Here's How the Internet Reacted to David Bowie's Death

By Rishi Iyengar

Updated: January 11, 2016 11:01 AM ET

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.

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.

His life and work was particularly priased by the musicians he worked with or those who were inspired by him.

The Many Faces of David Bowie

David Bowie is seen c. 1965.

David Bowie is seen c. 1965.

CA—Redferns/Getty Images

David Bowie during a portrait session in 1966 in London.

David Bowie during a portrait session in 1966 in London.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

David Bowie in his "Ziggy Stardust" guise in June, 1972 in London.

David Bowie in his "Ziggy Stardust" guise in June, 1972 in London.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Twiggy poses with David Bowie for the cover of his <i>Pin Ups</i> album in 1973 in Paris.

Twiggy poses with David Bowie for the cover of his Pin Ups album in 1973 in Paris.

Justin de Villeneuve—Getty Images

David Bowie performs c. 1973.

David Bowie performs c. 1973.

Archive Photos/Getty Images

From left: Angie Bowie, his son Zowie Bowie (Duncan Jones) and David Bowie, appear at a press conference at the Amstel Hotel on Feb. 7, 1974 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

From left: Angie Bowie, his son Zowie Bowie (Duncan Jones) and David Bowie, appear at a press conference at the Amstel Hotel on Feb. 7, 1974 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Gijsbert Hanekroot—Redferns/Getty Images

David Bowie is seen with a large barking dog while working on the artwork for his album <i>Diamond Dogs</i> in London in 1974.

David Bowie is seen with a large barking dog while working on the artwork for his album Diamond Dogs in London in 1974.

Terry O'Neill—Getty Images

From left: David Bowie, Yoko Ono and John Lennon at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 28, 1975 in New York City.

From left: David Bowie, Yoko Ono and John Lennon at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 28, 1975 in New York City.

Ron Galella—Getty Images

David Bowie during the filming of <i>The Man Who Fell To Earth</i> in Los Angeles in 1976.

David Bowie during the filming of The Man Who Fell To Earth in Los Angeles in 1976.

Terry O'Neill—Getty Images

Iggy Pop and David Bowie in Germany in March 1977.

Iggy Pop and David Bowie in Germany in March 1977.

Evening Standard/Getty Images

David Bowie performs on <i>Saturday Night Live</I> on Dec. 15, 1979 in New York City.

David Bowie performs on Saturday Night Live on Dec. 15, 1979 in New York City.

NBC/Getty Images

From left: Carmine Rojas, David Bowie, and Carlos Alomar perform during the Serious Moonlight tour in 1983 at Wembley Arena in London.

From left: Carmine Rojas, David Bowie, and Carlos Alomar perform during the Serious Moonlight tour in 1983 at Wembley Arena in London.

Phil Dent—Redferns/Getty Images

Paul McCartney and David Bowie backstage at Live Aid on July 13, 1985 in London.

Paul McCartney and David Bowie backstage at Live Aid on July 13, 1985 in London.

Dave Hogan—Getty Images

David Bowie plays an acoustic guitar while being photographed at a press conference in Tokyo on May 19, 1990.

David Bowie plays an acoustic guitar while being photographed at a press conference in Tokyo on May 19, 1990.

AP

Annie Lennox and David Bowie perform "Under Pressure" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on April 20, 1992 in London.

Annie Lennox and David Bowie perform "Under Pressure" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on April 20, 1992 in London.

Kevin Mazur—Getty Images

David Bowie onstage at Madison Square Garden for his 50th Birthday Concert in New York City on Jan. 9, 1997.

David Bowie onstage at Madison Square Garden for his 50th Birthday Concert in New York City on Jan. 9, 1997.

Kevin Mazur—Getty Images

David Bowie is seen while being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Calif. on Feb. 12, 1997.

David Bowie is seen while being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Calif. on Feb. 12, 1997.

Jim Smeal—Getty Images

David Bowie performs during the Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 13, 2004 in Newport, U.K.

David Bowie performs during the Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 13, 2004 in Newport, U.K.

Jo Hale—Getty Images

David Bowie performs with Arcade Fire at Conde Nast's 2005 Fashion Rocks Show on Sept. 8, 2005 in New York City.

David Bowie performs with Arcade Fire at Conde Nast's 2005 Fashion Rocks Show on Sept. 8, 2005 in New York City.

Kevin Mazur—Getty Images

David Bowie during his last live performance on Nov. 09, 2006 in New York City.

David Bowie during his last live performance on Nov. 09, 2006 in New York City.

Kevin Mazur—Getty Images

David Bowie attends the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 7, 2010 in New York City.

David Bowie attends the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 7, 2010 in New York City.

Andrew H. Walker—Getty Images

David Bowie and Iman are seen on April 28, 2011 in New York City.

David Bowie and Iman are seen on April 28, 2011 in New York City.

Andrew H. Walker—Getty Images

David Bowie in 2015.

David Bowie in 2015.

Jimmy King

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Read next: See Intimate Photos of David Bowie Throughout His Career

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.

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.

Bowie, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, had marked the occasion by releasing his latest album Blackstar.

Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com.

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