Wow. A true rock legend has passed. And at the very young age of 69.
Bowie died last night after an 18 month long battle with cancer.
Complexly androgynous, Bowie was a leader in his generation of rock stars who created and presented music as theater. Showmanship, gender-bending and “glam-rock” were all a part of his mystique.
From the Hollywood Reporter:
“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” read a statement posted on the artist’s official social media accounts.
The influential singer-songwriter and producer excelled at glam rock, art rock, soul, hard rock, dance pop, punk and electronica during his eclectic 40-plus-year career. He just released his 25th album, Blackstar, Jan. 8, which was his birthday.
Bowie achieved his first major American crossover success with the No. 1 single “Fame” off the top 10 album Young Americans, then followed with the 1976 avant-garde art rock LP Station to Station, which made it to No. 3 on the charts and featured top 10 hit “Golden Years.”
Other memorable songs included 1983’s “Let’s Dance” — his only other No. 1 U.S. hit — “Space Oddity,” “Heroes,” “Changes,” “Under Pressure,” “China Girl,” “Modern Love,” “Rebel, Rebel,” “All the Young Dudes,” “Panic in Detroit,” “Fashion,” “Life on Mars,” “Suffragette City” and a 1977 Christmas medley with Bing Crosby.
My two favorite Bowie songs below – his huge hit “Fame” from YOUNG AMERICANS in 1975, and his collaboration with Queen, “Under Pressure.”
And from his 1971 hit, “Changes:”
Journey on, Ziggy Stardust – RIP.
