December 27, 2016 | Celeb Watch

George Michael remembered

In 2016 we lost a few great musicians before their time; David Bowie and Prince to name two. And now, as the year draws to and end, we must add to that distinguished list George Michael, who was found at home in bed, on Christmas morning,  having apparently died from heart failure. He was only 53.

Born Georgios Panayiotou in north London, Michael released his first single by the age of 18. The band he founded with Andrew Ridgeley, Wham!, went on to be one of the most successful acts of the 1980s, with hits including "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "I'm Your Man," and "Freedom." 

Wham! separated in 1986 and Faith, Michael’s first solo album, sold 25 million copies.

While Michael came out privately to close friends at the age of 19, his sexual orientation remained a secret to his family and the public at large for many years. He lost the love of his life, Anselmo Feleppa, to AIDS in 1993.

Michael did not come out publicly until 1998, when he was 34, after being arrested for cruising in a Los Angeles public restroom. He became a gay rights advocate for the rest of his life, giving generously of his time and money to causes including the Terrence Higgins Trust. Proceeds from his 1991 duet with Elton John, "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me," all went to charity.

Michael struggled with depression and drug addiction for the latter half of his life and had a number of drug related arrests; one resulted in a brief jail sentence after he crashed his car into a shop in north London. He almost died in 2011 after catching pneumonia while on tour in Germany. He was taken to hospital with head injuries in 2013 after falling out of his moving car.

Michael had numerous plans for 2017, including a documentary about his life, entitled Freedom.

Rest in Peace, George.