You say that as if it's somehow a better way of being. It isn't.

But fair enough if you can't comprehend emotional attachment to anyone other than a family member or friend.

Some of us can feel closer to an artist (a writer, or a singer, or a poet), because they have a way of making us feel they're talking us and understanding the way we feel. After all, human emotions are the same the world over.

I have investigated your claim thoroughly and it turns out those incidents were entirely due to reading curmudgeonly posts on social media

I've never understood why people feel the need to go into threads like this at a time like this and attempt to talk down other peoples sympathy or feelings. Leave people be. They're allowed to feel upset. They're human. To some his music meant a great deal. His voice carried them through rough times and happy times. He may not have meant that much to you. That's fine too. But don't attack people because they're more upset than you are. It's really not required.

I wasn't a BIG George Michael fan but his music was part of the postcards of my life. The 70's-90's particularly are filled with songs that remind me very much of particular times that were important to me when I was still learning who 'me' was, and some of his music is involved in that - although I have also often been aggravated that radio channels play his covers of great songs more than they play the wonderful originals (just a little bug bear of mine).

I'm sad he's gone - he wasn't a musical genius but had a great voice and a certain style, he made something of himself on his own terms and, as others have said, was never afraid to laugh at himself. He was part of the musical past I treasure and it's sad to see so many people from that past passing away.

RIP George

Beautifully put.


When people who gave us a lot of pleasure, through music that touched and had meaning for us, then they die, then of course we feel sad.


They represent our own youth and hope and pleasure, our confused and elated feelings about life and experience, they are intrinsically linked with our own emotional past.

And age withers the lot of us and thus, when someone like George (and also for me Bowie and Prince) we feel our own thwarted hopes, our own fears and failures and bloody mortality.

And it feels bloody awful.


For those who don't understand, I hope you can at least accept that many feel like this about George, and saying it's 'inappropriate' or something, is just well, silly.

How sad to hear of another iconic artist passing. RIP George

Maybe some of us are just more compassionate than others.

I can honestly say he shaped parts of my life and was a huge influence on my love of music. So he has most definitely touched my life and I know I am not the only one to know that.

As others have said, he was a kind and generous man who helped many others, without shouting about it.

If someone told me I HAD to choose to lose either my sight or my hearing, I'd give up my sight. The thought if never hearing music, especially George's, ever again would just be too much. I need music in my life and that is down to him.

It's so sad to think I was there when he recorded 'Don't let the sun go down on me' with Elton, when he was the first person to perform at the new Wembley Stadium (I was front row) and sadly, it would seem at his last ever gig at Earls Court.

Feeling the loss of someone doesn't negate the loss of others...it isn't a competition.

At least he has left behind a magnificent legacy, which is more than most of us will ever manage.

I just hope he has found peace at last, as it seemed to evade him in life. Hopefully he's now with Anselmo and his mum now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvuENG3O9TM "George Michael in James Corden's first Carpool Karaoke for Comic Relief George Michael in James Corden's first Carpool Karaoke for Comic Relief "

Never knew he did this, simply wonderful

Lovely clip Francie! (i loved his reference to the snappy snaps incident "i thought we were picking my photos up" )
FOund this from the side bar of your link

Just like to add. My personal fav. Sooo catchy! Like many of his songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLtz0I_JdiQ

I really don't get this. Yes it's sad for his family or close friends but I don't know why people cry over someone they've likely never met and never knew. Apparently he took drugs while having heart problems. That was up to him I suppose but there you go. I feel more sad for the innocent people killed by a terrorist recently after that muslim loon drove a lorry into them.

" Wear and tear " Thanks, definitely capable of taking the mick out of himself.

Because the person has been a part of their lives for perhaps many years, and so meant a lot to them, or they may have admired them a great deal because of their personal qualities. Not really that hard to understand that someone might be upset when they're gone.

Just to expand on that as it was a brief comment i made quickly late last night. I know Wham were successful and had hits, but in my personal opinion it was not the sort of music which appealed to me at all. Michaels talent as a singer shone through once he went solo. It quickly became obvious after some incredible performances of his own songs.

Boy bands never appealed to me anyway, i always saw it as 'bubblegum music' for kids and Wham fitted that category.
I agree with you on that regards vocal similarity to Mercury and mentioned that point a few times last night. His performance of "Somebody to Love" at the Queen tribute concert for Mercury was superb. The EJ duet one is a pub singer classic which everyone who thinks they can sing often tries!

Very sad news. I thought his album Older was the best he produced. It had a mature sound and there was some great music o it such as Jesus To a Child and Fastlove.

A very good singer has left the world of music. May he rest in peace.

"Behind the headlines, Michael quietly gave huge sums to charity, including all the royalties from the 1996 number one Jesus to a Child.

Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen said he had given "millions" and "no one outside the charity knew how much he had given the nation's most vulnerable children". "

http://news.sky.com/story/pop-supers...ed-53-10707616

Surely a compassionate heart has enough room to feel sadness for everybody?

Presumably that's just one example and anyway, just touching one life in a positive way is a damned sight better than what a lot of others do, famous or not.

George's death has affected me more than any other celebrity death this year as he was an icon in the 80s when I was teenager and I have happy memories of singing and dancing to his records with friends. He was also far too young to go and it must be dreadful for his family and close friends.

But we don't know any of those poor Germans killed by the terrorist
George, however, has been part of our lives for decades and we feel that we know him

Why do you assume that just because I am sad about George I haven't been saddened by other events that have happened?

I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did. His life was a bit of a trainwreck.

Personally, I don't understand why people like you feel that it's some sort of competition as to who is most worthy of our compassion.
Is it really outside the realms of understanding that most of us feel sadness for those killed in atrocities or accidents but also feel upset at the passing of a singer years before his time who has been there for most of our adult lives? Whose songs we've all danced and sang along to? Who had his troubles but ultimately came across as a flawed but good hearted, genuine, caring compassionate man with a heart as big as his talent?

I wasn't a huge fan of his music but I still feel sad that a man who had so much and was loved by so many struggled with his demons for most of his adult life and never really seemed to find true happiness. A troubled soul who still found it in himself to do good deeds for others, without any personal gain.

I'm sorry you find it hard to understand as, for me, it's very easy to see why so many are saddened by his early death

Yes it was excellent.
This wasn't such a good idea though and not on his part..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gNbejwRft4

I always thought Pavarotti should have been content to stick to his own forte.

Rip

Whilst he certainly had a few issues with drink/drugs it was mild by comparison to Keith Richards (73) or Eric Clapton (71), both of whom used drink/drugs on a mega scale. Clapton sorted his drug addiction and been teetotal for many years. Richards gave up heroin 38 years ago and packed up cocaine 10 years ago after falling out of a tree (). He still smokes weed, fags, and has the occasional drink. Keeps him fit!