Music legend David Bowie died Sunday aged 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer. The pop icon’s death was announced on his Facebook page early Monday morning, and confirmed by his son Duncan Jones on Twitter soon after.
Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m
Social media immediately erupted with messages of mourning, including from several of his contemporaries and peers in the music industry. The German Foreign Ministry thanked for his help in unifying East and West Germany.
Other celebrities including actor Bob Saget and Sunday night’s Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais also tweeted their condolences, as did British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon.
Oh God, rest in peace the genius that was David Bowie.
Hundreds of other netizens shared tributes in their own way, with many sharing pictures and videos of some of his most memorable performances and flamboyant costumes.