The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureCurrent affairsMusicNews

A legend dies at 69: The life and career of David Bowie

A legend dies at 69: The life and career of David Bowie
11 January 2016
Dominique Perrett
Avatar
Dominique Perrett
11 January 2016

On 10th January 2016 legendary pop superstar David Bowie succumbed to an 18-month battle with cancer. Two days after the release of his final album Blackstar, Bowie has died leaving a stunning legacy in the music world that inspired generations. Not only will he be remembered for his career spanning almost six decades, but also for his creativity and innovation that made him a true icon.

Born in Brixton and raised in Bromley (then known as David Jones) a 1960s teenager sparked the psychedelic and bohemian image on Beckenham High Street, as well as turning a few heads with his talent for music.

His first hit single, Space Oddity (1969) skyrocketed his music career, and after some experimentation Bowie re-emerged as vivacious, androgynous alter-ego Ziggy Stardust. It was this iconic persona that produced such hits as Starman and established the singer as a revolutionary creative character. Ziggy was much more than an eyeliner and sequin-clad eccentric; he was an inherently theatrical character who anticipated 1980s androgyny and present-day dialogue concerning the transgender community.

Bowie pushed the boundaries with his innovative stage performances and distinctive voice. He conveyed the unlimited potential of pop rock as a genre, and explored boundless creativity as the frontman of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars with the album, Hunky Dory.

Bowie was an innovator not just in the pop world, but also adapting to the growing popularity of soul and funk in the 70s and 80s. After finding success in America, he collaborated with many famed artists, most notably his first US number one, Fame, co-written by John Lennon. Bowie also introduced new persona, the Thin White Duke, to the world.

His career in the 80s and 90s solidified his status as a visionary of pop culture. He introduced artistry to a new wave of pop music with the release of Let’s Dance and Tonight, as well as his third number one Under Pressure – a collaboration with Queen. Bowie’s theatrical public faces and undeniable stage presence led to his successful acting career, where he appeared in such films as The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Labyrinth (1986), and The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), earning him critical acclaim.

David Bowie’s historic career led to an exhibition featured at the Victoria and Albert Museum curating items, costumes and artefacts celebrating his career. He personified glam rock, gender bending, and ultimate stardom, pushing new boundaries every decade. Bowie was undeniably a resilient and powerful artist who tested the limits of creativity from the 1960s and will continue to do so long after his passing.

He will be remembered for the star he truly is, the Picasso of pop, the pinnacle of cool.

Dominique Perrett

Related Items

More in Current Affairs

Women of Ireland have rolled over for long enough: The 8th and the long walk to abortion rights

Emma Kiely
Read More

Changes to expect during menopause

The editorial unit
Read More

Why Equity Linked Savings Schemes is a preferred tax saving?

The editorial unit
Read More

How the world’s top designers would rebrand political parties

The editorial unit
Read More

Royal baby furore: Proof that the British monarchy is still popular?

Eoin O’Sullivan-Harris
Read More

World Mental Health Day 2018: Raising awareness and combating stigma

The editorial unit
Read More

Seven political personalities you should know about

The editorial unit
Read More

Donald Trump: An enemy of the arts?

The editorial unit
Read More

Trump’s fortune: Where did the money come from?

The editorial unit
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Ed Fringe 2022: Hungry
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Tips for creating a peaceful home
    Feature of the week
  • Royal Ballet School students return to the stage for post-Covid performances
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Rita at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Ed Fringe 2022: Hungry
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • “Film offers a way of looking at the past, the present and the future simultaneously. That’s its wonder”: Sarah Beddington on Fadia’s Tree
    Cinema & Tv
  • Kasabian – The Alchemist’s Euphoria
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Rita at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “Even people who’ve been through adversity might say ‘Well, I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be who I am'”: Eva Noblezada and Flula Borg on Luck
    Cinema & Tv
  • South Facing Festival: Richard Ashcroft and his band were on impressive form from start to finish
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Nope
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

The Revenant | Movie review
Grey Gardens at the Southwark Playhouse | Theatre review