Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

PA WIRE

David Bowie has died of cancer at the age of 69

One of the major figures of rock and an influence on generations of musicians, Bowie passed away after a battle with cancer.

Updated at 10.38pm

DAVID BOWIE HAS died at the age of 69.

One of the major figures of rock and an influence on generations of musicians, he passed away after a battle with cancer, a publicist confirmed.

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer,” a statement on Facebook said.

While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.

Bowie, who stopped touring in 2004 following health concerns, had just released his latest album, Blackstar, to hugely positive reviews.

The Guardian called it “urgent, contemporary and elliptical”.

His son, the film director Duncan Jones, tweeted a picture of himself with his father, and the following simple message:

Born David Jones on 8 January 1947, the London singer changed his name in the mid-60s to avoid confusion with the Monkees member of the same name.

His artistic and commercial breakthrough came with 1972′s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which included the songs Starman, Ziggy Stardust and Five Years.

A late addition to the album, Starman entered the UK top ten after Bowie’s iconic appearance on Top of the Pops, and spent 11 weeks in the charts.

TheDoorsVEVO / YouTube

Known for his unexpected stylistic and image changes from album to album, Bowie’s title as rock’s greatest ‘chameleon’ became a cliché over the decades.

An influence on and friend of other major figures in rock like Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, his output included glam rock, pop, soul, electronic, art rock, drum n’bass and experimental releases.

The hits are almost too numerous to mention – but include, in no particular order, Changes, Heroes, Let’s Dance, Life on Mars, Rebel Rebel, Ashes to Ashes, Golden Years,  Young Americans, China Girl, and The Man Who Sold the World.

He also had a successful, if intermittent, acting career, that included iconic performances in the science fiction film The Man Who Fell to Earth and the Jim Henson fantasy epic Labyrinth.

Anni53 / YouTube

Hiatus and triumphant return

The star began a prolonged career hiatus after a health emergency on tour in 2004: he underwent an emergency angioplasty after a concert in Prague.

There were some appearances and acting gigs in the decade that followed – like his performance with Arcade Fire at the televised Fashion Rocks event, and a memorable showing in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige.

He eventually faded away further from public view, his once-busy website going unattended, leading to speculation that he was ill or had simply chosen to retire.

In January 2013, however, on his 66th birthday, the website sprang back into life and a new album The Next Day was announced, earning hugely positive reviews.

It sparked a renewed interest in the singer – and an exhibition of artefacts, ‘David Bowie is’ was sold-out for months at Victoria and Albert Museum in London before touring the world.

arabiansanchez / YouTube

Originally published at 7am

Read: What is the enduring appeal of an artist like Bowie?

Read: That Labyrinth sequel everyone is talking about? It’s not actually happening

 

 

 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
159 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute THE VOICE
    Favourite THE VOICE
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 9:08 AM

    One of these bomb is going to go off one day and with the help of God it will only take out the Fu&kers who made,transported or planted it…

    226
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Giles
    Favourite David Giles
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 9:41 AM

    It will be interesting to hear who made this bomb and some others found recently.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The David Irving
    Favourite The David Irving
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 12:28 PM

    They could be getting help from ex uvf members.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Ahern
    Favourite Paul Ahern
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 8:46 AM

    Carrick’mines’

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patricia Martin
    Favourite Patricia Martin
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 9:10 AM

    at least it was on the South side, a better class of Bomb perhaps ?

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Bravo
    Favourite Johnny Bravo
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 10:22 AM

    Patricia that’s the stupidest comment so far in 2014, would you have tried to be as funny if it had have gone off

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo
    Favourite Damo
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 11:28 AM

    Two murders,two road traffic deaths,two house fire deaths and a pipe bomb. Slow start to the year not. The government need to get off their arse.

    Let’s have a new crime debate and referendum before this place gets worse. Look at sentencing,look at prison places,early release. Garda equipment and manpower. Let’s look at the state of our roads, improve the ambulance service. Where we start, but for fxxx sake start now. I don’t think there is a TD with the you know what to stand up and demand that the dail looks at these matters and not just fob them off. If TD’s were being attacked there would be war.

    We as a people just don’t seem important enough.So roll on more murders and serious assaults, I believe that the road deaths will increase again this year, and the government will spew out that everything is improving. Well I’m fed up with their line of bull. I’m just sick of below par work from all our dail TD’s.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie Rodgers
    Favourite Richie Rodgers
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 11:47 AM

    Damo
    You should really have bothered!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Turner
    Favourite Darren Turner
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 11:16 AM

    Who is making all these bombs and what are there intended use?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Siddall
    Favourite Joseph Siddall
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 11:33 AM

    Darren, that is the real question. What is driving all this bomb making……politics, nationalism, crime, what ? Anyone know or have an educated guess ?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Don Pleas
    Favourite Don Pleas
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 11:56 AM

    Drug debts. Small(ish) time drug dealers not paying their supplier Nd getting a little message to remind them.

    So you think it’s a coincidence that they mostly never detonate? That is intentional, kill the person and you will never get your money.

    More often than not these devices are left at the homes of parents of children who owe drug debts.

    45
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Siddall
    Favourite Joseph Siddall
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 12:18 PM

    Don, thanks for that. Makes sense, if that’s the right word……..which it isn’t. Makes it understandable, perhaps.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Don Pleas
    Favourite Don Pleas
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 1:02 PM

    No worries, it is a sad situation. Many of the people who find these devices at their doors have no involvement in criminality at all. It is a very nasty thing to have impact your life I am sure.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sarah Dixon
    Favourite Sarah Dixon
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 8:57 AM

    Ballyogan or Carrickmines?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Just Di
    Favourite Just Di
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 9:04 AM

    It says Ballyogan near Carrickmines. They are very near.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Lawlor
    Favourite Alan Lawlor
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 4:02 PM

    Very near if you are looking from the perspective of Cork or Donegal.

    2
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shirley Salou Temple
    Favourite Shirley Salou Temple
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 11:06 PM

    Balyogan is carrickmines ..

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carol Lee
    Favourite Carol Lee
    Report
    Jun 29th 2014, 3:36 AM

    Same place lol
    All the addresses are
    # Ballyogan ______
    Carrickmines
    Dublin18

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Head Wrecker
    Favourite Head Wrecker
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 11:35 AM

    Just blame Finglas. It’s easier that way

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Foxys van
    Favourite Foxys van
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 12:09 PM

    At first I thought you’re name was head wank€r

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Head Wrecker
    Favourite Head Wrecker
    Report
    Jan 5th 2014, 1:05 PM

    Van… You’ve already got that crown!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carol Lee
    Favourite Carol Lee
    Report
    Jun 29th 2014, 3:32 AM

    Ballyogan is carrickmines…
    Addresses are
    # ballyogan _____ .
    Carrickmines
    Dublin 18

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds