British rock star David Bowie has died. He was 69 years old.
His family confirmed his death on Bowie’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. They wrote that he died peacefully on Sunday “surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer.”
January 10 2016 - David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle... https://t.co/ENRSiT43Zy
— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) January 11, 2016
Last Friday, the iconic singer turned 69. That same day, he released his album, Blackstar. Bowie mixed rock and jazz on the album. Critics have described Blackstar as his best work in years.
On social media, fellow musicians, longtime fans and even astronauts mourned Bowie’s death. So far, more than 4 million Tweets worldwide have mentioned the music legend.
Madonna wrote several tweets about Bowie’s musical influence. She tweeted: “Talented. Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever.”
Talented . Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever! 🙏🏻❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/k3k3lfL3Bv
— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
Bruce Springsteen tweeted that Bowie “was a visionary artist and an early supporter of our music.”
Over here on E Street, we’re feeling the great loss of David Bowie. David was a visionary artist and an early supporter of our music.
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) January 11, 2016
From the International Space Station, British astronaut Tim Peake tweeted: “Saddened to hear David Bowie lost his battle with cancer -- his music was an inspiration to many.”
Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer – his music was an inspiration to many. @DavidBowieReal
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) January 11, 2016
The German Foreign Office posted a farewell to the rock star. “Goodbye, David Bowie. You are now among Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the (Berlin) Wall.”
Good-bye, David Bowie. You are now among #Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the #wall. https://t.co/soaOUWiyVl #RIPDavidBowie
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) January 11, 2016
David Bowie lived and worked in West Berlin for several years in the 1970s, with musician Iggy Pop. In June of 1987, Bowie returned to the divided city for a concert. Some Germans say that show changed history, and helped bring down the wall.
Bowie later said of the concert, “It was one of the most emotional performances I’ve ever done. I was in tears.”
As news broke of his death Monday, fans worldwide were in tears, as well.
Twitter user @JacktheladRadio wrote: “I have tears in my eyes. What a man, what a bloody amazing, pioneering brilliant man.”
Watching the news and all the tributes to #DavidBowie I have tears in my eyes. What a man, what a bloody amazing, pioneering brilliant man.
— Jack Hayes (@jacktheladradio) January 11, 2016
We leave you with the music video of the 1969 hit Space Oddity. The song rocketed David Bowie to fame. The song is about an astronaut in space. It evokes the loneliness of the Cold War space race. The song came out in the same month that men first walked on the moon.
What is your favorite David Bowie song? Let us know in the comments section.
Words in This Story
iconic - adj. a person who is very successful and admired
legend - n. a famous or important person who is known for doing something extremely well
evoke - v. to bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind
