“Melanie, did you hear? George Michael is dead!”

Shaking from head to toe in what must have been an adrenalin rush, I dashed to my computer. I don’t know why. The news came from Shannon who started this fan club back in 1986, so obviously it was true!

I have attempted, on various occasions, to write an article on what George Michael meant to me. What I’ve realized is that it would take my writing a book to be able to say everything I want to say.

The year that has followed George Michael’s death has been revealing to me on a very personal level.

Initially, I was struck by how few people understood what George Michael meant to me. Very few friends and family reached out to me.

George Michael was a part of my life for 33 years before his untimely death. My love of his music and writing is intrinsically linked to my friendship with Shannon.

Obviously, I take from this loss an understanding that life is short and you have to live your life in the moment. As a mother, I still struggle with this as there’s always a load of laundry or more homework to do.

Also, after George Michael’s death, it came to light how much money he gave to so many worthy causes. This did not surprise me in the least. I never met George Michael in real life, but I think this thoughtful, giving nature of his was why he had so many fans. It wasn’t just the beautiful music. It wasn’t just the heartfelt lyrics. It was that at his core George Michael was a warm, caring person, and that came across in his interviews.

So, yes, mourn the loss of George Michael today. Listen to his music, if you can. Remember concerts you attended. Read through the lyrics of your favorite songs. But, at the end of the day, see what you can give to someone less fortunate. Consider donating to George Michael’s favorite charities or donate to local charities.

George Michael lives on through his music, but he lives on through you as well.

Make a difference to those in need.

How did you celebrate George Michael’s life?

George Michael’s sisters, Melanie and Yioda, have just posted a letter on George Michael’s official website www.GeorgeMichael.com.

The letter starts off by saying they are still “struggling” with the loss of George, but “know we hear you, through your amazing and thoughtful messages and that you understand our loss, as we try to understand yours.”

The following appears to be positive news about the release of new material. The documentary, in particular, would be considered one of the projects George was working on. Melanie and Yioda write:

Our aim is to carry on, as we know Yog would have wanted, to share and enjoy his precious legacy and to continue to bring you joy – through his extraordinarily beautiful music.

David, along with Yogs loyal creative team, will continue bringing you all the projects they had been working so hard on for you, exactly as Yog would have wanted…

Please read the entire letter on the official site.

Matt and Luke Goss, of the duo Bros, will be paying tribute to friend George Michael at their two comeback shows at London’s O2 Arena on August 19 and 20.

Luke Goss is married to Shirley Lewis, long-time backing singer for George Michael.

“My wife was very close to him and in the first few years sung on every single,” Luke said. “So Matt and I had a discussion and Shirley thought it would be a lovely gesture and we both agreed on that.

“I miss him greatly, he was a beautiful man.”

Matt said: “We hope we do it justice. He was one of my favourite singers of all time and he had a big influence on me as a singer, so we’re going to be singing ‘Freedom.’

“It’s going to be a really beautiful moment and we’ve been rehearsing it and getting goosebumps in his honour and we want to raise the roof with that song in his honour.”

You can read more at Singing duo Bros to pay tribute to friend George Michael.

It was a pleasant surprise that the BET Awards paid tribute to George Michael on Sunday.

Kamasi Washington played saxophone while El Debarge sang “Careless Whisper” in tribute to George Michael at the 2017 BET Awards.

Reaction to the tribute has been mostly positive.

Don't you think George would have been honored that the BET Awards paid tribute to his music? https://t.co/DaDBKsl8FR

— Yours Only George (@yogworld) June 27, 2017

Just ran back that George Michael tribute. Shoutout to @BET for putting some respect on his name.

— Golden Corrales (@DUNKFACE) June 26, 2017

Thanks BET for thinking of George Michael. He was truly talented. There will never be another. #BETAwards

— Jess (@Honey223344) June 26, 2017

OH SNAP @ElDeBarge paying the ultimate tribute to George Michael #BETAwards

— ESSENCE (@Essence) June 26, 2017

Geri Horner (a.k.a. Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls) will be releasing a new single in tribute to George Michael.

Waiting For That Day?
… Just 3 days to go until a special announcement pic.twitter.com/ZSL8u5opS4

— Geri Horner (@GeriHalliwell) June 9, 2017

The song, “Angels in Chains,” will be released on June 23, two days before what would have been George’s 54th ­birthday.

She was a close friend of George’s and named her son, Montague George Hector Horner, after him.

Geri has been working on the song with George’s backup singer Shirley Lewis and producer Chris Porter.

She will donate all proceeds from the song to Childline, one of George’s ­favorite charities.

Geri said, “The more joy and good can come out of it . . . I think George would approve of that. Every step I’ve taken I’ve tried to think. ‘Would he approve of this?’ ”

George Michael was buried on March 29, 2017, in Highgate Cemetery in North London. His mother, Lesley Panayiotou, who died of cancer in 1997, is buried next to him.

His burial site is on the private part of the cemetery. While tours are available, George Michael’s grave will not be included in the tour.

George Michael’s family released the following statement:

We can confirm that the funeral of the singer George Michael took place today. Family and close friends gathered for the small, private ceremony to say goodbye to their beloved son, brother and friend.

 

George Michael’s family would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support. We ask that the family’s wish for privacy be respected so that they can continue to live their lives privately, away from any media intrusion.

Fadi Fawaz, Kenny Goss, Andrew Ridgeley, Martin Kemp, Shirlie Kemp, and Pepsi DeMacque were just a few of those in attendance.

George Michael died of natural causes (dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver) at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Christmas Day.

In case you missed them, the Grammy Awards and Brits Awards recently paid tribute to George Michael.

Adele’s tribute at the Grammy Awards was noted for her stopping the song and asking to restart.  “I can’t mess this up for him,” Adele said. Adele was asked by the family to perform the song at the Grammy Awards. Reviews were mixed, with some loving the slow-paced “FastLove” to some hating it.

The tribute at the Brits began with Andrew Ridgeley, Shirlie (Holliman) Kemp and Pepsi DeMacque. It was a heartfelt tribute to their friend George Michael. It was followed by Coldplay’s Chris Martin singing a “duet” with George Michael of “A Different Corner.”

George Michael died of natural causes.

He suffered a dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver, according to Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire.

The coroner said in a statement: “Inquiries into the death of George Michael have been concluded and the final post-mortem report received.

“As there is a confirmed natural cause of death, being dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver, the investigation is being discontinued and there is no need for an inquest or any further enquiries.

“No further updates will be provided and the family requests the media and public respect their privacy.”

According to the British Heart Foundation, dilated cardiomyopathya is a disease that causes the heart muscle to become stretched and thin and unable to pump blood around the body efficiently.

Myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle. Fatty liver is a form of liver disease caused by a build-up of fats in the liver, which can come from alcohol or fat and sugar in the diet.

George Michael is on a number of magazine covers with accompanying articles this week. Don’t miss out on:

• People Magazine (January 9, 2017). Check out this video and articles as well.
• Billboard Magazine (January 14, 2017). The articles are available here.
• Entertainment Weekly (January 13, 2017). The articles are available here.

The Thames Valley Police has released a statement regarding George Michael’s cause of death.

Death of George Michael – Post Mortem update

Friday 30 December 2016, 2:30pm

A Post Mortem examination was carried out yesterday (29/12) as part of the investigation into the death of George Michael.

The cause of death is inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out. The results of these tests are unlikely to be known for several weeks.

Thames Valley Police will prepare a file for the Oxfordshire Coroner.

Mr Michael’s death is still being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

You will be seeing or hearing many George Michael specials this week.

BBC Four is changing its schedule today and planning a night of programs in memory of George Michael.

ABC aired a special 20/20 on George Michael, but you may be able to catch it online or on demand.

George Michael Tribute Channel Launches on SiriusXM:

The world lost a legend on Christmas Day after the death of British pop star George Michael. In his honor, SiriusXM will launch a tribute channel dedicated to his memory on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 12 p.m. ET.

Faith, the George Michael Tribute Channel, will air on channel 13 and will run through Jan. 10. It will feature music from the singer’s entire body of work. Fans will hear Michael’s earliest recordings with Wham!, his acclaimed collaborations with Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Queen, plus his solo hits. Michael’s 1987 solo debut album Faith produced four No. 1 singles and sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.

No date has been posted for George Michael’s funeral, but some details have emerged.

George Michael to be ‘buried next to beloved mum’ in family’s private plot says that:

It’s believed he will be laid to rest in Highgate, North London, next to his mum Lesley Angold Panayiotou who passed away from cancer aged 60 in 1997.

Elton John ‘to sing Princess Diana-style tribute at George Michael’s funeral’ says that Elton John may sing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” at George’s funeral.

According to George Michael’s post-mortem details emerge as coroner investigates his death:

As with all deaths where the cause of death is not immediately apparent, a post-mortem examination is to be undertaken in due course in order to confirm the cause of death.

This information is required before the coroner can decide whether there is a need for an inquest. If a natural cause of death is confirmed, there will be no need for an inquest.

All of this is in accordance with normal procedures and does not imply that there is currently any reason to believe the cause of death is in any way suspicious.

Please remember to check out our Facebook page or our Twitter page! I am continually adding new articles and tweets.

TMZ is reporting that George Michael died from heart failure. TMZ says he slept through the episode and suffered no pain. TMZ also said George Michael had not been ill.

The Hollywood Reporter spoke with George Michael’s manager.

“I’m devastated,” Michael Lippman, George Michael’s long-time manager, said on Sunday. The manager received a call on Christmas morning notifying him that Michael had been found “in bed, lying peacefully.” The exact time of death is not clear at this time, but there was “no foul play whatsoever,” said Lippman.

A police statement said: “Thames Valley Police were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2 p.m. Christmas Day. Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene. At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.”

You can read more at George Michael Dead at 53 and Singer-Songwriter George Michael Dies at 53.

I am in complete shock.  It is with incredible sadness that I have to write that George Michael has died.

In a statement, the star’s publicist said: “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.

“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”

According to the police, an ambulance was at George Michael’s home at 1:42 pm today and that there were no suspicious circumstances.

You can read more here:

• George Michael dead aged 53 after passing away peacefully at home publicist reveals
• George Michael, pop superstar, dies at 53
• Obituary: George Michael
• Ex-Wham! singer George Michael dies

I will post more as I find it.  I have more to say, but I want to get this posted.