One of Paul McCartney ‘s most cinematic songs didn’t make it to No. 1 on the charts because of Wham!’s “Freedom.” The former Beatle wasn’t bitter about it. He had fun making the tune.

Michael, who rocketed to stardom with WHAM! and went on to enjoy a long and celebrated solo career lined with controversies, has died, his publicist said Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.