Wham's hit Wake Me Up Before You Go Go became an '80's theme tune.
Last Christmas is still one of the most of all time popular Christmas records.
The singer - whose real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.
Michael then embarked on a hugely successful solo career, plus occasional collaborations with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Sir Elton John and Queen, after the death of Freddie Mercury.
His album Faith - which has been remastered and later released in 2010 - was a massive success in 1988.
George performed a tribute to Freddie Mercury with Queen in 1993
George's hit Outside was hugely popular and controversial - with the theme said to have been drawn from his own life experiences.
George was also said to be the inspiration behind James Corden's Carpool Karaoke after this Comic Relief appearance.
George's first interview after his release from hospital in 2011 after suffering a life-threatening bout of pneumonia.
RIP George.