Reaction to George Michael's death: 'I have lost a beloved friend'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dec. 23, 2011: George Michael leaves his house in north London, after recovering from a life-threatening bout with pneumonia that kept him in a Vienna hospital for a month. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Elton John led social media tributes to George Michael after the pop star's death at age 53 was announced late Sunday.
The two collaborated on a rendition of John's 1974 classic "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" that was released in 1992.
Andrew Ridgeley, who reached the height of fame in the mid-1980s as Michael's partner with the pop duo Wham, tweeted that he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog. Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx https://t.co/OlGTm4D9O6
— Andrew Ridgeley (@ajridgeley) December 26, 2016
Another icon of the 1980s, Madonna, tweeted, "Farewell My Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us. Can 2016 F--- Off NOW?"
English New Wave group Duran Duran echoed her sentiments with a post on their official Twitter account.
2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's family. pic.twitter.com/3h4xqEDXR9
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) December 25, 2016
Admiration for Michael was not limited to the pop world. Hip-hop artist MC Hammer expressed his condolences on social media, as did CBS "Late Late Show" host James Corden.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stunned. George Michael. A talented and gentle soul. May you rest in Gods love and Peace 🙏🏿 #RIPGeorgeMichael
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) December 26, 2016
RIP George Michael. I can't believe it. Such an incredible singer and a lovely human being, far too young to leave us #georgemichael
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) December 25, 2016