Death of David Bowie

Death of David Bowie

Flowers outside Bowie's apartment in New York in January 2016
Date	10 January 2016
Location	New York City, U.S.
Cause	Liver cancer

On 10 January 2016, English singer, songwriter and actor David Bowie died at his New York City apartment, after having liver cancer for the previous 18 months. His death occurred two days after the release of his twenty-fifth studio album, Blackstar, which coincided with his 69th birthday.

Fans and friends alike were surprised by the news as Bowie had kept his illness private. Makeshift memorials were created in London, New York City, Berlin, and other cities in which Bowie had lived; sales of his albums and singles saw a significant increase. Many commentators noted Bowie's impact on music, fashion and culture and wrote of his status as one of the most influential musical artists of all time, while numerous musicians and public figures also expressed their grief.

Bowie was diagnosed with liver cancer in mid-2014. Bowie told only his family and people he was working with about his condition; Ivo van Hove, with whom Bowie was collaborating on the off-Broadway musical Lazarus, was told shortly after Bowie himself found out about his diagnosis.Tony Visconti, Bowie's friend and producer of many Bowie albums including Blackstar, was told in January 2015. Visconti recalled that Bowie was completely bald from his chemotherapy when they spoke. However, many musicians who had worked with Bowie over the years, such as Mike Garson, Gerry Leonard, Brian Eno, Nile Rodgers, Reeves Gabrels, Tina Turner, Sterling Campbell, Earl Slick and Gail Ann Dorsey, were not told about the illness and were surprised when Bowie died.

By mid-2015, it was hoped that the cancer was in remission, but by November 2015 the cancer had spread throughout his body and Bowie was told his condition was terminal.