NEW YORK (AP) — David Bowie, the innovative and iconic singer whose illustrious career lasted five decades, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 69.

Representative Steve Martin said early Monday that Bowie died "peacefully" and was surrounded by family.

The statement read: "While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

No more details were provided.

Bowie turned 69 on Friday, the same day he released a new album called "Blackstar."

LONDON (AP) — The latest on the death of singer David Bowie. All times local.

 

To honor David Bowie, the TV networks MTV and VH1 will air dedicated programming to "celebrate the life of the musical genius."

MTV plans on Monday to air some of Bowie's biggest MTV moments including his 1984 VMA performance of hit song "Blue Jean," an archival interview with Iggy Pop and more.

VH1 Classic will air blocks of Bowie music videos over the next couple of days and the film "Ziggy Stardust." Both networks also will air additional archival content later this week.

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The White House is saluting David Bowie's immense contribution to art, music and film in the U.S. and abroad.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says he's not sure whether President Barack Obama was a Bowie fan. But he says the broad outpouring of reaction to Bowie's death illustrates how his loss will be felt.

Earnest says people all across the world have said they were inspired by Bowie's life and work.

Fans Mourn David Bowie In Berlin
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LONDON (AP) — The latest on the death of singer David Bowie.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger remembered David Bowie as "original" and "shameless."

The two icons teamed up in 1985 for "Dancing in the Street," a cover of the Motown classic that was a top 10 hit in Britain and the U.S.

"David was always an inspiration to me and a true original. He was wonderfully shameless in his work. We had so many good times together... He was my friend. I will never forget him."

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Mourning fans are remembering David Bowie at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The star on a Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk became covered with candles, flowers and glitter Monday morning as Los Angeles residents awoke to news of Bowie's death from cancer on Sunday.

Bowie was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Feb. 12, 1997.

The Hollywood Historic Trust will place a wreath at his star later Monday.

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In Berlin, where David Bowie recorded his "Heroes" album, a makeshift memorial sprung up outside the star's old apartment.

Mark Reeder, a Berlin-based musician and producer, said Bowie felt liberated by the city and filled with people who didn't fit into "normal" society.

"I think he really enjoyed his time here. It was really important for him, because he could be himself, he could find himself. David Bowie in Berlin, it was like a journey of self-discovery."

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Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy, which awards the Grammys, says in a statement that David Bowie was "truly a Renaissance man and visionary artist with extraordinary talent as a singer, songwriter, performer, actor and producer." He said that the singer was a "musical hero to millions."

The Grammy-winner and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was remembered by the academy for "his audacious approach to pushing creative boundaries and ability to reinvent himself time and time again."

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Broadway Opening Of "The Color Purple"
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The death of David Bowie has already reverberated across the music world.

On the iTunes albums chart, which updates frequently throughout the day to reflect digital purchases from users, Bowie's new album "Blackstar" peaked at No. 1 on Monday.

"Best of Bowie" was No. 2, pushing Adele's "25" to No. 3. And two other Bowie albums reached the Top 10.

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Members of the Rolling Stones say they are "shocked and deeply saddened" by David Bowie's death.

The band said in a statement that "as well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original."

Bowie and Stones frontman Mick Jagger teamed up in 1985 for "Dancing in the Street," a cover of the Motown classic that was a top 10 hit in Britain and the U.S.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney has also paid tribute, calling Bowie "a great star."

"His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I'm proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world," McCartney wrote on his website.

"I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever."

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<> on January 10, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
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Producers of reality-TV show "Celebrity Big Brother" says David Bowie's ex-wife Angie has decided to remain on the program despite his death.

Angie Bowie is appearing on the British show, whose contestants must live together in a house, cut off from the outside world and be filmed by ever-present cameras.

The show's publicists said Monday that she had been told of Bowie's death by her representatives off-camera and "has taken the decision to continue in the program."

"The decision to remain in the house is entirely her choice, and she has been given the option to leave at any time if she changes her mind," the show said in a statement. "Appropriate support will be available to Angie at any time if needed."

Bowie and Mary Angela Barnett married in 1970 and divorced in 1980. They have one son, the filmmaker Duncan Jones.

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Fans have gathered to lay flowers beside a mural of David Bowie in Brixton, the south London neighborhood where the singer was born in 1947.

Fish-and-chip shop owner Roland Lowery, 59, came with his 21-year-old daughter, a life-long Bowie fan.

Lowery said he first heard Bowie when he was 15 years old.

"I was going out with a girl then and she was mad on this strange-looking fellow, and I thought, 'Oh, yeah I'll go along'" to a concert, Lowery said. "I was just blown away with what he did."

He said Bowie would be remembered for "the way he influenced people to just get up in the morning and put on what you want to put on and be who you want to be."

"We are mourning in a way, but it is more a celebration of his life."

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Tributes Are Made After The Death Of Music Icon David Bowie
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Germany's Foreign Ministry says David Bowie is "now among heroes" and is thanking the one-time West Berlin resident for "helping to bring down the wall."

The ministry's post on its Twitter feed includes a link to a video of Bowie performing "Heroes," which contains the line "I can remember/Standing, by the wall."

The ministry wrote: "Good-bye, David Bowie. You are now among #Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the #wall."

Bowie lived in West Berlin in the late 1970s. Mayor Michael Mueller said Monday that "Heroes" became "the hymn of our then-divided city and its longing for freedom."

Mueller said that that "Berliners are mourning a musical genius and one of their most famous fellow citizens."

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Producers of the reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother" say David Bowie's ex-wife, Angie, has not yet been told of the rock star's death.

Angie Bowie is currently appearing on the British show, whose contestants must live together in a house, cut off from the outside world and filmed by ever-present cameras.

The show's publicists sad Monday that "Angie Bowie will be informed off camera today at the earliest opportunity."

They promised a further update once she has been told.

David Bowie and Mary Angela Barnett married in 1970 and divorced in 1980. They have one son, the filmmaker Duncan Jones.

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Many of the tributes being offered to the late David Bowie have been personal, reflections of the life of the man as well as the star.

Bowie's son, director Duncan Jones, posted a picture of his smiling father, with the line, "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who described himself as a huge fan, said Bowie would be "deeply mourned."

"From the time I saw his Ziggy Stardust concert as a student, I thought he was a brilliant artist and an exciting and interesting human being," Blair said in a statement. "It was a great privilege when I got to meet him later in life."

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Ziggy Plays Guitar
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The Vatican's culture minister has paid tribute to David Bowie by tweeting the lyrics to his song "Space Oddity."

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi wrote on Twitter Monday: "Ground Control to Major Tom Commencing countdown, engines on Check ignition and may God's love be with you."

Bowie's representative Steve Martin says the singer died "peacefully" Sunday surrounded by family after an 18-month battle with cancer.

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Tributes are pouring in for singer David Bowie, with politicians, clerics, actors and an astronaut offering their recollections of the late star.

British astronaut Tim Peake tweeted his sadness from outer space aboard the International Space Station, while London Mayor Boris Johnson said "No-one in our age has better deserved to be called a genius."

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby told the BBC on Monday that he became a fan during Bowie's early rise to prominence.

"I remember sitting listening to his songs endlessly in the '70s particularly and always really relishing what he was, what he did, the impact he had," Welby said. "Extraordinary person."

Comedian Ricky Gervais, who persuaded his idol to appear on his television show, "Extras," wrote on Twitter: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

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Kanye West has hailed David Bowie as one of his "most important inspirations" in a tribute to the singer on Twitter.

He says Bowie was "so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime."

British rocker Billy Idol also took to Twitter to describe his loss, saying he was "nearly brought to tears" by the sudden news of Bowie's passing, adding "RIP."

Bowie's representative Steve Martin says the singer died "peacefully" Sunday surrounded by family after an 18-month battle with cancer.

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David Bowie Photo Call
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David Cameron says Bowie's death is "a huge loss."

The British Prime Minister tweeted Monday that he had grown up listening to and watching Bowie.

He called the singer a "master of reinvention" and a pop genius who kept on getting it right.

Bowie's representative Steve Martin says the singer died "peacefully" Sunday surrounded by family after an 18-month battle with cancer.

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