Early Life
Born David Jones, he changed his surname to Bowie in the 1960s to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of the Monkees.
Career
His breakthrough came with “Space Oddity” (1969), and the 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars made him a star. He moved through phases including the soul-influenced Young Americans (1975), the Berlin-era albums Low and “Heroes” (1977) recorded with Brian Eno, and the commercially successful Let's Dance (1983). He also acted in films including The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) and Labyrinth (1986).
Legacy
Bowie released his final album, Blackstar, two days before his death from cancer in 2016. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24