Singer George Michael dead at age 53

Undated file photo of George Michael. [Photo/IC]

LONDON - British singer George Michael,who became one of the pop idols of the 1980s with Wham! and thenforged a career as a successful solo artist with sometimessexually provocative lyrics, died at his home in England onSunday. He was 53.

In the mid-1980s, “Wham! was one of the most successful popduos ever, ahead even of Simon & Garfunkel, with singles like“"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", “"Careless Whisper", "LastChristmas" and "The Edge of Heaven".

"It is with great sadness that we can confirm our belovedson, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at homeover the Christmas period," his publicist said in a statement.

"The family would ask that their privacy be respected atthis difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage," the statement said.

British police said Michael's death was "unexplained but notsuspicious."

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou June 25, 1963 in London toGreek Cypriot immigrant parents in a flat above a north Londonlaundrette, Michael once played music on the London undergroundtrain system before finding fame with Wham!.

With a school friend, Andrew Ridgeley, he formed Wham! in1981, a partnership that would produce some of the mostmemorable pop songs and dance-floor favorites of the 1980s.

"I am in deep shock," said Elton John. "I have lost abeloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliantartist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans.

@GeorgeMichael #RIP."

The duo had their first hit with their second release"“Young Guns (Go For It)" (1982) before their debut release“"Wham Rap" became a hit the following year. The 1984 album"Make It Big" was a huge success in the United States.

"No way could I have done it without Andrew," Michael oncesaid. "I can't think of anybody who would have been so perfectin allowing something which started out as a very naive, jointambition, to become what was still a huge double act but whatwas really...mine."

But Michael was keen to reach beyond Wham!'s teenage audience and to experiment with other genres. Wham! announcedtheir split in 1986.

A pilot solo single “"I Want Your Sex" was banned by daytimeradio stations but was one of his biggest hits.

"I want your sex, I want you, I want your sex," he sang. "Sowhy don't you just let me go, I'd really like to try, Oh I'dreally love to know, When you tell me you're gonna regret it,Then I tell you that I love you but you still say no!"

In the space of the next five years, Michael had six U.S. Number One hit singles including "Faith", "Father Figure","One More Try", "Praying For Time" and a duet with ArethaFranklin "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me".

Questions about his sexuality were raised when he wasarrested in 1998 for "engaging in a lewd act" in a publicrestroom of the Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills,California.

"I feel stupid and reckless and weak for letting mysexuality be exposed that way," Michael told CNN at the time.

"But I do not feel shame [about my sexuality], neither do Ithink I should."

"I can try to fathom why I did what I did," he continued,"but at the end of the day, I have to admit that maybe part ofthe kick was that I might get found out," he told CNN.

Though he had relationships with women and once told familymembers that he was bisexual, Michael, then 34, said he was gay.

"Rest with the glittering stars, George Michael," said StarTrek actor and LGBT rights activist George Takei. "You've foundyour Freedom, your Faith. It was your Last Christmas, and weshall miss you."

While Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in power, Michaelvoted for Britain's opposition Labour Party but criticised TonyBlair's support for George W. Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq.

"Sad to hear that George Michael has died," said currentLabour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. "He was an exceptional artistand a strong supporter of LGBT and workers' rights."

Michael's death comes at the end of a year that has seen thepassing of several music superstars, including David Bowie,Prince and Leonard Cohen. Rick Parfitt, the guitarist of Britishrock group Status Quo, died on Saturday at 68.