We were extremely saddened to hear about the passing of music legend George Michael as it was announced late on Christmas Day.

Sir Paul McCartney was quick to pay an emotional tribute to George on his Twitter account. The pair had worked together on ‘Heal the Pain’, and George covered The Beatles’ ‘The Long and Winding Road’.

Paul on George Michael: https://t.co/t7vu2Hyjey pic.twitter.com/ZBq0VsTatB

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) December 26, 2016

Fans of the Wham! frontman also paid tribute by publicising his secret acts of extraordinary kindness. One generous act being discussed is the time he bought John Lennon’s piano from a private collector for £1.45m in 2000.

'It's not the type of thing that should be in storage somewhere or being protected, it should be seen by people,' Michael said.

 

The Steinway Model Z upright piano was then loaned to The Beatles Story for a short period of time, before George took it on tour to "spread the message of Imagine Love and Peace". It also spent time at the Musical Instruments Museum in Arizona.

Lennon composed ‘Imagine’ on the piano and although it is no longer on display at The Beatles Story, we thank you George for preserving this piece of history, and of course for your own fantastic contribution to popular music.

 

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