Pop superstar George Michael has died of heart failure at the age of 53. Here's a photographic look back at his life and musical legacy.
The pop duo WHAM! performs in Peking before a capacity audience of Chinese and foreign fans, April 7, 1985. Singers George Michael, left, and Andrew Ridgeley, had youthful fans on their feet despite police warnings to sit down.
(AP Photo/Neal Ulevich)
AP Photo/Neal Ulevich
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of pop group WHAM! during a live performance.
(Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images
1984: British singer songwriter George Michael, lead singer of the pop group WHAM!, with the group’s guitarist Andrew Ridgeley at the film premiere of the hit ‘Dune’.
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images
In this April 7, 1985 file photo, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of the British group WHAM! perform during a concert in Peking, China. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
In this July 13, 1985, file photo, from left, George Michael of WHAM!, concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith, Bono of U2, Paul McCartney, concert organizer Bob Geldof and Freddie Mercury of Queen join in the finale of the Live Aid famine relief concert, at Wembley Stadium, London. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Joe Schaber, File)
AP Photo/Joe Schaber, File
In this July 13, 1985, Britain’s Princess Diana meets singers Elton John, center, and George Michael, right, on her arrival at Wembley Stadium in London for the Live Aid famine relief concert for Africa. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo, File)
AP Photo, File
In this Aug. 30, 1988, file photo, singing great Aretha Franklin, right, joins George Michael during his Faith World Tour in Auburn Hills, Mich. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Rob Kozloff, File)
AP Photo/Rob Kozloff, File
In this Monday, Jan. 31, 1989 file photo, George Michael accepts one of his three American Music Awards during ceremonies in Los Angeles. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Alan Greth)
AP Photo/Alan Greth
Pop singer George Michael displays his trophy after winning the 1989 Video “Vanguard Award” for his “Father Figure” video during the MTV Music Awards Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1989 at the Universal Amitheatre in Universal City, Calf.
(AP Photo/Alan Greth)
AP Photo/Alan Greth
In this Monday, Oct. 18, 1993, file photo, pop star George Michael, 30, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London at the start of his court action against Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Alistair Grant, File)
AP Photo/Alistair Grant, File
In this Oct. 28, 1993, file photo, pop star George Michael arrives to give evidence at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Michael was petitioning the court to release him from his contract with Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Alistair Grant)
AP Photo/Alistair Grant
In this Dec. 2, 1993 file photo, George Michael performs at “Concert of Hope” to mark World AIDS Day at London’s Wembley Arena. According to a publicist on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, the singer has died at the age of 53.
(AP Photo/Gill Allen)
AP Photo/Gill Allen
George Michael, left, and Stevie Wonder perform “Living for the City” at the “4th annual VH1 Honors” Thursday night, April 10, 1997, in Universal City, Calif.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
In this Saturday, July 2, 2005 file photo, British singer George Michael accompanied by other musicians and children from Africa wave to the crowds goodbye at the finale the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London. George Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said on Christmas day, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis,File)
AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis,File
In this July 2, 2005, file photo, George Michael, left, and Paul McCartney, right, perform during the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London. The concert is part of a series of free concerts being held around the world designed to press leaders of the rich G8 countries to help impoverished African nations. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)
AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File
George Michael performs during his concert at the San Diego Sports Arena Tuesday June 17, 2008 in San Diego.
(AP Photo/Chris Park)
AP Photo/Chris Park
In this June 25, 2008, file photo, singer George Michael performs during his “Live Global Tour” concert in Inglewood, Calif. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File
In this July 21, 2008, file photo, musician George Michael performs in concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Jeff Christensen, File)
AP Photo/Jeff Christensen, File
In this Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 file photo, George Michael performs at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on the last stop of his 25 Live tour. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Carl Abrams)
AP Photo/Carl Abrams
Singer George Michael performs on stage in concert on the first night of his “George Michael Live” Australian tour at Burswood Dome on February 20, 2010 in Perth, Australia.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images
In this Aug. 24, 2010, file photo, British singer George Michael leaves Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in north London. Michael pleaded guilty in a London court to two drug offenses. He admitted driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cannabis following an incident on July 4 when his car crashed into a shop in north London. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Sang Tan, File)
AP Photo/Sang Tan, File
Singer George Michael (C) leaves Highbury Corner Magistrates Court surrounded by press and police on August 24, 2010 in London, England. Mr Michael pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis after he crashed his car into a photo processing shop in London on July 4, 2010.
(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
In this Wednesday, May, 11, 2011 file photo, George Michael poses for the cameras at an event to announce his European Orchestral tour in London. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
AP Photo/Alastair Grant
In this Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 file photo, British singer George Michael leaves his house in north London, after recovering from a life-threatening bout with pneumonia that kept him in a Vienna hospital for a month. George Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said on Christmas day, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis,File)
AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis,File
George Michael performs during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England.
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Global artist George Michael performs during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
In this Sept. 9, 2012 file photo, British singer George Michael performs at a concert to raise money for the AIDS charity Sidaction, during the Symphonica tour at Palais Garnier Opera house in Paris, France. Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
(AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
