George Michael, former WHAM! singer, dead at 53 [Video]

British singer George Michael performs in concert to raise money for AIDS charity Sidaction, in Paris, France, in this file photo dated Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012.

LONDON (AP) — George Michael, the British pop superstar who reached early fame with WHAM! and went on to a solo career lined with controversies and chart-topping hits that blended soul and dance music with social commentary, has died, his publicist said Sunday. He was 53.

Michael died at his home in Goring, England. His publicist, Cindi Berger, said he had not been ill. His family issued a statement through Thames Valley Police saying that he “passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.

“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”

Police issued a statement calling the death “unexplained but not suspicious” and that “a post …