The world of music, the world at large lost another great artist ironically on Christmas. "Last Christmas" is a song by English pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1984, on a double A-side with "Everything She Wants". Originally written and produced by George Michael who passed away peacefully at home in Goring, Oxfordshire at the age of 53, according to his spokesperson. Michael sold more than 100 million records worldwide. His 1987 debut solo album, Faith, sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.

He garnered seven number one singles in the UK and eight number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, including "Careless Whisper" and "Freedom!. He ranks among the best-selling British acts of all time, with Billboard magazine ranking him the 40th most successful artist to ever live. Michael won various music awards throughout his 30-year career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male twice, four MTV Video Music Awards, four Ivor Novello Awards, three American Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards from eight nominations.

CELEBRITIES REACT TO GEORGE MICHAEL'S DEATH

I never told him (mainly because I thought I'd freak him out) but #georgemichael has always been such an influence on me. As a child, his was the first voice I could pick out of the sea of voices I heard on the radio. Before I knew anything about him, I knew his voice. As an adult, I cried when I saw him in concert. His songs and his voice helped to teach me how to sing. I will forever regret not letting him know...Thank you, George, for giving the world your gifts...may you rest in peace.

A photo posted by Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) on Dec 25, 2016 at 5:05pm PST

George Michael, who rose to fame as a singer in the 1980s group Wham! before finding success as a solo star, has died at age 53, according to reports. Known for hits including “Careless Whisper” and “Faith,” Michael “passed away peacefully at home” in England, his publicist told the BBC. He sold tens of millions of albums worldwide during his decades-long career and won honors including Grammy Awards, Brit Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. Read more on TIME.com Photograph, taken in 1988, by Dave Hogan—Hulton Archive/@gettyimages #georgemichael #rip

A photo posted by TIME (@time) on Dec 25, 2016 at 5:04pm PST

As you can tell from my face, this was one of the best days of my life, meeting #GeorgeMichael the day we filmed video footage for "Feeling Good". I know every single word of every Wham! and George Michael song, I'm a total superfan. He sent me a handwritten letter once that's been in a glass case ever since! I had several "pinch myself" moments with him over the years, one, thanks to Sharon Stone who called to invite me over for an intimate party for his birthday one year, a night I never forgot...and then the time I sat with his dad to watch his concert in Vienna, and the time I brought my family and friends to see his show, and we were all so emotional! And then my heart goes out to his longtime friend my dear @kathyjeung, who always tolerates that I can't help but tell everyone that's she is the goddess in the "I Want Your Sex" video. George was always lovely with me, and I think his voice (especially live in concert) was absolutely incredible and always moved me to tears. I'm so grateful that he gave me some of his time, and mostly grateful for all the ways his music helped me through my life. My heart is broken that he's gone today.

A photo posted by Dita Von Teese (@ditavonteese) on Dec 25, 2016 at 4:49pm PST