David Bowie’s Extraordinary Life in 57 Photos
The late David Bowie was a man of many personae, a rock star defined by his experimentation with identity. Bowie’s shape-shifting musical genius was often captured by photographers like Terry O’Neill and personal shooter Mick Rock, two greats of celebrity portraiture, and countless others as it evolved over the decades. Take a look back at the life of the man who fell to Earth in these career-spanning photographs.
1963, the early years.
Photo: CA/Redferns.
1969, during the release of Space Oddity.
Photo: RB/Redferns
1969
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1972
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1972
Photo: Michael Putland/2011 Getty Images
1972, the Ziggy Stardust years.
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1973
Photo: Hulton Archive
1973
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1973
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1973
Photo: Debi Doss/Doss/Redferns
1973
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1973
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1973
Photo: Chris Walter/Chris Walter
1973
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
1974
Photo: Terry O’Neill/2006 Getty Images
1974
Photo: Terry O’Neill/2006 Getty Images
1974
Photo: Gijsbert Hanekroot/1974 Gijsbert Hanekroot
1974
Photo: Laurance Ratner
1974, photographed by Terry O'Neill.
Photo: Terry O’Neill/2005 Getty Images
1974
Photo: Terry O’Neill/2006 Getty Images
1975
Photo: Ron Galella
1976
Photo: Terry O’Neill/2005 Getty Images
1976, from The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/2012 Getty Images
1976, the Thin White Duke.
Photo: New York Daily News Archive/1976/Daily News, L.P. (New York)
1978
Photo: Richard E. Aaron
1980
Photo: Lester Cohen
1983, in his pop era.
Photo: Phil Dent
1985, with Mick Jagger in "Dancing in the Street."
Photo: RB/Redferns
1986, with Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth.
Photo: Stanley Bielecki Movie Collectio/2013 Getty Images
1987
Photo: Bob King
1990
Photo: Foto Rob Verhorst/1990 Rob Verhorst
1991, with future wife Iman.
Photo: Barry King/2002 WireImage.com
1991
Photo: Peter Still/1991 Peter Still
1992, with Annie Lennox at a Freddie Mercury tribute.
Photo: © Michael Putland/2010 Getty Images
1996
Photo: Mick Hutson/1996 Mick Hutson
1996
Photo: ullstein bild
1997, with Trent Reznor.
Photo: KMazur
1997
Photo: Kevin.Mazur
1997, at Bowie's 50th-birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden.
Photo: Patti Ouderkirk
1997
Photo: KMazur
1999
Photo: Karl Feile
2000
Photo: KMazur
2000
Photo: KMazur
2000
Photo: Ron Galella/2000 Ron Galella
2000, with James Brown at the 2000 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards.
Photo: KMazur
2001
Photo: Frank Micelotta Archive
2001, in the studio with Diddy.
Photo: KMazur
2002
Photo: KMazur
2002
Photo: KMazur
2002
Photo: Dave Benett
2003
Photo: KMazur
2003
Photo: KMazur
2003
Photo: James Devaney
2006, with Lou Reed at Reed's New York photography exhibit.
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/2005 Getty Images
2007
Photo: G. Gershoff
2009
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2009 Kevin Mazur
2015, one of the last known photos of Bowie, from the Lazarus rehearsals photographed by Vulture.
Photo: Jan Versweyveld