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David Bowiewill forever remain one of music's greatest.
The English singer-songwriter is one of the best-selling artists of all time, and in his five-decade career, he put out 26 studio albums, won fourGrammy Awardsand was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Often described as the "chameleon of rock," Bowie easily slipped into and out of different musical genres and personas.
On Jan. 10, 2016, two days after he released his albumBlackstar, Bowie died in New York at age 69 following an 18-month battle with liver cancer. His longtime producer Tony Visconti wrote in a loving tribute that Bowie "did what he always wanted to do."
"He wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life – a work of art," Visconti continued. "He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us."
See the rock star's life in photos, from his colorful alter egos to his loving marriage to supermodelIman.
David Bowie's Early Years
David Bowie was frequently referred to as a chameleon. Before arriving at his glammed-out sci-fi look, he flirted with beatnik and hippie imagery.
David Bowie as Davie Jones
Bowie originally struck out for fame under the name "Davie Jones." His son, Duncan, a movie director, still uses the original family surname.
David Bowie's Early Style
Bowie's style was considerably more conservative when he was first starting out as a musician.
David Bowie's Early Band
Bowie briefly led a group called Feathers with his then-girlfriend, Hermione Farthingale and John Hutchinson in London the late '60s.
David Bowie's Musical Talents
The musician, pictured here in 1962, played saxophone in addition to keyboards and guitar. His childhood saxophone teacher, Ronnie Ross, plays the outgoing solo in Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side."
David Bowie's Eyes
Bowie's left pupil was left permanently dilated aftera 1962 fight with childhood friend George Underwoodover — what else? — a girl. Supposedly, the singer thanked Underwood for the injury later, saying it gave him "a kind of mystique."
David Bowie's Space Oddity
This 1969 photo is from the promotional campaign for Bowie's albumSpace Oddity. Other than the iconic single, not much else from the album is considered an indispensable part of Bowie's oeuvre.
David Bowie and Wife Angie
Bowie wed his wife Angie (then Mary Angela Barnett) in 1970 – the couple was married for 10 years.
David Bowie as a Father
Bowie had one son, Duncan (middle name Zowie), with Angie in 1971. The pair would divorce in 1980, and Duncan, going under his father's original surname Jones, would later become a film director.
Ziggy Stardust Era
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The artist increasingly flirted with androgyny throughout his career. He adopted an alien alter ego, androgynous and bisexual rock star Ziggy Stardust, for his 1972 album and the accompanying tour. Bowie sported a flaming red mullet, glamorous outfits and pale white makeup for the character, who became a lasting symbol of the 1970s.
David Bowie and Masayoshi Sukita
Bowie's collaboration with photographer Masayoshi Sukitayielded some of the most iconic images of his career.
David Bowie's '70s Style
Bowie's early '70s look remains one of his most beloved, in particular, the lightning-bolt makeup look from the cover ofAladdin Sane.
David Bowie's Massive Music Sales
Bowie is believedto have sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 140 million records during the course of his career.
David Bowie's Famous Friends
Yoko Ono and John Lennon were close with the singer; the latter co-wrote Bowie's hit "Fame."
David Bowie's Heroes
The cover to Bowie's 1977 albumHeroeswas shot by his longtime collaborator Masayoshi Sukita.
David Bowie and Iggy Pop
Bowie enjoyed fruitful collaborations with a number of other rock and roll luminaries, like Iggy Pop and Lou Reed.
David Bowie in the '80s
Bowie performing in 1987, touring behind the albumNever Let Me Down.
David Bowie and Tina Turner
Tina Turner, one of his many collaborators, duetted with him on the 1984 song "Tonight."
David Bowie Marries Iman
Bowie met supermodel Imanin 1990. The pair married two years later and remained together until his death in early 2016.
David Bowie in the '90s
Bowie continued to update his look to match his evolving musical aesthetic throughout the '90s.
David Bowie in the '00s
Bowie kept up an active recording schedule through the late '90s and early '00s, releasing albums in 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003.
David Bowie's Health Concerns
He slowed down his performance schedule in the early '00s, however, afteran on-stage heart attack in 2004.
David Bowie and Iman
Bowie and Iman were seen out and about together, even as the singer's recorded output and performance schedule dwindled.
David Bowie's Final Albums
The singer surprised fans in 2013 by droppingThe Next Day, his first album of new material in 10 years.He released his final album,Blackstar, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 — his 69th birthday. A producer called the record a "parting gift."
David Bowie Dies
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On Jan. 10, 2016, the legendary rock stardied at age 69in New York.
A statement released to his official Facebook page read, "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."
He is survived by his wife Iman, their child Alexandria Zahra and his son Duncan.
Remembering David Bowie
Lexi Jone/Instagram
On what would have been his 79th birthday on Jan. 8, 2026, Alexandria shared a sweet throwback of her legendary father, writing, "Da big 79 today. Happy birthday pops, miss ya! 🩵."
Imanalso shared a tributeto her late husband, writing, "Happy Heavenly Birthday. Your light burns so bright in all our hearts! We love and miss you."
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