David Bowie was a British singer and songwriter who turned reinvention into an art form. Born David Robert Jones in London in 1947, he moved through a string of personas across five decades, shaping glam rock, art rock and beyond.
Space Oddity
He broke through in 1969 with “Space Oddity”, introducing his astronaut character Major Tom. Hunky Dory (1971) brought “Changes” and “Life on Mars?”.
Ziggy Stardust
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) made him a star, with “Starman” and “Suffragette City”. “Rebel Rebel” closed his glam era, and “Fame” gave him his first US number one.
Heroes and Let’s Dance
His late-1970s Berlin albums with Brian Eno produced the anthem “Heroes”. Let’s Dance (1983), made with Nile Rodgers, became his biggest seller and an MTV staple. He also sang “Under Pressure” with Queen and “Dancing in the Street” with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.
A final statement
After a long hiatus he returned with The Next Day (2013) and Blackstar, released on his 69th birthday in 2016, two days before his death. It became his first number-one album in the US.
Most loved songs
A spread across the catalogue. Each title opens through the in-site player.
- BornDavid Robert Jones
- BornJanuary 8, 1947, London, England
- GenresRock, glam rock, art rock
- Also known for“Heroes” and Ziggy Stardust
From a glam anthem to a song that scored your favorite film, the odds are good a David Bowie song has stayed with you. Type the line you remember into the search box above and you may find it leads back to him.