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David Bowie: tributes pour in for music icon, dead at 69

Shock, sadness and personal tributes have greeted the news of David Bowie’s death as fans gather to mourn.

less than 2 min read
6:31AMJanuary 12, 2016.
Updated 1:40PMJanuary 12, 2016
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David Bowie and Mick Jagger’s Dancing In The Street cover.
David Bowie and Mick Jagger’s Dancing In The Street cover.

Reaction to the news of David Bowie’s death, from cancer at the age of 69, has prompted an outpouring of tributes.

Initial reports of the music legend’s death, on his official Twitter and Facebook pages, sparked responses that it was a hoax.

That was until film director Duncan Jones, Bowie’s son with his first wife Angela Bowie, confirmed the news on Twitter.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is remembering David Bowie as “original” and “shameless.”

Tributes to David Bowie
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Flowers, candles and pictures sit at a memorial outside of the late musician and performer David Bowie's apartment that he shared with his wife on January 11, 2016 in New York City. A growing memorial sits outside of the residence in lower Manhattan following news that Bowie died over the weekend following 18 month battle with cancer. Bowie was 69 and had just released his 25th studio album, "Blackstar," to strong reviews on January 8. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==
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The two icons teamed up in 1985 for “Dancing in the Street,” a cover of the Motown classic that was a top 10 hit in Britain and the U.S.

‘‘David was always an inspiration to me and a true original. He was wonderfully shameless in his work. We had so many good times together,” Jagger says in a statement. “He was my friend. I will never forget him.”

Iggy Pop called Bowie’s friendship “the light of my life” while Paul McCartney said: “His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world ... His star will shine in the sky forever.”

Fans lay flowers and candles at the doorstep at the building where British musician David Bowie once lived following the announcement of his death. Credit: Getty
Fans lay flowers and candles at the doorstep at the building where British musician David Bowie once lived following the announcement of his death. Credit: Getty

In Berlin, where David Bowie recorded his “Heroes” album, a makeshift memorial has sprung up outside the star’s old apartment.

Fans have also gathered to lay flowers beside a mural of David Bowie in Brixton, the south London neighbourhood where the singer was born in 1947.

Twitter was quickly inundated by friends, family, musical collaborators, and fans.

• Iain Shedden’s 10 best Bowie songs

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/david-bowie-tributes-pour-in-for-music-icon-dead-at-69/news-story/6a703826b8903928793ee06252e34fb8