What were George Michael’s biggest songs?
GEORGE Michael was one of the biggest stars of the 1980s and will forever be remembered as a music icon.
His untimely death in 2016 sparked many people’s interest in his music and personal life. Here's George's story...
What were George Michael's biggest songs?
George Michael produced an array of hit singles and albums, both as part of Wham! and in his glittering solo career.
He also featured in a series of high-profile collaborations.
He sold over 100 million records worldwide and performed in both the original Band Aid charity single in 1984 and alongside Elton John in the Live Aid concert the following year.
After his death, Spotify streams for George's hits increased by more than three thousand percent.
Here are some of the singer’s biggest hits:
With Wham
Bad Boys (1983) – UK number 2
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984) – UK number 1, US number 1
Freedom (1984) – UK number 1
I’m Your Man (1985) – UK number 1
The Edge of Heaven (1986) – UK number 1
Where Did Your Heart Go? (1986) – UK number 1
Solo artist
Careless Whisper (1984) – UK number 1, US number 1
A Different Corner (1986) – UK number 1, US number 7
I Want Your Sex (1987) – UK number 3, US number 2
Faith (1987) – UK number 2, US number 1
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) with Aretha Franklin (1987) – UK number 1, US number 1
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me - with Elton John (1991) – UK number 1, US number 1
Somebody to Love - with Queen (1993) – UK number 1
Jesus to a Child (1996) – UK number 1, US number 7
Fastlove (1996) – UK number 1, US number 8
Outside (1998) – UK number 2
As - with Mary J Blige (1999) – UK number 4
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Why did George Michael leave Wham!?
George and Andrew Ridgeley formed the duo Wham! in 1981, and the duo tasted instant success with their 1983 debut album Fantastic becoming UK number one and producing a string of hit singles.
Their second album, Make It Big, was released in 1984 and became an even bigger hit, reaching number one across the world and catapulting George to international superstardom.
Wham! became the first Western pop group to tour China, including 10 ground-breaking dates on their huge 1985 world tour.
However, with George’s solo career beginning to take off and his profile dwarfing that of his co-star, Wham! announced they were breaking up in 1986.
George described the breakup split as "the most amicable split in pop history,” and they bid goodbye to their fans with a huge farewell show at Wembley Stadium.
What was George Michael's net worth?
Since his death on Christmas Day 2016, it has been revealed that George left an estimated fortune of £105million.
Michael left his money to his sisters, his dad and a string of friends — but snubbed lovers Kenny Goss and Fadi Fawaz.
His will confirms the bulk of his estate goes to sisters Yioda and Melanie.
George’s dad Kyriacos was left a horseracing stud farm where he has lived for many years.
A source said: “George was devoted to his dad and sisters, they were always going to be looked after.”
Court paperwork issued on May 30, 2018, means the estate can finally be divided more than two years after George’s death.
Seven pals and relatives including Shirlie Kemp, a backing singer with his band Wham!, and record producer David Austin, are also beneficiaries.
But George’s lover of almost 15 years Kenny is left out along with his on-off boyfriend Fadi.
When did George Michael die?
George was found dead in bed in his Oxfordshire home on Christmas Day 2016 by his boyfriend Fadi Fawaz.
The celebrity hairstylist said: “We were supposed to be going for Christmas lunch. I went round there to wake him up and he was just gone, lying peacefully in bed.
“We don’t know what happened yet. Everything had been very complicated recently, but George was looking forward to Christmas, and so was I.”
The cause of death was confirmed on March 7, 2017, by Darren Salter, senior coroner for Oxfordshire.
George died of natural causes and had a dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver.