Legendary rock n’ roll artist David Bowie has died, according to a message posted on the singer’s own Facebook page.
The signer had been fighting cancer for 18 months, and “died peacefully today surrounded by his family” a message on his Facebook page reads. There are no further details.
Bowie’s son Duncan Jones confirmed the singer’s passing on Twitter:
David Bowie, who was born in Brixton, south London, was the ultimate pop music shape shifter. Originating as a folk-hippie, he blossomed when he invented the character of Ziggy Stardust, which epitomized the androgynous, charismatic, Dionysian rock god. He later dabbled in art rock that drew inspiration from contemporary classical music, and made a mainstream foray into disco in the eighties.
In the decades thereafter he remained an active elder statesman in pop music—his latest album “Blackstar” came out just three days ago.
Here he is in 1970, performing “Space Oddity,” now one of his best-known songs.