David Bowie, the musical icon known for his soaring songs and daring artistry, died on Sunday. He was 69.
The legendary British singer-songwriter’s official Facebook page confirmed the news late Sunday night.
“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 the post.
Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones also confirmed his father’s death, tweeting, “Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all,” along with a childhood photo of them both.
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
News of Bowie’s death quickly spread to the Golden Globes after parties, which were taking place in Beverly Hills.
The DJ at Fox’s official party made a tribute over the mic by playing “Fame,” while Globes winners Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio and “The Revenant” director Alejandro González Iñárritu were in attendance.
Globes host and fellow Englishman Ricky Gervais tweeted his remorse just hours after the show.
“I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie,” he wrote.
I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016
Bowie continued to be professionally active right up until his death, with his latest album “Blackstar” released Friday, January 8 — on his 69th birthday. It is set to be honored at a concert at Carnegie Hall on March 31 featuring the Roots, Cyndi Lauper and the Mountain Goats.
The multi-talented artist also has a stage musical, “Lazarus,” running Off Broadway, which features his musical catalogue and stars “Dexter” actor Michael C. Hall. The show, which made many critics’ top 10 lists, runs through Jan. 20 and is based on the book that inspired his 1976 movie “The Man Who Fell to Earth.”
Bowie’s last live performance was at a New York charity concert in 2006, according to Reuters.
Born David Robert Jones in London, England, Bowie (pictured above in 2004) had dominated the world music scene for over four decades. He first found success with “Space Oddity” in July 1969 and went on to become one of the biggest stars of the glam rock era partially thanks to his flamboyant, androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust.
Bowie continued to achieve massive success throughout the ’70s with “Starman,” “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” “Fame” and “Young Americans.”
In the 1980s, he crossed over to electronic pop, collaborating with Queen for “Under Pressure” and then achieving a new commercial peak with “Let’s Dance” in 1983.
Other notable hits include “China Girl,” “Modern Love,” “Rebel, Rebel,” “All the Young Dudes,” “Panic in Detroit,” “Fashion,” “Life on Mars” “Suffragette City” “Ashes to Ashes” and “Thursday’s Child.”
Bowie proved to be as equally as talented onscreen as he was in the recording studio. He starred in multiple films including “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” “Labyrinth,” “Absolute Beginners,” “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “Basquiat” (as Andy Warhol) and “Zoolander,” in a cameo as himself for which he won an MTV Movie Award.
Bowie is survived by his two children, director Duncan Jones and Alexandria “Lexi” Zahra Jones, and wife, model Iman, whom he married in 1992.
Watch the video for “Lazarus” from his latest album “Blackstar” below.