> At a Glance
> – David Bowie died at 69 on Jan. 10, 2016, two days after releasing Blackstar
> – Career spanned five decades, selling 140 million records and winning four Grammys
> – Known as the “chameleon of rock” for constant reinvention
> – Why it matters: His final album and death became a carefully planned artistic statement, cementing his legacy
David Bowie’s life unfolded like a kaleidoscope of personas, sounds, and images. From Davie Jones to Ziggy Stardust to the man who bid goodbye with Blackstar, each phase is frozen in these 26 frames.
Early Spark: 1960s London
Before the glitter, Bowie tried on beatnik threads and played sax in 1962. A playground punch from friend George Underwood left his left pupil permanently dilated-an accident he later called “a kind of mystique.”
- First band: Feathers, late-’60s, with girlfriend Hermione Farthingale
- 1969 promo shoot for Space Oddity-the song that launched him skyward
Glam, Fame, and the ’70s Explosion
1972: red mullet, pale makeup, and Ziggy Stardust-an androgynous alien who redefined rock theatrics. The Aladdin Sane lightning bolt became as iconic as the music behind it.
John Lennon co-wrote “Fame”; Masayoshi Sukita snapped the Heroes cover; Iggy Pop and Lou Reed joined his creative orbit.
| Era | Look | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Ziggy Stardust | Red mullet, glam suits | The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust |
| Thin White Duke | Tailored monochrome | Station to Station |
| Berlin Trilogy | Stark elegance | Low, “Heroes”, Lodger |
Private Faces: Family and Love
Bowie married Angie Barnett in 1970; son Duncan arrived in 1971. After their 1980 divorce, he met Iman in 1990. They wed in 1992 and stayed together until his death, raising daughter Alexandria Zahra.
Final Act: Blackstar and Goodbye
A 2004 heart attack slowed live work, but 2013’s The Next Day proved he still had surprises. Blackstar arrived on his 69th birthday; producer Tony Visconti called it a “parting gift.”
Tony Visconti remembered:
> “He wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life – a work of art.”
Key Takeaways
- Bowie sold 140 million records and won four Grammy Awards
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Constant reinvention kept him relevant across five decades
- Blackstar‘s release and his death were choreographed as a final artistic statement
From Davie Jones to Blackstar, Bowie’s images remain as mutable and magnetic as the music that still soundtracks millions of lives.
