The following statement appeared on his facebook page: “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.”
Just 2 days ago, David Bowie released his last album entitled Blackstar, on his 69th birthday. It seems that was his final goodbye and gift to his fans.
David Bowie’s impact on music and culture is hard to measure and easy to understate. As described by biographer David Buckley, Bowie “challenged the core belief of the rock music of its day” and “created perhaps the biggest cult in popular culture [. . .] His influence has been unique in popular culture—he has permeated and altered more lives than any comparable figure.”
In the BBC’s 2002 poll of the 100 Greatest Britons, Bowie was placed at number 29. Throughout his career, he has sold an estimated 140 million records worldwide. In the UK, he has been awarded nine Platinum album certifications, eleven Gold and eight Silver, and in the US, five Platinum and seven Gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
David Bowie will be missed, but his impact on music will be forever remembered. Rest in peace.