REMEMBERING A "FATHER FIGURE"
Following the untimely passing of pop music icon George Michael on Christmas Day, fans and members of the music community immediately flocked to social media, as well as music retailers, to lament and remember. See a selection of tweets and posts below.
As of Monday morning, nine George Michael songs and three more from Wham! were in the iTunes Top 200 singles—with Wham!'s beloved "Last Christmas" at #55, Michael's "Careless Whisper" Top 25, "Freedom 90" Top 40 and his Faith Top 5 on the album side. Two other albums, Twenty Five and Ladies & Gentlemen, have moved into the Top 20. Meanwhile, Spotify reports a 3,158% spike in streams of Michael's best-known work.
Expect key songs and albums to continue their ascent as mourning and celebration of Michael continue on the socials; a few high-profile examples appear below.
Our sincerest condolences go out to George Michael’s family, friends, and musical collaborators. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/GutULGmxFp
— Recording Academy (@RecordingAcad) December 26, 2016
Farewell My Friend! 🙏🏻 Another Great Artist leaves us. 💔Can 2016 Fuck Off NOW? pic.twitter.com/aEGIUNSJbt
— Madonna (@Madonna) December 26, 2016
George Michael
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) December 26, 2016
Read: https://t.co/z669xGdjwM
#RIPGeorgeMichael. You were an absolute genius. My sincerest condolences go out to your family, David, Michael and your whole team
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) December 26, 2016
RIP George Michael. I can't believe it. Such an incredible singer and a lovely human being, far too young to leave us #georgemichael
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) December 25, 2016
Very sad to hear that George Michael passed. He was a very talented musician and singer. Love & mercy to his family, friends and fans.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) December 25, 2016
Stunned. George Michael. A talented and gentle soul. May you rest in Gods love and Peace 🙏🏿 #RIPGeorgeMichael
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) December 26, 2016
2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's family. pic.twitter.com/3h4xqEDXR9
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) December 25, 2016
Miss you already! Thank you for your radical activism in the LGBTQ community! Love you always! @happyhippiefdn pic.twitter.com/nBCxjEstDo
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) December 26, 2016
other than a global pop phenom, George Michael was one of the true British soul greats. alot of us owe him an unpayable debt. bye George xx
— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) December 25, 2016
Rest in peace George. You were always one of the greatest.
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) December 26, 2016
I've loved George Michael for as long as I can remember. He was an absolute inspiration. Always ahead of his time.
— James Corden (@JKCorden) December 25, 2016
I just heard about my friend @GeorgeMichael's death. He was such a brilliant talent. I'm so sad.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 25, 2016
Omg #GeorgeMichael noooo! No No No No No! We have lost too many beautiful souls this year. #rip you will be greatly missed.
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) December 25, 2016
I don't have it in me anymore to write about our greats. I just knew one day I'd get to work with #GeorgeMichael. Sad Christmas.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) December 25, 2016
What a year... RIP GEORGE MICHAEL ... 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) December 25, 2016
Another beautiful voice gone too soon. #ripgeorgemichael
— josh groban (@joshgroban) December 26, 2016
R.I.P George Michael. Beyond sad, you were a legend, and you were far too young. Blasting "Last Christmas" now 🙏
— OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) December 25, 2016
Another incredible talent gone. Thank you for all the music Mr George Michael. Thoughts with your family and friends... 🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Disclosure (@disclosure) December 25, 2016
