David Bowie

David Bowie was an influential English singer and musician. Born and raised in London, Bowie participated in his school choir and learned to play multiple instruments throughout his childhood. He formed his first band at the age of 15 and they often played local gigs, helping to establish Bowie as a musical talent early in life.

The musician landed his first management contract in 1965 and joined multiple bands throughout the late ‘60s, all of which did not find mainstream success. Discouraged by his previous endeavors and a break-up, Bowie wrote the song “Space Oddity” in 1969. It proved to be his big break, landing him a record deal with Mercury Records.

In the following years, the singer built himself a strong reputation for his experimental sound and ever-changing, gender-bending appearance. Throughout his career, he collaborated with a slew of influential artists, including Mick Jagger, John Lennon and Queen.

After creating alter-ego Ziggy Stardust and releasing hit albums such as Aladdin Sane (1973) and Young Americans (1975), Bowie ventured into the acting world, landing a starring role in the film The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976). In 1980, he made his Broadway debut in the production The Elephant Man. The actor went on to make appearances in many films, including 1986’s Labyrinth, for which his performance was highly acclaimed.

The singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Some of his later musical works include The Next Day (2013) and Blackstar (2016).

He wed Mary Angela Barrnet from 1970 to 1980, and the couple share a son, Duncan, born in 1971. The singer later met Somali model Iman Abdulmajid, and the two tied the knot in 1992. They welcomed daughter Alexandria in 2000.

Bowie died from liver cancer in January 2016, just days after releasing his Blackstar album.