2016 The Year Of The Grim Reaper Continues As George Michael Dies, Aged 53

George Michael dies, and other than a dull, dull ache in my heart, I can’t even say I am terribly surprised. 2016 has been a BEAST of a year. A complete and utter bastard of a year. This year has taken beloved family members, well-loved celebrities, and just about everyone in-between. 2016 has done it to the old, the fragile, the strong, and even those at the prime of their lives. And all we can do is shake our heads with disbelief and grief.

It is some comfort that the former Wham! member died peacefully in his Oxfordshire home. How all old soldiers and fighters for the truth should go.

The Tributes

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, George Michael gave us 11 UK number ones, and no Christmas was the same without “Last Christmas”. The tributes have been flying in fast and thick; led by his former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley and Sir Elton John:

We will not sit here and mourn. That is what this failure of a year wants us to do and it shall not win. Instead, we shall rejoice and talk about a man who lived completely on his own terms and was the better for it.

You were our first, our best, and our favourite. The sun will NEVER go down on you, George Michael. We loved you then and will love you always.

The Songs; Our George