David Robert Jones, also known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Starting in the 1970s, his music was popular for over five decades and he was often regarded by critics and musicians as an innovator. His reinvention of music along with his visual presentation helped influence many artists that came after him. He was one of the world's best selling music artists, selling an estimated 140 records worldwide. In the UK, he was awarded nine platinum album certifications, eleven gold and eight silver and released eleven number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and seven gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and he passed away on January 10, 2016.