George Michael, the soulful British heartthrob who became a star in the 80s with Wham! before earning critical acclaim as a solo artist, died on Sunday at his home in Goring, Oxfordshire.
Michael died due to heart failure, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 53.
“Thames Valley Police were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2pm (local time) Christmas Day,” police said in a statement.
“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.”
Michael’s representative confirmed the news, saying: “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.
“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”
CAREER
Michael sold more than 100 million albums throughout his career. Wham! introduced the young American fans who’d loved Duran Duran to a pop sound more indebted to traditional R&B.
Michael’s subsequent solo career won over many of the same critics and listeners who’d previously dismissed him as a mere ‘teenybop’ idol.
But the singer’s career would eventually be derailed for half a decade by legal battles with his label, as he also became known for incidents of actual and alleged public sexuality, and, for the past decade, a series of drug busts.
CYPRIOT ROOTS
Michael was born in East Finchley, London on June 25, 1963.
His father, Kyriacos Panayiotou, was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who moved to England in the 1950s and changed his name to Jack Panos.
Michael’s birth name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Yves Lorson License: CC-BY-SA
