I became a fan after "Lets Dance". I was never into those androgynous/Space Oddity phases he went though. After that album I started digging around and did find some songs that were pretty good. I just had to get past his appearance.
All in all, he handled his career like a boss. He was a heck a man.
He made good music, but I always viewed him as an artist first and musician second. He just came across to me as loving art in general more than music.
I was a fan of David Bowie and he will be missed. He was one of the most innovated musicians of his time. The entertainment world definitely lost a good one with his passing.