David Bowie's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of David Bowie.

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: Won Ivor Novello Special Award For Originality

In 1969, David Bowie's song "Space Oddity" earned him the Ivor Novello Special Award For Originality, marking a commercial breakthrough in his career.

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1969: Re-issue of "Space Oddity"

In 1975, the re-issue of David Bowie's 1969 single, 'Space Oddity' became Bowie's first number-one hit in the UK a few months after 'Fame' achieved the same in the US.

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1975: Release of "Young Americans" and Success of "Fame"

In 1975, David Bowie released the album 'Young Americans,' achieving commercial success in the US and UK. The song "Fame", a collaboration with John Lennon, became Bowie's first US number one. Bowie fired Defries as his manager.

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".

1983: Release of Let's Dance

In 1983, David Bowie reached his peak of popularity and commercial success with Let's Dance. The album went platinum in both the UK and the US, and its title track reached number one.

1984: MTV Video Music Awards

At the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, David Bowie received two awards including the inaugural Video Vanguard Award.

1993: First Single to enter the Top 10

In January 2013, the single "Where Are We Now?" entered the Top 10 for two decades (since "Jump They Say" in 1993)

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.

February 1997: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

On February 12, 1997, David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999: Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

In 1999, David Bowie was appointed Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government and received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.

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.

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.

February 2006: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

On February 8, 2006, David Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

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.

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.

2016: Brits Icon award

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

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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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".