The RIP Famous Person Thread

[Looper]

British pop singer George Michael, who shot to fame in the 1980s with Wham! and continued as a solo artist, has died at the age of 53.



The former Wham! frontman died peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire, England, on Christmas Day.

"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," his publicist said in a statement.

"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time.

"There will be no further comment at this stage."

His publicist, Cindi Berger, said he had not been ill.

Police issued a statement calling the death "unexplained but not suspicious" and said a post mortem would be performed.

Michael's manager, Michael Lippman, later said the cause of death was heart failure. No other details were released.
YouTube: George Michael Careless Whisper

The loss of Michael continues a year of grief in the music industry, with David Bowie, Prince and Glenn Frey among those dying before age 70.

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, he once played music on the London underground train system before forming Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981.

With an easy stage manner, Michael enjoyed immense popularity early in his career as a teenybopper idol, delivering a series of hits such as Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Young Guns (Go For It) and Freedom.

Throughout his career he had frequent brushes with the law, most famously in 1998 when he was arrested for public lewdness in Los Angeles.

Yet, he managed to turn the incident into fodder for a popular song that poked fun at his behaviour, and his acknowledgment of his homosexuality at that time made him even more popular with his fans.

He agonised over being a celebrity and spoke of cutting back on tours and interviews — letting his work speak for itself.

He started his solo career shortly before Wham! split, with the release of the megahit single Careless Whisper, making a seamless transition.

As a solo artist, he developed into a more serious singer and songwriter, lauded by critics for his tremendous vocal range.

His first solo album, Faith — released in 1987 — sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.
The music that made George Michael

The Wham! singer and solo artist's, whose music career spanned decades, is among the most played artists on British radio. Here are some of his most loved and well known songs.

Music journalist Bernard Zuel said Michael "went from being a pop star for teenagers to a pop star for adults".

"…[He] was among the most played artists on British radio for 20-30 years," he told the ABC.

"The only other male pop star from England who would challenge him and beat him in England for sales at least is Robbie Williams.

"He was someone who was an international star across the world who every Christmas has his moment in the sun as Wham!'s Christmas song gets played."

He enjoyed several hit singles including the raunchy I Want Your Sex, which was helped immeasurably by a provocative video that received wide air play on MTV.

The song was controversial not only because of its explicit nature, but also because it was seen as encouraging casual sex and promiscuity at a time when the AIDS epidemic was deepening.

Michael and his management tried to tamp down this point of view by having the singer write Explore Monogamy on the leg and back of a model in the video.
Michael helped raise money to combat AIDS
Gallery: George Michael's life and career in photos

Michael's website says he was busy putting the finishing touches to his special documentary, Freedom, which is due to air in March 2017.

In 2011, Michael was forced to cancel his world tour after a near-fatal bout of pneumonia.

It is believed Michael was working on a new album as recently as a few weeks ago.

He sold well over 100 million albums globally, earned numerous Grammy and American Music Awards, and recorded duets with legends like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John.

Michael remained a strong musical force throughout his career, releasing dozens of records and touring to adoring crowds despite a growing number of run-ins with police, many of them stemming from incidents involving driving under the influence of drugs.

He was an admitted user of marijuana and prescription sedatives and several times was found slumped over his car's steering wheel after using both at the same time.

Michael was active in a number of charities and helped raise money to combat AIDS, help needy children, and support gay rights.

He had a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, but announced onstage in August 2011 that the two had broken up.

https://teakdoor.com/world-news/17181...ml#post3426788

[Davis Knowlton]

////////////////

[Troy]

^ Going for a slash in the public toilets DK?

[Latindancer]

Michael's manager, Michael Lippman, later said the cause of death was heart failure.

I'm tipping cocaine usage. Same as Marty Feldman.

[Sumbitch]

British pop singer George Michael, who shot to fame in the 1980s with Wham! and continued as a solo artist, has died at the age of 53.

Looper, have you been out of the loop?

[NZdick1983]

For you bladdy geezers!

[Eliminator]

^ EVERYONE gets OLDER, I hope some young stupid kid calls you and old GEEZER later on in your life. Never really listened to any of GM music anyway.

[harrybarracuda]

Carrie Fisher and Richard Adams.

FFS this year is packing them in.

[yortyiam]

^ 5 days to claim a few more. Didn't sound too good for poor Carrie. 10 mins dead already is a lot to ask the body to forgive. RIP all the same.

[snakeeyes]

[CaptainNemo]

Hard to keep up...

[misskit]

Carrie Fisher dies at 60

Carrie Fisher, the actor best known for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the Star Wars films and her unflinching self-honesty that contrasted with the artifice of Hollywood celebrity, has died in Los Angeles. She was 60 years old.

Her death came days after she was reported to have suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles last Friday. The news was confirmed in a statement released on behalf of her daughter, Billie Lourd, who said Fisher was “loved by the world” and “will be profoundly missed”.

Fisher’s career was characterized by her willingness to acknowledge, challenge and satirize the stereotypes of her upbringing and privilege. As the daughter of two Hollywood stars, Debbie Reynolds and the late singer Eddie Fisher, she brought awareness and humor to her work, whether in film or in numerous books that tracked and reviewed her fortunes in life – or what she herself had termed “what it’s like to live an all-too-exciting life”.

more https://www.theguardian.com/culture/...-princess-leia

[nidhogg]

Carrie Fisher and Richard Adams.

FFS this year is packing them in.

Sad news. Two parts of my youth gone. Was quite surprised to see Fisher was only 60. Means she must have been about 21 when she did the first Star Wars movie.

[kmart]

^Yeah. Had a crush on her as a spotty teen too. RIP.

[patsycat]

I read somewhere that she was 19.

[Neverna]

She was ... once.

[Davis Knowlton]

Debbie Reynolds just died. Carrie Fisher's Mom.

[BaitongBoy]

'Kin hell...First Gabor and her adopted son...

[nidhogg]

Debbie Reynolds just died. Carrie Fisher's Mom.

Bloody hell. The reaper is slamming that family. They must be devastated.

RIP.

[misskit]

US actress Debbie Reynolds dies, a day after daughter Carrie Fisher



US actress Debbie Reynolds has died, a day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher, her son has announced.

US media said the 84-year-old had a stroke. She was taken to a Los Angeles hospital earlier on Wednesday.

The Hollywood legend is best known for her role in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain, opposite Gene Kelly.

Fisher - renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series - died on Tuesday aged 60, following a cardiac arrest on a plane.

Reynolds was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre after being taken ill on Wednesday.

Announcing her death later, her son Todd Fisher told AP news agency: "She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken.''

He added that the stress of his sister's death "was too much" for their mother.

US actress Debbie Reynolds dies, a day after daughter Carrie Fisher - BBC News

[Cujo]

US actress Debbie Reynolds dies, a day after daughter Carrie Fisher



US actress Debbie Reynolds has died, a day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher, her son has announced.

US media said the 84-year-old had a stroke. She was taken to a Los Angeles hospital earlier on Wednesday.

The Hollywood legend is best known for her role in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain, opposite Gene Kelly.

Fisher - renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series - died on Tuesday aged 60, following a cardiac arrest on a plane.

Reynolds was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre after being taken ill on Wednesday.

Announcing her death later, her son Todd Fisher told AP news agency: "She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken.''

He added that the stress of his sister's death "was too much" for their mother.

US actress Debbie Reynolds dies, a day after daughter Carrie Fisher - BBC News

Died of a broken heart I reckon. R.I.P.
Tragic.

[Maanaam]

Died of a broken heart I reckon. R.I.P.
Tragic.

Yeah, tragic.
I reckon parents should never outlive their kids, but for the death of a child to bring on death is profoundly sad.

[ChalkyDee]

Bloody hell, it's becoming ridiculous. I'm staying home for the next few days.

[NZdick1983]

You guys will surely take the piss out of me for saying this, but I reckon her mum was quite lovely (in a non-sexual way)... much more pretty than her daughter IMHO.

I was watching her old films, she was adorable. RIP

[Davis Knowlton]

RIP William Christopher. Died at 84 from cancer.

Father Mulcahy on "MASH".