David Bowie Dead From Cancer at Age 69

After an 18 month struggle against cancer, David Bowie passed away yesterday, January 10, 2016, just two days after his 69th birthday.  He is said to have been surrounded by family at the time of his death.

David Bowie in Vienna, Austria 1996

Leonhard Foeger/REUTERS/File

Bowie family representative, Steven Martin asks that the family's privacy be respected saying, “David Bowie 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 list of  hit songs include "Young American", co-written with John Lennon, “Suffragette City”, "Under Pressure", "China Girl" and many others.  He had two number one hit records in the US; "Let's Dance" and "Changes".

His film career includes rolls in "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence ", "Just a Gigolo" and "The Last Temptation of Christ".

Born in London, England in 1947 as David Jones, he changed his surname to "Bowie" after Davy Jones became well known for his roll in the 1960s hit American pop culture TV show, "The Monkees".