David Bowie dies, music world rushes to remember pop culture icon

David Bowie, a man who not only changed the face of music, but spun pop culture on its head and made everything he touched all the better, died Sunday night after a battle with cancer. The entire music world rushed to remember the singer, whose impact on the industry can’t be measured.

Bowie’s death was announced on Facebook, just three days after his 69th birthday. Friday also saw the release of his last album, Blackstar.

“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,” the statement read.

Duncan Jones, Bowie’s son and the director of the film Moon, tweeted a photo of himself as a baby with his father.

Bowie’s ever-changing styles and sounds had a profound impact on artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga, who have also tried to change their looks from album to album successfully. Madonna tweeted that she was happy just to have met him once.

Cher wrote that she was devastated by the news.

Yusuf/Cat Stevens responded to the statement on Facebook, writing, “So sad to hear this news. Condolences and prayers for his family. May he rest in everlasting peace.”

Mike Love of The Beach Boys fondly remembered Bowie on Facebook. “I've just learned of the the passing of David Bowie,” Love wrote. “David was a brilliant talent who possessed the ability to recreate himself again and again. Not only was he a creative force, but he was a very astute business man. My condolences to his family. David leaves this world a great gift of his music and more. RIP David!”

Bowie’s longtime producer and collaborator Tony Visconti called Bowie’s death itself a “work of Art.”

Here’s some other tributes from around social media: