David Bowie

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as among the most influential musicians of the 20th century, he was known for his constant reinvention and visual presentation, and is often referred to as the "chameleon of rock". His music, stagecraft and fashion have had a significant impact on popular culture.

Bowie studied art, music and design before embarking on a music career in 1962. He released a string of unsuccessful singles with local bands and a self-titled solo album before achieving his first top-five entry on the UK singles chart with "Space Oddity" (1969). His commercial breakthrough came in 1972, during the glam rock era, with the Ziggy Stardust character and its accompanying album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Throughout the 1970s, he experimented with funk, art rock, electronic and ambient, particularly with the 1977–1979 Berlin Trilogy (Low, "Heroes" and Lodger). He also created other personas during the period, including Halloween Jack (Diamond Dogs) and the Thin White Duke (Station to Station). He achieved his greatest commercial success in the 1980s with Let's Dance (1983). He fronted the hard rock band Tin Machine from 1988 to 1992. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued experimenting with musical styles, including industrial, jungle and drum and bass.