We Lost George Michael

The news came as a shock on a quiet Christmas night: George Michael, dead at age 53. According to police, there was no foul play and nothing suspicious about the death and that George died "peacefully at his home."

It is very uncommon for a 53 year old to die of natural causes. Perhaps it was a massive heart attack or something else. I'm sure we'll find out more in the days ahead when TMZ and the rest of the paparazzi vultures sniff around.

The news of George Michael's death is very hard for me to process. You see, I loved him. If Aerosmith is my favorite rock band, then George Michael is my favorite pop artist. I saw him live in Philadelphia in 2008 and that remains my favorite concert of all time. The show was part of the 25 Live tour. During that tour, George performed for two million fans and earned something like $200 million bucks. He didn't play all that many American dates on that international tour, and I took whatever seats I could get - but luckily I ended up pretty close to the stage! I had to join the fan club to even have a shot at seats. The Philadelphia show was at the Wells Fargo Center, so it was a pretty big.

George, as part of Wham!, produced the only Christmas song I like, "Last Christmas" and his video for "Freedom! 90" is my favorite music clip period. He was a genius. George knew how to work the new media that was MTV in the early 80s. His voice flawless and his hooks infectious. I've spent hours upon hours on the treadmill, running to all his fast tracks from his greatest hits package. In fact, just hearing the opening to "Outside" puts a smile on my face and make me want to run.

2016 sure has taken a lot of great musicians from us, including Prince and David Bowie... and now George Michael. For me, this one hurts the most. I am in shock. I kept hoping he would do another album or play another couple of shows in America.

I hope his last days were happy and that he found peace, as he did live both a fabulous and very tormented life. I am so thankful for his music.

Here are some of my favorite George Michael songs:

"Freedom! 90"

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (with Elton John). The first time I heard this, it was a near religious experience for me.

"Fastlove" - another one of my workout songs.

"Careless Whisper" This is perhaps one of the most perfect pop songs ever recorded.

"Amazing" - a later career dance hit: