Today, January 8, would have been David Bowie’s 79th birthday and when he passed away in 2016, he left behind an artistic legacy that may never be seen again. After developing a love for rock and roll – thanks to artists like Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard – David began pursuing a career in music in the early 1960s, adopting the stage name David Bowie, as not to be confused with Davy Jones of The Monkees.
After his self-titled debut album failed to make an impact, Bowie found breakthrough success with Space Oddity, the haunting tale of Major Tom and ground control. The song launched a career defined by constant reinvention, as Bowie moved fluidly through psychedelia, glam rock, soul, electronic music, and experimental art rock. Along the way, he became a cultural icon — celebrated for his bold fashion, boundary-pushing personas, and fearless exploration of identity and gender expression.
In his personal life, Bowie became a father in 1971, welcoming son Duncan Jones with his first wife, Angie Bowie. In 1992, he married supermodel Iman, and the couple later welcomed a daughter, Lexi Jones, in 2000. Their marriage lasted until Bowie’s death in 2016.
Take a look at some of the moments in Bowie’s life, one that lasted nearly seven decades but, still feels like it ended too soon.
