I don’t think it would be possible for me to exaggerate the quality of what George Michael gave to the world as a songwriter, performer and humanitarian. He gave us vulnerability, swagger, joy,  love, longing, searing honesty and beautiful music. The opening bars of so many of these songs change my emotions the moment I hear them and I just have to stop, listen and enter the song. Not many artists can take on songs by artists as powerful and diverse as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Bonnie Raitt, Prince, and Freddie Mercury. Not many pop performers of his generation could stand alone on a stage and entertain with song and movement in the way George did. Not many artists offer the world an intelligent reflection of itself in the way George did. Not many white artists have won awards for African-American music. I can think of one. George, we miss you, and we thank you. Bravo! Vale!