RIP George Michael

[Blue Meanie]

Another talented singer passes away at the young age of 53:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38432862

As much as he was a true "Pop" star he could sing an there is no denying that at all. They say he passed away peacefully. No foul play or drugs are suspected in his passing. This year started tragic with Bowie and is ending almost as tragic with the likes of George Michael. RIP.

[HardyGirl]

RIP George.

[Blue Meanie]

One of my favorite tracks from Listen Without Prejudice is 'Heal The Pain' My brother Tom told me one day "listen to this George Michael track and tell me it doesn't sound like it should be a McCartney track. I probably wold have never listened to this album it wasn't for my brother's insistence that I should listen to this track. Great track and great album:

[Blue Meanie]

Didn't even know this duet/remake existed...from the Best Of George Michael CD:

[toys2cool]

Just read it, can't believe it

[Hector]

Great artist...and an underrated singer...he would've made a much better frontman for Queen than the current Adam Lambert.

What an eerie video...here he was, in 2011, giving his first public interview after nearly dying of pneumonia, the same infliction that took his life today...ironically both events during the Christmas holiday...

RIP...

[Hector]

My intention is not to jump to concussions...but pneumonia almost took his life in 2011...and finally took his life today. He never admitted it, but seems like a classic example of dying of complications from AIDS. I say that, because two very close dear friends of mine had contracted AIDS...and both died of pneumonia a few years later...the one infliction that takes away the life of most AIDS patients.

Very sad...

[cockyhoskins]

Hector, that was my first reaction as well. Regardless, an incredible voice and talent! RIP to another in 2016! Let's just forfeit 2016 as fast as we can!

[Nostalgiabuff]

OMG! I cannot believe this. so young. my wife and I were just talking about it and both felt that it was probably a complication from AIDS. what a shame. RIP!

[johnnystorm]

What a terrible year this has been! RIP.

[Hector]

Hector, that was my first reaction as well. Regardless, an incredible voice and talent! RIP to another in 2016! Let's just forfeit 2016 as fast as we can!

I hear you, just like my idol, Freddie Mercury...what a crying shame...

[sprytel]

George was an amazing singer. "Praying for Time" was a tour de force... one of my all time favorite pop ballads, completely carried by his vocals. "Freedom" was such a statement song at the time... but it still holds up. He did great duets and covers, too. I feel like he was one of those artists who never quite lived up to his potential, but he still left behind some great music.

[hedrap]

They're saying heart failure which makes sense. The guy had a massive drug problem in 80's/90's, and we see numerous examples of entertainers dying in their fifties from that lifestyle.

This is identical to how Peter Steele of Type O Negatuve went a few years ago. The scarring to the heart makes it too weak to handle in later life. RIP

[emeraldknight47]

Had been listening to Christmas music today and heard "Last Christmas" just before I heard about George Michael's passage. Now I'm listening to my GM CDs non-stop, my fave still being "Faith" as that album was very much a part of a very couple of turbulent years of my life as a younger man. Michael was an artist whose talents were largely underrated and his reputation and career marred by some stupidity born of too much $$$$ and not enough wisdom. Ironic that some of the musical "talent" these days do some stuff that what George Michael did pales in comparison to and yet, the behaviors and actions are oft times dismissed and never have an ill effect on their career.

Rest In Peace, George, and condolences to your family, friends and fans worldwide.

Just as an add on, I sometimes wonder if God is stocking up talent in the Choir Invisible for something really, really big...

[TEXASFETT]

Well may he rest in peace ..... He had some crazy turn of events in his life,but damn he could sing!!!!