In memoriam. David Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the late rocker’s first No. 1 album, according to Billboard.
Blackstar was released on January 8, the music superstar’s 69th birthday, just two days before he died after an 18-month battle with cancer.
The album earned 181,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during the week ending January 14, 174,000 of which were in pure album sales. The British singer’s previous sales record was 2013’s The Next Day, which sold 85,000 copes in its first week.
Nine more Bowie albums re-entered the Billboard 200 chart following news of his death, including his greatest hits compilation Best of Bowie, which hit No. 4.
Blackstar is the first posthumous album to hit No. 1 since 2009, when Michael Jackson’s This Is It soundtrack topped the charts.
Bowie, who was married to supermodel Iman, was best known for his hit singles “Space Oddity,” “Heroes,” “Fame” and “Under Pressure,” a collaboration with Queen. His death prompted tributes from around the world, with celebs including Madonna, Mick Jagger and Lady Gaga speaking out about his influence, while fans have paid tribute in unusual ways, even signing a petition requesting that the planet Mars be renamed after the “Starman” singer.
