Musician David Bowie lost his 18-month battle with cancer. Bowie was a true original, whose persona and image transcended music. He was a singer, lyricist, fashion icon, and personality. Born David Jones in south London two years after the end of World War Two, he took up the saxophone at 13 before changing his name to David Bowie to avoid confusion with the Monkees' Davy Jones. He shot to fame in Britain in 1969 with "Space Oddity". It was his role as 'Ziggy Stardust' that took the world by storm. His love-life fascinated gossip columnists and his marriage to stunning Somali supermodel Iman in 1992 ensured headlines. Even though he seemed to live his life in the spotlight, Bowie was intensely private. Most of his fans did not know he was battling cancer.
