George Michael passed away today at the age of 53 in his Oxfordshire, England home.
Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, he was pop music’s sexiest star during the 80’s and 90’s with hits such as “Father Figure,” “I Want Your Sex,” and “Freedom 90”. Michael’s first solo project “Faith,” released in 1987, won the Grammy for Best Album in 1989. He, also, won a Grammy for his duet with Aretha Franklin, “I Knew You Were Waiting.” This album critically-acclaimed album soared on the R&B charts, Pop charts, Adult Contemporary charts and Soul Music charts. George Michael crossed over to black radio almost immediately with his hits “One More Try” and “Father Figure.”
His hit single “Freedom ’90” from his sophomore album “Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1” featured supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Claudia Schiffer in the official video for the song. It was in heavy rotation on VH1 and MTV.
He was known as a sex symbol and ladies loved the sexy Brit. In 1998, after being arrested in Beverly Hills for being caught committing a lewd act- George Michael came out of the closet. Ironically, the openly-gay crooner was still considered a sex symbol.
He, subsequently, released three more studio albums with the last one being released in 2004. His tours still sold out worldwide.
George Michael passed away, peacefully, in his home. His talents will be deeply missed.
