David Bowie - The Life of the Pop-Chameleon in Pictures - David Bowie’s final album Blackstar marked a haunting farewell on his 69th birthday
David Bowie, one of the most influential pop stars in history, passed away on 10 January 2016 at the age of 69. His death came just two days after the release of Blackstar, his final studio album, which coincided with his 69th birthday. The cause was cancer, marking the end of a career that spanned nearly five decades and reshaped modern music.
Born David Robert Jones in 1947, Bowie first encountered rock 'n' roll at nine years old. He adopted the stage name David Bowie in 1966 and released his debut album the following year. His breakthrough arrived in 1969 with Space Oddity, a song that became his first major hit.
The 1970s cemented his status as a glam-rock legend. His 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars turned him into an icon. Over the next few years, he released a string of successful records, including Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, and Diamond Dogs. From 1976 to 1978, Bowie lived in Berlin, where he crafted his celebrated Berlin Trilogy—Low, Heroes, and Lodger. The 1980s brought further success with Let’s Dance in 1983, a global hit, and a growing film career, including a role in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. In his personal life, Bowie married supermodel Iman Abdulmajid in 1992. Their daughter, Alexandria Zahra, was born in 2000. Despite his long career, no official successor was ever named to carry on his legacy. His final album, Blackstar, arrived on 8 January 2016, just days before his death. The record was released on his birthday, though fans did not yet know it would be his last.
Bowie’s death left a void in the music world, ending a career that constantly reinvented pop culture. Blackstar remains a poignant farewell, released as he battled the illness that ultimately took his life. His influence, however, continues to shape artists and audiences decades later.
