david bowie By mdgarben 1947 David Robert Jones was born 1963 David Bowie started a professional musician 1969 David Bowie released "Space Oddity" 1972 David Bowie he re - emerged during the glam rock era with his alter ego Ziggy Stardust 1975 Bowie´s style shifted towards a sound he named " plastic soul " 1976 Bowie starred in the cult film " The Man Who Fell to Earth " 1977 He released " Low " 1977 He initiated the three collaborations with Brian Eno 1977 He released " Heroes " 1979 He released " Lodger " 1980 Bowie finally left his problems with drugs behind 1980 He released " Ashes to Ashes " 1981 He released " Under Pressure " 1983 He reached his peak commercial success 1996 He entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2004 He stopped touring after 2004 2006 His last live performance was at a charity event 2013 Bowie returned with " The Next Day " 2016 He died two days after both his 69th birthday and he release of his final album " Blackstar "