British singer George Michael, member of the group Wham in the 1980s before pursuing a solo career, died Sunday at the age of 53 years.
British singer George Michael has died at his home at the age of 53 years, announced on Sunday by his agent.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm that our son, brother and friend George died peacefully at his home at Christmas,” says the agent of the singer in a statement. “The family asked that his privacy be respected at this difficult and trying time. There will be no further comment at this time “, he said.
Former member of the group Wham !, whose real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, had survived pneumonia in 2011.
The pop singer has “quietly gone home” Sunday in Oxfordshire, England, reports the BBC. The police said that the singer’s death is devoid of suspicious circumstances.
Several drug-related woes
George Michael has experienced various setbacks related to drugs in the past.
The singer of “Careless Whisper” spent four weeks in jail in 2010 after being stamped with his Range Rover, a shop in North London, under the influence of cannabis.
Three years earlier, he was found collapsed in his Mercedes and had admitted to using drugs, but had escaped jail by performing 100 hours of community service. He had received a prohibition from driving for two years.
A star of the 80s
British singer George Michael, Wham behind the group in the late 70s, was a figure of 80.
The singer first found success with the Wham group formed with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981et tubes “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Last Christmas” and “Careless Whisper”, before dedicating himself to albums solo in 1987.
The pop star has sold over 100 million records worldwide, including 20 million his first solo album “Faith” released in 1987, and held several times the head of the charts.
