The words legend and genius are thrown around too often these days, but there is no better way to describe a man who could take us on a journey to outer space and back again, get us caught in an elaborate maze, rebel against popular culture while being summarily embraced by it, and mock the never-ending chase of fame while sitting at its very peak. And dance—be it with red shoes or in the streets or under pressure or on fashion—the man could make you want to dance.

David Bowie died after an 18-month battle with cancer, just two days after his 69th birthday, the day he released his latest, and last, album, Blackstar. From Bowie’s social media feeds:

January 10 2016 – David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.

Whenever someone dies, with the grief and sadness come fond memories of one’s work and contributions to the world, to the industry, to life. It’s impossible to chronicle all the work David Bowie did in his career and put that into proper context in one note about his death.

He was the world’s ultimate glam star, and someone who could sit by a piano and sing Christmas carols with Bing Crosby, and both seemed to fit him just right.

https://twitter.com/DavidAllenGreen/status/686471762616446976

Until his death, Bowie was, and will be, the epitome of style, the pinnacle of everything cool and strange and weird and yet completely and utterly accessible. He was David Bowie. He was the Goblin King.

Here are ten (or so) songs to remember Bowie by today; a glimpse at a man’s life and career that spanned eight decades on Earth and half a century as one of the legendary geniuses of his time. Check ignition, and may God’s love be with you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ildVYgYWPqc

About Dan Levy

Dan Levy has written a lot of words in a lot of places, most recently as the National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. He was host of The Morning B/Reakaway on Sirius XM's Bleacher Report Radio for the past year, and previously worked at Sporting News and Rutgers University, with a concentration on sports, media and public relations.

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