A True Legend, A True Original - David Bowie Passes Away At 69

Wow. A true rock legend has passed. And at the very young age of 69.

Bowie died last night after an 18 month long battle with cancer.

Complexly androgynous, Bowie was a leader in his generation of rock stars who created and presented music as theater. Showmanship, gender-bending and "glam-rock" were all a part of his mystique.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

"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," read a statement posted on the artist's official social media accounts.

The influential singer-songwriter and producer excelled at glam rock, art rock, soul, hard rock, dance pop, punk and electronica during his eclectic 40-plus-year career. He just released his 25th album, Blackstar, Jan. 8, which was his birthday.

Bowie achieved his first major American crossover success with the No. 1 single “Fame” off the top 10 album Young Americans, then followed with the 1976 avant-garde art rock LP Station to Station, which made it to No. 3 on the charts and featured top 10 hit “Golden Years.”

Other memorable songs included 1983’s “Let’s Dance” — his only other No. 1 U.S. hit — “Space Oddity,” “Heroes,” “Changes,” “Under Pressure,” “China Girl,” “Modern Love,” “Rebel, Rebel,” “All the Young Dudes,” “Panic in Detroit,” “Fashion,” “Life on Mars,” “Suffragette City” and a 1977 Christmas medley with Bing Crosby.

My two favorite Bowie songs below - his huge hit "Fame" from YOUNG AMERICANS in 1975, and his collaboration with Queen, "Under Pressure."

And from his 1971 hit, "Changes:" 

“Turn and face the strange / Ch-ch-changes / Oh look out now you rock and rollers / Pretty soon now you’re gonna get older.”

Journey on, Ziggy Stardust - RIP.