David Bowie was one of those very few, rare humans who truly deserve epithets like "unique," "iconic" and "one of a kind."

During his 69 years on the planet, whether he was exploring rock, pop, soul or any number of genres down to jungle or ambient, Bowie plotted a different and usually zigzagging furrow.

Whether as Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, Jareth the Goblin King or simply another new version of David, he appeared in the public's awed eye as he sounded, always surprising and always several steps ahead of the nearest pack.

Space Oddity kicked off a career in 1969 that closed with Blackstar in 2016, fittingly intergalactic titles for a man that seemd to come from another planet, or at least the furthest depths of our imaginations. These photos capture the evolving and inimitable Starman during an astonishing life and career.