"The essence of Bowie's contribution to popular music can be found in his outstanding ability to analyse and select ideas from outside the mainstream—from art, literature, theatre and film—and to bring them inside, so that the currency of pop is constantly being changed." – David Buckley, biographer

Actor, legendary rock star and inspiration to singers and musicians around the world; singer-songwriter David Bowie has peacefully passed away two days after his birthday at the age of 69.

Bowie was surrounded with his family when he died of cancer following an eighteen-month battle with the disease.

A statement is posted on the artist’s social media account that reads "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"

Bowie’s latest album Blackstar was released on his birthday, two days before he died. With just seven tracks on the album, it was critically acclaimed with an 86/100 rating at Metacritic.

David Bowie was one of the true artists of the last 100 years. He achieved success in music, movies, and theater.

In 1977, Bowie took on the title role in the Broadway theater production of The Elephant Man which earned him high praise for his expressive performance.

Bowie was also an acclaimed actor in his own right with various roles in films. He has played Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorcese’s The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige (2006). He won a Saturn Award for Best Actor in the sci-fi film The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976). His famous role is as Jareth the Goblin King in the children’s fantasy muppets movie Labyrinth (1986).

Bowie was a pioneer of glam rock and he is responsible for creating the genre. He also inspired the innovators of punk rock music. His most successful and critically acclaimed album is the concept album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars where Bowie created his famous alter-ego Ziggy Stardust.

He had also had an innovative presence on the Internet which led to his being awarded a lifetime achievement Webby Award in 2007 for "pushing the boundaries of art and technology with his digital empire".

His famous songs include Heroes, Changes, Space Oddity, Under Pressure, Modern Love, and Starman.

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