David Bowie – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

David Bowie - Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
Singer-songwriter David Bowie in Chicago during the Heathen Tour, 2002. Image source: Adam Bielawski, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

David Bowie Biography

English singer-songwriter and actor David Robert Jones was better known by his stage name, David Bowie. He is recognized as one of the most important artists of the 20th century and a prominent player in the music business. Bowie received high praise from writers and artists, especially for his avant-garde work in the 1970s. His music and stagecraft had a big influence on popular music, and his career was characterized by reinvention and visual presentation.

Bowie was born in Brixton, London, on January 8, 1947. As a young child, he became interested in music. Before beginning a career as a musician in 1963, he studied art, music, and design. His first top-five appearance on the UK Singles Chart came with “Space Oddity,” which was published in 1969. He experimented for a while before making a comeback in 1972 as the flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust during the glam rock era. Bowie’s notoriety and the success of his single “Starman” and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars served as the catalyst for the creation of the character. After first upsetting many of his UK fans, Bowie’s approach changed in 1975 toward a sound he called “plastic soul,” which brought him his first significant US crossover hit with the number-one single “Fame” and the album Young Americans. Bowie released Station to Station and starred in the cult classic The Man Who Fell to Earth in 1976. With the release of Low in 1977, the first of three albums he would collaborate on with Brian Eno that would become known as the “Berlin Trilogy,” he once more reversed course. The albums “Heroes” (1977) and “Lodger” (1979) that came after both hit the UK top five and won enduring critical acclaim.

Following sporadic commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie scored three number-one singles: “Under Pressure,” off the album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and the 1980 single “Ashes to Ashes” (a 1981 collaboration with Queen). Starting with Let’s Dance, he experienced enormous commercial success in the 1980s (1983). He lead the hard rock group Tin Machine from 1988 until 1992 before starting his solo career in 1993. Bowie persisted in experimenting with musical genres during the 1990s and 2000s, including industrial and jungle. He continued to act as well; among other cameos and film and television roles, he played Major Jack Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth (1986), Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in The Prestige (2006). His final live performance occurred at a charity event in 2006 after he ceased touring in 2004. After a ten-year recording break, Bowie released The Next Day in 2013. He continued to perform music up until the time of his death at his New York City residence from liver cancer. He passed just two days following the publication of his final album, Blackstar, and his 69th birthday (2016).

He was one of the best-selling musicians of all time during his lifetime, with record sales believed to have exceeded 100 million worldwide. He released 11 number-one albums in the UK and received ten platinum, eleven gold, and eight silver album certifications. He won nine gold and five platinum certifications in the US. In 1996, he was admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was listed as one of history’s greatest artists by Rolling Stone, and after his passing, they called him the “greatest rock star ever.” Bowie was named the 21st-century musician with the highest vinyl sales in 2022.

David Bowie Discography

The Next DaySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
TonightSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
LodgerSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Station to StationSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Diamond DogsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from MarsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Hunky DorySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Man Who Sold the WorldSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is David Bowie’S Best-Selling Album?

David Bowie’s best-selling album is “Heroes”. It was released in 1977 and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

What Was David Bowie’S Biggest Hit?

David Bowie’s biggest hit was “Space Oddity”, which reached number five on the UK Singles Chart in 1969. It was his first single to chart in the UK, and is one of his best-known songs.

What Were David Bowie’S Last Words?

David Bowie’s last song is “Lazarus” from his album Blackstar. The song was released on January 8, 2016, two days before his death.

Which Is David Bowie’S Last Album?

David Bowie’s last album was Blackstar, released on January 8, 2016. Bowie died two days later, on January 10, 2016.

Most Searched For David Bowie Songs

Under PressureSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
HeroesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
StarmanSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Life On Mars?SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Space OdditySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Let’s DanceSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Rebel RebelSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Sound and VissionSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
ChangesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon