British superstar George Michael has died at age 53.
George Michael was born Georgious Panayiotou in London on 23 June 1963. He has been ill for the past five years which lead to the cancellation of his 2011 Symphonica tour which was scheduled to come to Australia.
George also had a long history of drug abuse and at one time served four weeks in prison for driving under the influence of drugs.
Despite his personal demons, George Michael was one of the greatest pop stars of a generation.
George first rose to fame as a member of pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley. Their first hit ‘Young Guns (Got For It) was an immediate global smash.
Then came ‘Wham Rap’, ‘Bad Boys’, ‘Club Tropicana’, ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’, ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Everything She Wants’, ‘Last Christmas’, ‘I’m Your Man’, ‘The Edge of Heaven’ and ‘Where Did Your Heart Go’.
The Wham chart cycle delivered 13 hits in four years.
Wham split in 1986 with their last show on 28 June 1986 in London. They never reformed.
George released his first solo album ‘Faith’ in 1987. It made him a global superstar. However, he was not as prolific in his solo years as his four year with Wham. George released only five solo albums including the covers record ‘Songs From The Last Century’ but still, every album was a hit.
George’s final album ‘Patience’ was released in 2004.
Farewell My Friend! ?? Another Great Artist leaves us. ?Can 2016 Fuck Off NOW? pic.twitter.com/aEGIUNSJbt
— Madonna (@Madonna) December 26, 2016
