David Bowie: Tributes pour in for the ‘master of reinvention’

Comedian Eddie Izzard calls on all radio stations to only play the singer’s music today

Portrait of David Bowie in 1983. File photograph: Ralph Gatti/AFP/Getty Images
Portrait of David Bowie in 1983. File photograph: Ralph Gatti/AFP/Getty Images

Tributes are flowing in from across the world for singer David Bowie, who has died aged 69 following an 18-month struggle with cancer.

His son, Duncan Jones confirmed the death of his father on Twitter.

“Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all,” he said.

The singer had released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday last week.

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British prime minister David Cameron said he had grown up listening and watching the "pop genius".

“He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss,” he said

U2 lead singer Bono tweeted a photograph of the pair with the caption: “Planet Earth is blue - Bono.”

Comedian Eddie Izzard called on all radio stations to only play Bowie's tracks today.

“Please could every radio station around the globe just play David Bowie music today - I think the world owes him that,” he said.

Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais tweeted: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

Singer Billy Idol said he was “nearly brought to tears” on hearing the sudden news of the song writer’s death.

Actor Russell Crowe credited Bowie as “one of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived”.

“RIP David . I loved your music. I loved you... #sorrow.”

Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield, who sang Bowie’s classic Space Oddity when he was in space, said: “Ashes to ashes, dust to stardust. Your brilliance inspired us all. Goodbye Starman.”

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty is Digital Features Editor and journalist with The Irish Times