Music legend David Bowie dies from cancer at age 69

The artist “died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”

Bowie’s career spanned over four decades with pop, rock and electronic hit songs, highlighted by the music linked to his “alter ego” Ziggy Stardust. Some of his most notable tracks known the world over include 1973’s ‘Space Oddity’, 1983’s ‘Let’s Dance’ , 1977’s ‘Heroes’ and ‘Major Tom’

The singer survived to witness Friday’s release of his latest album ‘Blackstar’, which critics lauded as another proof of the artist’s gift to stay relevant and come up with fresh ways to present his work to the world.

Born David Jones, he changed his name to avoid confusion with Monkees frontman Davy Jones. Bowie starred in the 1986 Cult favorite Labyrnth as Jared the Goblin King, a film brought to life by Jim Henson and his team of puppeteers.

Bowie was listed at #39 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists List with a commentary by Lou Reed: “David Bowie’s contribution to rock & roll has been wit and sophistication. He’s smart, he’s a true musician and he can really sing…I can’t pick a favorite Bowie record. It always depends on my mood — any of the dance records; Ziggy Stardust; I always liked “The Bewlay Brothers,” that track on Hunky Dory. And the albums he did with Brian Eno, like Low and “Heroes,” are just phenomenal. He’s always changing, so you never get tired of what he’s doing. And I mean all the way up to his later records: “The Loneliest Guy” on his album Reality is a great song. Yet another one.