- - This day in history: David Bowie dies from liver cancer

Ricardo RamirezJanuary 9, 2026 at 5:56 AM

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This day in history: David Bowie dies in New York City

On January 10, 2016, the world lost one of music’s most influential artists when David Bowie died peacefully at his New York City apartment at age 69. The English singer, songwriter, and actor had been privately battling liver cancer for 18 months, keeping his diagnosis secret from all but his closest family and collaborators.

The final album

Bowie’s death came just two days after his 69th birthday and the release of Blackstar, his twenty-sixth studio album recorded in secret with jazz musicians. The announcement shocked fans and fellow musicians worldwide. His son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, confirmed the devastating news on Twitter.

A career of constant reinvention

Throughout his five-decade career, Bowie challenged conventions of gender, fashion, and artistic expression with fearless creativity. From “Space Oddity” through personas like Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, his chameleonic approach influenced generations across rock, pop, and electronic music.

Cultural impact beyond music

His androgynous style and fearless exploration of identity made him a pioneering figure for LGBTQ+ communities and anyone who felt like an outsider in society. Bowie’s constant evolution kept him relevant across multiple generations.

A deliberate farewell

Blackstar‘s dark jazz influences and cryptic lyrics about mortality now read as a deliberate farewell from an artist facing death. The haunting “Lazarus” music video, featuring Bowie in a hospital bed with bandaged eyes, takes on chilling significance as his parting gift.

Global mourning

Within hours of the announcement, over one million tweets bore the #Bowie hashtag. Makeshift memorials appeared outside his former homes in London, New York, and Berlin, with fans leaving flowers and singing his songs. Sales surged dramatically, with Blackstar topping charts worldwide.

Tributes from fellow artists

Musicians from every genre paid heartfelt tribute to the fallen icon. Bruce Springsteen called him “a visionary artist,” while Madonna praised his “endless creativity.” The tributes highlighted how Bowie had opened doors for generations of performers.

Wrap up

David Bowie’s death marked the end of an era in popular music and cultural innovation. His remarkable legacy encompasses 26 studio albums, groundbreaking music videos, memorable film roles, and an indelible impact on fashion and visual art. While the world lost an irreplaceable artist, Bowie’s profound influence continues through countless musicians and individuals he inspired to embrace their authentic selves and challenge societal norms.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”