michael: true. it is not the first time i have felt that way but i felt more that way than i have ever felt before. there were a couple reasons. the superficial reasons were that at the heart of the book, you have an intellectual discipline, psychology, that i had to teach myself about. and you had a backdrop of israel in the early days which is a really peculiar and interesting place. and war. i knew a bit about it but not enough to create that setting. but the biggest thing i think, the source of hesitancy was, i normally feel intellectually equal to my subjects. i can get my mind around my subjects and what they are talking about. in this case, the fertility and the power of these guys' minds was daunting. i knew i was going to be in the position of the b students trying to write about the a students. i felt like a gnat trying to get my arms around two elephants. and i knew in the back of my mind, danny kahneman is one of the world sharpest critic and the greatest doubter of things. i knew whatev

film that had a lot of f george michael music in it and michael peel said rip georgep ge michael.mi ellen said i heard about myboutm friend george michael's death. a it was ah haw brilliant b talent. m soso sad. a lot of people chiming inchimin this morning about georgeorni at michael's passing. >> talking with mark yesterdayky and he was saying that james cordon who is also like a big fan, before he came to theamto united states tv went all fellll in love with him there he did a similar karaoke on his old -- i guess it was show in london and he had george michael on after theon a whole bathroom incident and he says,es you know, you're going let me le in and james cord done liked doe i'm not letting you in and so is it was a joke so they joked,, they laughed about it and that t was another thing just to be self dep indicating when you could have just gone away but he c ylose tveo j fusace it andm out and, you know, and makend >> yeah. >> which also endeared him i'm sure to a lot of audiences. aie >> cordon will a quote in qte i there. he did say thatth george michael -- he said i ha

michael holland and michael purvis, thank you. in our next hour, much more of a take on italy and international relations. haas,l spence and richard stay with us. this is bloomberg. ♪ tom: forget roman holiday. italians need a bank holiday. to find a marginal billion euros to bail out and indeed dale in the banks. in this hour, michael spence of new york university. american foreign-policy pivots tweet by tweet. that is unbelievable. america in disarray. in this hour, richard haass from the council of foreign relations. good morning, everyone. this is "bloomberg surveillance." world live from our headquarters in new york. i am tom keene. she is back from rome. what was the observation in rome, francine, other than you were there and i wasn't? francine: the most significant development was, despite the fact matteo renzi will shortly be out because he lost badly, the market actually used it. italy will sort itself out, including the banks. i would say it is a 50/50 at the moment. the interview with the chairman of alitalia was par

paul young duetted with george michael. he paid tribute today. he always had an incredible pop sensibility and a voice that could touch people. some people have a voice that cuts straight to your heart. he seemed to have that ability. as well as success over the years, he also had brushes with the law. his car collided with a high street shop, leading to a spell in prison. he was cautioned and fined for drugs possession and received treatment for addiction. to be a part of people's lives as an artist, that is what i dreamed of and what i'm still grateful for. but, my god, i wish i could cope with the other stuff the way others do. i wish i had been born with that particular suit of armour. cause i wasn't. when george michael revealed he was gay, he said he had kept it secret to stop his mother worrying about hiv. in 2011, he said he had nearly died in vienna after a bout of pneumonia. more music was on the way, a collaboration with producer naughty boy and a documentary was due next march. when it came to pop, george michael had it all, the looks

tremendous shock, no suggestion that george michael recently had been u nwell george michael recently had been unwell and reports from the ambulance service that an ambulance had been called. whether reiterating that police are saying there are no suspicious circumstances but his death is unexplained. george michael, of course, as we have been reflecting, sheeting to fame very early in life, one half of the band wham and then an enormously successful career as a solo artist. he burst onto the scene is in the early 1980s when he formed wham with andrew ridgeley. number one singles around the world and concrete china, becoming the first western band performing there. george michael leitch fame but never became used to it. to be a part of people 's leitch fame but never became used to it. to be a part of people '5 lives, thatis it. to be a part of people '5 lives, that is what a dream of and what i rate fall for. but my god, i wish i could cope with the other stuff the way other people do. that i had been born with that particular suit of armour because i born with that particular suit o

this time, george michael dead at the age of 53. >> michael's manager says he died of heart failure yesterday at his home in glntd. many have tape to twitter to honor him. >> michael rose to fame as part of the duo what happens in the '80s before a solo career selling more than 100 million albums. we'll look back with the bbc. ♪ >> reporter: he burst into the scene in the early '80s when he formed wham with andy ridgely. the duo had number one singles around the world and conquered china, and they were the first pop band to perform there. george michael loved fame, but he never blame used to it. >> hip hop artist, that's what i dreamed of, what i'm still grateful for. but my god, i wished i coped with the other stuff the way other people do. i wish i'd been born with that particular suit of armor, you know, because i wasn't. ♪ not everybody has got a body like you ♪ ♪ but i gotta think twice before i give my hide away ♪ >> reporter: he hit the headlines for other reasons. he was stopped for a series of traffic offenses leadsing to a spell in jail. he was caused and fined for drug po

michael mckee in new york. let's go to the "number business flash." korea has beenh fined $853 million -- south korea has imposed a record $853 million on qualcomm. more fallout from brexit. with ayds banking group subsidiary in europe. the financial times says the most likely option is for lloyds -- for 1877'ss an order 787s for- for 18 delta. that is the "bloomberg business flash." michael: kevin cirilli is bloomberg's politics reporter, and he is in charge with covering donald trump for us. with us.dler, also he is the manager to covering the market reaction to all of this. kevin, the president-elect is fairly+++ hours, although he did suggest at one point that the big rise in confidence was due to him. what is he doing down in florida while we all are still here at work in new york? kevin: well, he is down at mar-a-lago. in west palm beach, where i will beheaded tonight to chronicle him over the new year holiday. but i think the bottom line is this. there was a lot of speculation ahead of election day that,

our top stories: the singer george michael has died. his publicist says he passed away peacefully at home. george michael rose to fame in the 1980s as a member of the duo wham! police say there were no suspicious circumstances. in other news: a major search operation off the black sea coast has pinpointed a russian military plane that crashed into the water with 92 people on board. israel orders ambassadors of un security council members to be reprimanded after they voted against its settlement building. and queen elizabeth misses her traditional christmas day service as she recovers from a heavy cold, but in a recorded speech she pays tribute to ordinary people doing extraordinary things. the death of the singer george michael has been announced. he was 53. he shot to fame in the 1980s as half of the band wham, and went on to have a hugely successful solo career. he's sold more than 80 million records worldwide. his publicist says he passed away peacefully at his home just outside london on sunday. andy moore looks back at his life. #

irvin plays a large role in your book. >> michael, when i first met michael irvin, he had played for the miami hurricanes in college, played for the dallas cowboys in the nfl. when i first michael, he is just a ladies man, he is a man's man. he's the man. right? you do not get any greater of a persona than michael irvin has. he is a masculine man and as i got to know michael, we just had a mutual acquaintance and i started doing his radio show. michael opened up and he had a gay brother. and he was raised in the southern baptist household and viewed people were christian, not opposed to same-sex marriage and this was in 2011. michael agreed to do a cover story for out magazine which is a gay men's magazine in the united states. agreed to do a cover story for which he decided to appear shirtless on the cover of the gay men's magazine. this man's man appearing, it was just an incredible, it was a perfect storm and what was amazing about michael is it was so calculated by hand. he wanted to jumpstart conversation in the nfl about gay people and gay issues and he did the cause more and s

michael? francine? francine: the bank of italy has said the rescue of monte dei paschi will cost the state 6.6 billion euros, and that comes less than a day after the commission approves the liquidity program for the world's oldest bank. we are back with luigi zingales of the university of chicago. when you look at the italian banks, you have been critical of the government handling of the plan so far. do you believe that the finance minister will stick to the rules when it comes to -- will stick to the rules? luigi: italy has to stick to the rules. the question is how flexible those rules are at how fast italy falls into play. italy has been dragging its feet in the decision of what to do, and i think that the plan implemented now is, in my view, too little, too late. francine: what do you think happens next? luigi: first of all, we need to see whether this money that keeps creeping up is enough, because the ecb is reviewing now the good loans of monte dei paschi. given how long this bank has been in t

." >> tonight -- ♪ gotta have faith >> remembering george michael. the singer/songwriter who always kept the faith with his fans. dead at 53. a straight sex symbol and a gay hero. >> women seem to ignore the fact that i'm gay. >> who always dared to be different. a look back at his inspirational life of freedom. ♪ i don't want your freedom >> and unfor-gettable music. >> eventually it's all gone but the songs are still there. >>> plus life animated. one family's journey with autism. forging a new dialogue through the magic of movies. >> it's the first conversation we've ever had. >> the discovery that changed their lives. but first the "nightline 5." ingredient? corn? wheat? in purina one true instant grain free, real chicken is number one. no corn, wheat or soy. support your active dog's full-body health with purina one. >>> can't sleep worrying about your big day tomorrow? don't forget about the client dinner. hope you didn't forget. did you get that e-mail? i need you to respond before you wake up. >> z quill helps you fall asleep in less than 2

george michael's death. it's a real shame, a tragedy. 53 yea rs it's a real shame, a tragedy. 53 years old. i suppose one of the interesting thing is, as you said, it is difficult for the papers because it happened so late last night. some of the papers, including the daily mail, carry some of the tributes, mainly drawn from social media. eltonjohn, tributes, mainly drawn from social media. elton john, who tributes, mainly drawn from social media. eltonjohn, who was very close to him. but they did have a difficult relationship and they did fallout when elton john was difficult relationship and they did fallout when eltonjohn was seen to be giving him particular advice about drugs and the misuse of drugs. at eltonjohn about drugs and the misuse of drugs. at elton john commented about drugs and the misuse of drugs. at eltonjohn commented last night that he is heartbroken and his thoughts go out to the family and his friends. george michael was also, earlier this year, his friends. george michael was also, earl

how rare a talent was michael? >> very rare. i mean, george michael was the whole package. i mean, just as those catchy songs he had written and performed for so many years. he was the entire person. he was a celebrity that everybody loved. he had impacted so many people in the music world, elton john being one of his close friends, as well as madonna, but, yeah, he -- he wasn't just a singer. he didn't just have talent. but he was a person that could really just connect to his fans and let his fans know that no matter who you are, no matter what type of person you are, no matter who you love, it's okay. it's okay to be yourself and be who you are. and everybody will love you just for that. so, of course, the last few years of his life, we are just starting to put together how the last -- how he spent the last couple months, especially. of course, there's new details that will be coming out about his last days, but i do think today, while the news is starting to sink in, i think this is another major blow that the music world got in 2016. of course, after the passing of dav

michael. one of them was "deadpool." "deadpool"'s entire throughe line of that movie was about w o wham and george michael so s ryan reynolds the star ofof "deadpool" tweeted georgerg michael was a kind and generous soul. jordan peel wrote rip georgeripe michael. mich ellen also tweeted i just heard about my friend george gre michael's death.s dea he was such a brilliantiant talent.tale i'm so sad.ad. obviously a lot of celebritiesfs were touched by this. again, i wasn't -- i guess iue wasn't young enough to know --n old enough to know who he w really did influence so muchceou music. mu >> i was telling that you album faith, that was like -- lk i'm out of school at thatat tha point and that sound -- i must m have worn it out driving backk and forth, a little guy i wasas seeing at the time.im >> he was so young there.was sot >> but all the music -- when- you hear a song that justhat speaks to you, that's what t t george michael was and it just transcended everything. evethin. >> at that time it was playing m as well as th

you know, the fact that out of the '80s, george michael in houston, prince, michael jackson, they are gone. that's a huge loss for the world, not just for music fans, but the world. >> voices of our generation passing away. 2016 can be done with. thanks to from spain early this morning. thank you. >> yeah, thank you. we'll have more on george michael later this half hour, but we turn now to another celebrity, star wars actress carrie fisher treated in a los angeles hospital this morning after suffering cardiac arrest on a flight from london monday. >> her mother tweeted yesterday her daughter is in stable condition and thanked the public for their prayers. harrison ford and mark hammel send well wishes so fisher. >>> overseas where russian invs. gaiters search for the cause of the deadly plane crash into the black sea. all 92 people on board killed including dozens of singers and russia's world famous military khoir. it crashed into minutes into the flight in cle weather. the transport minister said the crash was likely due to pilot error or technical malfunction, but a terro been rul

when it came to pop, george michael had it all. the looks, the voice and the ability to write hit after hit, again and again. remembering george michael who has died at the age of 53. russia is holding a day of national mourning for the 92 people who were killed when a military plane crashed in the black sea. authorities in russia say they've located the site where the plane came down yesterday, soon after it took off from sochi, heading to syria. the first of the bodies have this morning been airlifted to moscow. our moscow correspondent, steve rosenberg reports. across russia, they prayed for the dead for the 92 victims of yesterday's plane crash. there was a special service today in every orthodox church in russia. this is a day of national mourning. as a sign of respect, russian flags were flown at half—mast. this is thought to be the last picture of a chicken of the aircraft. a a few others later it crashed into the black sea. the search operation continued today. not for survivors but for the bodies. and also for the plane'

narda michael walden is a three-time grammy-winning producer. he has worked with george michael. george michael has always stood out. >> george michael is brilliant, a perfectionist, very talented and gave 110% to make sure everything was always as he wanted it to be. there are only a few artists that really go to that extreme, and he's one of them. >> reporter: like the rest of the world, walden learned that michael died on christmas. the two worked together on the grammy-winning duet with "i knew you were waiting" with aretha franklin back in 1987. ♪ >> reporter: that same year, walden won a grammy for producer of the year. he keeps the award in his san jose home. >> i am saddened, but i can't say i'm surprised, with prince leaving, whitney leaving, all these people, it's like, okay, god is taking them back home. >> reporter: since the late 1990s, walden has followed his work and is proud of his legacy. >> george had it all. sex appeal, dance, great stage presence, great recording, great production, great everything. he's one of those people that just had everything going on.

michael had not been ill. we have more on the pop icon's life and career. ♪ >> reporter: the stunning death of george michael brings a sudden end to one of pop music's most brilliant careers. the superstar was just 53, his publicist said he died pear peacefully at home. he was one half of wham! with andrew ridgeley. his first solo album, 1987's "faith" sold more than 21 million copies and he enjoyed several hit singles. including the raunchy "i want your sex." >> my music is only ever reflected parts of the music that i listen to and some of my favorite albums would not be things that anyone expected. i know who i am and what i'm capable of and what my limitations are. ♪ >> reporter: his career included brushes with the law, overdangerous driving, drug use and public sexual behavior. >> i don't inhale any of that. it's dangerous. i don't inhale any of that. you give people music for years and years when you write. you tie yourself to more than one night. you tie yourself to big events in their lives, their

michael: yes. tom: these guys never did this -- michael: [laughter] or put a pencil in between their teeth. they never would have done that. they would get from and with have said -- they would look at trump and i think they would have been terrified. at the center of their work, there is a keen awareness of the fallibility of the human mind. it is shameful. it is like we are wired to make mistakes. we need to understand that to correct them. if you think -- if you go through life begin your infallible and you get instinct is great, you will -- gut instinct is great, you will commit horrible mistakes per you are prone to them. the first thing they would say is these guys in danger because .e doesn't realize i think it would be an impossible task is at the same time, he is certain about everything, unpredictable, basically, at the bottom of this, a weird dude. i don't know what the weird dude go do and i don't think anyone can predict it. will leave it there. michael lewis, what we can predict is an

michael: let's go to michael holland of michael holland and company, the chairman and founder. dutta also toyed by neil -- we are also joined by neil dutta. we begin the hour talking about markets around the world. you are on record as noting that the handoff from barack obama to donald trump is one of the strongest economies we have seen in presidential transitions. which of these things affects investors the most going into 2017 -- the new president, the strong economy, the fed, oil markets -- what do we want to watch for outside the general euphoria that has been in equities? l: i think the equity markets are pricing in a stronger growth environment. you mentioned the election and to equities,bent and i think you want that to come out in the economics data. clearly that has pushed bond yields higher as well. my concern is going into the first half of next year, you will see a situation where the unemployment rate is below 5%, inflation is close to 3%. basis,getting favorable right? wage inflation is getting up to 3%, and if the bond market is primarily pricing in favorable p

george michael, who's died at the age of 53. tanya hart, the host of hollywood live spoke to me a little earlier from los angeles. she says george michael's death comes on a long list of talented musicians that the world has lost in 2016. when i heard about george michael today, my stomach started hurting. i can't imagine losing another person. i was thinking yesterday, it's almost the end of the year, can we get through without losing anyone else? apparently not. he was such an important person in the world of music, especially during the 80s and 90s and was really one of those transition people that made the world of pop music, he made that big transition leading into where we are now with the musical world and with a lot of the alternative music that they now call alternative music, and a lot of the real club music we hear, george michael was at the forefront of that. some incredible collaborations with maryj blige and aretha franklin and he was doing it at a time others weren't. that's right, he was a leader in a lot of genr

george michael loved fame but never became used to it. to be obviously a part of people's lives as an artist, that's what i dreamed of and that's what i'm still grateful for. but my god, i wish i could cope with the other stuff the way other people do. i wish i'd been born with that particular suit of armour, you know, because i wasn't. # you know not everybody has got a body like you. but i gotta think twice before i give my heart away... as his career waned, he hit the headlines for other reasons. he was stopped for a series of traffic offences leading to a spell in jail. he was cautioned and fined for drug possession and received treatment for addiction. # time can never mend the careless whispers... in 2011, he suffered a life—threatening bout of pneumonia while on tour in austria. police said his death was unexplained but not suspicious. his family said he had died peacefully at home. they called him a beloved son, brother and friend. john covach is the director of the institute for popular music at the university of rochester in n

yet george michael did it. he broke away from wham!. it could be argued he had a even more successful career as a solo artist. how much should we appreciate how difficult that is? it's very difficult. there are only a few people that have done it. one is george and the other is robbie williams. and his first song bas a solo artist was freedom. when you listen to that song, it makes you think, that is what it is likely to be in think, that is what it is likely to beina think, that is what it is likely to be in a band. it really was mental. for him to break away from that and come out with face. . that catapulted him to superstardom. he changes look. he had a leather jacket and then he had a suit if yea rs jacket and then he had a suit if years later. i'm just so happy that i got to see my idol and the legend in concert at least once and that is a memory that will keep forever and ever. it makes you wonder how many stars inspired, as you say, robbie williams. he released his first solo single and coverage. thank you. that was a former mem

michael: thanks. with ofe conversation the peterson institute, the president there. 9:00 in new york, 2:00 p.m. in london. this is bloomberg. ♪ francine: live pictures of the italian prime minister giving talking and speech, little about the reforms, saying the italian government has to press ahead with reforms. there are difficulties in the banking sector. newfact that the administration, the bank finance minister, had to step down following the referendum. needing to focus on growth and unemployment. this is what you are expecting a new prime minister to say. there is not much that is controversial at the moment. remember, he has been in charge for 2.5 weeks. his biggest problem is the banks and how he deals with the monte dei paschi recapitalization demands. our italy bureau chief joins us from the lawn. also -- from milan. also, john wraith. we see thections, same faces in charge. what is the likelihood of having snap early elections? >> there is a high chance. the main issue is with the italian

early in his career, george michael hid his homosexuality. something he later said made him feel fraudulent. a series of unhappy events and scandals followed his career peak in the 1990's. his mother died, as did his partner. and he was dogged by health problems and brushes with the law. but the singer always found a way to come back. after the hits faded, he expanded his repertoire. the new material had reinvigorated his voice. >> i can feel myself singing every night. reporter: you will always be known for classic hits like last christmas. the loss of such a huge star, aged just 53, left fans outside his london residence in shock. >> i cannot believe we are standing here. i can't believe we're standing here and george has passed away. >> euros songs for the good times and bad times. we came here today just to say thank you, george. reporter: george michael is gone, but his music remains. >> ♪ i think i'm through ♪ christopher: we're good -- we are going to get a personal perspective on this from this man, richard blade. you can see him

what does george michael min to me. what does george michael min to you? he is a pioneer. he opened doors for many people. me being younger, influenced by him singing with aretha franklin, and him being british, big with someone who was there before was a real liberation. a great singer, songwriter. you are and r&b songwriter and discover some of the influences, r&b, pop, that george michael had. hello? sorry... you say it was quite an influence? he showed there are no boundaries. he showed there are no boundaries. he had a black and white backing singer even back in the day with wham and you pay attention. he was really soulful. it is crazy, isn't it? he was so young. he also had a side to him that into the social conscience as well, where you aware of that? no, no. i remember him as a legend from wham. every christmas you hear, last christmas. he outed himself, obviously... spectacularly. laughter but him and saying, you know what, and i am not going to sweat but i do care what you think. what was your favourite song? when he did a cover of stink... triple gold, last chr

let's go back to the news about george michael. let's listen back to some of george michael's greatest hits — starting with his first appearance with wham on top of the pops. # see me, single and free # no tears, no fears, what i want to be # one, two, take a look at you # death by matrimony! # wham! # bam! #iam! # a man! #job or nojob, you can't tell me that i'm not # do! # you! # enjoy what you do? # if not, just stop! # don't stay there and rot! # you put the boom—boom into my heart # you send my soul sky high when your lovin' starts #jitterbug into my brain # goes a bang—bang—bang till my feet do the same. # club tropicana, drinks are free # fun and sunshine, there's enough for everyone. # all that's missing is the sea but don't worry, you can suntan! # last christmas, i gave you my heart # but the very next day, you gave it away # this year, to save me from tears # i'll give it to someone special. # oh, when that love comes down without devotion # well, it takes a strong man, baby # but i'm showing you the door # cos i

i'm in highgate where michael had a home. we have been seeing fanning trickling in all day leaving tributes at his door step. when you think of a

i'm in highgate where michael had a home. we have been seeing fanning trickling in all day leaving tributes at his door step. when you think of a pop star or pop icon and legend, you rarely think of the person as an individual. that's what we have been fortunate to get here with fans coming by. a lot of these people knew him because he was a member of the community. he would shop here. he knew people. so they were giving us personal stories about how he was such a loving and caring person. yes, he struggled with drugs, but this is a person they remember as just a big heart who really cared about the community. here is more about the late legend. ♪ wake me up before you go-go ♪ don't leave me hanging on >> reporter: george michael launched into pop culture history in 1984 as half of the british boy duo, wham!. singing "careless whisper." ♪ time can never mend the careless whisper ♪ >> by 1986, michael has a solo career. "faith" raising eyebrows with the first single. the risque lyrics drawing sharp criticism of those w

he found a quote from george michael and quoted around it. george michael said that he believes that music is to one of the greatest gifts god gave to man. andrew originally replied that it was from god, it was from george himself. and the horrible irony that george michael saying two of the biggest christmas songs of all time, do they know it's christmas? ? by band aid and last christmas? ? by band aid and last christmas by an wham. it is still number 16 christmas by an wham. it is still number16 in the christmas by an wham. it is still number 16 in the charts at the moment. and on christmas day. thank you very much. russia is holding a day of national mourning for the 92 people who were killed when a military plane crashed in the black sea. authorities in russia say they've located the site where the plane came down yesterday, soon after it took off from sochi, heading to syria. 0ur moscow correspondent, steve rosenberg reports. this is one of the final images of the tupolev 154 jet. it was taken by a journalist before he boarded the plane.

michael be speaking to michael parkinson. and there's more online. you can look back at george michael's life in pictures, music that defined his career, and celebrity tributes — that's at bbc.co.uk/news. we will be finding out how this story are many others are being covered in tomorrow's front pages at 1020 this evening in the papers. russia has recovered some fragments of a military plane, which crashed in the black sea with 92 people on board. a huge search operation has been taking place near sochi where the aircraft had taken off from. the first of the bodies have this morning been airlifted to the russian capital. our moscow correspondent, steve rosenberg reports. across russia, they prayed for the dead — for the 92 victims of yesterday's plane crash. there was a special service today in every orthodox church in russia. this is a day of national mourning. as a sign of respect, russian flags were flown at half—mast. this is thought to be the last picture ever taken of the tupolev154. a few hours later it crashed into the black sea. the se

they found george michael dead there. police say they are treating the death as unexplained but at this stage there are no suspicious circumstances. we had a statement in from the star's publicist saying that it is with great sadness we confirm that george michael passed away at home over the christmas period. the family asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time. it goes on to say there will be no further comment at this stage because of the timing, i guess, we will not guess, get much more information now until daylight. but because of the news machine, as it is, tributes have been coming in thick and fast. have you got some we can look at? we will hear in a moment from elton john who can look at? we will hear in a moment from eltonjohn who is leading the tributes but a number of his contemporaries, remember this was a man about a career for decades. he formed wham in the early 19805 decades. he formed wham in the early 1980s and went on to forge an excellent solo career, notching up a lot of number

george michael, dying suddenly at age 53. found in his home in london on christmas day ♪ wake me up before you go go >> he raised to fame as one half of wham! before restoring our faith as solo superstar. ♪ i got to have faith >> captivating millions of fans. >> he made such a tremendous contribution musically. it's a huge loss. >> the tributes pouring in from around the world this morning. ♪ please don't go away >>> good morning. if you're around for the 1980s and if you like us were you teenagers that voice is unmistakable sfwlit's a huge loss. that's our big story this morning. the shock to the music world. singer george michael dead at the age of 6 53. fans showing their support for the music legend, even leaving flowers at hiss home. >> online, tributes have been pouring in. george michael was a musical genius and i'm so grateful to have known him. ellen degeneres calling her friend a brilliant talent. and sir elton john posting on on instagram, i am in deep shock. i have lost a good friend. >> the pop star being r

well, george michael died in his sleep yesterday. jim axelrod has a look back. ♪ wake me up before you go, go >> reporter: he burst onto the scene in the early 1980s waking up post disco pop music world as one half of the duo wham. ♪ i'm not planning on going solo ♪ ♪ we're never going to dance again ♪ >> reporter: with his smooth, soul fell voice, george wasn't going to be anything other than a headliner all on his own. ♪ we could have done this dance forever ♪ >> reporter: born 53 years ago in london, michael would go on to sell more than 100 million records worldwide. ♪ when that love comesr devotio >> reporter: starting in 1987 with "faith." ♪ because i gotta have faith >> reporter: he had eight number one hits in the united states. ♪ i want your sex >> reporter: and won two grammys. ♪ why can't you do it ♪ why can't you set your monkey free ♪ >> the glare of fame's bright lights was too bright at times. in the tabloid for drugs, duis and highly publicized arrest for soliciting sex in a public bathroom w

i think george michael came of age asa i think george michael came of age as a pop star in the early 1980s just as the music video for dominant was really beginning to take off. it was really beginning to take off. it was the early days of mtv and he was really one of the pioneers that helped launch that format as a vehicle of expression for music and for pop music in particular. you think back to some of his early hits like careless whisper, faith, wake me up before you go—go, whether with wham or as me up before you go—go, whether with wham orasa me up before you go—go, whether with wham or as a solo artist, he was really on the cutting edge of that whole phenomenon. he also managed to make the transition that a lot of people don't quite make from boy band pinup to actual serious respected artist. that is true. he started out as this kind of teenybopper star with andrew ridgeley and wham and transition very quickly to be this kind of new male sex symbol that we haven't really seen before, a guy with... who goes from being the teenybopper pinup idol to the stubbornly guy weari

a front—page of the times also about george michael. the times also about george michael. the main story is about from's trader chief saying that they will steal trade from the uk. the front page of the sun is also about george michael. george michael pop icon pass away yesterday. the front—page of the daily telegraph carries a picture of prince george. she is leaving the church service yesterday. she attended with his pa rents yesterday. she attended with his parents and sister. the main story says that charities and contract is profit from foreign aid and spends taxpayers money on it exorbitant salaries. they will be named and shamed under government plans. the daily express is focused on the fact that the queen was forced to cancel her traditional church service. that is because she has fallen ill with a cold. use brexit to steal uk trade. what does this mean? yes, we going to have to get very, very used to the new cabinet in america. they look like they might be the most wealthy cabinet ever put together by an american president. this man is reportedly worth somethin

not my favorite george michael song. >> what's your favorite george michael's song? >> a fool, which -- >> i'm a freedom girl myself. >> all right. tell us what's your favorite george michael song. weigh in on our twitter page. his neighbors in the english countryside remember him this morning. >> if you want to hear george michael, hit up a local pub. he was seen in the pubs and restaurants there, and one of them is playing his songs in a tribute to him. residents there respected his privacy, but one villager saw him out recently and did not look well. >> the music world reeling from the unexpected death of the superstar. >> making transition from teen heart throb to successful artist, and he overcame many challenges. here's more. >> reporter: george michael found dead at his country home christmas day. police called to the scene calling the death unexplained, but not suspicious. his manager told abc news he die of heart failure. pictures taken just a few months ago show his physique had changed, but there's questions about what happened to this 53-year-old. there w

george michael is dead at just 53 years old of failure. a vigil is growing outside the singer's home in england. as thousands express their sadness of grief on twitter. jasmine writes, "gone way too soon. thanks for all of your amazing music, george. rest in peace." claire writes, "still devastated by george michael. the saddest one for me this year." george michael rose to fame in the 1980s in the british band wham. he then went on to become one of the world's top selling artists with his solo album, "faith." but with all the success came some struggle. drug charges and run-ins with police. many fans appreciated the way george michael never shied away. in 1988 when he was arrested for lewd conduct in a public restroom, michael responded by coming out as gay. he poked fun at incident in his video for his song "outside." but it's his voice that catapulted george michael to fame and kept him in the spotlight for decades. that's how so many will remember him. as rob lowe wrote, "had the pleasure of knowing george michael in the 80s, voice of

george michael was so tragically young at just 53 george michael was so tragically young atjust 53 years old. 0ne george michael was so tragically young atjust 53 years old. one man said he'd seen george michael while he was fishing down by the river, and he didn't look terribly well. many people here are worried —— wondering what happened here. we know he was found in his bed just after lunch and he was unresponsive. he was declared dead inside the house. the cause of death is allegedly heart failure, but we anticipate that over the coming days, we will learn more about what caused george michael to pass away. thank you, ben. let's get some more reaction. we are going to speak to darren scott from the gay times. we are so sorry. darren scott from the gay times. we are so sorry. it's a huge loss to so many fans across the world. a really sad christmas for many. we want to talk to you because george michael is famous for coming out as being 93v, is famous for coming out as being gay, one of the first in his generation, but it goes beyond that what he did for the l g bt community. he w

i spent 25 years there, michael. i can tell you what they're going to say -- one, is the new incoming c.i.a. director named by mr. trump going to answer to the ptresident and speak as the president wants him to speak or represent the facts that the c.i.a. knows them? mr. pompeo, the nominee to be c.i.a. director will have a limelight on him and i'm suspecting he doesn't know what his answer is yet. >> phil, you know it's been reported that president-elect trump is receiving about one intel briefing per week even though he has the opportunity to be briefed on a daily basis as the same information as president obama. what do you now think of the fact that he's being briefed so infrequently in the context of this russian story? >> there are two pieces to this, michael. let me make sure i remain sort of nonpartisan cnn commentator. i don't think it's a huge deal about whether the president-elect is briefed once a day or once a week. my question would be how he receives information. his vice president mike pence is receiv

that picture they say is george michael in september. exactly. in the mirror, from tony parson, who was george michael's higher refund but he wrote this in 2011 when george michael was actually dying from pneumonia in a vienna hospital and it was about the 30 years he had known him and he says that george went from being too fat, ron smart too stupid, from straight to overtly gay, from a responsible driver to someone who crashed into a shop. it is that celebrity and all the interviews i heard from george michael, there was this conundrum, this lack of self—confidence despite this amazing talent. "in the mirror, in his words, there is no such thing as a relu cta nt words, there is no such thing as a reluctant star, stars are almost a lwa ys reluctant star, stars are almost always people who want to make up for their weaknesses by being loved by the public and i no exception. it is interesting he had that tag. what he really wanted was claimed, that he really wanted was claimed, that he craved it, never thinking what fame brought and what it mean

george michael, dead at the age of 53. >>> with word of george michael's death, tributes from celebrities poured in social media. ellen degeneres wrote, i just heard about my friend george michael's death. he was such a brilliant talent. i'm so sad. duran duran, all of our love and sympathy to george michael's family. elton john posted this message, i am in deep shock. i have lost a beloved friend. the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. my heart goes out to his family, friends, and all of his fans. >>> we have new details this morning on "star wars" actress carrie fisher who's recovering from a heart attack. fisher's mother, actress debby reynolds, says her daughter is in stable condition in a hospital in los angeles. yesterday reynolds tweeted a thank you to the public for prayers. fisher's co-stars on "star wars" harrison ford and mark hammel expressed their best wishes for a full recovery. carrie fisher is 60 years old. on friday she became ill on a flight from london to l.a. with what her mother called a cardiac event. after the flight they rushed fisher to the hospit

good morning, michael? ((michael stevens)) >> kirsten, demetria... a moment of silence will take place at 10:58 this morning -- bank... a 14-mile bike ride will follow... representing one mile for each person killed one year ago today. the terror attack was carried out by a husband and wife team... who stormed inside a san bernardino county building. investigators said the assailants were inspired by the islamic state terror group. the shooting happened during a holiday luncheon. recently, the 9-1-1 calls were released... recently, the 9-1-1 calls were released... and you can hear the tense moments play out inside: ((dispatcher: 911, operator 7. caller: we have an actie mam, listen to me. take a deep breath. have you seen the person with the gun? caller: yeah they're there - they're dressed in black. and they have a gun. dispatcher: listen i know mam - we're on the way. ok, is he still shooting? ((gunshots can be heard)) caller: oh my god dispatcher: mam, listen to me. listen to me please - ok? the police are driving there)) ((michael stevens)) >> in

he said, george michael's dead. i thought he was pulling my leg and unfortunately for us and for the music world it was true. he could not have been a nicer guy and i have to tell you the shock in southern california that such a great icon has gone is amazing, just another, a brilliant british act has gone and people have been posting on my facebook page, the year starts with bowie and ends with george michael. the irony is that when wham! first came out their first single was banned by the bbc because they were talking about unemployment and hire purchase and then their second single was more poppy and then wake me up before you go—go was absolutely massive for them and last christmas. but then george became more serious and you could tell that he was transitioning from being a pop star to a serious artist with careless whisper. he actually gave a lot of the songwriting credit to andrew on that one but if you watch the video, it's all george and he's almost staging that the transition from wham! to becoming georg