David Bowie, British Rock Legend, Dies

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British rock star David Bowie, once known for his flamboyant style and gender bending illusions has died today after an eighteen month courageous battle with liver cancer. He was 69.

Bowie, from the time he catapulted onto the American scene captivated audiences with his androgynous appearance, costumes and synthesized sound.

At the invitation of Bing Crosby Bowie appeared on his annual Christmas Special, that appearance in 1977 paired the already British legend with Hollywood crooner for a heartfelt and memorable rendition of the Little Drummer Boy. It became an instant classic as Bowie transcended the generations and became a crossover sensation.

Bowie, a gifted songwriter skirted the edge of the psychedelic era with his creation of Ziggy Stardust, an alter ego. So memorable was the character the two, Bowie and Stardust, never truly escaped each other.

Best remembered musically by his cross over hits, the album "Young Americans," the number one single "Fame" and "Let's Dance" to name a few.

He continued to build an avant-garde artistic career filled with art house and underground hits for the enlightened mind. Not on the aisle, Bowie's musical expressions and experimentations were genuine and the listener often able to feel the genuineness of the art.

Bowie collected fans that remained forever.

A career of transitions, Bowie's musical roots served him well. He received nine British Platinum certificates, eleven Gold and eight silver. His crossover efforts were also successful with five U.S. Platinum records and seven Gold. He sold nearly 140million records worldwide. He was awarded a star of the famous Hollywood Blvd and inducted into the Rock and roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Suddenly, Bowie was transitioning again. The news of his marriage to global supermodel, the stunning Iman, shocked the world.

The two seemed an odd pair. She breathtaking, successful, an entrepreneur and he, well, remembrances of Ziggy seemed to cloud the vision. Later Iman would explain she fell in love David Jones, the man not David Bowie, the persona.

Bowie's artistic expression surfaced in other veins as an actor which he earned rave reviews for his roles including Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ. His roles were as varied as he was a performer. He worked with Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon and Rosanna Arquette. He played the memorable hitman in Into the Night and the villain Max Zorin in the James Bond Franchise, A View to a Kill.

The words of the English Poet John Donne in a Valediction Forbidding Mourning came to mind during the writing of this obituary. "As virtuous men pass mildly away."

Ever the consummate artist three days ago, knowing the cancer was closing in, Bowie celebrated his 69th Birthday. One day before he was featured in Le Parisian Magazine. On his birthday he was a guest of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, in video. January 9, Blackstar is #1 in the UK and #2 in the USA. January 9, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today all feature the "fierce" new sound of "Blackstar."

A passion performer as a new generation of fans are set to groove to his widely acclaimed "Blackstar" Album released in the U.S. January 10, 2015. Bowie left us with an encore act. Savor it; it will be the last studio album for the legendary Bowie. Oddly, it feels like we were just getting to know you . . .again.

David Bowie was born David Jones in Brixton, London, England in 1947. He is billed as a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, actor and artist. He passed away at home with his family by his side.  

Bowie is survived by Iman, one daughter Alexandra Zahra Jones and his son director Duncan Jones from a previous marriage.

Sources: Wikipedia