FLORENCE, ITALY – Iconic rock musician David Bowie has died of cancer at age 69. The news was announced in a statement on Bowie’s social media sites: “David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer,” it said.
January 10 2016 – David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle… https://t.co/ENRSiT43Zy
— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) 11 Gennaio 2016
Bowie’s death was confirmed by his son Duncan Jones who tweeted: “Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all.”
Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) 11 Gennaio 2016
The singer released his latest album, Blackstar, on his birthday, last Friday January 8, 2016.
In a career that spanned decades and incorporated various personas, including Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, Bowie was known for his innovative and wide-ranging musical styles and his highly theatrical stage presentation.
On June 6, 1992 David Bowie married Iman in a church service at the American Church of St James in Florence, Italy.
David and Iman had sailed down the coast of Italy on a six-week boat trip the previous year and both had a special fondness for Italy.
On the day of the wedding – a Saturday – the service began at 4pm, lasting fifty minutes.
According to the David Bowie News, while a thousand people jostled outside the church restrained by police, Reverend Mario Marziale conducted a service which in one respect was non-traditional.
Instead of the traditional Here Comes The Bride for the entrance of the bride, the couple chose a Bulgarian folk song called Kalimankou Denkou (The Evening Gathering) by Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, a Bulgarian female choir. Bowie composed the other music played during the service.
At the following dinner party most guests were family and non-famous friends (except for Bono Vox and Yoko Ono). Only 68 people were invited in eight tables at the luxury Villa La Massa hotel, a sixteenth century Medici mansion.
David and Iman left the party at 1am, leaving the next day on their honeymoon and beginning a very successful, happy marriage.
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