With a brief statement posted to David Bowie’s official account, his family announced that the legendary rock star died at the age of 69 after a 18-month battle with cancer.

“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” reads the statement.

His son, Duncan Jones, tweeted the newconfirmed the announcement later by posting a sweet black and white throwback photo of himself with his father and writing, “Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all.”

The influential singer-songwriter and producer had a brilliant carreer at glam rock, art rock, soul, hard rock, dance pop, punk and electronica during his 40-plus-year career.

David Bowie just released his 25th album, Blackstar on Jan. 8, which was his birthday.

He was born in London on Jan. 8, 1947, as David Jones, but he changed his name to David Bowie to avoid being confused with the newly famous Davy Jones of the Monkees.

Bowie became fame in the early 1970s and was renowned as an innovative songwriter and performer, including his alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

He had many famous hits including “Fame”, “Let’s Dance”, “Space Oddity”, “Heroes”, “Life on Mars” and “Rebel Rebel”,  “Changes,” “Under Pressure,” “China Girl,” “Modern Love,” “All the Young Dudes,” “Panic in Detroit,” “Fashion,” “Suffragette City”.

He was also an actor and stared in cult films such as “Labyrinth” and “The Last Temptation of Christ.”