Lasting Legacy of David Bowie: A Look at the Influence on History

How the contributions of David Bowie continue to shape the world today.

David Bowie (David Robert Jones) was a highly influential English singer-songwriter and actor, celebrated for his innovation and impact on popular music, especially during the 1970s. His career, spanning five decades, was characterized by constant reinvention and striking visual presentation. Bowie remains a critically acclaimed and influential figure in music history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1969: Remastering of Bowie's catalogue

Since 2015, Parlophone has been remastering David Bowie's catalogue through the "Era" box set series, beginning with Five Years (1969–1973). The album consists of songs written between 1969 and 1973.

1973: Remastering of Bowie's catalogue

1980: Most important artist since the Beatles

According to Alexis Petridis of The Guardian, by 1980 David Bowie was "the most important and influential artist since the Beatles".

1992: Philip Glass' First Symphony

In 1992, American composer Philip Glass adapted David Bowie's album Lodger, along with other works, into classical music symphonies, beginning with his First Symphony.

1996: Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music

In 1996, David Bowie received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, recognizing his significant impact on the music industry.

1996: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1996, David Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1997: Philip Glass' Fourth Symphony

In 1997, American composer Philip Glass adapted David Bowie's album Lodger, along with other works, into classical music symphonies, composing his Fourth Symphony.

2000: Declined Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

In 2000, David Bowie declined the royal honor of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

2002: Ranked in BBC's 100 Greatest Britons poll

In 2002, David Bowie was ranked 29th in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.

2002: Influence on popular artists

In 2002, biographer Thomas Forget stated, "Because he succeeded in so many different styles of music, it is almost impossible to find a popular artist today that has not been influenced by David Bowie."

2003: Turned down a knighthood

In 2003, David Bowie turned down a knighthood, stating that he did not understand what it was for and it was not what he had spent his life working for.

2004: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked David Bowie 39th on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

2005: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 2005, David Bowie was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2006: Fourth Greatest Living British Icon

In 2006, David Bowie was voted the fourth greatest living British icon in a poll by the BBC's Culture Show.

2009: "Space Oddity" Remix Contest

On the 40th anniversary of the July 1969 Moon landing, EMI released the individual tracks from the original eight-track studio recording of the song, in a 2009 contest inviting members of the public to create a remix.

2013: Inducted into Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame

In 2013, David Bowie was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and named best-dressed Briton in history by BBC History magazine.

2013: David Bowie Is exhibition opens in London

In 2013, the David Bowie Is exhibition, organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, opened in London. The exhibition was highly successful, attracting over 300,000 visitors.

2015: Remastering of Bowie's catalogue

Since 2015, Parlophone has been remastering David Bowie's catalogue through the "Era" box set series, beginning with Five Years (1969–1973).

January 2016: David Bowie's Death

David Bowie died in January 2016, marking the end of a 50-year career marked by reinvention.

2016: Brits Icon award

In 2016, David Bowie posthumously received the Brits Icon award for his "lasting impact on British culture".

2016: Bowie's androgynous challenge

In 2016, the BBC's Mark Easton noted that Britain was "far more tolerant of difference" and that gay rights and gender equality benefited from David Bowie's androgynous challenge over the years.

2016: Bowie's death and tribute to Coco Schwab

Upon David Bowie's death in 2016, friends like Tony Zanetta and Robin Clark paid tribute to Coco Schwab. Bowie also left $2 million to Schwab in his will, recognizing her significant role in his life.

January 2017: Tributes after Bowie's Death

In January 2017, tributes were made to David Bowie after his death. On January 7, the BBC broadcast the documentary David Bowie: The Last Five Years. On January 8, which would have been Bowie's 70th birthday, Gary Oldman hosted a charity concert in Brixton. A David Bowie walking tour was launched, and concerts took place in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Tokyo.

2018: End of David Bowie Is World Tour

In 2018, the David Bowie Is exhibition concluded its world tour at the Brooklyn Museum. The exhibition had around 2,000,000 visitors during its run.

January 2019: Stardust biopic announced

On January 31, 2019, the announcement of the biopic "Stardust" was made, starring Johnny Flynn as David Bowie, Jena Malone as Angie Bowie, and Marc Maron as Bowie's publicist.

2019: Philip Glass' Twelfth Symphony

In 2019, American composer Philip Glass adapted David Bowie's album Lodger, along with other works, into classical music symphonies, completing with his Twelfth Symphony.

2020: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

In the 2020 revision of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, multiple David Bowie albums were included: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars at number 40, Station to Station at 52, Hunky Dory at 88, Low at 206, and Scary Monsters at 443.

2021: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list

In the 2021 revision of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, several David Bowie songs were included: "'Heroes'" at number 23, "Life on Mars?" at 105, "Space Oddity" at 189, "Changes" at 200, "Young Americans" at 204, "Station to Station" at 400, and "Under Pressure" at 429.

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May 2022: Announcement of Moonage Daydream film

On May 23, 2022, the announcement was made of the film "Moonage Daydream", a documentary on David Bowie's musical journey, written and directed by Brett Morgen, featuring never-before-seen footage, performances, and music framed by Bowie's own narration.

2022: Best-Selling Vinyl Artist of the 21st Century

As of 2022, David Bowie was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century.

2022: Most influential artist in Britain

In 2022, Sky Arts ranked David Bowie as the most influential artist in Britain of the last 50 years "owing to his transcendent influence on British culture".