George Michael Dead At 53: Pop Singer Dies On Christmas Day
Legendary pop singer George Michael is dead at the age of 53. According to BBC News, Michael passed away at his home at Oxfordshire, England. His publicist issued a statement to the press.
“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,” Michael’s publicist said.
“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”
George Michael first became famous as one-half of the pop duo Wham! He later had massive success as a solo artist with classic hits like “Faith,” “Careless Whisper,” and “Freedom!”
Over a career spanning nearly four decades, George Michael sold more than 100 million albums. Most recently it was reported he would be entering the studio to work on a new album with UK producer and songwriter, Naughty Boy.
Another icon lost. RIP George Michael. pic.twitter.com/sSrDiXLPy4
— Radio X (@RadioX) December 25, 2016
George Michael received treatment in Vienna in 2011 after coming down with a bout of pneumonia that forced him to cancel his 2011 world tour. According to The Guardian, the illness was nearly fatal, and the singer issued a statement shortly after he recovered indicating he was grateful to be alive.
“They spent three weeks keeping me alive basically,” Michael said.
“I don’t want to take you through all of it because some of it I want to protect my family from and I’m sure I’ll get it all written down, but it was basically by far the worst month of my life. I’m incredibly, incredibly fortunate to be here and incredibly fortunate to have picked up this bug where I did, because apparently the hospital in Austria that they rushed me to was absolutely the best place in the world I could have been, to deal with pneumonia. So I have to believe that somebody thinks I’ve still got some work to do here.”
George Michael followed-up his recovery from pneumonia by embarking on another world tour which led to the release of his first live album, Symphonica, which received widespread critical acclaim and went gold in the UK. His solo career began after leaving Wham! and releasing his chart-topping album, Faith, which sold over 25 million copies worldwide and whose melodically-infectious and highly danceable tracks can still be heard regularly at dance clubs worldwide.
It has been a rough year for music fans, 2016 having begun ominously with the passing of David Bowie in January, followed by the death of Prince in April. Other musicians who passed in 2016 include Merle Haggard, Glenn Frey of the Eagles, Leonard Cohen, Sharon Jones, Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire, and Greg Lake and Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Music fans all over the world were hoping to make it out of 2016 without anyone else being added to that list, and the death of a towering figure in pop music like George Michael on Christmas day is leading to an outpouring of emotion on social media from his fans and fellow artists.
We are incredibly sad at the passing of our dear friend George Michael. A brilliant artist & great songwriter. Spandau Ballet / Steve Dagger
— Spandau Ballet (@SpandauBallet) December 25, 2016
God Bless George Michael , Say a prayer for him . A nice human .
M— Meat Loaf (@RealMeatLoaf) December 25, 2016
So sad to hear @GeorgeMichael passed away today. Loved his music and his heart. #LastChristmas #RIP
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) December 25, 2016
Its hard to take in. One of our most talented singer songwriters has left us. RIP George Michael. Such sad, tragic news. 2016 please end.
— Simply Red (@SimplyRedHQ) December 25, 2016
I just heard about my friend @GeorgeMichael's death. He was such a brilliant talent. I'm so sad.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) December 25, 2016
At only 53 years of age, George Michael has died too soon but he leaves us with a wealth of great songs, albums, and videos. Take a moment to watch his classic video for “Faith” below.
https://youtu.be/lu3VTngm1F0
[Featured Image by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]
