David Bowie: Fans organise 'Bowie party' at Brixton birthplace and pay moving tributes at memorial

Millions of fans have paid personal tributes to David Bowie around the world - including organising a street party at his birthplace.
Hundreds will sing and dance the night away in Brixton as dozens visited a nearby memorial to leave flowers, touching notes and even paintings.
Today the world woke up to the tragic news that Bowie passed away aged 69 after battling with cancer.
Brixton Buzz, a local blog, is hosting the Let's Dance party in a pub round the corner from where Bowie was born.

It was also reported that David Bowie fought back from six heart attacks in the past year to make his final album.

 

Mourning: A man pauses after leaving a bouquet outside the site of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust album cover photoshoot

 

Devastated: Two women react at a mural of David Bowie in Brixton

The rock legend - whose new album was released just last week - passed away this morning aged 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer, his family said in a statement.
Now, his biographer, Wendy Leigh, has claimed that he suffered half a dozen heart attacks during his fight against the deadly disease - but fought back from each of them.
“He didn’t just battle cancer if that’s not enough - he had six heart attacks in recent years," she told BBC News.

 

Remembered: A tribute to British singer David Bowie is seen outside the Ritzy Picturehouse cinema

Just down the road from his birthplace hundreds are attending a Brixton Bowie street party.
The event on Facebook says: "Bowie's time on this earth may be over, but he sure left us some great music. Today is a day to gather together and celebrate.

"Please share with anyone you think would be able to help with music or any other element of this event - bring instruments, speakers, food and most importantly love."

In memory: Fans gather at Bowie's mural to remember the singer

 

Fans leave flowers and tributes for David Bowie in Brixton, South London,

There will also be Bowie nights at local pubs and restaurants.
The Prince Albert pub posted on Facebook: "Tonight, we’re going to drink, dance and celebrate Brixton’s finest son with a night of David Bowie music in the Prince Albert on Coldharbour Lane Brixton – not far from where the great man was born.

 

Mural: Flowers are left on the wall of Morley's store in Brixton

"We’ll be playing his hits, album tracks, obscurities and more – plus some of his musical influences and the artists he inspired – and screening videos and photos of the great man.
"Please come and join us and share a toast toast to the genius that was David Robert Jones, aka David Bowie. We loved his music and are devastated by his death.

 

Tributes are seen on flowers left beneath a mural of British singer David Bowie

"It’s free admission all night. Dress up if you feel like it. Let’s do Bowie proud."

People look at tributes left next to a mural of David Bowie in Brixton, south London

Lifelong Bowie fan Brendan McGowan, 53, said he was 'stunned' and 'saddened' at the news of the rockstar's passing.
He said: "I was absolutely stunned. The guy just brings out a new album, which will obviously go to number one now, and you're thinking - great - there's more music in him.
"You just don't imagine a guy with that much energy and creativity and commitment to music is going to die.
"The truth is, he's had this cancer for eighteen months, so he recorded this album while he knew he was dying.
"People will start listening to that album and looking at it in a completely different way.

Bouquets and tributes lie outside the site of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust album cover

 

An icon: David Bowie passed away after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer

"Everyone says the same thing about Bowie: a good bloke. For all this stardom and weirdness and edginess he was a good bloke, a very funny guy, very warm, very good at putting people at ease.
"He was very accommodating, too. He was posing for photos with fans just 30 seconds before he was supposed to be on stage."
Bowie's family and representatives confirmed the news of his death this morning.

A message was posted onto his official social media accounts today, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, confirming the heartbreaking news.
It read: "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."

David's son, film director Duncan Jones, 44, also confirmed the news via Twitter.
Underneath a touching picture of himself as a toddler being carried by his famous father, he wrote: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."