Britain's musical icons lost yet another legend in 2016 on Christmas Day when George Michael, a powerful force in concert who sold over 100 million albums died of heart failure according to his manager at age 53. Here is what some of his friends and fellow legends had to say about the electric George Michael.
Last Christmas (Over 224 million views)
Double click image to enlarge.
Stars pay tribute to 'truly brilliant' George Michael after singer dies on Christmas Day aged 53
Sir Elton John has led the tributes to his "beloved friend" George Michael, who died on Christmas Day aged 53. The Rocket Man singer said he was "in deep shock" at Michael's death. The pair famously collaborated on a rendition of Elton's classic Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, released in 1992, nearly two decades after the original. Writing on Instagram, Elton said: "I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."
The Wham! singer died at home (PA) His partner in Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley, said he was heartbroken. His Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley said he was devastated. Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx https://t.co/OlGTm4D9O6
Pop stars from the former Wham! front man's heyday were joined by current chart-toppers in declaring their sadness.
Careless Whisper (Over 162 million views)
Double click image to enlarge.
Martin Fry, lead singer and songwriter with Look Of Love band ABC, said on Twitter: "Absolutely devastated to hear of the loss of GeorgeMichael Truly brilliant talent £sad £sad £sad." Contemporaries Duran Duran referenced the so-called "curse of 2016" - which has seen the deaths of rock and pop behemoths David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt - as they posted on their official Twitter account: "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to George Michael's family."
This year's X Factor winner Matt Terry said: "Noooooooooooooooo! I cannot believe this !!!! RIP George Michael".
Matt Lucas, who worked with the singer during a sketch for BBC comedy Little Britain, said: "Well 2016, you had to just take one more, didn't you?" His Little-Britain co-star David Walliams said: "I pray George Michael finally finds peace. A deeply private man with an awe-inspiring talent that couldn't help but make him a superstar." Entrepreneur and television personality Duncan Bannatyne said: "George Michael has now been taken by the curse of 2016. Please make him the last. RIP."
While former Radio One disc jockey Tony Blackburn said: "Unbelievable, George Michael has died at the age of 53. RIP.This dreadful year goes on and on.So sad, a real talent."
Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward said: "Absolutely shocked to hear that one of my vocal idols George Michael Has passed away. I adored his voice."
Alison Moyet, who performed at Live Aid in 1985 on the same bill as Michael, said: "I met George Michael a few times and he was ever a gentle, unassuming soul. A rare presence in a world full of self. Honest, genuine talent." Eighties pop star Howard Jones, known for the song I'd Like To Get To Know You Well, said: "Can't believe George Michael has passed ....one of the greatest singers and writers the UK ever produced. I'm really saddened ..a lovely man."
Star Trek actor William Shatner said: "Is this year over yet? Too many people are passing away. Rest In Peace, George Michael." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Very sad to hear the news about George Michael. An incredible talent who brought joy to millions of us with his music." Very sad to hear the news about George Michael. An incredible talent who brought joy to millions of us with his music.
Fellow politician Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, said: "This is just too awful. Such an amazing talent gone too soon. Wham was part of the soundtrack to my teenage years." Singer and stage actress Pixie Lott said: "Grew up listening to the beautiful and talented George Michael - my mama's favourite! was a pleasure to meet him so sad to hear the news." Fellow pop star La Roux said: "Another one gone.... What a voice, what a songwriter."
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me with Elton John
(Double click image to enlarge)
Producer and musician Mark Ronson said: "I bought (and worshipped) Listen Without Prejudice on my 15th birthday. This song readied me for Stevie Wonder... Other than a global pop phenom, George Michael was one of the true British soul greats. A lot of us owe him an unpayable debt. bye George xx" .
Britain's musical icons lost yet another legend in 2016 on Christmas Day when George Michael, a powerful force in concert who sold over 100 million albums died of heart failure according to his manager at age 53.
Here is what some of his friends and fellow legends had to say about the electric George Michael.
Last Christmas (Over 224 million views)
Double click image to enlarge.
Stars pay tribute to 'truly brilliant' George Michael after singer dies on Christmas Day aged 53
Sir Elton John has led the tributes to his "beloved friend" George Michael, who died on Christmas Day aged 53. The Rocket Man singer said he was "in deep shock" at Michael's death. The pair famously collaborated on a rendition of Elton's classic Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, released in 1992, nearly two decades after the original. Writing on Instagram, Elton said: "I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."
The Wham! singer died at home (PA) His partner in Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley, said he was heartbroken. His Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley said he was devastated. Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx https://t.co/OlGTm4D9O6
Pop stars from the former Wham! front man's heyday were joined by current chart-toppers in declaring their sadness.
Careless Whisper (Over 162 million views)
Double click image to enlarge.
Martin Fry, lead singer and songwriter with Look Of Love band ABC, said on Twitter: "Absolutely devastated to hear of the loss of GeorgeMichael Truly brilliant talent £sad £sad £sad." Contemporaries Duran Duran referenced the so-called "curse of 2016" - which has seen the deaths of rock and pop behemoths David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt - as they posted on their official Twitter account: "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to George Michael's family."
This year's X Factor winner Matt Terry said: "Noooooooooooooooo! I cannot believe this !!!! RIP George Michael".
Matt Lucas, who worked with the singer during a sketch for BBC comedy Little Britain, said: "Well 2016, you had to just take one more, didn't you?" His Little-Britain co-star David Walliams said: "I pray George Michael finally finds peace. A deeply private man with an awe-inspiring talent that couldn't help but make him a superstar." Entrepreneur and television personality Duncan Bannatyne said: "George Michael has now been taken by the curse of 2016. Please make him the last. RIP."
While former Radio One disc jockey Tony Blackburn said: "Unbelievable, George Michael has died at the age of 53. RIP.This dreadful year goes on and on.So sad, a real talent."
Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward said: "Absolutely shocked to hear that one of my vocal idols George Michael Has passed away. I adored his voice."
Alison Moyet, who performed at Live Aid in 1985 on the same bill as Michael, said: "I met George Michael a few times & he was ever a gentle, unassuming soul. A rare presence in a world full of self. Honest, genuine talent." Eighties pop star Howard Jones, known for the song I'd Like To Get To Know You Well, said: "Can't believe George Michael has passed ....one of the greatest singers and writers the UK ever produced. I'm really saddened ..a lovely man."
Star Trek actor William Shatner said: "Is this year over yet? Too many people are passing away. Rest In Peace, George Michael." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Very sad to hear the news about George Michael. An incredible talent who brought joy to millions of us with his music." Very sad to hear the news about George Michael. An incredible talent who brought joy to millions of us with his music.
Fellow politician Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, said: "This is just too awful. Such an amazing talent gone too soon. Wham was part of the soundtrack to my teenage years." Singer and stage actress Pixie Lott said: "Grew up listening to the beautiful and talented George Michael - my mama's favourite! was a pleasure to meet him so sad to hear the news." Fellow pop star La Roux said: "Another one gone.... What a voice, what a songwriter."
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me with Elton John
(Double click image to enlarge)
Producer and musician Mark Ronson said: "I bought (and worshipped) Listen Without Prejudice on my 15th birthday. This song readied me for Stevie Wonder... Other than a global pop phenom, George Michael was one of the true British soul greats. A lot of us owe him an unpayable debt. bye George xx"
.
Britain's musical icons lost yet another legend in 2016 on Christmas Day when George Michael, a powerful force in concert who sold over 100 million albums died of heart failure according to his manager at age 53.
Here is what some of his friends and fellow legends had to say about the electric George Michael.
Last Christmas (Over 224 million views)
Double click image to enlarge.
Stars pay tribute to 'truly brilliant' George Michael after singer dies on Christmas Day aged 53
Sir Elton John has led the tributes to his "beloved friend" George Michael, who died on Christmas Day aged 53. The Rocket Man singer said he was "in deep shock" at Michael's death. The pair famously collaborated on a rendition of Elton's classic Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, released in 1992, nearly two decades after the original. Writing on Instagram, Elton said: "I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."
The Wham! singer died at home (PA) His partner in Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley, said he was heartbroken. His Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley said he was devastated. Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx https://t.co/OlGTm4D9O6
Pop stars from the former Wham! front man's heyday were joined by current chart-toppers in declaring their sadness.
Careless Whisper (Over 162 million views)
Double click image to enlarge.
Martin Fry, lead singer and songwriter with Look Of Love band ABC, said on Twitter: "Absolutely devastated to hear of the loss of GeorgeMichael Truly brilliant talent £sad £sad £sad." Contemporaries Duran Duran referenced the so-called "curse of 2016" - which has seen the deaths of rock and pop behemoths David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt - as they posted on their official Twitter account: "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to George Michael's family."
This year's X Factor winner Matt Terry said: "Noooooooooooooooo! I cannot believe this !!!! RIP George Michael".
Matt Lucas, who worked with the singer during a sketch for BBC comedy Little Britain, said: "Well 2016, you had to just take one more, didn't you?" His Little-Britain co-star David Walliams said: "I pray George Michael finally finds peace. A deeply private man with an awe-inspiring talent that couldn't help but make him a superstar." Entrepreneur and television personality Duncan Bannatyne said: "George Michael has now been taken by the curse of 2016. Please make him the last. RIP."
While former Radio One disc jockey Tony Blackburn said: "Unbelievable, George Michael has died at the age of 53. RIP.This dreadful year goes on and on.So sad, a real talent."
Former X Factor winner Shayne Ward said: "Absolutely shocked to hear that one of my vocal idols George Michael Has passed away. I adored his voice."
Alison Moyet, who performed at Live Aid in 1985 on the same bill as Michael, said: "I met George Michael a few times & he was ever a gentle, unassuming soul. A rare presence in a world full of self. Honest, genuine talent." Eighties pop star Howard Jones, known for the song I'd Like To Get To Know You Well, said: "Can't believe George Michael has passed ....one of the greatest singers and writers the UK ever produced. I'm really saddened ..a lovely man."
Star Trek actor William Shatner said: "Is this year over yet? Too many people are passing away. Rest In Peace, George Michael." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Very sad to hear the news about George Michael. An incredible talent who brought joy to millions of us with his music." Very sad to hear the news about George Michael. An incredible talent who brought joy to millions of us with his music.
Fellow politician Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, said: "This is just too awful. Such an amazing talent gone too soon. Wham was part of the soundtrack to my teenage years." Singer and stage actress Pixie Lott said: "Grew up listening to the beautiful and talented George Michael - my mama's favourite! was a pleasure to meet him so sad to hear the news." Fellow pop star La Roux said: "Another one gone.... What a voice, what a songwriter."
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me with Elton John
Double click image to enlarge.
Producer and musician Mark Ronson said: "I bought (and worshipped) Listen Without Prejudice on my 15th birthday. This song readied me for Stevie Wonder... Other than a global pop phenom, George Michael was one of the true British soul greats. A lot of us owe him an unpayable debt. bye George xx"
.
David Cassidy, Former
Teen Idol and 'Partridge Family' Star, Dies at 67
6:02 PM PST 11/21/2017 by Mike Barnes , Lauren
Huff
He emerged from the 1970s ABC show as a
recording star and concert sensation, singing on hits like "I Think I Love
You" and "Come On Get Happy."
You are Always on My Mind
David Cassidy, who made hit records and girls swoon in the 1970s
as the young star of ABC's The Partridge Family,
has died. He was 67.
Cassidy died Tuesday, according to his longtime rep. He was
reported to be in a Florida hospital suffering from multiple organ failure.
"On behalf of the entire Cassidy family, it is with great sadness that we
announce the passing of our father, our uncle, and our dear brother, David
Cassidy," his rep, JoAnn Geffen, said in a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter. "David died surrounded by
those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped
him for so long. Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him
these many years."
In February, the entertainer revealed that
he had dementia and would no longer appear in concert in an effort to focus on
his health and "enjoy life." He had fallen on stage and forgotten
lyrics during a show in Agoura Hills, Calif.
"When friends of yours or family members begin to say to you,
'Remember, I just told you this two days ago' and there's no memory of it, that's
when I began to be very concerned," Cassidy said on Dr. Phil.
Cassidy's Partridge Family costar
Shirley Jones paid tribute to her friend in a statement to THR: "Long before he played my son on The Partridge Family, David Cassidy was my stepson
in real life. As a little boy, his sweet sensitivity and wicked sense of humor
were already on display, and I will treasure the years we spent working and
growing together. I will also find solace knowing that David is now with his
dad. My heart is with David’s daughter, Katie, his son, Beau, and with Shaun,
Patrick, and Ryan, whom I know are deeply missing their brother today. Thank
you for the enormous outpouring of affection you have offered our family at
this difficult time."
Let it Shine
His brother, Shaun Cassidy, paid tribute to his brother with a
series of tweets on
Wednesday: "When I was a little boy and my big brother would come to
visit, the first call of business would be a punishing pillow fight. During the
battle, he would regale me with hysterical stories of our father, often
culminating in his taking a giant leap off my top bunk ... I tried to catch him
of course. I always tried to catch him. But I never could. Now, I will carry
him, along with all of the funny/sad/extraordinary days we shared, none more
filled with love than these last few at his side."
Cassidy had numerous personal problems in the
decades following his breakthrough on television, ranging from substance abuse
and drunk-driving arrests to bankruptcy.
The adorably handsome New York native rose to fame playing
singer-guitarist Keith Partridge on Screen Gems' The Partridge Family, which aired for four seasons on
ABC, from 1970-74.
The show centered on a suburban family that had
a band comprised of a widowed mom — played by Shirley Jones, Cassidy's
real-life stepmother — and her five kids: Cassidy (the oldest), Susan Dey,
Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough and Jeremy Gelbwaks/Brian Forster.
Each episode had the family doing a song.
Cassidy actually played guitar and sang and Jones provided backing vocals, but
the rest of the "band" was faking it.
Cassidy and Jones performed on The Partridge Family's
debut single, "I Think I Love You," which reached No. 1 on the
Billboard Hot 100 in November 1970 just as his new show was catching on. The
single sold more than 5 million copies, and The Partridge Family went on to
release eight albums.
Darlin’
Cassidy also fronted five solo albums, and his
vocals also powered such hits as "Cherish;" "Come On Get
Happy," his show's signature tune;" "I Write the Songs;"
"The Last Kiss;" and "Lyin' to Myself."
He became a huge concert draw and one of music's
highest-paid acts, selling out such venues as the Houston Astrodome, Madison
Square Garden and Wembley Stadium. A stampede at one of his shows in London
resulted in the death of a teenage girl in 1974.
In 1996, Cassidy was still such a force that he
headlined the $75 million EFX show at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
"I played in concerts all over the world, in stadiums and in
coliseums and huge outdoor arenas," he said in 2010.
"When I went all over the world, they called it World War Three. There
were hundreds of thousands of people. What happened was that parents would
bring their kids. The parents would be outside waiting for them. Actually,
there were more people outside, cars and parents waiting for their kids to find
them. There was such chaos and madness in those days."
In 1978, Cassidy was nominated for an Emmy for starring on an
episode of NBC's Police Story in which he
played a narcotics cop who goes undercover at a high school. It served as the
pilot for the series David Cassidy — Man Undercover,
which lasted just 10 episodes in 1978-79.
Cassidy was born on April 12, 1950, in New York City, the son of
singer-actor Jack Cassidy and actress Evelyn Ward. After his parents divorced,
his dad married Oklahoma! star Jones in 1956,
and they would have sons Shaun, Patrick and Ryan.
In January 1969, Cassidy appeared on Broadway in the musical The Fig Leaves Are Falling. It lasted just four
performances, but it led to a screen test. Cassidy signed with Universal and
appeared on episodes of Ironside, The F.B.I., Marcus Welby, M.D., Adam-12 and Bonanza.
Bernard Slade, who created The Partridge Family,
did not realize Cassidy could sing or play when he auditioned him; he figured
his good looks were more than enough to justify bringing him on board.
But then Cassidy — who played in blues bands and
was a big B.B. King fan — snuck in a lick or two of Hendrix.
In 1972, seeking to shed his bubblegum image while The Partridge Family was still on the air, he
posed nude for Annie Leibovitz for a startling Rolling
Stone cover story that revealed he liked to get stoned.
Cassidy replaced Allen Fawcett as the star of the Tony-nominated,
Gail Berman-produced Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway in 1982, and he also appeared
on stage in London's West End.
Later, Cassidy was a regular on the ABC Family series Ruby & the Rockits and showed up on such TV
series as The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Ben Stiller Show, Malcolm in the Middle and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He also was a
contestant on Celebrity Apprentice in 2011;
he got into a spat with Richard Hatch and was the first to be fired.
His memoir, Come On, Get Happy: Fear and
Loathing on The Partridge Family Bus, was published in 1994.
Cassidy was married and divorced three times, to actress Kay Lenz
(White Line Fever), Meryl Tanz and Sue Shifrin.
Survivors include daughter Katie Cassidy, who plays Laurel Lance/Black Siren
on Arrow.
so sad to hear of the passing of david
cassidy... he was always so kind to me - such a pleasure to have had him on my
show... sending love and prayers to his family... R.I.P. friend ❤️pic.twitter.com/tsFkNiJ…
I’m very sad to hear about David Cassidy.
There were times in the mid-1970s when he would come over to my house and we
even started writing a song together. He was a very talented and nice person.
Love & Mercy to David and his family.
I grew up in an era before even cable TV, when
The Partridge Family was already in reruns. David Cassidy's Keith was one of my
favorite TV characters. He was legit funny AND he could sing. The man
entertained me during my childhood and even years later: youtu.be/6b5pNPBHilw
My uncle David Cassidy has sadly passed away
tonight... & in the process of mourning I can't help but thank God for the
joy that he brought to countless millions of people! I don't think I'm alone in
saying that we will all miss him. God Speed!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family
and loved ones of David Cassidy ... part of a musical legacy via his role as
"Keith Partridge" that brought music and laughter into the homes of
millions ... 🎼🙏🕊️ pic.twitter.com/tgj1IXk…
