On Friday the world was enjoying'Blackstar', thebrand new album from David Bowieand today, three days later, the world mourns his loss following aprivate battle with cancer.

A true musical icon who has shaped the sounds of countless artists and theiralbums,here's just some of the seminal moments from his six decade-spanningcareer...

Ground Control To Major Tom

As the crew of the Apollo 11 space mission were preparing forlaunch of their moment in history, Bowie secured his own - his first Top 5 hit with 'Space Oddity'. Winning him an Ivor Novello award andon re-release a No.1 single, this was the first time his character Major Tom made an appearance.

Meet Ziggy

In 1972, with vivid red hair,Bowie re-emerged as Ziggy Stardust, a short-lived but seminal persona now synonymouswith glam rock. His accompanying album 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars'spawned the iconic 'Starman' andremained in the charts for two years. Later, as his stage shows got all the more shocking,Bowie would claim his immersion into the character had him questioning his sanity before the Ziggy was 'retired' in a now legendary show at the Hammersmith Odeon Theatre.

Aladdin Sane

His first No.1 album and a new persona, 'Aladdin Sane 'spawnedTop 5 singles 'The Jean Genie'and 'Drive-In Saturday'. Italso affirmed his status as a rock icon in America.

Berlin Days

In a bid to clean up his drug addiction and revitalise his sound, Bowie moved to West Berlin and produced, arguably, three of his best albums, the 'trilogy''Low', 'Heroes' and 'Lodger'.

Bowie Goes Pop

In the 80s, to some outcry from die-hard fans,Bowie introduced himself to a wider audience, teaming up with Chic's Nile Rodgers for his best-selling album 'Let's Dance'.

The Return

In 2013, Bowie returned with his first studio in a decade, 'The Next Day'. Going onto top the UK Albums Chart and receiving rave reviews, the LP was nominated for the Mercury Prize, a Grammy and BRIT Award and subsequently won him the 2014 BRIT Award for Best British Male- where he became the oldest recipient of a BRIT in the ceremony's history.

"Look up here, I’m in heaven, I’ve got scars that can’t be seen, I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen, Everybody knows me now," the lyrics of the newly-released 'Lazarus' are more poignant than ever before with today's sad news of Bowie's passing.

He Continues To Inspire Today

Legions of today's artists still cite David Bowie as a major influence. Lady Gaga told Alan Carr she wakes up every morning and asks herself "What would Bowie do?" Calvin Harris was listening to a lot of Bowie as he was making his debut LP 'I Created Disco' and Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump names Bowie's 'Low'as one of the recordsthat changed his life.Lorde even cited this vinyl as the "coolest thing" she owns:

R.I.P David.