The countdown has begun. On 6 October 2026, organisers unveiled Bowie80, a programme of exhibitions, live shows and fashion collaborations running throughout 2027 to mark what would have been David Bowie's 80th birthday on 8 January 2027. Highlights include the V&A's David Bowie: On Tour archive exhibition travelling to Dundee and Blackpool, and the multimedia show David Bowie: You're Not Alone visiting Manchester and Brighton.
It is a fitting tribute to a Brixton boy who reinvented himself again and again over five decades, and took the rest of us along for the ride. Here is his story, from Major Tom to Blackstar. Browse our Rock Music Clothing collection for more tribute designs.
David Bowie Fact File
| Full name | David Robert Jones |
|---|---|
| Born / died | 8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016 (aged 69) |
| Birthplace | Brixton, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, musician, actor |
| Years active | 1962–2016 |
| Known for | Glam rock, art rock, soul, electronic; ever-changing personas |
| Nicknames | The chameleon of rock; personas Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke |
Career History
| Years | Band/Label | Key albums/singles |
|---|---|---|
| 1967–1969 | Deram, then Mercury | David Bowie (1967), "Space Oddity" (1969) |
| 1971–1973 | RCA | Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane |
| 1975–1980 | RCA | Young Americans, Station to Station, Low, "Heroes", Lodger, Scary Monsters |
| 1983–1992 | EMI America; Tin Machine | Let's Dance (1983), Tin Machine (1989) |
| 2013–2016 | ISO/Columbia | The Next Day (2013), Blackstar (2016) |
The table picks out key eras rather than every release. Bowie scored UK number ones with the 1975 reissue of "Space Oddity", "Ashes to Ashes", "Under Pressure" with Queen and "Dancing in the Street" with Mick Jagger, while "Fame" and "Let's Dance" topped the US chart. He sold more than 100 million records in his lifetime.
Major Tom and Ziggy Stardust
Born David Jones, he took the name Bowie in the mid-sixties to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of the Monkees. "Space Oddity", released on 11 July 1969, gave him his first top-five hit. Then came Ziggy Stardust, the flame-haired alien rock star of 1972, and a July performance of "Starman" on Top of the Pops that a generation of fans still talks about.
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The Thin White Duke and Berlin
Bowie reinvented himself with the soul-inspired Young Americans, whose single "Fame" became his first US number one, then as the Thin White Duke of Station to Station. Low, "Heroes" and Lodger, co-produced with Tony Visconti, became known as the Berlin Trilogy.
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Let's Dance and the Silver Screen
Co-produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, Let's Dance (1983) made him a global pop star and launched the hugely successful Serious Moonlight Tour. He was a gifted actor too, starring in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) and Labyrinth (1986), for which he wrote five songs.
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Blackstar: A Final Bow
After a decade of quiet, Bowie surprised everyone with The Next Day in 2013. Blackstar followed on 8 January 2016, his 69th birthday, and he died two days later. The album went on to win all five Grammys it was nominated for.
Awards
Grammy Awards
- Best Video, Short Form, "Jazzin' for Blue Jean" (1985)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)
- Blackstar: all five nominated categories (2017), including Best Rock Performance and Best Alternative Music Album
Brit Awards
- British Male Solo Artist (1984, 2014, 2017)
- British Album of the Year, Blackstar (2017)
Other Honours
- Ivor Novello Special Award for Originality, "Space Oddity" (1969)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1996)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1997)
Away From the Spotlight
Bowie took up the saxophone at 13. He was married to Angie Barnett from 1970 to 1980, and married Iman in 1992; he had two children, Duncan and Lexi. Today his archive of more than 90,000 items lives at the David Bowie Centre, which opened at V&A East Storehouse in London in September 2025.
FAQs
What was David Bowie's real name?
David Robert Jones.
How old was David Bowie when he died?
He was 69. He would have turned 80 on 8 January 2027.
Where was David Bowie born?
In Brixton, south London, on 8 January 1947.
Why did David Bowie change his name?
To avoid confusion with Davy Jones of the Monkees.
What was David Bowie's last album?
Blackstar, released on 8 January 2016, two days before his death.
How many Grammys did Blackstar win?
Five, at the 2017 ceremony, sweeping every category it was nominated in.
Shop the David Bowie Collection
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Freddie Mercury: Queen's Frontman, His Songs and Legacy and The Beatles: The Fab Four's Albums, Story and Legacy.
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