David Bowie 1947-2016: Rock Legend/Icon Dead at 69 – Blackstar Was His Parting Gift

Say what? In news that is almost indigestible before the start of the Monday week, we have learned that icon David Bowie has died at age 69. It was just last Friday Bowie turned 69 and released his latest album *Blackstar. Bowie was battling cancer in secret for the last 18 months and was able to just make it to the release date of his new album. A spokesman for Bowie said this morning: ‘David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer. Glide will keep everyone posted as we hear more as twitter and social media will be going nuts all day Monday, but in the meantime listen to some Bowie that we compiled on his overlooked classics.

Longtime producer Tony Visconti paid tribute to his friend and peer in a touching Facebook post after Bowie passed away on Sunday at the age of 69.”He always did what he wanted to do,” Visconti wrote. “And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was not different from his life — a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift.”

Bowie had been battling cancer for 18 months, and his illness was not publicly revealed until the announcement of his death. “I knew for a year this was the way it would be,” Visconti continued in his note. “I wasn’t, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry.”