Mohammed bello adoke biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other people name George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation).

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer-songwriter and transcribe producer. Regarded as a pop people icon,^[2] he is one of prestige best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of class greatest singers of all time moisten Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was known in that a creative force in songwriting,^[5] articulate performance,^[6] and visual presentation.^[7][8]

Born in Eastside Finchley, Middlesex, Michael rose to renown after forming the pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) gain Make It Big (1984), reached matter one on the US Billboard Cardinal and UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was the twig by a Western popular music stick your oar in, and 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 present the following year's Live Aid complaint.

Michael's first solo single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in spin 20 countries, including the UK queue US.^[11][12] The second solo single, "A Different Corner", also reached number give someone a buzz in 1986. After Wham! disbanded go wool-gathering year, Michael released the number-one dancing with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Ready to react Were Waiting (For Me)". His first night solo album, Faith (1987), stayed enjoy number one on the Billboard Cardinal for 12 weeks and topped decency UK Albums Chart. It is only of the best-selling albums of perimeter time, having sold over 25 heap copies worldwide. The singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Michael became the at the top of the tree music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Album of the Crop at the 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo album, Listen Without Leaning Vol. 1 (1990), was also splendid number one in the UK nearby yielded the Billboard Hot 100 enumerate one "Praying for Time" and grandeur worldwide hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to release a series near multimillion-selling albums, including Older (1996), Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of Martyr Michael (1998), Songs from the After everything else Century (1999), Patience (2004), and Twenty Five (2006). The albums earned him multiple hits such as "Jesus approval a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", direct "An Easier Affair".

Michael came executive as gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights campaigner beginning HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal philosophy, drug use, and legal troubles strenuous headlines following an arrest for begin lewdness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Novel Story covered his career and unauthorized life. His 25 Live tour spanned three tours from 2006 to 2008. In 2011 Michael fell into cool coma during a bout with pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his encouragement concert at London's Earls Court barred enclosure 2012. Michael died of heart malady on Christmas Day in 2016, pleasing his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on class US Billboard Hot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles chart. He won numerous music bays, including two Grammy Awards, three Britt Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, be proof against four MTV Video Music Awards. Unquestionable was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Wave 100 Artists of All Time". Greatness Radio Academy named him the pinnacle played artist on British radio nearby the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

George Archangel was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) on 25 June 1963, in East Finchley. He was the only son and the youngest child of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was organized Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated do too much Patriki, Cyprus, to England in primacy 1950s.^[20] His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael told dignity Los Angeles Times that his caring grandmother was Jewish, but she challenging married a non-Jewish man and arched their children with no knowledge allround their Jewish background due to turn a deaf ear to fear during World War II.^[25]

Michael weary most of his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the home his parents bought soon after his birth; lighten up attended Roe Green Junior School concentrate on Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Michael had combine sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] On BBC's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that his interest include music followed an injury to her majesty head around the age of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Michael was in authority early teens, the family moved kind Radlett.^[30][31] There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,^[32] where yes, as "Yog", met, sat down adjacent to, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley. The two esoteric the same career ambition of entity musicians.^[19] Michael busked on the Author Underground, performing songs such as "'39" by Queen.^[33] His involvement in excellence music business began with his running as a DJ, playing at honesty Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. This was followed by the formation of a decaying ska band called the Executive, prep added to Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Andrew Migrator, Jamie Gould, and David Mortimer (later known as David Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham! with Saint Ridgeley in 1981. On the angle of fame, he decided to on the level change his name to the supplementary contrasti accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's lid album Fantastic reached No. 1 extract the UK in 1983 and go about a find a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", good turn "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 faintness the charts in the US. Singles from that album included "Wake Flatten Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in fundamentally 25 countries, including the UK vital US, and was Michael's first by oneself effort as a single.^[11][12] In Dec 1984, the single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received nobleness first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of the Best from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on influence original 1984 Band Aid recording a mixture of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the song after Uncomfortable Young and Boy George sing their lines.^[41] The song became the UK Christmas number one and Michael further donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Helios Go Down on Me" with Elton John at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also contributed background vocals to David Cassidy's 1985 hit "The Last Kiss", as well as Elton John's 1985 successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up". Michael cited Cassidy in the same way a major career influence and interviewed Cassidy for David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s tour of China in Apr 1985, the first visit to Crockery by a Western popular music tempt, generated worldwide media coverage, much most recent it centred on Michael.^[9][10] The special attraction in the Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great make public comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s appearance just right China, many kinds of music renovate the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese officialdom to let the duo play.^[9] Distinction audience included members of the Asian government. Chinese television presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, rung of Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one locked away ever seen anything like that in advance. All the young people were stunned and everybody was tapping their rostrum. Of course the police weren't despondent and they were scared there would be riots."^[9]

Wham! performed their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Archangel tried to get the crowd save clap along to "Club Tropicana", nevertheless "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted applause and be good enough to gave it", before adding that tedious Chinese did eventually "get the depend of clapping on the beat."^[45] Top-hole UK embassy official in China purported "there was some lively dancing however this was almost entirely confined side younger western members of the audience."^[45] The tour was documented by skin director Lindsay Anderson and producer Player Lewis in their film Wham! coach in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success ransack Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) and "A Different Corner" (1986), whoop-de-do of an impending break up have a high regard for Wham! intensified. The duo officially disunited in 1986, after releasing a sendoff single, "The Edge of Heaven" wallet a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from the Possess of Heaven was released in Northernmost America and Japan), plus a treachery concert at Wembley Stadium that charade the world premiere of the Better half film.^[47] The Wham! partnership ended on the face of it with the commercially successful single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached Clumsy. 1 on the UK chart whitehead June 1986.^[48]

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, as a consequence the beginning of his solo being, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet give up your job Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a find project that helped Michael achieve proscribe ambition by singing with one pleasant his favourite artists. It scored release one on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Strength 100 upon its release.^[49][50] For Archangel, it became his third consecutive alone number one in the UK cheat three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually take the stones out of the Wham! album Make It Big) and 1986's "A Different Corner". Ethics single was also the first Archangel had recorded as a solo manager which he had not written child. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was new at the time; he later challenging success as a performer with grandeur band Climie Fisher in 1988. Archangel and Franklin won a Grammy Give in 1988 for Best R&B Implementation – Duo or Group with Voiced for the song.^[51]

In late 1987, Archangel released his debut solo album, Faith. The first single released from leadership album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The song was outlawed by many radio stations in ethics UK and US, due to betrayal sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast grandeur video, featuring celebrity make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque and suspenders, only during the late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was beautiful if the sex was monogynous, and he recorded a brief preliminary for the video in which proscribed said: "This song is not recognize casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the verbalize "explore monogamy" on his partner's go downhill in lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations la-de-da a toned-down version of the at a bargain price a fuss, "I Want Your Love", with honesty word "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Fancy Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's fame, referring to it only as "the new single by George Michael."^[55] Contain the US, the song was as well sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since the song was featured scrutiny the soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Teeth of censorship and radio play problems, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Century and No. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was unconfined in October 1987, a few weeks before the album. "Faith" became double of his most popular songs. Picture song was No. 1 on greatness Billboard Hot 100 for four sequent weeks, becoming the best-selling single deserve 1988 in the US.^[12] It additionally reached No. 1 in Australia, most recent No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video provided some conclusive images of the 1980s music commerce in the process—Michael in shades, obscure jacket, cowboy boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was at large in the UK and in a handful markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped the UK Albums Chart, and in the US, illustriousness album had 51 non-consecutive weeks welcome the top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at No. 1. Faith had many successes, with unite singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One Much Try", and "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in the US.^[59]Faith was certified Adamant by the RIAA for sales do paperwork 10 million copies in the US.^[60] Enrol date, global sales of Faith build more than 25 million units.^[61] The autograph album was highly acclaimed by music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey reading it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of picture finest pop albums of the '80s".^[62] In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended maximum of the songs on the publication, which he said "displays Michael's acute understanding of pop music and rulership increasingly intelligent use of his trounce to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked on a planet tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined on stage by Aretha Historiographer for "I Knew You Were Keep in a holding pattern (For Me)". It was the in a short while highest grossing event of 1988, grief $17.7 million.^[65] At the 1988 Brit Brownie points held at the Royal Albert Anteroom on 8 February, Michael received excellence first of his two awards hold Best British Male Solo Artist. Closest that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of the Day at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Urge the 1989 MTV Video Music Acclaim on 6 September in Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in his layer, A Different Story, success did quite a distance make him happy and he under way to think there was something slip up in being an idol for jillions of teenage girls. The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, tour, awards) heraldry sinister him exhausted, lonely and frustrated, duct far from his friends and family.^[68] In 1990, he told his take down company Sony that, for his specially album, he did not want unity do promotions like the one chaste Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September 1990. The christen is an indication of his raw to be taken more seriously type a songwriter.^[70] The album was unattached in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one week later in depiction US. It reached No. 1 unsavory the UK Albums Chart^[11] and lessen at No. 2 on the Tire Billboard 200.^[12] It spent a totality of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] The recording produced five UK singles, all bring in which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying for Time", "Waiting misunderstand That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal leadership Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his only single howl to chart in the UK renounce 40).^[11] Michael refused to do wacky promotion for the album.^[69] At influence 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Without Leaning Vol. 1 won the award rationalize Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first inimitable, "Praying for Time", with lyrics to about social ills and injustice, was movable in August 1990. James Hunter outline Rolling Stone magazine described the melody as "a distraught look at influence world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers representation healing passage of time as probity only balm for physical and excitable hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] Honourableness song was an instant success, motion No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 happening the UK.^[12] A video was movable shortly thereafter, consisting of the angry speech on a dark background. Michael plainspoken not appear in this video be any subsequent videos for the album.^[70] The second single from Listen On skid row bereft of Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for Lapse Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, at large as an immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was integrity second of only two singles outsider Listen Without Prejudice to be wiry by a music video (the further being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The song alludes to his struggles with his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter to disconnect his recording contract with Sony Harmony. As if to prove the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear welcome the video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Mythologist, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford to appear acquire and lip sync in his stead.^[74] It also featured lyrics critical curiosity his sex symbol status.^[75] It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Intense 100 in the US,^[12] and Clumsy. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio recreation badinage in the US during the gain victory Persian Gulf War during 1991, ofttimes with radio stations mixing in callers' tributes to soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later in 1991, Michael embarked on nobility Cover to Cover tour in Polish, England, the US, and Brazil, whirl location he performed at Rock in Rio.^[77] The tour was not a administrator promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Rather, it featured Michael melodious his favourite cover songs.^[77] Among king favourites was "Don't Let the Bask Go Down on Me", a 1974 song by Elton John; Michael near John had performed the song hand in glove at the Live Aid concert check 1985, and again for Michael's assent at London's Wembley Arena on 25 March 1991, where the duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sun Lighten up Down on Me" was released despite the fact that a single at the end rot 1991 and reached No. 1 pretend both the UK and US.^[78] Dust 1991, Michael released an autobiography cut Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written disagree with Tony Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit with Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs keep the charity project Red Hot + Dance, for the Red Hot Course which raised money for AIDS awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky". Michael donated the royalties from "Too Funky" to the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on description UK Singles Chart^[11] and No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[12]

Michael performed outstrip Queen at The Freddie Mercury Distribution Concert on 20 April 1992 go bad Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was calligraphic tribute to the life of depiction late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, shrivel the proceeds going to AIDS research.^[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Are character Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody to Love" was hailed as "one of the suitably performances of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Archangel later reflected, "It was probably description proudest moment for me of loose career, because it was me livelihood out a childhood fantasy, I presume, to sing one of Freddie's songs in front of 80,000 people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five live recordings (six in several countries) performed gross Michael, Queen, and Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are greatness Days of Our Lives" were prerecorded at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Complaint. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded amid his Cover to Cover tour withdraw 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the disposal of the EP benefited the Hg Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales of the Fanatical were strong through Europe, where licence debuted at No. 1 in integrity UK and several European countries.^[11] Diagram success in the US was a smaller amount spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200 ("Somebody focus on Love" reached No. 30 on picture US Billboard Hot 100).^[12] The rally round would later feature on Queen's crew album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November 1994, after a long period of privacy, Michael appeared at the first MTV Europe Music Awards show, where subside gave a performance of a fresh song, "Jesus to a Child".^[91] Interpretation song was a melancholy tribute take over his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who confidential died in March 1993. The express entered the UK Singles Chart wristwatch No. 1 and No. 7 worry Billboard upon release in 1996.^[11][12] Rich was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost seven minutes elongated. The exact identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's pleasure with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo dispatch speculation, as Michael had not deep-seated he was homosexual and did gather together do so until 1998. The tv for "Jesus to a Child" was a picture of images recalling obliterate, pain and suffering. Michael consistently complete the song to Feleppa before performing arts it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", an dynamic tune about wanting gratification and discharge without commitment, in 1996. The solitary version was nearly five minutes humiliate yourself. "Fastlove" was supported by a futurist virtual reality-related video. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks at blue blood the gentry top spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third works class album.^[93] In the UK, the book was particularly notable for producing well-ordered record six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Male convenient the MTV Europe Music Awards tube the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at nobility British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, put your feet up was awarded the title of Songster of the Year for the base time.^[97] Michael performed a concert immaculate Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] It was his first progressive performance in years, and in description audience was Michael's mother, who dull of cancer the following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first solo sterling hits collection. The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are included oxidization the European and Australian release) utter separated into two-halves, with each counting a particular theme and mood. Description first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the second Accomplishments, "For the Feet", consists mainly conclusion dance tunes. It was released compose Sony Music Entertainment as a extend of severing contractual ties with depiction label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was a good fortune, peaking at No. 1 on significance UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] It spent over 200 weeks access the UK chart, and is rendering 45th best-selling album ever in description UK.^[101] It is certified seven-times pt in the UK and multi-platinum sufficient the US, and is Michael's chief commercially successful album in his fatherland, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, the album challenging reached worldwide sales of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] The first single of significance album, "Outside", was a humorous expose making a reference to his cut short for soliciting a policeman in elegant public toilet. "As", his duet farm Mary J. Blige, was released similarly the second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released in 1999, Songs differ the Last Century is a works class album of cover tracks. The recording achieved the lowest peak of reward solo efforts, peaking at No. 157 on the American Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 edict the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Archangel worked on the hit single "If I Told You That" with Artificer Houston.^[103] Michael co-produced on the unwed along with Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's regulate single from his fifth studio book, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 impossible to differentiate the UK.^[105] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was free in July 2002 during the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Irak. The video for the song showed Tony Blair as George Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page reject earlier in the year. Responding outlook criticism, Michael said, "I am Nation, I live here, I pay low taxes, and I'm very, very nervous that we are now the erelong most dangerous country in the planet thanks to our special relationship better America."^[107] It reached No. 1 play a part Denmark and made the top 5 in most European charts.^[108] It unusual at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Michael taped another song in protest against nobleness looming Iraq war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written overstep McLean in 1971 and was keen protest against the Vietnam War. Archangel performed the song on numerous Boob tube shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His adherence of the song on Top sum the Pops on 7 March 2003 was his first studio appearance sign on the programme since 1986. He ran into conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt not level by some members of his tie. McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for standing temperament for life and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's 5th studio album, Patience, was released send out 2004, it was critically acclaimed submit went to No. 1 on righteousness UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums fence in the UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.^[110] Geared up reached the Top 5 on swell European charts and peaked at Negation. 12 in the US, selling care for 500,000 copies to earn a Jewels certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", significance third single from the album, became a No. 1 hit in Europe.^[111] When Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004, to promote the album, he unmixed "Amazing", along with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[112] On description show, Michael spoke of his freeze, the public revelation of his queerness, and his resumption of public archives. He allowed Oprah's crew inside fulfil home outside London.^[113] The fourth lone taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance hit wrench Europe as well as North U.s., reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last No. 1 single on righteousness US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating interpretation 25th anniversary of his music career.^[114] Released in November 2006 by Sony BMG, it debuted at no. 1 in the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Subsist 8 concert at Hyde Park, Author, Michael joined Paul McCartney on custom, harmonising on The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked on his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. The tour began in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 Sep and finished in December at Wembley Arena in England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first maven to perform live at the just now renovated Wembley Stadium in London.^[118] Setback 25 March 2008, a third eminence of the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the US and Canada.^[117]

Michael made his American acting debut chunk playing a guardian angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each folio of the show's first season was named after a song of circlet. Michael also appeared on the 2008 finale show of American Idol crossroads 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he thought Saint Cowell would say of his track record, he replied "I think he'll undoubtedly tell me I shouldn't have finished a George Michael song. He's examine plenty of people that in picture past, so I think that'd mistrust quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} On 25 December 2008, Michael released a new Christmas-themed target, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[122]

2010s

In inauspicious 2010, Michael performed his first concerts in Australia since 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his regulate show in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience of 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael declared the release of his cover model of New Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Michael arised on Comic Relief itself, featuring pustule the first Carpool Karaoke sketch suffer defeat James Corden, with the pair melodious songs while Corden drove around London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Michael unrestricted a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You and I", as modification MP3 gift to Prince William president Catherine Middleton on the occasion prop up their wedding on 29 April 2011. Although the MP3 was released dole out free download,^[127] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to fine a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Offering Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began at excellence Prague State Opera House on 22 August 2011.^[129] In October 2011, Archangel was announced as one of honesty final nominees for the Songwriter's Engross of Fame.^[130] In November, he confidential to cancel the remainder of loftiness tour as he became ill fitting pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately slip into a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, fold up months after leaving hospital, Michael plain a surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Orbit in London, where he received deft standing ovation, and presented Adele influence award for Best British Album.^[132] Make March, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Outing would resume in autumn.^[133] The closing concert of the tour—which was further the final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court predispose 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was released degree 17 March 2014, and became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album slender the UK, and ninth overall as well as his Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last manufacturing credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management team announced that a in two shakes documentary on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be released wear March 2017.^[136][137] A month after, Spin songwriter Naughty Boy confirmed plans space collaborate with Michael, for a fresh song and album.^[138] Naughty Boy avowed that the song is "amazing on the contrary [...] bittersweet".^[139] On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), the free "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[140]

Having charted at number two upon cast down release in 1984 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Time off 2021 (chart week ending date 7 January 2021), more than 36 age after its initial release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its timeless appeal splendid charm", adding: "It is a becoming tribute to George's song-writing genius... blooper would have been immensely proud charge utterly thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 years taken to reach number call was a UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Scrub with "Running Up That Hill" slight June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for the prime time in 2023, and it thrash number one again at Christmas story 2024, making it the first strain to top the Christmas chart wear consecutive years, and become only leadership third song to top the gala chart more than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Report to It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's estate released the single "Fantasy". Written and produced by Michael, was recorded while he was working shine Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Subdue, the track was not included instruct the album. Instead in October 1990, it was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single in probity United Kingdom and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest fall foul of the world.^[144] On 7 September 2017, a new version reworked by River Rodgers was released as a singular from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes authority original version of "Fantasy" and glory 1998 version;^[146] the Nile Rodgers remix was not included on the tape but was made available to illustrious as a digital download. On 18 October 2017, a music video was released on Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Rig Thompson-written film Last Christmas was floating. The title of the film disintegration taken from the Wham! classic. Implication official soundtrack album was released chunk Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc ep, and digital formats on 8 Nov 2019.^[148] The album contains 14 Wham! and solo George Michael songs, makeover well as a previously unreleased concert originally completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want You advice Get High)".^[149] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart and shake-up number 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] Give the once over also entered the Australian Albums Catalogue at number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at few 32, climbing to number 26 grandeur following week, and at number 55 on the US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

On 22 June 2022, the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had anachronistic working on the film shortly earlier his death, alongside David Austin,^[155] person in charge provides the narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the pick up and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} Soupзon 30 September 2022, a remastered see expanded version of Older was floating comprising the original Older album, glory Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings admonishment Older-era tracks.^[160] The album charted premier number 2 on the UK Authoritative Albums Chart Top 100 on 7 October 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael so-called that his early fantasies were beget women, which "led me to suspect I was on the path back heterosexuality", but at puberty he in operation to fantasise about men, which prohibited later said "had something to invalidate with my environment". At the visualize of 19, Michael told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[162] Michael too told one of his two sisters, but he was advised not willing tell his parents about his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, not long after pacify was outed for his sexuality, Archangel said on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when proceed fell in love with a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated in clean 1999 interview with The Advocate, vicinity Michael told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in prize with a man that ended king conflict over bisexuality". "I never difficult to understand a moral problem with being gay", Michael told her. "I thought Crazed had fallen in love with precise woman a couple of times. Spread I fell in love with shipshape and bristol fashion man, and realised that none be keen on those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used to snooze with women quite a lot bind the Wham! days but never mat it could develop into a bond because I knew that, emotionally, Unrestrainable was a gay man. I didn't want to commit to them, however I was attracted to them. Abuse I became ashamed that I muscle be using them. I decided Unrestrainable had to stop, which I exact when I began to worry recall AIDS, which was becoming prevalent quickwitted Britain. Although I had always difficult safe sex, I didn't want extinguish sleep with a woman without effective her I was bisexual. I matt-up that would be irresponsible. Basically, Hysterical didn't want to have that selfconscious conversation that might ruin the fit, so I stopped sleeping with them." In the same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have sex with women, no question". He said he believed that glory formation of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence deduction my father who was always aureate working. It meant I was exclusively close to my mother", though misstep stated that "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to organism gay in which the environment equitable irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said loosen up had hidden his sexuality because have a high regard for worries over what effect it firmness have on his mother.^[163] Two maturity later, he added: "My depression fatigued the end of Wham! was since I was beginning to realise Irrational was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the accumulation 1980s, Michael had a relationship business partner make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a time as queen artistic "muse" and who appeared discern the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later said that she confidential been his "only bona fide" woman, and that she knew of jurisdiction bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted look after Michael's death by calling him exceptional "true friend" with whom she challenging spent "some of the best interval of [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Michael personal a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, deft Brazilian dress designer whom he difficult met at the Rock in Metropolis concert in January that year. Outrage months into their relationship, Feleppa observed that he was HIV-positive. Michael next said: "It was terrifying news. Mad thought I could have the complaint too. I couldn't go through give it some thought with my family because I didn't know how to share it grasp them – they didn't even place I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it to him once performing it live), as is emperor album Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, tongued about the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a terribly gloomy time. It took about three duration to grieve, then after that Hysterical lost my mother. I felt supposedly apparent like I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Archangel entered into a long-term relationship ring true Kenny Goss, a former flight funnel, cheerleading coach,^[172] and sportswear executive get out of Dallas, Texas.^[173] They had a abode in Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century house sediment Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million region in Highgate, North London.^[169] In miserly November 2005, it was reported delay Michael and Goss planned to catalogue their relationship as a civil business in the UK,^[177] but because illustrate negative publicity and his upcoming profile, they postponed their plans.^[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening night cataclysm his Symphonica Tour, Michael announced put off he and Goss had split join years earlier.^[179]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly darken following his April 1998 arrest patron public lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Michael spoken "that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his eventual spree, when he was arrested [...] fluky 1998, was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered a connection with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian megastar hairstylist and freelance photographer based interleave London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who derrick Michael's body on Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was arrested for "engaging in a fast act" in a public restroom methodical the Will Rogers Memorial Park dainty Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrest by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez providential a sting operation.^[188] In an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the restroom and then that cop—I didn't know it was swell cop, obviously—he started playing this project, which I think is called, 'I'll show you mine, you show impulsive yours, and then when you county show me yours, I'm going to limit you!'"^[189]

After pleading "no contest" to high-mindedness charge, Michael was fined US$810 current sentenced to 80 hours of humanity service. Soon afterwards, Michael made clean up video for his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident delighted featured men dressed as policemen hugging. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, let go brought a US$10 million court case of the essence California against the singer. The eyeball dismissed the case, but an proceeding court reinstated it on 3 Dec 2002.^[190] The court then ruled consider it Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages for warm-blooded distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Michael was again accused of engaging in nameless public sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael stated that surmount cruising for anonymous sex was cry an issue in his relationship skilled partner Kenny Goss.^[193]

In February 2006, Archangel was arrested for possession of Immense C drugs, an incident that recognized described as "my own stupid failing, as usual". He was cautioned stop the police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired ambitious after obstructing the road at shipping lights in Cricklewood in northwest Author, and was subsequently banned from dynamical for two years and sentenced endorsement community service.^[195] On 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a catholic convenience in the Hampstead Heath room for possession of Class A take up C drugs. He was taken detection the police station and cautioned pursue controlled substance possession.^[196]

In the early midday of 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Pride pageant, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing his car into the anterior of a Snappy Snaps store slice Hampstead, north London, and was run in on suspicion of being unfit take a break drive.^[197][198] On 12 August, London's Municipal Police said he was "charged add possession of cannabis and with determined while unfit through drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Michael locked away also been taking the prescription antidepressant antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 Reverenced 2010, the singer pleaded guilty horizontal Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in Author after admitting driving under the force of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in dungeon, a fine, and a five-year disallow from driving.^[202][203] Michael was released carry too far Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, after serving four weeks.^[204] In the dent in the workroom wall Michael had crashed into, defenceless graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled add-on substance abuse for many years.^[206][207] Subside was arrested for drug-related offences suggestion 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] In Sept 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that monarch cannabis use was a problem; recognized wished he could smoke less fall foul of it and was constantly trying grant do so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he had cut stop on cannabis and was smoking sole "seven or eight" spliffs per allocate instead of the 25 per time off he had formerly smoked.^[209] Michael further abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled a performance at dignity Royal Albert Hall in London permission to a viral infection. On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Archangel after he complained of chest diligence while at a hotel two twelve o\'clock noon before his performance at a dig up there for his Symphonica Tour. Archangel appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded well to treatment next his admission, but on 25 Nov hospital officials said that his state had "worsened overnight". This development bungled to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had back number scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.^[210] The singer was later confirmed work to rule have suffered from pneumonia and, undetermined 1 December, was in an intensified care unit; at one point, fair enough was comatose. On 21 December, high-mindedness hospital discharged him. Michael told grandeur press that he had undergone regular tracheotomy,^[211] that the staff at probity hospital had saved his life, crucial that he would perform a unconfined concert for them.^[212] After waking raid the coma, Michael had a transcribe West Country accent, and there was concern he had developed foreign tone syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Michael steady a head injury in a vehivle accident on the M1 motorway, nearby St Albans in Hertfordshire and was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] On 29 May well, Michael's publicist confirmed that he confidential left the hospital and that fillet injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Archangel stated that he had refrained take the stones out of using cannabis for one and collective half years. In June 2015, settle down checked into a drug rehabilitation skill in Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying that granting you've got a deep enough bare and made a bit of impoverishment then you've got to be systematic Thatcherite."

— Michael, a Labour voter throughout righteousness 1980s, distancing himself from Thatcher's Colonel blimp Party.^[218]

Michael's father was a communist. Finish equal the age of fifteen, Michael hitched the Young Communist League, under wreath Greek name.^[219] During the time appreciate Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Way of the United Kingdom throughout interpretation 1980s, Michael voted Labour.^[218] In Sep 1984, Wham! performed at a assist concert at London's Royal Festival Entry for the striking UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, significant k.d. lang, to perform in Educator, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit the Living soul Rights Campaign,^[221] an American LGBT requirement group. His 2002 single "Shoot probity Dog" was critical of the disaffect relationship between the UK and In doubt governments, in particular the relationship amidst Tony Blair and George W. Foundry, with their involvement in the Bloodshed on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his event about the lack of public examination in the UK regarding the Hostilities on Terror: "On an issue translation enormous as the possible bombing be expeditious for Iraq, how can you represent illustrious when you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael performed fastidious free concert for NHS nurses train in London to thank the nurses who had cared for his late popular. He told the audience: "Thank boss around for everything you do — intensely people appreciate it. Now if phenomenon can only get the government pick on do the same thing."