Rock legend David Bowie has reportedly passed away. David Bowie Official tweeted that the charismatic and innovative singer was surrounded by family and friends when he lost his eighteen month battle with cancer just before midnight on Sunday, January 10.

January 10 2016 – David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle… https://t.co/ENRSiT43Zy

— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) January 11, 2016

This news seems out of the blue as Bowie just released his latest album Blackstar on January 8 (which was also his birthday) and the musical Lazarus debuted last November in New York featuring music he wrote.

Born in 1947 in England as David Robert Jones, Bowie had his first success as a musician when he was 22 years old with “Space Oddity” and the story of Major Tom. He went on to create many more vibrant and spectacular songs and basically sent the genre of glam-rock through the roof with Ziggy Stardust, Bowie’s androgynous alter ego, whose glam-rock persona earned the artist a permanent spot in rock history. Bowie would go on to use this popularity to produce albums with Iggy Pop and Lou Reed before retiring the persona a year later in 1973.

In 1975, Bowie landed his first No. 1 hit in the US with a song entitled “Fame”, co-written by John Lennon, off of the album Young American, and earned his second in 1983 with the song “Let’s Dance”.

Bowie collaborated with many different musicians and gave us wonderful gems of music, whimsy and artistry.  He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and in 2006 he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His long and eclectic career has influenced millions of fans and artists throughout his forty years of fame, many of whom have taken to social media to express their condolences. 

Aside from music he also had an interest in acting and played many roles on stage and screen and younger fans had a true love affair with his character Jareth from Jim Henson’s mythical fantasy Labyrinth. His flamboyant movement, winking demeanor, and musical genius will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Iman, and his children Duncan Jones and Alexandria “Lexi” Zahra Jones.

Take a moment with us here at PopWrapped to listen to one of Bowie’s iconic songs and remember his fantastic talents.