Iconic singer David Bowie dies at 69

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Monday, January 11, 2016
In this June 7, 2010 file photo, David Bowie attends the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York.
Peter Kramer-AP

NEW YORK -- David Bowie, the innovative and iconic singer whose illustrious career lasted five decades with hits like "Fame," ''Heroes" and "Let's Dance," died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 69.



Representative Steve Martin said early Monday that Bowie died "peacefully" and was surrounded by family. The singer had battled cancer for 18 months.





"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief," the statement read. No more details were provided.



Bowie turned 69 on Friday, the same day he released a new album called "Blackstar."



Bowie, who was born David Jones, came of age in the glam rock era of the early 1970s. He had a striking androgynous look in his early days and was known for changing his looks and sounds. The stuttering rock sound of "Changes" gave way to the disco soul of "Young Americans," co-written with John Lennon, to a droning collaboration with Brian Eno in Berlin that produced "Heroes."



He had some of his biggest successes in the early 1980s with the stylist "Let's Dance," and a massive American tour.



Bowie kept a low profile in recent years after reportedly suffering a heart attack in the 2000s. He was married to international supermodel Iman since 1992.

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