David Bowie was one of the most intriguing musicians of our time, reinventing himself continually and influencing countless others along the way. He made more than two dozen albums, including “Blackstar,” which was released just two days before his death. He played more than a dozen instruments, including a right-handed guitar even though he was left-handed. Bowie’s concept album, “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” introduced the world to his glam-rock persona in 1972. Four years later, he starred in the film “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” By the end of the 1970s, he kicked his drug habit and appeared in “The Elephant Man” on Broadway.
Bowie was born on Jan. 8, 1947, as David Robert Hayward-Jones in Brixton, London. His father, Haywood Stenton Jones, belonged to a well-off family who were partners in the Public Benefit Boot Company.
1960-1962: Learning to play sax, getting punched
Bowie became a jazz fan and at age 13 started to play the saxophone. He attended Bromley Technical High School with Peter Frampton, whose father was the schoolmaster. When he was 15, he was punched in the eye by a friend. The injury left one of his pupils permanently dilated, making it appear that his blue eyes were two different colors.
1966: Davy Jones becomes David Bowie
The musician adopted the moniker David Bowie in 1966. He had tried going by Davy Jones, but it was the same name as the lead singer of the Monkees. He chose his new name after American pioneer Jim Bowie, who is credited for the Bowie knife. A year later, he released his first self-titled album.
1970: Marrying Angela Barnett
Bowie married model and actress Angela Barnett in March 1970. Their marriage lasted 10 years. As part of their divorce agreement, Barnett could not reveal details of their marriage for several years. In 1992 she released a memoir entitled “Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie.”
1972: Producing Lou Reed, Iggy, Mott the Hoople
In 1972, Bowie produced Lou Reed's “Transformer” album, (with the hit song “Walk on the Wild Side”) as well as “Raw Power” by Iggy & The Stooges and Mott the Hoople's “All The Young Dudes.” He also wrote the title track on the Mott the Hoople album.
1975: “Young Americans,” collaboration with John Lennon
The album “Young Americans” was released in March 1975. It featured a collaboration with John Lennon on the song “Fame,” which became Bowie's first U.S. No. 1 single. R&B singer Luther Vandross performed backup vocals on the album.
1981: Collaborating with Queen
Bowie collaborated with Freddie Mercury and Queen to make the single "Under Pressure" in 1981. It became his third song to hit No. 1 on the U.K. charts. Bowie originally wanted it to be titled “People on the Streets.”
2004: A heart attack onstage
While touring to promote his album “Reality,” Bowie suffered a heart attack during a performance in Germany. He immediately underwent an emergency angioplasty.
2016: Death from cancer
On his 69th birthday, Bowie released his album "Blackstar." Two days later, he died of cancer. "David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," a statement on his website read.
2016: Ashes spread in Bali
At the time of his death, Bowie’s estate was estimated to be worth $100 million. His body was cremated, and his ashes were spread on the Pacific Island of Bali.
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