LONDON, January 11. /TASS/. David Bowie, an iconic British singer, has died of cancer two days after his 69th birthday and the release of his last album, Blackstar.

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," said a statement on the musician’s Facebook page.

Bowie's innovative songs and stagecraft had a major influence on popular music in the early 1970s. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him 39th on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock Artists of All Time and the 23rd best singer of all time

British Prime Minister David Cameron offered his condolences over the musician’s death.

"I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss," he tweeted.