David Bowie 1947-2016 [VIDEO]

I'm a very light sleeper and about 7:30 Monday morning, I was stirring and I thought while I was awake I would check my phone. I usually check Twitter first and I started to see the tweets and the terrible news, rock pop icon/actor David Bowie had passed away.

Bowie's original last name was Jones, however, another David "Davy" Jones of The Monkees stole his thunder. It didn't matter, Bowie would make his own indelible mark on the world. He was brilliant, weird, shocking, and one hell of a songwriter. As a performer, he would continue to reinvent his image, but he would never compromise his artistry, which was his ultimate gift to us all.

Here are a few of my favorite Bowie moments...

Around every Christmas when I was growing up, this video was mandatory on MTV. Many of my fellow Generation X'ers were introduced to Bowie via the video channel. He was a normal guy with a son, Duncan, who was known as Zowie for a while, yes, Zowie Bowie. Duncan is now a award-winning screenwriter and director. This performance from a Bing Crosby Christmas special is sublime.

Jim Henson's fantasy film 'Labyrinth' is still magical today. Once again, the kids of my generation know Jareth The Goblin King and this song by heart. By the way, 'Labyrinth' turns 30 this year. Wow! I've got to get my Zoey to watch it.

"Under Pressure" was huge hit for Queen and Bowie. Front man Freddie Mercury passed away in 1991; in 1992, a tribute concert was staged Wembley Stadium in London. Bowie would perform the hit single again, this time with Annie Lennox, I love this!

As much as I'm excited for 'Zoolander 2', I don't think it will ever come close to capturing the spirit and the inane hilarity of the original. As I was thinking of what Bowie moments to include, I snickered and I decided this had to be one. "...I believe I may be of service!" Bowie was also a lover of fashion, after all, he was married to supermodel Iman, it was a nice surprise to see his cameo.

And this, literally, was Bowie's final act. Not only was his 69th birthday this past Friday, his final album 'Blackstar' was released. And two days later, he was gone. "Lazarus" was Bowie's final farewell to the world, may he travel back to the stars.