GEORGE MICHAEL, the legendary British musician, has died aged 53.
His publicist said he “passed away peacefully at home”, while his manager, Michael Lippman, later added that the singer had died of heart failure.
The singer, who rose to prominence with his pop group Wham!, made his name in the Eighties with innumerable hits that defined the decade.
His publicist said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother, and friend George passed away 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.”
The singer, songwriter and producer, whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was a leading figure in the British music scene and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
His association with the fashion scene in the Eighties and Nineties made him synonymous with the supermodels of the era and a fashion favourite. His music videos Too Funky and Freedom, ’90 were hailed as iconic cultural reference points of the late 20th Century.
His hits, Careless Whisper, Faith, Jesus To A Child, and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, are just some of the many hits that will define his music legacy.
Read more: George Michael: In Front Of The Camera
Tributes started to be made public as soon as news broke. Elton John, with whom he collaborated on Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, posted his personal tribute on Instagram:
"I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his friends."
Paying tribute to Michael on Twitter: Madonna, Mark Ronson and Michael’s Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley.
“Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved,” wrote Ridgeley. Madonna shared a clip of herself presenting an award to the late singer with the caption: “Farewell My Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us.”
Mark Ronson's tribute read: “Other than a global pop phenom, George Michael was one of the true British soul greats. a lot of us owe him an unpayable debt.”
