The music world is still reeling from the death of one more icon in 2016. George Michael died on Christmas Day from still an undetermined cause of death at the age of 53 and as a result, tributes have come in from all across the entertainment world. People who were influenced by his music and impact as a cultural icon have also shared stories about their time together. One such story is a letter that Frank Sinatra wrote to a then 27-year-old George Michael in 1990 after reading his Los Angeles Times Calendar profile.
In the profile, via The Hollywood Reporter, Michaels was labeled as a "reluctant star" and was looking for ways to lower his international profile and fame.
Frank Sinatra, seeing this, decided to offer his own advise to the star struggling under the weight of his own success. Frank Sinatra was 74 years old at this point and had seen lows and the extreme highs of the music industry during his long and illustrious career.
"I don't understand a guy who lives 'in hopes of reducing the strain of his celebrity status,' " Sinatra wrote. "And now that he's a smash songwriter at 27 he wants to quit doing what tons of gifted youngsters all over the world would shoot grandma for - just one crack at what he's complaining about."
"Come on, George. Loosen up. Swing, man," the veteran singer continues. Sinatra finishes off the note by commenting on Michael's talent and how it shouldn't be wasted.
"Talent must not be wasted. Those who have it - and you obviously do or today's Calendar cover would have been about Rudy Vallee - those who have talent must hug it, embrace it, nurture it and share it.... Trust me. I've been there."
