Legendary singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 after a secret battle with cancer for 18 months.
“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer,” read a statement posted on Bowie’s official social media accounts.
“While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”
One of the most successful artists of the 20th century, the singer-songwriter and producer was known as one of the figureheads of glam rock.
However, over the course of a career spanning several decades, Bowie proved himself to be a stylistic chameleon.
His 40-plus-year career saw him drifting between genres, slipping comfortably into punk, electronica, hard rock, soul, and more.
Bowie just released his 25th album, Blackstar, 8th January, which was his birthday.
Bowie’s son Duncan Jones, also known as Zowie Bowie, confirmed the news, writing on Twitter: “Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all.”
Tributes for the late singer and icon have been flowing since the news of his death first broke, including from close friends and collaborators like Brian Eno and Iggy Pop.
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“David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is,” Pop wrote in a statement.
Meanwhile, Eno told BBC News, “David’s death came as a complete surprise, as did nearly everything else about him. I feel a huge gap now.”
triple j sister station Double J will be playing the best of Bowie all day and Sydney Festival organisers have announced a Bowie tribute set to take place in Hyde Park.
Sydney Festival invites fans to come together on Wednesday, 13th January at the Meriton Festival Village in Hyde Park as a DJ lineup pay tribute to the legend.
