David Jones
David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as among the most influential musicians of the 20th century, he was known for his constant reinvention and visual presentation, and is often referred to as the "chameleon of rock". His music, stagecraft and fashion have had a significant impact on popular culture.
Bowie studied art, music and design before embarking on a music career in 1962. He released a string of unsuccessful singles with local bands and a self-titled solo album before achieving his first top-five entry on the UK singles chart with "Space Oddity" (1969). His commercial breakthrough came in 1972, during the glam rock era, with the Ziggy Stardust character and its accompanying album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Throughout the 1970s, he experimented with funk, art rock, electronic and ambient, particularly with the 1977–1979 Berlin Trilogy (Low, "Heroes" and Lodger). He also created other personas during the period, including Halloween Jack (Diamond Dogs) and the Thin White Duke (Station to Station). He achieved his greatest commercial success in the 1980s with Let's Dance (1983). He fronted the hard rock band Tin Machine from 1988 to 1992. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued experimenting with musical styles, including industrial, jungle and drum and bass.
Outside of music, Bowie received recognition for his acting roles, emphasising smaller parts and cameos rather than leading roles. His best-known films include The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Labyrinth (1986), Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), Basquiat (1996), and The Prestige (2006). He was also a painter, writer, created the first modern celebrity bond ("Bowie Bonds") and was one of the first artists to engage with his fans directly through his website, BowieNet. He performed live regularly throughout his career, before retiring from touring in 2004; his last live performance was at a charity event in 2006. He returned from a decade-long recording hiatus in 2013 with The Next Day. His final studio album, Blackstar, released two days before his death in 2016, was analysed as a powerful farewell to his fans.
During his lifetime, his record sales were estimated at over 100 million worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He achieved eleven UK number-one albums, including Aladdin Sane (1973) and Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980). His UK or US number-one singles included "Fame", "Ashes to Ashes" and "Under Pressure" (with Queen). He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including six Grammy Awards and four Brit Awards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest singers, songwriters and artists of all time. Although his sexuality is disputed, he is regarded as an influential figure in the LGBTQ community.
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