Mick Jagger has joined the legions of celebrities paying tribute to the late David Bowie.

The glam rock legend passed away earlier this week after a prolonged battle with cancer and Jagger said that his close friend will be sorely missed.

"David was always an inspiration to me and a true original," the Rolling Stones frontman told reporters in a statement.

"He was wonderfully shameless in his work. We had so many good times together . . . he was my friend, I will never forget him."

Fellow British Invasion star Paul McCartney also shared his thoughts on Bowie's passing.

"Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning," McCartney shared via his blog on Monday.

"David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together.

His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I'm proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world.

I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years.

His star will shine in the sky forever."