David Bowie, originally named David Robert Hayward-Jones, is born in Brixton, London. He would go on to become a legendary musician and cultural icon known for his innovative music and unique style.

David Bowie starts to excel in his classes and discovers his interest in music, particularly American 45s. His encounter with Little Richard's 'Tutti Frutti' is described as a transformative experience.

In 1956, David Bowie was first impressed with Elvis Presley when he saw his cousin Kristina dance to 'Hound Dog' soon after its release.

In 1958, David Bowie started attending Bromley Technical High School, which had a unique technical and academic environment.

On December 25, 1959, David Bowie received his first musical instrument, marking the beginning of his musical journey.

At the age of nine, David Bowie's interest in music was ignited when his father introduced him to a collection of American 45s, featuring artists like Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. Bowie was particularly struck by Little Richard's 'Tutti Frutti', describing the experience as hearing 'God'.

As Davy Jones in 1964, Bowie co-founded and spoke for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men, advocating for the right to keep long hair.

On September 13, 1966, David Bowie bid farewell to his previous persona 'Davie Jones' and embraced the name 'David Bowie' as his stage name.

David Bowie's self-titled debut album was released on June 1, 1967, marking the beginning of his musical career.

In January 1968, Bowie had a walk-on role in the BBC drama series Theatre 625. This early acting experience laid the foundation for his later diverse acting roles in films and television.

On July 11, 1969, David Bowie's song 'Space Oddity' was released as a single by Mercury Records and Philips. The song, about a fictional astronaut named Major Tom, became a top five hit in the UK.

Four years after changing his stage name to David Bowie, the 22-year-old musician releases his breakthrough single 'Space Oddity'. The name change was made to avoid confusion with actor and future Monkee Davy Jones.

David Bowie married Mary Angela Barnett on 19 March 1970 at Bromley Register Office in Bromley, London. They had an open marriage and dated other people during it.

On March 20, 1970, David Bowie marries actress Angela Barnett. They later have a son named Zowie, who would become the future film director Duncan Jones in May 1971.

On November 15, 1971, David Bowie released his iconic album 'Hunky Dory', which showcased his musical versatility and creativity.

The album 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' was released in 1972, becoming one of the defining albums of glam rock. It included hits like 'Starman' and solidified Bowie's UK breakthrough.

In June 1972, David Bowie releases his landmark album 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars'. This concept album solidified Bowie's status as a flamboyant glam-rock icon.

On July 6, 1972, David Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust made a groundbreaking appearance on Top of The Pops, performing 'Starman' and embedding the Ziggy Stardust persona into popular culture.

David Bowie's album 'Aladdin Sane' was released on April 13, 1973, featuring the iconic lightning bolt makeup on the cover.

David Bowie performs his iconic song “Starman” from the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars on the British TV program Top of the Pops. This performance introduces the singer and his Ziggy Stardust persona to a new generation of fans.

After a show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, The Spiders, David Bowie's backing band, disbands and Bowie announces the retirement of his iconic Ziggy Stardust character.

David Bowie leaves Britain in 1975 and never lives there again. He resides in various places such as Los Angeles, Berlin, Switzerland, and the island of Mustique, eventually passing away in New York.

During the Isolar Tour, Bowie's gesture to the crowd in what some alleged was a Nazi salute at Victoria Station in London sparked controversy. Bowie later attributed his behavior to his cocaine addiction and the character of the Thin White Duke.

On October 14, 1977, David Bowie released the album 'Heroes', which is considered one of his most influential and acclaimed works.

Bowie embarked on the Isolar II world tour in 1978, performing music from the first two Berlin Trilogy albums to almost a million people in 12 countries.

Bowie's album 'Lodger' marked a departure from his previous minimalist style, incorporating new wave and world music elements. The album was recorded in Switzerland and New York City, and was described as a concept album portraying a homeless wanderer. It reached number four in the UK and number 20 in the US.

David Bowie and Mary Angela Barnett divorced on 8 February 1980, with David receiving custody of their son Duncan.

Bowie collaborated with Queen for the hit single 'Under Pressure', which became Bowie's third UK number-one single. The song showcased the unique musical styles of both artists.

David Bowie was arrested with Iggy Pop for marijuana possession in upstate New York, but the charges were later dismissed.

Bowie's album 'Tonight' featured collaborations with Pop and Tina Turner, and included the hit 'Blue Jean'. The album also spawned the short film 'Jazzin' for Blue Jean', for which Bowie won a Grammy Award.

In 1985, Bowie portrayed Jareth, the Goblin King, in Jim Henson's film Labyrinth. Initially not a box office success, the movie later gained a cult following.

In 1986, Jim Henson’s fantasy film Labyrinth was released in the United States to mixed reviews and performed disappointingly at the box office. The film featured David Bowie in the role of Jareth the Goblin King.

On May 30, 1987, David Bowie's Glass Spider Tour commenced, showcasing a unique performance with a parasailing dance troupe, a giant arachnid prop, and guitarist Peter Frampton.

Two years later, Bowie played Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ. Despite a brief appearance, Bowie's performance was praised for its subtlety.

David Bowie forms the band Tin Machine with guitarist Reeves Gabrels to move away from his pop star image. The band releases their self-titled debut album on this day.

In 1991, David Bowie dissolved the band Tin Machine after their second album failed to meet commercial success. He then resumed his solo career and continued to collaborate with guitarist Reeves Gabrels.

On April 20, 1992, David Bowie performed at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, paying tribute to the Queen singer. He sang 'Heroes' and 'All the Young Dudes' and recited the Lord's Prayer during the event.

David Bowie married Somali-American model Iman in a private ceremony in Lausanne on 24 April 1992, solemnised on 6 June in Florence.

In 1993, David Bowie released the single 'Black Tie White Noise' which addressed the 1992 LA riots, showcasing his stance against racial issues.

Bowie released the quasi-industrial album 'Outside' in 1995, which was originally intended to be part of a non-linear narrative of art and murder. The album was successful in the UK and US, and Bowie chose Nine Inch Nails as his tour partner for the Outside Tour.

Bowie's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry.

In 1997, David Bowie introduced 'Bowie Bonds', which were asset-backed securities of revenues from his 25 albums recorded before 1990. The bonds were bought for $55 million and Bowie received the payment upfront by forfeiting 10 years worth of royalties.

The first stop of the co-headlining tour featuring David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails in 1998 faced hostile audience reactions. Bowie mentioned that he personally enjoyed the combination, but unfortunately, his fans did not share the same sentiment.

In 1999, David Bowie launched BowieNet, the world's first artist-created Internet service provider. It was nominated for a WIRED Award for Best Entertainment Site of the Year.

David Bowie and Iman had one daughter, Alexandria 'Lexi' Zahra Jones, born on 15 August 2000.

Following the 9/11 attacks, David Bowie performed a remarkable cover of Paul Simon's 'America' at Madison Square Garden during the Concert for New York City.

Bowienet, considered as one of the first musician-driven social media sites, is launched. It provides downloadable content such as tour recordings and access to the artist's journals for a monthly subscription fee of $20.

Bowie's Heathen album was considered a comeback in the U.S. market, reaching #14 on the charts and receiving strong reviews. It sold over two million copies worldwide and had a successful run on the UK charts.

Heathen, an album by David Bowie, was released on September 16, 2003. Despite Bowie's belief in the quality of the songwriting, it faced harsh criticism for its commercial and dull production.

Following a heart attack in Prague, David Bowie performs his last concert in Scheesel, Germany, concluding a 112-show global tour. This marks the end of his touring career.

Bowie returned to the stage in 2005, appearing with Arcade Fire at the Fashion Rocks event.

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

Bowie made a surprise guest appearance at David Gilmour's concert on May 29, 2006.

In 2007, David Bowie donated $10,000 to the defence fund for the Jena Six, highlighting his support for addressing unequal judicial processes.

Bowie performed on Scarlett Johansson's album of Tom Waits covers in 2008.

On the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing, EMI released the tracks from Bowie's

A live album from the A Reality Tour was released in January 2010.

In late March 2011, Bowie's previously unreleased album from 2001, Toy, was leaked onto the internet.

In 2012, David Bowie was ranked as the ninth best selling singles artist in the United Kingdom, with 10.6 million singles sold.

On January 8, 2013, David Bowie released 'The Next Day', his 27th studio album after a 10-year hiatus. The album received critical acclaim and reached #1 in the UK and 18 other countries.

At the 2014 Brit Awards, David Bowie became the oldest recipient of a Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist, making a notable reference to the upcoming Scottish independence referendum in his speech.

On January 5, 2015, a main-belt asteroid was named 342843 Davidbowie in honor of the musician.

Blackstar, Bowie's final album released on his 69th birthday, was well-received by critics. The album was considered a farewell gift to his fans as it was released just two days before his death, with lyrics hinting at his impending mortality.

David Bowie passed away two days after the release of Blackstar. It was revealed that he had planned the album as his swan song, with most of the lyrics reflecting his acceptance of his own mortality.

Following his wishes, David Bowie's ashes were scattered in a Buddhist ceremony in Bali, Indonesia after his cremation in New Jersey, marking a unique tribute to his legacy.

Belgian amateur astronomers at MIRA Public Observatory created a 'Bowie asterism' on January 13, 2016, consisting of seven stars forming the lightning bolt on Bowie's face from the cover of his Aladdin Sane album.

On January 7, 2017, the BBC aired a 90-minute documentary titled 'David Bowie: The Last Five Years' showcasing Bowie's final years.

On what would have been Bowie's 70th birthday, the EP 'No Plan' was released, featuring songs recorded during the Blackstar sessions. The EP also included a music video for the title track.

At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, David Bowie posthumously won five awards, marking his first Grammy wins in musical categories. The awards recognized his contributions to rock music and album production.

On March 25, 2018, a statue of David Bowie was unveiled in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, featuring various characters and looks from his career, with Ziggy Stardust at the forefront.

A previously unreleased version of 'The Man Who Sold the World' was released on what would have been Bowie's 73rd birthday. This release was part of the ongoing posthumous tributes to the legendary artist.

The album 'ChangesNowBowie' was released in November 2020 for Record Store Day, featuring a collection of Bowie's live performances. The release was part of the continued celebration of Bowie's musical legacy.

Bowie's estate signed a distribution deal with Warner Music Group, starting in 2023, to release his recordings from 2000 to 2016. This deal ensured that Bowie's music would continue to reach audiences in the future.

Bowie's estate sold his publishing catalogue to Warner Chappell Music for a substantial amount, solidifying the value and impact of Bowie's musical legacy. The sale highlighted the enduring popularity of Bowie's work.

A timeline of the ever-changing life of David Bowie, highlighting his revolutionary daring as an artist and his constant reinvention of image and sound. The article reflects on Bowie's impact on mainstream culture and his ability to inspire others to be daring in their own ways.