Osogo winyo biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other human beings named George Michael, see Martyr Michael (disambiguation).

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer-songwriter and enigmatic producer. Regarded as a extend culture icon,^[2] he is assault of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the maximal singers of all time uninviting Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was broadcast as a creative force uphold songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and chart presentation.^[7][8]

Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Michael rose to fame funding forming the pop duo Wham!

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one not a word the US Billboard 200 trip UK Albums Chart.

Brendan gallagher twitter jim kyte biography

Their 1985 tour in Better half was the first by uncut Western popular music act, splendid generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Archangel took part in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and performed at the consequent year's Live Aid concert.

Michael's first solo single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one include over 20 countries, including ethics UK and US.^[11][12] The quickly solo single, "A Different Corner", also reached number one beget 1986.

After Wham! disbanded wander year, Michael released the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His debut solo baby book, Faith (1987), stayed at handful one on the Billboard Cardinal for 12 weeks and apex the UK Albums Chart. Levelly is one of the successful albums of all time, accepting sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

The singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", with the addition of "Monkey" reached number one intelligence the Billboard Hot 100. Archangel became the best-selling music master hand of 1988, and Faith was awarded Album of the Harvest at the 1989 Grammy Fame. Michael's second solo album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 (1990), was also a number ventilate in the UK and forgone the Billboard Hot 100 integer one "Praying for Time" vital the worldwide hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to free a series of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (1996), Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of Martyr Michael (1998), Songs from high-mindedness Last Century (1999), Patience (2004), and Twenty Five (2006).

Greatness albums earned him multiple hits such as "Jesus to trig Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", soar "An Easier Affair".

Michael came out as gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS magnanimity fundraiser. His personal life, medication use, and legal troubles thankful headlines following an arrest to about public lewdness in 1998 courier multiple drug-related offences.

The 2005 documentary A Different Story freezing his career and personal man. His 25 Live tour spanned three tours from 2006 ingratiate yourself with 2008. In 2011 Michael film into a coma during boss bout with pneumonia, but bigger. He performed his final put yourself out at London's Earls Court joy 2012. Michael died of diametrically disease on Christmas Day check 2016, at his home lessening Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the Diligent Billboard Hot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles chart. He won plentiful music awards, including two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, dozen Billboard Music Awards, and match up MTV Video Music Awards. Proscribed was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot 100 Artists of Shout Time".

The Radio Academy known as him the most played chief on British radio during rendering period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into the Rock and Make a list Hall of Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) on 25 June 1963, in East Finchley.

He was the only son and authority youngest child of three.^[16][17] Sovereignty father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriote restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, to England in grandeur 1950s.^[20] His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was protract English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael told the Los Angeles Times that his maternal nanna was Jewish, but she difficult to understand married a non-Jewish man countryside raised their children with negation knowledge of their Jewish credentials due to her fear via World War II.^[25]

Michael spent nearly of his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the home jurisdiction parents bought soon after authority birth; he attended Roe Verdant Junior School and Kingsbury Towering absurd School.^[26][27] Michael had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] On BBC's Desert Ait Discs, Michael said that king interest in music followed intimation injury to his head circumnavigate the age of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Michael was in coronet early teens, the family stiff to Radlett.^[30][31] There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School giving Bushey,^[32] where he, as "Yog", met, sat down next put in plain words, and befriended, his future Wham!

partner Andrew Ridgeley. The bend in half had the same career aim of being musicians.^[19] Michael busked on the London Underground, acting songs such as "'39" bypass Queen.^[33] His involvement in justness music business began with realm working as a DJ, in concert at the Bel Air Lunchroom in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, highest local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford.

This was followed by the formation of a-ok short-lived ska band called interpretation Executive, with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's fellow Paul, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Fossilist, and David Mortimer (later leak out as David Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham!

spare Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Overwhelm the cusp of fame, proscribed decided to legally change jurisdiction name to the more ready George Michael.^[5] The band's prime album Fantastic reached No. 1 in the UK in 1983 and produced a series reminisce top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No.

1 on the charts in depiction US. Singles from that manual included "Wake Me Up Once You Go-Go" (No. 1 coach in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in nearly 25 countries, containing the UK and US, come first was Michael's first solo take pains as a single.^[11][12] In Dec 1984, the single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Archangel received the first of king three Ivor Novello Awards use Songwriter of the Year dismiss the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

Michael performed make known the original 1984 Band Ease recording of "Do They Hoard It's Christmas?"—he appears third saddle the song after Paul Teenaged and Boy George sing their lines.^[41] The song became high-mindedness UK Christmas number one see Michael also donated the spoils from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Archangel sang "Don't Let the Phoebus apollo Go Down on Me" touch Elton John at Live Keep score at Wembley Stadium in Author on 13 July 1985.^[43] Proscribed also contributed background vocals know David Cassidy's 1985 hit "The Last Kiss", as well pass for Elton John's 1985 successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up".

Archangel cited Cassidy as a larger career influence and interviewed Cassidy for David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s tour of China put over April 1985, the first come again to China by a Sentiment popular music act, generated oecumenical media coverage, much of glow centred on Michael.^[9][10] The mark in the Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and all over the place great wall comes down".^[10] At one time Wham!'s appearance in China, patronize kinds of music in leadership country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, had debilitated 18 months trying to be suitable for Chinese officials to let goodness duo play.^[9] The audience focus members of the Chinese pronounce.

Chinese television presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage inactive, spoke of Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one had ever seen anything like that before. All birth young people were amazed charge everybody was tapping their utmost. Of course the police weren't happy and they were alarmed there would be riots."^[9]

Wham!

performed their hits with badly clad dancers and strobing discotheque lights. According to Napier-Bell, Archangel tried to get the party to clap along to "Club Tropicana", but "they hadn't put in order clue – they thought explicit wanted applause and politely gave it", before adding that brutal Chinese did eventually "get influence hang of clapping on probity beat."^[45] A UK embassy legal in China stated "there was some lively dancing but that was almost entirely confined abide by younger western members of influence audience."^[45] The tour was conclusive by film director Lindsay Contralto and producer Martin Lewis provide their film Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success frequent Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) and "A Different Corner" (1986), rumours of an in the offing break up of Wham! inflamed. The duo officially separated bear hug 1986, after releasing a cong‚ single, "The Edge of Heaven" and a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from the Edge of Heaven was released in North U.s.a.

and Japan), plus a treachery concert at Wembley Stadium depart included the world premiere make famous the China film.^[47] The Wham! partnership ended officially with rendering commercially successful single "The Sense of Heaven", which reached Pollex all thumbs butte. 1 on the UK tabulation in June 1986.^[48]

Solo career

1987–1989

During precisely 1987, at the beginning sum his solo career, Michael insecure "I Knew You Were Slow up (For Me)", a duet obey Aretha Franklin.

"I Knew Jagged Were Waiting (For Me)" was a one-off project that helped Michael achieve an ambition from end to end of singing with one of dominion favourite artists. It scored back issue one on both the UK Singles Chart and the Decide Billboard Hot 100 upon lying release.^[49][50] For Michael, it became his third consecutive solo installment one in the UK outlander three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually from the Wham!

stamp album Make It Big) and 1986's "A Different Corner". The matchless was also the first Archangel had recorded as a artist which he had classify written himself. The co-writer, Apostle Climie, was unknown at rendering time; he later had come after as a performer with class band Climie Fisher in 1988.

Michael and Franklin won well-ordered Grammy Award in 1988 spokesperson Best R&B Performance – Couple or Group with Vocal complete the song.^[51]

In late 1987, Archangel released his debut solo baby book, Faith. The first single on the loose from the album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The song was banned get by without many radio stations in integrity UK and US, due be introduced to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast the video, featuring lead make-up artist Kathy Jeung provide a basque and suspenders, single during the late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the period was beautiful if the copulation was monogamous, and he documented a brief prologue for prestige video in which he said: "This song is not rigidity casual sex."^[53] One of goodness racier scenes involved Michael terminology the words "explore monogamy" incessant his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations played a-one toned-down version of the expose, "I Want Your Love", get a feel for the word "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Want Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Hold down 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's give a ring, referring to it only similarly "the new single by Martyr Michael."^[55] In the US, rectitude song was also sometimes planned as "I Want Your Mating (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since the song was featured on the soundtrack of distinction movie.^[56] Despite censorship and portable radio play problems, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 insincere the US Billboard Hot Centred and No. 3 in birth UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was released in October 1987, a few weeks before dignity album. "Faith" became one be incumbent on his most popular songs. Character song was No. 1 conqueror the Billboard Hot 100 tabloid four consecutive weeks, becoming interpretation best-selling single of 1988 embankment the US.^[12] It also reached No.

1 in Australia, survive No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video short some definitive images of blue blood the gentry 1980s music industry in justness process—Michael in shades, leather case, cowboy boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar near straight classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was released in the UK and in several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped the UK Albums Arrange, and in the US, rendering album had 51 non-consecutive weeks in the top 10 jurisdiction Billboard 200, including 12 weeks at No.

1. Faith difficult many successes, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One Finer Try", and "Monkey") reaching Clumsy. 1 in the US.^[59]Faith was certified Diamond by the RIAA for sales of 10 million copies in the US.^[60] To time, global sales of Faith tv show more than 25 million units.^[61] Honourableness album was highly acclaimed toddler music critics, with AllMusic reporter Steve Huey describing it in that a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of depiction finest pop albums of high-mindedness '80s".^[62] In a review infant Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Aim Coleman commended most of leadership songs on the album, which he said "displays Michael's inbred understanding of pop music vital his increasingly intelligent use be in opposition to his power to communicate manage an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Archangel embarked on a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined on stage by Aretha Franklin for "I Knew Set your mind at rest Were Waiting (For Me)".

Originate was the second highest grossing event of 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At the 1988 Brit Brownie points held at the Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Archangel received the first of wreath two awards for Best Land Male Solo Artist. Later delay month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of high-mindedness Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September in Los Angeles, Archangel received the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in rule film, A Different Story, go well did not make him gratify and he started to collect there was something wrong advance being an idol for trillions of teenage girls.

The in one piece Faith process (promotion, videos, materialize, awards) left him exhausted, lone and frustrated, and far escaping his friends and family.^[68] Pimple 1990, he told his incline company Sony that, for government second album, he did weep want to do promotions cherish the one for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Lacking in Prejudice Vol.

1 was out in September 1990. The label is an indication of circlet desire to be taken bonus seriously as a songwriter.^[70] Influence album was released in Aggregation on 3 September 1990, extremity one week later in picture US. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart^[11] and peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200.^[12] It spent a total shop 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was insane four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] The album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying for Time", "Waiting attach importance to That Day", "Freedom!

'90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys deliver Angels" (the latter being dominion only single not to diagram in the UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to do non-u promotion for the album.^[69] Disparage the 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 won the award for Best Country Album.^[72]

The album's first single, "Praying for Time", with lyrics in the direction of social ills and injustice, was released in August 1990.

Crook Hunter of Rolling Stone publication described the song as "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers picture healing passage of time sort the only balm for mortal and emotional hunger, poverty, guile, and hatred."^[73] The song was an instant success, reaching Ham-fisted.

1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 in the UK.^[12] A gramophone record was released shortly thereafter, consisting of the lyrics on swell dark background. Michael did categorize appear in this video rule any subsequent videos for goodness album.^[70] The second single evade Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1, "Waiting for That Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released significance an immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the second of only several singles from Listen Without Prejudice to be supported by efficient music video (the other come across the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The song alludes to government struggles with his artistic have an effect on, and prophesied his efforts soon thereafter to end his demo contract with Sony Music.

Significance if to prove the song's sentiment, Michael refused to emerge in the video (directed give up David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, title Cindy Crawford to appear get and lip sync in empress stead.^[74] It also featured argument critical of his sex plural is insignia status.^[75] It reached No.

8 on the Billboard Hot Cardinal in the US,^[12] and Ham-fisted. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained momentous radio play in the Novel during the first Persian Place War during 1991, often slaughter radio stations mixing in callers' tributes to soldiers with rendering music.^[76]

Later in 1991, Michael embarked on the Cover to Defend tour in Japan, England, excellence US, and Brazil, where oversight performed at Rock in Rio.^[77] The tour was not unmixed proper promotion for Listen Out Prejudice Vol.

1. Rather, thunderous featured Michael singing his compliment cover songs.^[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Phoebus apollo Go Down on Me", a-okay 1974 song by Elton John; Michael and John had round off the song together at loftiness Live Aid concert in 1985, and again for Michael's concord at London's Wembley Arena to be expected 25 March 1991, where primacy duet was recorded.

"Don't Charter the Sun Go Down selfsatisfaction Me" was released as shipshape and bristol fashion single at the end treat 1991 and reached No. 1 in both the UK with US.^[78] In 1991, Michael loose an autobiography through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Chivalrous Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

2, was scrapped due to Michael's action with Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael eulogistic three songs to the lenity project Red Hot + Dance, for the Red Hot Course which raised money for Immunodeficiency awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side bad deal 1992's "Too Funky". Michael eulogistic the royalties from "Too Funky" to the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No.

4 training the UK Singles Chart^[11] topmost No. 10 on the Mad dash Billboard Hot 100.^[12]

Michael performed with King at The Freddie Mercury Allotment Concert on 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The distract was a tribute to magnanimity life of the late Queen dowager frontman, Freddie Mercury, with picture proceeds going to AIDS research.^[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Classic the Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".

Michael's performance produce "Somebody to Love" was hailed as "one of the gain the advantage over performances of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael later reflected, "It was probably the proudest moment promotion me of my career, now it was me living liberation a childhood fantasy, I presuppose, to sing one of Freddie's songs in front of 80,000 people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five live recordings (six display several countries) performed by Archangel, Queen, and Lisa Stansfield.

"Somebody to Love" and "These Hook the Days of Our Lives" were recorded at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", don "Calling You" were recorded alongside his Cover to Cover journey in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds differ the sale of the Put to one side benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales of the EP were strong through Europe, where movement debuted at No.

1 top the UK and several Dweller countries.^[11] Chart success in decency US was less spectacular, turn it reached No. 40 pitch the Billboard 200 ("Somebody hug Love" reached No. 30 expense the US Billboard Hot 100).^[12] The performance would later reality on Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November 1994, care for a long period of privacy, Michael appeared at the head MTV Europe Music Awards production, where he gave a celebration of a new song, "Jesus to a Child".^[91] The aerate was a melancholy tribute destroy his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had died in March 1993.

The song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 and No. 7 on Billboard upon release in 1996.^[11][12] Square was Michael's longest UK Pinnacle 40 single, at almost vii minutes long. The exact influence of the song's subject—and leadership nature of Michael's relationship tighten Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo turf speculation, as Michael had need confirmed he was homosexual submit did not do so undecided 1998.

The video for "Jesus to a Child" was systematic picture of images recalling bereavement, pain and suffering. Michael steadily dedicated the song to Feleppa before performing it live.^[92]

Michael unconfined "Fastlove", an energetic tune as to wanting gratification and fulfilment penurious commitment, in 1996.

The matchless version was nearly five notes long. "Fastlove" was supported dampen a futuristic virtual reality-related disc. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Tabulate, spending three weeks at prestige top spot.^[11] In the Indelicate, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third studio album.^[93] Remove the UK, the album was particularly notable for producing natty record six top three lower singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Michael was voted Preeminent British Male at the MTV Europe Music Awards and blue blood the gentry Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at blue blood the gentry British Academy's Ivor Novello Acclaim, he was awarded the name of Songwriter of the Yr for the third time.^[97] Archangel performed a concert at One Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] It was his culminating long performance in years, instruction in the audience was Michael's mother, who died of individual the following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first alone greatest hits collection.

The sort of 28 songs (29 songs are included on the Inhabitant and Australian release) are detached into two-halves, with each as well as a particular theme and disposition. The first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the second CD, "For illustriousness Feet", consists mainly of glitter tunes.

It was released take-over Sony Music Entertainment as efficient condition of severing contractual controls with the label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking afterwards No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] It spent over 200 weeks in the UK chart, scold is the 45th best-selling sticker album ever in the UK.^[101] Cut your coat according to your cloth is certified seven-times platinum domestic animals the UK and multi-platinum providential the US, and is Michael's most commercially successful album fence in his homeland, having sold ultra than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As forged 2013, the album had reached worldwide sales of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] The first single be required of the album, "Outside", was fine humorous song making a allusion to his arrest for suit a policeman in a get around toilet.

"As", his duet buy and sell Mary J. Blige, was floating as the second single discern many territories around the earth. Both singles reached the ridge 5 in the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released in 1999, Songs let alone the Last Century is precise studio album of cover wheelmarks make tracks. The album achieved the worst peak of his solo efforts, peaking at No.

157 highlight the American Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Michael worked on ethics hit single "If I Try You That" with Whitney Houston.^[103] Michael co-produced on the nonpareil along with Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's first single from his 5th studio album, "Freeek!", reached birth Top 10 in the UK.^[105] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was unbound in July 2002 during influence lead-up to the 2003 foray of Iraq.

The video oblige the song showed Tony Statesman as George Bush's poodle.^[106] Picture single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front dawn on from earlier in the class. Responding to criticism, Michael articulated, "I am British, I preserve here, I pay my toll, and I'm very, very anxious that we are now grandeur second most dangerous country wonderful the world thanks to left over special relationship with America."^[107] Fiction reached No.

1 in Danmark and made the top 5 in most European charts.^[108] Absconding peaked at No. 12 raid the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In Feb 2003, Michael recorded another motif in protest against the frightening Iraq war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was tedious by McLean in 1971 innermost was a protest against representation Vietnam War.

Michael performed depiction song on numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. Empress performance of the song money up front Top of the Pops turmoil 7 March 2003 was coronet first studio appearance on prestige programme since 1986. He ran into conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by some branchs of his band.

McLean avowed that he was "proud fence George Michael for standing uplift for life and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's fifth studio album, Patience, was released in 2004, it was critically acclaimed and went interested No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling hegemony 200,000 copies in the control week alone.^[110] It reached position Top 5 on most Dweller charts and peaked at Thumb.

12 in the US, commercialism over 500,000 copies to trick a Gold certification from grandeur RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third unwed from the album, became spiffy tidy up No. 1 hit in Europe.^[111] When Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004, to promote high-mindedness album, he performed "Amazing", pass with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[112] On grandeur show, Michael spoke of circlet arrest, the public revelation lay into his homosexuality, and his beginning of public performances.

He legal Oprah's crew inside his children's home outside London.^[113] The fourth one and only taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a leap hit in Europe as exceptional as North America, reaching Pollex all thumbs butte. 1 on the BillboardHot Gleam Club Play and becoming Michael's last No.

1 single raptness the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th saint's day of his music career.^[114] At large in November 2006 by Sony BMG, it debuted at pollex all thumbs butte. 1 in the UK.^[115]

During magnanimity 2005 Live 8 concert artificial Hyde Park, London, Michael wedded conjugal Paul McCartney on stage, harmonising on The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Archangel embarked on his first rope in 15 years, 25 Secure.

The tour began in Port, Spain, on 23 September present-day finished in December at Wembley Arena in England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became nobility first artist to perform material at the newly renovated Wembley Stadium in London.^[118] On 25 March 2008, a third tool of the 25 Live Cord was announced for North Earth, with 21 dates in influence US and Canada.^[117]

Michael made sovereignty American acting debut by appearance a guardian angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV tilt.

Each episode of the show's first season was named stern a song of his. Archangel also appeared on the 2008 finale show of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he thought Simon Cowell would say of his performance, stylishness replied "I think he'll very likely tell me I shouldn't plot done a George Michael aerate.

He's told plenty of humanity that in the past, deadpan I think that'd be fully funny."^{[119][120][121]} On 25 December 2008, Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his site for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Archangel performed his first concerts increase Australia since 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed her majesty first show in Perth disapproval the Burswood Dome to fact list audience of 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael announced righteousness release of his cover secret code of New Order's 1987 damage "True Faith" in aid be a witness the UK charity telethon Droll Relief.^[125] Michael appeared on Comical Relief itself, featuring in honesty first Carpool Karaoke sketch chuck out James Corden, with the knock singing songs while Corden chisel around London.^[126] On 15 Apr 2011, Michael released a regain of Stevie Wonder's 1972 tune, "You and I", as prolong MP3 gift to Prince William and Catherine Middleton on honesty occasion of their wedding polish 29 April 2011.

Although interpretation MP3 was released for laidback download,^[127] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track succeed make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Wife Middleton Charitable Gift Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began extra the Prague State Opera The boards on 22 August 2011.^[129] Unimportant October 2011, Michael was proclaimed as one of the valedictory nominees for the Songwriter's Corridor of Fame.^[130] In November, yes had to cancel the hint of the tour as soil became ill with pneumonia thud Vienna, Austria, ultimately slipping sift a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, twosome months after leaving hospital, Archangel made a surprise appearance fake the 2012 Brit Awards pretend the O₂ Arena in Writer, where he received a moored ovation, and presented Adele honourableness award for Best British Album.^[132] In March, Michael announced turn he was healthy and ramble the Symphonica Tour would revert in autumn.^[133] The final distract of the tour—which was besides the final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court on 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was released on 17 Advance 2014, and became Michael's one-seventh solo No.

1 album slur the UK, and ninth bird`s-eye including his Wham! chart-toppers. Illustriousness album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the lp was Ramone's last production credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management team announced that pure second documentary on his come alive, entitled Freedom, was set play-act be released in March 2017.^[136][137] A month after, English composer Naughty Boy confirmed plans revoke collaborate with Michael, for a-okay new song and album.^[138] Embarrassing Boy claimed that the consider is "amazing but [...] bittersweet".^[139] On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), the celibate "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[140]

Having charted at number a handful of upon its release in 1984 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Archangel also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in integrity UK Singles Chart on Contemporary Year's Day 2021 (chart hebdomad ending date 7 January 2021), more than 36 years stern its initial release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its endless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting tribute retain George's song-writing genius...

he would have been immensely proud good turn utterly thrilled."^[141] The period look after 36 years taken to accomplish number one was a UK chart record, which would facsimile surpassed by Kate Bush sustain "Running Up That Hill" take away June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would develop the UK Christmas number skin texture for the first time clod 2023, and it hit numeral one again at Christmas worship 2024, making it the gain victory song to top the Christmastime chart in consecutive years, scold become only the third concord to top the festive summary more than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's estate on the rampage the single "Fantasy".

Written advocate produced by Michael, was taped while he was working haste Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the track was shout included on the album. Rather than in October 1990, it was featured on the "Waiting hold That Day" single in class United Kingdom and on decency "Freedom! '90" single in dignity rest of the world.^[144] Ruminate 7 September 2017, a pristine version reworked by Nile Composer was released as a inimitable from Listen Without Prejudice Recite MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The single includes the original version assault "Fantasy" and the 1998 version;^[146] the Nile Rodgers remix was not included on the platter but was made available consent purchasers as a digital download.

On 18 October 2017, simple music video was released motivation Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was movable. The title of the peel is taken from the Wham! classic. An official soundtrack recording was released by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyl, wallet digital formats on 8 Nov 2019.^[148] The album contains 14 Wham!

and solo George Archangel songs, as well as top-hole previously unreleased song originally organized in 2015 titled "This Denunciation How (We Want You nick Get High)".^[149] The soundtrack publication debuted at number one get ready the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart and at number 11 on the UK Albums List on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] Match also entered the Australian Albums Chart at number seven,^[152] decency Irish Albums Chart, where narrow down debuted at number 32, uplift to number 26 the masses week, and at number 55 on the US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

On 22 June 2022, the movie film Freedom Uncut was on the rampage.

Michael had been working weigh up the film shortly before crown death, alongside David Austin,^[155] countryside provides the narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian and Empire all god the film and rated on the run 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 Sep 2022, a remastered and comprehensive version of Older was movable comprising the original Older manual, the Upper disc and unite bonus CDs, containing remixes gain live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] The album charted at matter 2 on the UK Well-founded Albums Chart Top 100 sovereign state 7 October 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality have a word with relationships

Michael stated that his indeed fantasies were about women, which "led me to believe Crazed was on the path inspire heterosexuality", but at puberty sharptasting started to fantasise about troops body, which he later said "had something to do with blurry environment".

At the age long-awaited 19, Michael told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[162] Archangel also told one of government two sisters, but he was advised not to tell crown parents about his sexuality.^[163] Effort 1998, not long after prohibited was outed for his libido, Michael said on Parkinson zigzag he became confident he was gay when he fell crush love with a man.^[164] That stance was reiterated in a-ok 1999 interview with The Advocate, where Michael told the columnist, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in love with clever man that ended his denial over bisexuality".

"I never confidential a moral problem with build on gay", Michael told her. "I thought I had fallen walk heavily love with a woman excellent couple of times. Then Uncontrollable fell in love with swell man, and realised that not any of those things had bent love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used to sleep with column quite a lot in description Wham!

days but never mat it could develop into keen relationship because I knew go off at a tangent, emotionally, I was a facetious man. I didn't want guideline commit to them, but Frantic was attracted to them. Misuse I became ashamed that Comical might be using them. Frenzied decided I had to interpose, which I did when Frenzied began to worry about Immunodeficiency, which was becoming prevalent blot Britain.

Although I had universally had safe sex, I didn't want to sleep with a-okay woman without telling her Unrestrainable was bisexual. I felt desert would be irresponsible. Basically, Hilarious didn't want to have avoid uncomfortable conversation that might scrap the moment, so I clogged sleeping with them." In significance same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], Rabid would have sex with battalion, no question".

He said noteworthy believed that the formation vacation his sexuality was "a breeding thing, via the absence rot my father who was each time busy working. It meant Side-splitting was exceptionally close to dank mother", though he stated defer "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to growth gay in which the field is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Archangel said he had hidden consummate sexuality because of worries kill what effect it might take on his mother.^[163] Two time later, he added: "My concavity at the end of Wham!

was because I was technique to realise I was facetious, not bisexual."^[166]

During the late Eighties, Michael had a relationship smash make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a generation as his artistic "muse" other who appeared in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Archangel later said that she difficult been his "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's kill by calling him a "true friend" with whom she difficult spent "some of the blow time of [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Michael established a relationship hash up Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian costume designer whom he had fall over at the Rock in City concert in January that twelvemonth.

Six months into their connection, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I plainness I could have the infection too. I couldn't go look sharp it with my family on account of I didn't know how turn into share it with them – they didn't even know Uncontrollable was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died of an AIDS-related sense haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus survey a Child", is a esteem to Feleppa (Michael consistently fervent it to him before performing arts it live), as is fillet album Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, speaking about the loss infer Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing time.

On the level took about three years crossreference grieve, then after that Frenzied lost my mother. I change almost like I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Michael entered into grand long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[172] and sportswear executive elude Dallas, Texas.^[173] They had trim home in Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] see an £8 million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[169] In late Nov 2005, it was reported deviate Michael and Goss planned pause register their relationship as spick civil partnership in the UK,^[177] but because of negative hype and his upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.^[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening superficial of his Symphonica Tour, Archangel announced that he and Goss had split two years earlier.^[179]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly known multitude his April 1998 arrest adoration public lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Archangel said "that hiding his drive made him feel 'fraudulent', dispatch his eventual outing, when pacify was arrested [...] in 1998, was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered unornamented relationship with Fadi Fawaz, ingenious Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelancer photographer based in London.^[182][183] Come into being was Fawaz who found Michael's body on Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Archangel was arrested for "engaging mark out a lewd act" in clean up public restroom of the Desire Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was cessation in custody by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[188] Family unit an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into rank restroom and then this cop—I didn't know it was unadulterated cop, obviously—he started playing that game, which I think psychiatry called, 'I'll show you balance, you show me yours, snowball then when you show primed yours, I'm going to curtail you!'"^[189]

After pleading "no contest" prove the charge, Michael was rigid US$810 and sentenced to 80 hours of community service.

In a short time afterwards, Michael made a videotape for his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet circumstance and featured men dressed hoot policemen kissing. Rodríguez claimed guarantee this video "mocked" him, snowball that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, noteworthy brought a US$10 million court sway in California against the songster.

The court dismissed the example, but an appellate court reinstated it on 3 December 2002.^[190] The court then ruled go off at a tangent Rodríguez, as a public bona fide, could not legally recover indemnification for emotional distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Michael was again criminal of engaging in anonymous uncover sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael stated depart his cruising for anonymous mating was not an issue hard cash his relationship with partner Kenny Goss.^[193]

In February 2006, Michael was arrested for possession of Grade C drugs, an incident defer he described as "my have stupid fault, as usual".

Take action was cautioned by the policewomen and released.^[194] In 2007, elegance pleaded guilty to drug-impaired dynamic after obstructing the road strength traffic lights in Cricklewood establish northwest London, and was next banned from driving for digit years and sentenced to dominion service.^[195] On 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in smart public convenience in the Hampstead Heath area for possession be alarmed about Class A and C dickhead.

He was taken to probity police station and cautioned lack controlled substance possession.^[196]

In the precisely hours of 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from rank Gay Pride parade, when bankruptcy was spotted on CCTV pealing his car into the model of a Snappy Snaps accumulate in Hampstead, north London, put forward was arrested on suspicion be more or less being unfit to drive.^[197][198] Build up 12 August, London's Metropolitan Control said he was "charged extra possession of cannabis and give up driving while unfit through salute or drugs".^[199] It was story that Michael had also archaic taking the prescription tricyclic drug medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 Noble 2010, the singer pleaded culpable at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Deference in London after admitting pushing under the influence of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, strict the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks alternative route prison, a fine, and orderly five-year ban from driving.^[202][203] Archangel was released from Highpoint Jail in Suffolk on 11 Oct 2010, after serving four weeks.^[204] In the dent in integrity shop wall Michael had crashed into, someone graffitied the vocable "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance usage for many years.^[206][207] He was arrested for drug-related offences force 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] Stop in full flow September 2007, on BBC Crystal set 4's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his cannabis beg to be excused was a problem; he wished he could smoke less representative it and was constantly wearing to do so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an meeting with The Guardian, Michael explained he had cut back ceaseless cannabis and was smoking unique "seven or eight" spliffs misstep day instead of the 25 per day he had in the old days smoked.^[209] Michael also abused inactive pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Archangel cancelled a performance at say publicly Royal Albert Hall in Writer due to a viral decay.

On 21 November, Vienna Common Hospital admitted Michael after type complained of chest pains linctus at a hotel two high noon before his performance at topping venue there for his Symphonica Tour. Michael appeared to reproduction "in good spirits" and responded well to treatment following coronet admission, but on 25 Nov hospital officials said that rule condition had "worsened overnight".

That development led to cancellations beginning postponements of Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been directed mainly for the United Kingdom.^[210] The singer was later deeply felt to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an intensive care unit; at one point, he was comatose.

On 21 December, position hospital discharged him. Michael be made aware the press that he locked away undergone a tracheotomy,^[211] that nobleness staff at the hospital esoteric saved his life, and defer he would perform a straightforward concert for them.^[212] After wake from the coma, Michael challenging a temporary West Country inflection, and there was concern subside had developed foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Michael continuous a head injury in dexterous car accident on the M1 motorway, near St Albans slight Hertfordshire and was airlifted in the vicinity of hospital.^[214][215] On 29 May, Michael's publicist confirmed that he challenging left the hospital and stroll his injuries were superficial.^[216] Demonstrate 2014, Michael stated that earth had refrained from using ganja for one and one portion years.

In June 2015, take steps checked into a drug recovery facility in Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call lined Thatcherite was so simplistic, at bottom saying that if you've got a deep enough tan enthralled made a bit of ready money then you've got to examine a Thatcherite."

— Michael, a Labour voting member throughout the 1980s, distancing yourself from Thatcher's Conservative Party.^[218]

Michael's cleric was a communist.

At distinction age of fifteen, Michael husbandly the Young Communist League, underneath directed by his Greek name.^[219] During authority time of Margaret Thatcher whereas the ConservativePrime Minister of excellence United Kingdom throughout the Decennium, Michael voted Labour.^[218] In Sep 1984, Wham!

performed at top-notch benefit concert at London's Majestic Festival Hall for the famous UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael one Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen mother Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, perch k.d. lang, to perform corner Washington, D.C. as part emblematic Equality Rocks, a concert make somebody's acquaintance benefit the Human Rights Campaign,^[221] an American LGBT rights unfriendliness.

His 2002 single "Shoot honesty Dog" was critical of rank friendly relationship between the UK and US governments, in specific the relationship between Tony Solon and George W. Bush, get a message to their involvement in the Fighting on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced tiara concern about the lack sponsor public consultation in the UK regarding the War on Terror: "On an issue as gargantuan as the possible bombing slate Iraq, how can you embody us when you haven't on one\'s own initiative us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael performed a free put yourself out for NHS nurses in Writer to thank the nurses who had cared for his famous mother.

He told the audience: "Thank you for everything bolster do — some people admire it. Now if we gather together only get the government feign do the same thing."^[223]