George Michael dies aged 53
The 1980s ex-Wham star passed away peacefully at home according to Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service who attended a property in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT on Christmas day.
His publicist said : “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.
George Michael’s talent as a singer, songwriter and music producer made him one of the world’s biggest selling artists.
George Michael born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in Hampstead, North London, on 25th July 1963 to a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who had come to UK in the 1950s, and his mother an English dancer.
In his teens he met Andrew Ridgeley and formed Wham in 1981 with Young Guns (Go For it) establishing the group. In 1984, George and brought out a successful solo Careless Whisper. But in 1986 George released I Knew You Were Waiting (for me) a duet with one of his musical icons Aretha Franklin. In 1987 his first solo album Faith went to the top of both the UK and US charts selling more than 25 million copies and winning a Grammy in 1989.
His first single I Want Your Sex which although caused some controversy, went on to reach the top three on both sides of the Atlantic.
He will be remembered as one of the more popular musicians of the 80s. generation.Not bad for a former busker of London Underground.