British rock music legend David Bowie has died after a long battle with cancer, his official Twitter and Facebook accounts said Monday.

Iconic British musician David Bowie passed away on Monday in his sleep following an 18-month battle with cancer at the age of 69. His publicist broke the news on the artist’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Born David Jones in London in 1947, the artist, singer/songwriter, actor and multi-instrumentalist took the world by storm in a groundbreaking career that spanned six decades.

Bowie left an unquestionable imprint on the world through his art, releasing a whopping 26 studio recordings to great critical acclaim and international commercial success.

His unorthodox flair and musical talent shaped the history of music in the 20th Century, influencing millions of fans and artists throughout the globe. Initial reactions to the news ranged from shock to denial, with many initially calling it a hoax.

When the musician’s publicist confirmed the news, countless memorials flooded social media, with an overwhelming message of love and an outpour of tributes made celebrating his life and work.

In the Middle East, fans struggled to come to terms with the loss.

Egyptian DJ and founder of UAE-based Ark To Ashes record label, Shadi Megallaa, told Al Arabiya News it was a “sad day for music and art.”

He added: “What inspires me most about him was his imagination. I love that he used Ziggy Stardust as an alias. I’m a huge fan of concept albums & art that makes you think about endless possibilities as opposed to just a ‘product.’ A true visionary has been lost, but will never be forgotten.”

Meanwhile, Youssef Nasser, a Lebanese social media expert at a Dubai-based advertising agency said he was feeling “jittery.”

“It’s a heavy one for me, his death … I got a bit of the jitters now while listening to ‘Black Star’ for the first time. He has truly used his art to express himself … His ever-changing self,” he told Al Arabiya News.

Bowie’s final record “Black Star” was released three days ago on his birthday, Jan. 8, 2016. It shot up to number one on the Amazon and Apple iTunes charts in the UK and number two in the U.S. It was hailed as Bowie’s “best anti-pop masterpiece” by Rolling Stones Magazine

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