George Michael dead at 53
LONDON (AP) — George Michael, the British pop superstar who reached early fame with WHAM! and went on to a solo career lined with controversies and chart-topping hits that blended soul and dance music with daring social and personal commentary, has died, his publicist said Sunday. He was 53.
Michael died at his home in Goring, England. His publicist, Cindi Berger, said he had not been ill. Michael’s manager, Michael Lippman, says the cause of death was heart failure. His family issued a statement through Thames Valley Police saying that he “passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period”.
“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”
Before Lippmann’s announcement, police issued a statement calling the death “unexplained but not suspicious” and that “a post-mortem will be undertaken in due course.”
The loss of Michael continues a year of grief in the music industry, with David Bowie, Prince and Glenn Frey among those dying before age 70.
One of the giants of 80s and 90s music, and an early idol for the MTV generation, Michael enjoyed immense popularity from the start with hits such as
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Young Guns (Go For It) and Freedom. As a solo artist, he developed into a more serious singer and songwriter, lauded by critics for his powerful vocal and expressive range. He sold well over 100 million albums globally, earned numerous Grammy and American Music Awards, and recorded duets with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John, among others.
“I have lost a beloved friend — the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist,” Elton John wrote on Instagram.
He reached the very heights of success, but agonized over being a celebrity. He spoke of cutting back on tours and interviews and letting his work speak for itself. One ageing superstar thought he was behaving like a fool: In a public letter dated September 9, 1990, Frank Sinatra advised Michael to “loosen up” and “swing, man”.
