Earlier last week, the world lost a legend as the galaxy gained a star. On January 10, 2016, musician David Bowie died of cancer at age 69.

English artist David Bowie, born David Robert Jones, was and will continue to be a musical icon. With a career spanning over five decades, Bowie touched and inspired millions worldwide. Spanning from his breakout hit, “Space Oddity,” to an era of a glam, alter-ego rock star, Ziggy Stardust, to a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1996, to over 140 million records sold worldwide, to music continuously released up until two days before his death, Bowie was a musical beast. His talent and productivity within the music industry may never be matched.

Bowie is a man of astounding cultural legacy. During the 1970’s era of progressive rock, he changed what it meant to be a rock star; he discarded the screaming, self-righteous, leather-bound, face-paint-clad image of rock and replaced it with profound, meaningful, sophisticatedly glamorous, new wave music.

The musician’s inspirational work touched many.  His sound was new, different in a way that made people want to listen. People wanted to hear that alien, fluctuating voice that encouraged love, compassion, and reality. People loved seeing the man that embraced modernism, sexuality, androgyny, and glamour. The artist was ‘weird’ in such a perfect way, a way that made Bowie, well, Bowie.

As aforementioned, Bowie released his latest album, ‘Blackstar’, just two days before his death. His piece “Lazarus” is believed to be his final goodbye, as he wistfully sings to us, “Look up here I’m in heaven.” Bowie is remembered by his wife Imam, his two children, thousands of adoring fans, and a world touched by his life’s work.

I grew up with David Bowie. I would listen to my mom’s Bowie cassettes in our old, smelly minivan. I remember listening to “Space Oddity” for the first time, which caused too many feelings that a seven year old me was not ready for. David Bowie has inspired me to embrace love and reject what is normal. Bowie once said, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” I’m sure it won’t be either; and I wish our Starman best of luck in space.