George Michael dies

[CellarDweller]

2016 has taken yet another person of note.

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (25 June 1963), known professionally as George Michael, was an English singer, songwriter, and record producer, who rose to fame as a member (with Andrew Ridgeley) of the music duo Wham!. He was best known in the 1980s and 1990s with his style of post-disco dance-pop, with best-selling songs such as "Last Christmas" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".

Michael sold more than 100 million records worldwide. His 1987 debut solo album, Faith, sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Michael garnered seven number one singles in the UK and eight number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, including "Careless Whisper" and "Freedom! '90". He ranks among the best-selling British acts of all time, with Billboard magazine ranking him the 40th most successful artist to ever live. Michael won various music awards throughout his 30-year career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male twice, four MTV Video Music Awards, four Ivor Novello Awards, three American Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards from eight nominations.


Billboard Chart Hot 100 hits with Wham!


"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" - # 1

"Careless Whisper" - # 1

"Everything She Wants" - # 1

"Freedom" - # 3

"I'm Your Man" - # 3

"Edge of Heaven" - # 10


Solo releases as George Michael


"Praying For Time" # 1

"Monkey" - # 1

"One More Try" - # 1

"Father Figure" - # 1

"Faith" - # 1

"I Want Your Sex" - # 2

"Kissing A Fool" - # 5

"Jesus To A Child" - # 7

"FastLove" - # 8

"Freedom" # 8

"Too Funky" # 10

"Waiting For That Day" - # 27

"Somebody To Love" - # 30

*Side note* George Michael is also known for his Christmas hit, "Last Christmas", however, this song was not released as a single, so it never hit the charts. It does appear on the holiday charts each year.

Hit duets included:

"Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (with Elton John) # 1
"I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" (with Aretha Franklin) # 1