British pop legend David Bowie dies at 69

Flowers and lit candles are pictured next to a portrait of David Bowie outside the apartment house where he was living in 1976-78 in Berlin's Schoeneberg district, Germany, January 11, 2016. David Bowie, a music legend who used daringly androgynous displays of sexuality and glittering costumes to frame legendary rock hits "Ziggy Stardust" and "Space Oddity", has died of cancer aged 69. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON  -- David Bowie, the iconic British singer-songwriter died on Sunday, just two days after his 69th birthday, his family announced Monday in a brief statement.

The statement, issued in London, said Bowie died peacefully on Jan. 10 surrounded by his family after a courageous 18- month battle with cancer.

With his instantly recognizable looks and stunning voice, Bowie enjoyed fame and a world-wide following in a career which spanned six decades.

Bowie, whose real name was David Robert Jones, was born on Jan. 8, 1947 in Brixton, London and formed his first band at the age of 15.

After his first record album failed, the title track on his second long play (LP) record, Space Oddity, became an instant hit, launching him into instant stardom.

As well as Space Oddity, Bowie's hits also included Let's Dance, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel Rebel, and Life on Mars. He was also well known for creating the flamboyant alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.

Space Oddity, with its famous line, 'Ground Control to Major Tom', was about an astronaut, and was released in 1969 during the time of man's first moon landing. It reached number 5 in the British top 20 charts.

Bowie has been described as one of the most influential musicians of his era, with details of his death prompting tributes from around the world.

Britain's first state-sponsored astronaut Tim Peake sent a tweet from the International Space Station: "Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer - his music was an inspiration to many."

Even Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron joined in the tributes, saying: "I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss."

Bowie had just released his latest album, Blackstar, on his birthday on Friday, almost guaranteeing his final piece of work instant fame.