Fame wasn't all it was cracked up to be for George Michael and the singer tried to reduce the strain of his celebrity status. But Frank Sinatra was not impressed.

At the peak of his musical powers, the then married English rocker was spending $1782 a week on cocaine, $891 a week on vodka.

George Michael's partner has spoken of the moment he found the pop legend on Christmas Day, as the cause of his death is revealed.

As part of our Summer Herald, Kiwis are recalling their brushes with celebrity. Today, John Lamplough tells of the time he pulled a pint for Status Quo.

News of George Michael's death shook the world. His former Kiwi gardener pays tribute to him.

WATCH: A schoolgirl has become an internet sensation with her rendition of Hallelujah which has been watched 3 million times.

Instead of printing the Catholic prayer, red-faced organisers of a Christmas carol service accidentally handed out 1000 copies of Tupac Shakur's vitriolic banger.

A musical great known for both his chart-topping hits and his turbulent personal life, George Michael was a giant of popular culture.

Her smile always made him happy, says the widower of Gisborne bus crash victim.

This festive season the Hawke's Bay Community Choir is doing the rounds visiting local retirement villages to help spread the Christmas spirit through song. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

In his final column of the year Karl Puschmann takes a look at the average entertainment of 2016.

During the 10 years she recorded for Motown, Martha Reeves was one of the biggest stars in the label's firmament. Her hits - including

We've picked the top five Christmas songs ever - do you agree?

She's just sold out three stadium shows in Auckland. Turns out Adele's been selling a lot of other things in New Zealand this year.

The Herald's entertainment team reflect on 2016 and give you their highlights and lowlights of the year that was.

B*Witched was one of the top girl bands in the 1990s, but after four years of global domination, something went very wrong.

Sarah Gandy takes us through her top five Christmas songs of all time in the lead up to the big day.

Barry Gibb has cancelled his Auckland show next year due to "a change in international commitments".

Event promoters are releasing 3000 more tickets to the sold out Bay Dreams concert in Mount Maunganui.

Until the 2016 Christmas chart is announced on Friday 23rd, it's anybody's race, from solo One Directioners to Italian goth-metallers...

Lorde is home for the holidays - and she's getting into the festive spirit in a major way.

CeeLo Green had fans praying for him when footage of a mobile phone exploding in his face went viral. Turns out it was all a gag.

Parris Goebel has released her debut EP and is already being called a modern-day Missy Elliott. Listen here.

WATCH: The final carpool karaoke of the year makes for the perfect Christmas treat.

The youngest Beckham son has released a music video for his debut single

In 1970s' New Zealand, real men played rugby, not rock, writes musician Nick Bollinger.

Bruno Mars made some major revelations to James Corden, including his rider requests.

Want to know what day the Specials are performing? Womad has just announced its artist schedule.

Our critics pick the best albums of 2016.

What were this year's best TV shows, movies and albums? Laura McGoldrick finds out with deputy entertainment editor Chris Schulz​ and entertainment writer Karl Puschmann.