilla Black, a product of Beatles-era Liverpool who became a national treasure over a 50-year music and television career, died on Aug. 2, 2015. She was 72.

Alex Rocco

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Character actor Alex Rocco, who was best known for playing Moe Green in "The Godfather," died on July 18, 2015. He was 79.</p>

 

Character actor Alex Rocco, who was best known for playing Moe Green in "The Godfather," died on July 18, 2015. He was 79.

Joan Sebastian

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Joan Sebastian, 64, a Mexican singer and songwriter whose sultry ballads won a total of 11 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, died on July 13, 2015.</p>

 

Joan Sebastian, 64, a Mexican singer and songwriter whose sultry ballads won a total of 11 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, died on July 13, 2015.

Roger Rees

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Tony Award-winning actor Roger Rees, who starred in "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," and made memorable appearances on "Cheers" and "The West Wing," died on July 10, 2015. He was 71.</p>

 

 

Tony Award-winning actor Roger Rees, who starred in "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," and made memorable appearances on "Cheers" and "The West Wing," died on July 10, 2015. He was 71.

Omar Sharif

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Actor Omar Sharif, who was best known for roles in "Lawrence of Arabia," "Funny Girl" and "Doctor Zhivago," died on July 10, 2015. He was 83.</p>

 

Actor Omar Sharif, who was best known for roles in "Lawrence of Arabia," "Funny Girl" and "Doctor Zhivago," died on July 10, 2015. He was 83.

Irwin Keyes

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Actor Irwin Keyes, known for his roles as George Jefferson&rsquo;s occasional bodyguard on "The Jeffersons," Wheezy Joe in "Intolerable Cruelty," and a host of characters&nbsp;in horror films including "House of 1000 Corpses," died on July 8, 2015. He was 63.</p>

 

Actor Irwin Keyes, known for his roles as George Jefferson’s occasional bodyguard on "The Jeffersons," Wheezy Joe in "Intolerable Cruelty," and a host of characters in horror films including "House of 1000 Corpses," died on July 8, 2015. He was 63.

Jerry Weintraub

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">&nbsp;</p> <p class="p1">Jerry Weintraub, the Hollywood producer behind hit movies like "Ocean's Eleven," "The Karate Kid" and "Behind The Candelabra," died on July 6. He was 77.</p>

 

 

Jerry Weintraub, the Hollywood producer behind hit movies like "Ocean's Eleven," "The Karate Kid" and "Behind The Candelabra," died on July 6. He was 77.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.