NEW YORK (AP) — Long before he was a music icon in skintight jeans, leather jacket and designer stubble, George Michael was something else — awkward, chubby and insecure. He even went by the very...

LONDON (AP) — George Michael left a rich legacy of music — and of visual art.

The musician's collection of works by some of Britain's most famous contemporary artists is going up for auction in London next month, auctioneer Christie's announced Friday.

The sale includes pieces by Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas and other members of the "Young British Artists" generation who, like Michael, shook up Britain's creative scene in the 1980s and 90s.

NEW YORK (AP) — Sam Smith — whose new album, "The Thrill of It All," debuted at No. 1 this week — discusses George Michael, recording bad songs and his goal to cut down smoking and drinking in outtakes from a recent interview with The Associated Press. Read the interview here .

LONDON (AP) — A new single by George Michael has been released, eight months after the music star's death.

"Fantasy," first recorded in the late 1980s, has been reworked by funk-master Nile Rodgers. It received its first radio airplay on Thursday.

LONDON (AP) — Singer George Michael's publicist says his funeral has been held in London.

The private funeral service took place Wednesday at Highgate Cemetery in north London. Michael's publicity agency, Connie Filippello Publicity, said in a statement it was attended by family and close friends

The family thanked his fans for their "many messages of love and support" and asked for its privacy to be respected.

LONDON (AP) — George Michael died of natural causes as the result of heart disease and a fatty liver, a British coroner said Tuesday.

Darren Salter, senior coroner for the county of Oxfordshire in southern England, said a post-mortem has found that the singer died of "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver."

PARIS (AP) — The rocking soundtrack blasting out the lyrics "Stella's On" had guests including Pamela Anderson and Salma Hayek tapping their feet at the gilded Opera Garnier venue in Paris.

It was a knockout, energy-filled show for Stella McCartney — who headlined Monday's installment of Paris Fashion Week and ended with a bittersweet tribute to the late George Michael.

LONDON (AP) — The Brit Awards recognized big international stars including Drake and Beyonce and a cross-section of home-grown talent Wednesday — but the ceremony was overshadowed by the much-missed David Bowie and George Michael.

Bowie, who died in January 2016 at age 69, was crowned British male artist of the year and won British album of the year for "Blackstar," released days before his death.

LONDON (AP) — Members of George Michael's family say they are "extremely upset" that a recording of the emergency call reporting his death was leaked to the press.

The family's lawyers released a statement Sunday saying they want an investigation, "and we will expect the culprit(s) to be dealt with appropriately."

It says Michael's family and friends are appalled "that such a personal, painful and clearly confidential recording has been leaked."

Elton John says his late friend and fellow Brit George Michael was one of the best vocalists in the world.

John paid tribute to Michael during his Beats 1 Radio show Monday, calling him one of Britain's "most brilliant songwriters."

LONDON (AP) — British police seeking to establish facts about the Christmas Day death of pop star George Michael are taking statements about the case.

Thames Valley Police said Friday this is normal practice involving deaths that are "unexplained but non-suspicious."

The statement said the police investigation is "standard practice in cases such as this to allow the coroner to determine the circumstances of the death."

LONDON (AP) — Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has paid tribute to fellow British singer George Michael during a visit to a London homeless shelter.

A video posted on Facebook by the Crisis homeless shelter shows Martin strumming "Last Christmas" on guitar and singing with one of the shelter's residents. The 1984 song was a hit for Michael's former band Wham! and has become a holiday classic.

Michael died on Christmas Day at his home west of London. He was 53.

Our politics is often reflected in our popular culture, and vice versa — especially in an election year. That relationship seemed closer than ever in 2016, when a TV personality was elected president, reality shows and beauty contests were referenced in presidential debates, and even a Broadway show ignited partisan sparring.