George Michael: A Celebration of a Talent Gone Too Soon

By: Dec. 27, 2016
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On December 25th, Christmas Day, George Michael passed away at his Oxfordshire home leaving a stunned and saddened music community. After the news broke, fans turned to social media to mourn the man whose unique voice will live on forever in their hearts. He was 53.

A police statement said: "Thames Valley Police were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2 p.m. Christmas Day. Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene. At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious."

An outpouring of celebrity condolences was posted throughout social media as well. Some took to Twitter, expressing their sadness; "I just heard about my friend @GeorgeMichael's death," "He was such a brilliant talent. I'm so sad." said Ellen DeGeneres. "Unbelievable. RIP George Michael," wrote Ricky Gervais. Others posted on Instagram like Sir Elton John;

We here at BWW are also saddened by the passing of an icon. But we also want to celebrate the music George Michael have given us throughout the years. His career, which spanned over thirty years can not be summed up in a single article, but we will like to share five songs from George Michael's career that will last through the ages.

In 1981, a teenage George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley formed the duo band Wham!. They released their first album, "Fantastic", in 1983 where it reached #1 in the United Kingdom and spawned hits, "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!" and "Club Tropicana". In 1984, the duo released "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", a pop anthem that was "the best elements of Fifties and Sixties records, combined with Wham!'s attitude and their approach" according to George Michael. It became their first American and UK number-one hit.

1984 also brought us some Christmas cheer with the release of their hit, "Last Christmas". Wham! donated all of their "Last Christmas" royalties to the Ethiopian famine along with the other bands in the charity super-group known as "Band Aid"

In 1987, George Michael began his solo career with a duet with R&B legend, Aretha Franklin. The song titled "I Knew You Were Waiting" became a number one hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Becoming one of his most iconic songs, "Faith" was released on October of 1987, holding the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a month. "Faith" incorporates the famous Bo Diddley beat, a classic rock and roll rhythm along with a music video featuring a cowboy-boot wearing, stubbled George Michael.

The last song on our list is the 1990 hit, "Praying for Time". George Michael's first song in nearly two years, it was said to be a reflection of social ills and injustice. The song became his ninth number one in the United States and the last solo single of his to reach number one in the U.S.

George Michael have sold more than 100 million records worldwide and his debut solo album, "Faith", sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Garnering multiple number one singles across the world, including "Careless Whisper" and "Freedom! '90", he ranks among the best-selling British acts of all time, ranked by Billboard magazine as the 40th-most successful artist ever. Michael won various music awards throughout his 30-year career, including three Brit Awards-he won Best British Male twice, four MTV Video Music Awards, four Ivor Novello Awards, three American Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards from eight nominations. Michael, who was gay, was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser as well.

George Michael's music has touched the lives of millions, perhaps even billions of people in one way or another and for that, he will be missed, but his fan-base who celebrated with him in his triumphs, and sympathized with him during his troubles, will never forget him.

PHOTO CREDIT: George Michael's Official Facebook Page



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