Tributes to iconic rock musician David Bowie are pouring in, as fellow musicians, celebrities, world leaders and even astronauts reflect on what Bowie meant to them.
A statement on Bowie's Facebook page said that he died peacefully, "surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer."
His son, Duncan Jones, confirmed the news on Twitter.
Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016
Bowie's death comes just days after the release of his album Blackstar. His longtime producer Tony Visconti called that album a "parting gift" in a post on Facebook.
Our friends at NPR Music put together a playlist of their favorite Bowie songs, from classics like "Rebel Rebel" and "Moonage Daydream" to new tracks from the Blackstar album. Listen to it here.
Many social media users were pointing to a newly released music video from his final single, "Lazarus," which opens with the words, "Look up here, I'm in heaven."
"Lazarus is probably the most haunting sign-off any musician has given," said one Twitter user.
British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Facebook that Bowie "provided a soundtrack to our lives," and left "a body of work that people will still be listening to in a 100 years time."
Scores of musicians emphasized Bowie's influence on their work:
Always changing and ahead of the curve, he was an artist whose excellence you aspired to. He will be sorely missed. - Bruce
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) January 11, 2016
So lucky to have met you!!!! Hot Tramp I love you So! ❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/INKPRCeofK
— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
I love how Bowie challenged people's perception of gender stereotypes and what an Outsider truly was. He was SO ahead of his time
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) January 11, 2016
David Bowie: The cleverest and most interestingly brilliant man of our time. What a vacuum he leaves, and how he will be missed. Roger
— Queen (@QueenWillRock) January 11, 2016
We are all Bowie's children. He inspired us and changed our lives. #RIPDavidBowie Neil and Chris x pic.twitter.com/8xD40YNGI3
— Pet Shop Boys (@petshopboys) January 11, 2016
Planet Earth is blue - Bono pic.twitter.com/p4GVmnuQql
— U2 (@U2) January 11, 2016
RIP David Bowie. A true InspIration pic.twitter.com/My0BrfSqgS
— PIXIES (@PIXIES) January 11, 2016
Tributes to the "Space Oddity" singer were not confined to Earth. British astronaut Tim Peake tweeted from the International Space Station.
Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer – his music was an inspiration to many. @DavidBowieReal
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) January 11, 2016
This was the scene at one London tube station today:
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Rest in Peace David Bowie. pic.twitter.com/Ep7QmXPa2D
— James Corden (@JKCorden) January 11, 2016