David Bowie, the singer-songwriter who had been battling cancer for 18 months, died on Sunday, 10 January. The news was released via his website on Monday morning. It has been revealed that Bowie was surrounded by his family and had a peaceful death.

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief," read a statement on his website.

His son Duncan Jones -- film director, film producer and screenwriter -- wrote on Twitter, "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all." 

During his four-decade-long career, Bowie has dabbled with various versions of rock, pop and punk genres and belonged to an early set of musicians that elevated his music to art form.

"As was the case with Miles Davis in jazz, Bowie has come not just to represent his innovations but to symbolize modern rock as an idiom in which literacy, art, fashion, style, sexual exploration and social commentary can be rolled into one," Rolling Stone Magazine once wrote about Bowie.

Listen to some of his best songs via David Bowie Vevo: