David Bowie - Three Years Since Death

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Today is a very sad day for David Bowie fans, for it was on this day, three years ago, that we lost a legendary rock icon to liver cancer.

He was born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947 in the South London neighborhood of Brixton. He ultimately changed his name to Bowie after uncovering that there already was a Dave Jones in the American band, The Monkees. In his career, particularly throughout the 1970s, Bowie became notorious for visualization and reinvention. His album sales totalled 140 million, which made him one of the best sellers of the 20th Century.

His most spectacular works include his first hit, the 1969 Space Odity written in response to the recent moon landing. Ultimately, his BEST work of the 70s was the 1972 record The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders of Mars. Hit albums from this era range from The Man Who Sold the World (1970) through to Station to Station (1976). HIs hits from this period include: Changes (1971), Ziggy Stardust (1972), The Jean Jeanie (1974), Fame (1975 - rerecorded in 1990 as Fame '90), and Golden Years (1976).

After hitting a low in his career, Bowie rebounded with his 1983 record Let's Dance. Apart from the (heavily-sampled) title track, the record included hits such as Modern Love, and China Girl (originally written and recorded by Iggy Pop in 1977 who did not have much success with its heavy, rock-oriented version). Bowie's, a softer version, was a big hit and showcased his baritone voice, which I think is great to hear again and again. The record saw Bowie work with some big names such as Stevie Ray Vaughn who played the guitar parts on some tracks including the title.

Even before this album, Bowie, in 1982, sang a duet with Queen the song Under Pressure with its MEMORABLE and EASILY RECOGNIZABLE (I think anyone can regonize it) bassline, which made itself known AGAIN on the 1991 Vanila Ice track Ice Ice Baby - talk about legacy!

Since the 1980s Bowie regained his fame and credibility. Unfortunately in 2013 he was diadiagnozed with liver cancer though did not speak out about it even while recording his 2013 record New Day. On his 69th birthday, he released his final album Blackstar, which I think he recorded as a way to 'part with the world." After his death, sales soared yet again, his ashes were scattered over Bali, Indonesia, and many placed flower bouqets and sang his songs - particuarly outside his NYC apartment on Lafayette St.

Fun fact - There is a MURAL of David Bowie in all his guises in my hometown of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. I have yet to see it and it's definitely on the bucket list now that I know about it!

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