He
had a voice unlike any other on the music seen back in the 1980s. On top of
that he had the ability to take what he wrote and bring to life on stage or in
the studio in such a way that young teenage girls that hear him screamed and
screamed and screamed some more. Like most music stars of his era, he battled
many controversies in his rise to stardom, but his struggles made those who
listen to him see him as human and intern he demonstrated an inner strength
that allowed him to conquer his demons. Unfortunately, on of all days,
Christmas is when we said goodbye to this legend of music.
Pop-Icon
musician and songwriter George Michael, the one half of the group “Wham,” and
artist behind hits like “Careless Whisper” and “Faith” passed away on Sunday.
Michael, who fronted 10 No. 1 singles and sold 115 million records was just 53
years old.
Michael’s
publicist, Cindi Berger said, according to the New York Daily News that he passed away from heart failure at his
home in Goring, England.
“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,” Berger said
in a statement.
An
official autopsy has yet to be released, but authorities said that there is no
suspicion of foul play behind Michael’s death.
Michael
was found in his home by his reported boyfriend, London based hairdresser Fadi
Fawaz, who posted on his twitter page @fadifawaz, “It’s a xmas I will never
forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning.
.I will never stop missing you xx.”
ABC
News Chief Women’s Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said on Monday
morning’s edition of “Good Morning America,” that doctors will be doing a
toxicology on Michael’s body, but there will be a big push to do something
called a molecular autopsy where tissue samples will be taken for a genetic
analysis to find out if it is possible Michael had an inherited gene that could
have led to his sudden cardiac death and could be relevant to his surviving
relatives.
Amid
his death, many heartfelt condolences were shared to the world via social media
and statements.
“I
was just at his house the morning of the 23rd. So crazy,” music
producer Niles Rodgers said via twitter.
Michael’s
band mate from “Wham,” Andrew Ridgeley said via twitter @ajredgeley,
“Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend. Yog. Me, his loved ones, his
friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4 ever loved. A XX.”
Michael
burst onto the music seen as a teen in the 1980s with Ridgeley as the music
duo, “Wham!” with hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Freedom,” and
holiday favorites like “Last Christmas.”
Michael
sold in his amazing career 100 albums worldwide, netted numerous Grammys and
recorded music with some titans of his profession like Aretha Franklin, the
late Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti and the previously mentioned Elton John.
“I
am in deep shock,” Sir Elton John said on Instagram. “I have lost a beloved
friend-the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes
out to his family, friends and all his fans.” He concluded with the hash tag,
“RIP,” @GeorgeMichael.
Michael
began his solo career in 1987 and his debut album, “Faith,” sold over 20
million copies and showcased his versatile vocal range that earned him great
respect from many music critics.
The
album did however land him in some hot water for the first time in his career,
when he was slammed for the 1987 hit song “I Want Your Sex.” The song gave
encouragement for young people to be very promiscuous, which was happening
right in the middle of the AIDS epidemic.
Michael
responded by writing “Explore Monogamy,” where in the music video he was right
on the back and leg of a model in the music video of the song.
Many
of Michael’s videos were played on MTV during that time and many of them
featured him wearing tight jeans and leather jackets, being surrounded by the
most gorgeous women.
That
heart throb image was put in major jeopardy back in 1998 when he was arrested
for his lewd conduct in a public bathroom by a cop working undercover.
When
most celebrities would go into hiding after taking a hit of that nature, not
Michael. He instead released another single, “Outside,” making light of the
incident. The single though brought something else into question. Was he
heterosexual or homosexual?
It
had been rumored that he was into being intimate with men, but it was never
confirmed, until he began speaking out openly about the fact that he was gay,
which was unprecedented.
“So
to have it shown to the world. To have to publicly confirm that ‘Yes,’ he was a
gay man. He had to face the idea that maybe to somehow negate all the songs he
had written,” People magazine’s
executive editor Kate Coyne said on Monday’s edition of “Good Morning America.”
“I
think ultimately he did grapple with it. It was an issue. I think it did
unfortunately have something of an impact on his career. He never quite reached
the same heights he had with ‘Faith.’”
Michael
continued to release successful albums, including his last one “Symphonica,”
back in 2014 and drawing huge crowd and Coyne and Ashton said they were those
in attendance back then being swooned by him.
The
fact that he came out of the closet about his sexuality and still be successful
at that time was a true testament to the devotion his fans had for him. Two
people who really respect what Michael did are great entertainers themselves in
Miley Cyrus and Ellen DeGeneres, who is also gay and married to actress Porsha de
Rossi.
“Miss
you already! Thank you for your radical activism in the LGBTQ community! Love
you always,” Cyrus said via twitter @happyhippiebdn.
“I
just heard about my friend @GeorgeMichaels death. He was such a brilliant
talent. I’m so sad.”
As
good of a musician as Michael was, he unfortunately was just as good a getting
his hands caught in the cookie jar with the law and his admitted use of
marijuana and prescription sedatives that led to serval arrests in the
mid-2000s
In
2008, Michaels was arrested for a second time in North London for drug use. He
promptly apologized to his fans and he promised them that he would get his life
in order.
It
took a monthlong stint in jail back in 2010 that Michael said prompted him to
shake his demons.
“I
realized it had to be something to do with me. It shook me out of my denial,”
Michael said to People in 2014.
Michael
was back in the spotlight again, but not for his music in 2011 when he was
hospitalized with a near fatal case of pneumonia.
“I
spent the last 10 days since I woke up literally thanking people for saving my
life, which something I’ve never had to do before and never want to do again.”
This
past Christmas Day, the world said goodbye to an amazing singer, songwriter,
composer, heartthrob, and game changer, whose music over sound streams have
increased more than 3,000 percent in the two days following his passing and
previously mentioned album ‘Faith’ is in the Top 5 albums in the U.S.
Michael
for most of his career fought against many of his own demons, but in a major
way showed a lot of bravery in being himself at a time that was difficult and
that courage not only grew his fan base, but allowed the likes of DeGeneres to
be comfortable in their own skin and be an inspiration for many.
“He
was very clear that his songs were always written from the heart and as one of
those screaming teenage girls, I can tell you it didn’t change anything for me
because those songs weren’t written for a man or woman. They were written for
me as far as I’m concern,” Coyne said. “He was really an incredible talent.”
Information
and quotations are courtesy of 12/26/16 4 a.m. edition of “Early Today,” on
WNBC with Betty Nguyen; 12/26/16 7 a.m. edition of ABC News’ “Good Morning
American,” on WABC with Paula Faris, Dan Harris, Rob Marciano and Adrienne
Bankert, with Dr. Jennifer Ashton and Kate Coyne; 12/27/16 7 a.m. edition of
ABC News “Good Morning America,” with Paul Faris, Dan Harris, Rob Marciano and
Sara Haines, report from T.J. Holmes and 12/26/16 New York Daily News article “Losing ‘Faith,’” by Stephen Rex Brown.
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