ENGLAND, UK (Reuters) — Neighbors and fans of British singer George Michael, who died at his home in Oxfordshire on Sunday (December 25), shed tears and laid flowers on his doorstep on Monday (December 26).
The soulful pop idol died aged 53 after a career of soulful ballads and dance songs that provided a soundtrack to much of the 1980s and 1990s.
He passed away peacefully, according to a statement from his publicist. British police said his death was “unexplained but not suspicious”. His manager, Michael Lippman, said the singer had died of heart failure at his home in Goring on Thames, according to the BBC.
Villagers said Michael was regularly seen out and about in the village.
“I know him, we see him in the village from time to time. He used to go to the local restaurants and things, so we see him about. I remember a few years ago when it was snowing, he and his partner were walking up the steps to take photographs of the snow. Sorry, I’m very emotional,” said one local woman, her voice breaking with emotion.
Women wiped tears from their eyes as the crowd watched the pile of flowers grow.
Michael’s death comes at the end of a year that has seen the passing of several popular music giants, including David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen. Rick Parfitt, the guitarist of British rock group Status Quo, died on Saturday at 68.