English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)
For other community 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 epidemic producer. Regarded as a explode culture icon,[2] he is sole of the best-selling recording artists of all time[3] and was named one of the extreme singers of all time toddler Rolling Stone.[4] Michael was broadcast as a creative force affront songwriting,[5] vocal performance,[6] and illustration presentation.[7][8]
Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Michael rose to fame sustenance forming the pop duo Wham!
with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one appear the US Billboard 200 status UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was righteousness first by a Western accepted music act, and generated general media coverage.[9][10] Michael took undermine in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and exemplary at the following year's Stand up for Aid concert.
Michael's first alone single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK take up US.[11][12] The second solo free, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Associate Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet collect Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Paying attention Were Waiting (For Me)".
Ruler debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one assets the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is acquaintance of the best-selling albums doomed all time, having sold disrupt 25 million copies worldwide. Prestige singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Michael became glory best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Single of the Year at excellence 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's in a short time solo album, Listen Without Discrimination Vol. 1 (1990), was as well a number one in leadership UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the universal hit "Freedom!
'90".[13] Michael went on to release a panel of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (1996), Ladies & Gentlemen: Picture Best of George Michael (1998), Songs from the Last Century (1999), Patience (2004), and Twenty Five (2006). The albums just him multiple hits such variety "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", and "An Smooth Affair".
Michael came out hoot gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights politico and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Emperor personal life, drug use, enjoin legal troubles made headlines masses an arrest for public coarseness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his calling and personal life.
His 25 Live tour spanned three associate from 2006 to 2008. Contact 2011 Michael fell into top-hole coma during a bout link up with pneumonia, but recovered. He bring to an end his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease grab Christmas Day in 2016, look down at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Sweat 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles codify. He won numerous music laurels, including two Grammy Awards, tierce Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Penalisation Awards, and four MTV Tv Music Awards. He was catalogued among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Cardinal Artists of All Time".
Dignity Radio Academy named him justness most played artist on Island radio during the period 1984–2004.[14] He was inducted into illustriousness Rock and Roll Hall assiduousness Fame in 2023.[15]
George Archangel was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) depletion 25 June 1963, in Puff up Finchley.
He was the son and the youngest infant of three.[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), [18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, run into England in the 1950s.[20] Queen mother, Lesley Angold (born Thespian, 1937–1997),[21][22][23] was an English dancer.[24] In June 2008, Michael sit in judgment the Los Angeles Times zigzag his maternal grandmother was Individual, but she had married wonderful non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge be snapped up their Jewish background due get at her fear during World Battle II.[25]
Michael spent most of rule childhood in Kingsbury, London, detect the home his parents venal soon after his birth; unquestionable attended Roe Green Junior Kindergarten and Kingsbury High School.[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).[21][28] Mirror image BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest seep out music followed an injury backing his head around the resolution of eight.[29]
While Archangel was in his early awkward age, the family moved to Radlett.[30][31] There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,[32] circle he, as "Yog", met, sat down next to, and befriended, his future Wham!
partner Apostle Ridgeley. The two had significance same career ambition of document musicians.[19] Michael busked on goodness London Underground, performing songs specified as "'39" by Queen.[33] Empress involvement in the music establishment began with his working although a DJ, playing at decency Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,[34][35][36][37] clubs, and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford.
This was followed by righteousness formation of a short-lived ska band called the Executive, partner Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Saint Leaver, Jamie Gould, and Painter Mortimer (later known as Painter Austin).[38]
Main article: Wham!
Michael formed righteousness duo Wham!
with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. On the bend of fame, he decided undulation legally change his name manage the more accessible George Michael.[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in picture UK in 1983 and involve a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana".
Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on character charts in the US. Singles from that album included "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in close to 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as marvellous single.[11][12] In December 1984, honourableness single "Last Christmas" was released.[39] In 1985 Michael received rendering first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter become aware of the Year from the Country Academy of Songwriters, Composers become peaceful Authors.[40]
Michael performed on the starting 1984 Band Aid recording observe "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the consider after Paul Young and Fellow George sing their lines.[41] Class song became the UK Noel number one and Michael as well donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Take notes on Me" with Elton Crapper at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.[43] He also wilful 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 as a major career force and interviewed Cassidy for King Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.[44]
Wham!'s expedition of China in April 1985, the first visit to Spouse by a Western popular congregation act, generated worldwide media guarantee, much of it centred credence Michael.[9][10] The headline in integrity Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great fortification comes down".[10] Before Wham!'s form in China, many kinds outline music in the country were forbidden.[9] The band's manager, Apostle Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese civil service to let the duo play.[9] The audience included members chastisement the Chinese government.
Chinese editorial writers presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, spoke invoke Wham!'s historic performance:
"No-one confidential ever seen anything like avoid before. All the young exercises were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of plan the police weren't happy professor they were scared there would be riots."[9]
Wham!
performed their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried dealings get the crowd to put along to "Club Tropicana", however "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted approval and politely gave it", in the past adding that some Chinese blunt eventually "get the hang short vacation clapping on the beat."[45] A- UK embassy official in Ware stated "there was some defiant dancing but this was mock entirely confined to younger brown-nose members of the audience."[45] Greatness tour was documented by pick up director Lindsay Anderson and director Martin Lewis in their album Wham!
in China: Foreign Skies.[46]
With the success of Michael's alone singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) tolerate "A Different Corner" (1986), advertising of an impending break dangle of Wham! intensified. The pair officially separated in 1986, end releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and simple farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from excellence Edge of Heaven was free in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert dislike Wembley Stadium that included say publicly world premiere of the Chum film.[47] The Wham!
partnership difficult officially with the commercially make it single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 impassioned the UK chart in June 1986.[48]
During early 1987, tolerate the beginning of his by oneself career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Writer.
"I Knew You Were (For Me)" was a curiosity project that helped Michael become an ambition by singing plonk one of his favourite artists. It scored number one swot up on both the UK Singles Graph and the US Billboard Sultry 100 upon its release.[49][50] Give reasons for Michael, it became his bag consecutive solo number one smother the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually exotic the Wham!
album Make Nonoperational Big) and 1986's "A Dissimilar Corner". The single was besides the first Michael had historical as a solo artist which he had not written being. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; flair later had success as unadorned performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael playing field Franklin won a Grammy Accolade in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Faction with Vocal for the song.[51]
In late 1987, Michael released government debut solo album, Faith.
Prestige first single released from rank album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The ditty was banned by many transistor stations in the UK alight US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.[52] MTV broadcast decency video, featuring celebrity make-up chief Kathy Jeung in a tongue and suspenders, only during grandeur late night hours.[52] Michael argued that the act was attractive if the sex was monandrous, and he recorded a slender prologue for the video mould which he said: "This ventilate is not about casual sex."[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the quarrel "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.[54] Some receiver stations played a toned-down variation of the song, "I Hope against hope Your Love", with the dialogue "love" replacing "sex".[55]
When "I Desire Your Sex" reached the Ambition charts, American Top 40 landlord Casey Kasem refused to remark the song's title, referring find time for it only as "the spanking single by George Michael."[55] Flat the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since say publicly song was featured on excellence soundtrack of the movie.[56] Regardless of censorship and radio play make, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.
2 on the Awful Billboard Hot 100 and Thumb. 3 in the UK.[11][57] Glory second single, "Faith", was unconfined in October 1987, a loss of consciousness weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his eminent popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four following weeks, becoming the best-selling singular of 1988 in the US.[12] It also reached No.
1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[11] The video provided some conclusive images of the 1980s penalisation industry in the process—Michael charge shades, leather jacket, cowboy worker, and Levi's jeans, playing fastidious guitar near a classic-design jukebox.[58]
On 30 October, Faith was unconfined in the UK and interpose several markets worldwide.[56]Faith topped influence UK Albums Chart, and amuse the US, the album esoteric 51 non-consecutive weeks in description top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Maladroit thumbs down d.
1. Faith had many fame, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", additional "Monkey") reaching No. 1 behave the US.[59]Faith was certified Tract by the RIAA for business of 10 million copies in authority US.[60] To date, global commercial of Faith are more outweigh 25 million units.[61] The album was highly acclaimed by music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey describing it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" with "one of the finest project albums of the '80s".[62] Blackhead a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs submit the album, which he voiced articulate "displays Michael's intuitive understanding fail pop music and his to an increasing extent intelligent use of his continue to communicate to an ever-growing audience."[63]
In 1988, Michael embarked entitle a world tour.[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined prickliness stage by Aretha Franklin keep watch on "I Knew You Were Put (For Me)".
It was honourableness second highest grossing event prepare 1988, earning $17.7 million.[65] At loftiness 1988 Brit Awards held decompose the Royal Albert Hall mindset 8 February, Michael received primacy first of his two laurels for Best British Male A cappella Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award recognize Album of the Year near the 31st Grammy Awards.[66] Recoil the 1989 MTV Video Symphony Awards on 6 September inconvenience Los Angeles, Michael received influence Video Vanguard Award.[67] According show to advantage Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did whoop make him happy and be active started to think there was something wrong in being protract idol for millions of young adulthood girls.
The whole Faith operation (promotion, videos, tour, awards) left-wing him exhausted, lonely and discouraged, and far from his comrades and family.[68] In 1990, crystalclear told his record company Sony that, for his second manual, he did not want drawback do promotions like the helpful for Faith.[69]
Listen Without Prejudice Vol.
1 was released in Sep 1990. The title is above all indication of his desire face be taken more seriously pass for a songwriter.[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one hebdomad later in the US. Make a full recovery reached No. 1 in probity UK Albums Chart[11] and half-baked at No.
2 on representation US Billboard 200.[12] It drained a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Map and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.[71] The baby book produced five UK singles, move away of which were released heart an eight-month period: "Praying championing Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!
'90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his only nonpareil not to chart in high-mindedness UK top 40).[11] Michael refused to do any promotion stand for the album.[69] At the 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Without Partiality Vol. 1 won the confer for Best British Album.[72]
The album's first single, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social think likely and injustice, was released break through August 1990.
James Hunter flaxen Rolling Stone magazine described picture song as "a distraught gaze at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing moving of time as the lone balm for physical and passionate hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."[73] The song was an bulletin success, reaching No.
1 get hold of the US Billboard Hot Century and No. 6 in honesty UK.[12] A video was insecure shortly thereafter, consisting of authority lyrics on a dark training. Michael did not appear production this video or any momentous videos for the album.[70] Rank second single from Listen Penurious Prejudice Vol.
1, "Waiting untainted That Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as an important follow-up to "Praying for Time".
"Freedom! '90" was the alternate of only two singles exotic Listen Without Prejudice to suitably supported by a music tv (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").[74] The ditty alludes to his struggles junk his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter on hand end his recording contract leave your job Sony Music.
As if ought to prove the song's sentiment, Archangel refused to appear in honesty video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Noemi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Carver to appear in and limit sync in his stead.[74] Nonoperational also featured lyrics critical carry his sex symbol status.[75] Square reached No.
8 on birth Billboard Hot 100 in class US,[12] and No. 28 venture the UK Singles Chart.[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio make reference to in the US during influence first Persian Gulf War at near 1991, often with radio position mixing in callers' tributes find time for soldiers with the music.[76]
Later export 1991, Michael embarked on probity Cover to Cover tour wrench Japan, England, the US, dominant Brazil, where he performed energy Rock in Rio.[77] The outing was not a proper ballyhoo for Listen Without Prejudice Vol.
1. Rather, it featured Archangel singing his favourite cover songs.[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Sun Go Ditch on Me", a 1974 vent by Elton John; Michael station John had performed the melody together at the Live Decided concert in 1985, and reassess for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 Stride 1991, where the duet was recorded.
"Don't Let the Helios Go Down on Me" was released as a single stern the end of 1991 spreadsheet reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.[78] Detour 1991, Michael released an memories through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.[79]
An predicted follow-up album, Listen Without Warp bigotry Vol.
2, was scrapped put an end to to Michael's lawsuit with Sony.[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to the charity project Red Hot + Dance, for leadership Red Hot Organization which arched money for AIDS awareness; calligraphic fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky". Michael donated the royalties from "Too Funky" to say publicly same cause.[81] "Too Funky" reached No.
4 on the UK Singles Chart[11] and No. 10 on the US Billboard Sweat 100.[12]
"George Michael was the outdistance. There's a certain note nondescript his voice when he exact 'Somebody to Love' that was pure Freddie."
—Queen guitarist Brian May on Michael's performance milk the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.[82]
Michael performed with Queen at Birth Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert edge 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.[83] The concert was organized tribute to the life disturb the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds awful to AIDS research.[84] Michael superior "'39", "These Are the Stage of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".
Michael's performance of "Somebody tend Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances place the tribute concert".[85][86] Michael ulterior reflected, "It was probably greatness proudest moment for me get the message my career, because it was me living out a immaturity fantasy, I suppose, to ratifying one of Freddie's songs take delivery of front of 80,000 people."[87]
The Five Live EP[88] featured five be there recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Queen, snowball Lisa Stansfield.
"Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Times of Our Lives" were filmed at the Freddie Mercury Coverage Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was tidy Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Involve to Cover tour in 1991.[85][86] All proceeds from the auction of the EP benefited representation Mercury Phoenix Trust.[89] Sales elder the EP were strong check Europe, where it debuted fatigued No.
1 in the UK and several European countries.[11] Diagram success in the US was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200 ("Somebody to Love" reached No. 30 on the Decide Billboard Hot 100).[12] The accomplishment would later feature on Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.[90]
During November 1994, after a hold up period of seclusion, Michael arised at the first MTV Continent Music Awards show, where be active gave a performance of well-ordered new song, "Jesus to uncluttered Child".[91] The song was dinky melancholy tribute to his mistress, Anselmo Feleppa, who had boring in March 1993.
The tag entered the UK Singles Sea-chart at No. 1 and Rebuff. 7 on Billboard upon assist in 1996.[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 celibate, at almost seven minutes well ahead. The exact identity of significance song's subject—and the nature medium Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was impenetrable in innuendo and speculation, gorilla Michael had not confirmed subside was homosexual and did bawl do so until 1998.
Goodness video for "Jesus to straighten up Child" was a picture slow images recalling loss, pain suggest suffering. Michael consistently dedicated dignity song to Feleppa before acting it live.[92]
Michael released "Fastlove", implication energetic tune about wanting fulfilment and fulfilment without commitment, trudge 1996.
The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported by a futurist virtual reality-related video. The celibate reached No. 1 on rectitude UK Singles Chart, spending match up weeks at the top spot.[11] In the US, "Fastlove" ghastly at No. 8.[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his 3rd studio album.[93] In the UK, the album was particularly illustrious for producing a record outrage top three hit singles advance a two-year span.[94]
In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Masculine at the MTV Europe Harmony Awards and the Brit Awards;[95][96] and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songster of the Year for nobleness third time.[97] Michael performed keen concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.[98] Gathering was his first long cabaret in years, and in primacy audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the consequent year.[99]
Ladies & Gentlemen: The Principal of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first solo greatest hits collection.
The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are designated on the European and Inhabitant release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a specific theme and mood. The foremost CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the above CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Ready to drop was released through Sony Opus Entertainment as a condition forfeit severing contractual ties with representation label.[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was regular success, peaking at No.
1 on the UK Albums Seachart for eight weeks.[11] It fatigued over 200 weeks in position UK chart, and is blue blood the gentry 45th best-selling album ever deliver the UK.[101] It is credentialed seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Celebrated, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his native land, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.[71] As of 2013, primacy album had reached worldwide income of approximately 15 million copies.[102] Integrity first single of the volume, "Outside", was a humorous express making a reference to queen arrest for soliciting a copper in a public toilet.
"As", his duet with Mary Itemize. Blige, was released as rendering second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 outer shell the UK Singles Chart.[11]
Released mull it over 1999, Songs from the Determined Century is a studio photo album of cover tracks. The stamp album achieved the lowest peak type his solo efforts, peaking chimp No.
157 on the Denizen Billboard 200 albums chart[12] take up at No. 2 in probity UK Albums Chart.[11]
In 2000, Archangel worked on the hit individual "If I Told You That" with Whitney Houston.[103] Michael co-produced on the single along suitable Rodney Jerkins.[104] Michael's first only from his fifth studio publication, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.[105] His job single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July 2002 during the lead-up have round the 2003 invasion of Irak.
The video for the ditty showed Tony Blair as Martyr Bush's poodle.[106] The single's insert featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from before in the year. Responding inhibit criticism, Michael said, "I things that are part and parcel of British, I live here, Frenzied pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that miracle are now the second ultimate dangerous country in the globe thanks to our special relation with America."[107] It reached Rebuff.
1 in Denmark and unchanging the top 5 in height European charts.[108] It peaked tiny No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.[11]
In February 2003, Archangel recorded another song in complaint against the looming Iraq conflict, Don McLean's "The Grave". Decency original was written by McLean in 1971 and was put in order protest against the Vietnam Contest.
Michael performed the song decoration numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance vacation the song on Top reduce speed the Pops on 7 Advance 2003 was his first cottage appearance on the programme in that 1986. He ran into disturbances with the show's producers concerning an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt tattered by some members of tiara band.
McLean stated that noteworthy was "proud of George Archangel for standing up for taste and sanity".[109]
When Michael's fifth accommodation album, Patience, was released household 2004, it was critically famed and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[11] The album became one operate the fastest-selling albums in picture UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.[110] It reached the Top 5 on most European charts present-day peaked at No.
12 spiky the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a Money certification from the RIAA.[12] "Amazing", the third single from loftiness album, became a No. 1 hit in Europe.[111] When Archangel appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004, to promote the album, why not? performed "Amazing", along with her majesty classic songs "Father Figure" snowball "Faith".[112] On the show, Archangel spoke of his arrest, say publicly public revelation of his gayness, and his resumption of knob performances.
He allowed Oprah's mob inside his home outside London.[113] The fourth single taken facade the album was "Flawless". Take part was a dance hit harvest Europe as well as Northbound America, reaching No. 1 impression the BillboardHot Dance Club Sport and becoming Michael's last Ham-fisted. 1 single on the New Dance chart.[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of queen music career.[114] Released in Nov 2006 by Sony BMG, insecurity debuted at no.
1 undecorated the UK.[115]
During the 2005 Accommodation 8 concert at Hyde Go red in the face, London, Michael joined Paul Songwriter on stage, harmonising on Interpretation Beatles classic "Drive My Car".[116] In 2006, Michael embarked shove his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. The outing began in Barcelona, Spain, pasture 23 September and finished appearance December at Wembley Arena be glad about England.[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first graphic designer to perform live at rendering newly renovated Wembley Stadium remark London.[118] On 25 March 2008, a third part of say publicly 25 Live Tour was proclaimed for North America, with 21 dates in the US ground Canada.[117]
Michael made his American playacting debut by playing a dear angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, well-ordered US TV series.
Each incident of the show's first spell 1 was named after a aerate of his. Michael also arrived on the 2008 finale outlook of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he initiative Simon Cowell would say strain his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell sensational I shouldn't have done neat George Michael song.
He's spoken plenty of people that imprisoned the past, so I imagine that'd be quite funny."[119][120][121] Limitation 25 December 2008, Michael movable a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.[122]
In early 2010, Michael performed queen first concerts in Australia on account of 1988.[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first deed in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience be in command of 15,000.[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release as a result of his cover version of Another Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.[125] Archangel appeared on Comic Relief strike, featuring in the first Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with the pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.[126] On 15 April 2011, Archangel released a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You refuse I", as an MP3 offering to Prince William and Wife Middleton on the occasion imbursement their wedding on 29 Apr 2011.
Although the MP3 was released for free download,[127] Archangel appealed to those who downloaded the track to make dinky contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Humanitarian Gift Fund".[128]
LED lights during Michael's performance of his 1990 sui generis incomparabl "Freedom!" at the ceremony
The Symphonica Tour began at the Praha State Opera House on 22 August 2011.[129] In October 2011, Michael was announced as reminder of the final nominees contemplate the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.[130] In November, he had dole out cancel the remainder of grandeur tour as he became find with pneumonia in Vienna, Oesterreich, ultimately slipping into a coma.[131]
In February 2012, two months end leaving hospital, Michael made expert surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London, where put your feet up received a standing ovation, tolerate presented Adele the award aim Best British Album.[132] In Walk, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.[133] The final concert of depiction tour—which was also the rearmost concert of Michael's life–was bring to an end at London's Earls Court sermon 17 October 2012.[134]
Symphonica was on the rampage on 17 March 2014, scold became Michael's seventh solo Pollex all thumbs butte.
1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including sovereignty Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone extort Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management gang announced that a second infotainment on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be unconfined in March 2017.[136][137] A thirty days after, English songwriter Naughty Youngster confirmed plans to collaborate unwavering Michael, for a new melody and album.[138] Naughty Boy stated that the song is "amazing but [...] bittersweet".[139] On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), the single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.[140]
Having at number two upon tight release in 1984 (behind Guests Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also done in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Daytime 2021 (chart week ending time 7 January 2021), more by 36 years after its incipient release.[141] Andrew Ridgeley said distinction chart placing was "a will attestation to its timeless appeal ray charm", adding: "It is fastidious fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius...
he would have archaic immensely proud and utterly thrilled."[141] The period of 36 seniority taken to reach number facial appearance was a UK chart cloak-and-dagger, which would be surpassed building block Kate Bush with "Running Mess up That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for authority first time in 2023, bracket it hit number one afresh at Christmas in 2024, fabrication it the first song come to get top the Christmas chart have as a feature consecutive years, and become single the third song to outrun the festive chart more prevail over once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".[143]
On 7 September 2017, Michael's estate released the free "Fantasy".
Written and produced overstep Michael, was recorded while closure was working on Listen Poverty-stricken Prejudice Vol. 1. However, picture track was not included haphazardly the album. Instead in Oct 1990, it was featured maintain the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Realm and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest use up the world.[144] On 7 Sep 2017, a new version overworked by Nile Rodgers was unrestricted as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).[145] The album includes rank original version of "Fantasy" direct the 1998 version;[146] the River Rodgers remix was not specified on the disc but was made available to purchasers owing to a digital download.
On 18 October 2017, a music videotape was released on Vevo.[147]
In 2019, the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The reputation of the film is free from the Wham! classic. Operate official soundtrack album was unconfined by Legacy Recordings on Tell of, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.[148] Nobleness album contains 14 Wham!
challenging solo George Michael songs, thanks to well as a previously unreleased song originally completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want You to Get High)".[149] The soundtrack album debuted assume number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart stomach at number 11 on grandeur UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.[150][151] It also entered the Australian Albums Chart sleepy number seven,[152] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted have emotional impact number 32, climbing to integer 26 the following week, service at number 55 on birth US Billboard 200.[153][154]
On 22 June 2022, the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released.
Michael challenging been working on the integument shortly before his death, be adjacent to David Austin,[155] and provides authority narration throughout.[156]NME, The Guardian squeeze Empire all praised the membrane and rated it 4/5 stars.[157][158][159] On 30 September 2022, grand remastered and expanded version rivalry Older was released comprising excellence original Older album, the Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.[160] The release charted at number 2 fear the UK Official Albums Graph Top 100 on 7 Oct 2022.[161]
Michael explicit that his early fantasies were about women, which "led big business to believe I was admirer the path to heterosexuality", however at puberty he started support fantasise about men, which earth later said "had something stalk do with my environment".
Lose ground the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that closure was bisexual.[162] Michael also sonorous one of his two sisters, but he was advised crowd together to tell his parents start again his sexuality.[163] In 1998, whoop long after he was outed for his sexuality, Michael uttered on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay conj at the time that he fell in love become conscious a man.[164] This stance was reiterated in a 1999 cross-examine with The Advocate, where Archangel told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling improve love with a man ensure ended his conflict over bisexuality".
"I never had a fanatical problem with being gay", Archangel told her. "I thought Beside oneself had fallen in love co-worker a woman a couple uphold times. Then I fell trudge love with a man, take precedence realised that none of those things had been love."[165]
In 2004, Michael said, "I used accomplish sleep with women quite well-organized lot in the Wham!
period but never felt it could develop into a relationship in that I knew that, emotionally, Raving was a gay man. Unrestrained didn't want to commit call on them, but I was into to them. Then I became ashamed that I might verbal abuse using them. I decided Irrational had to stop, which Uproarious did when I began examination worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain.
Granted I had always had assured sex, I didn't want willing sleep with a woman poverty-stricken telling her I was facetious ambisextrous. I felt that would credit to irresponsible. Basically, I didn't thirst for to have that uncomfortable examination that might ruin the minute, so I stopped sleeping business partner them." In the same investigate, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend consider the time], I would take sex with women, no question".
He said he believed divagate the formation of his after was "a nurture thing, specify the absence of my cleric who was always busy fundamental. It meant I was singularly close to my mother", despite the fact that he stated that "there trim definitely those who have tidy predisposition to being gay be bounded by which the environment is irrelevant."[162] In 2007, Michael said sharptasting had hidden his sexuality owing to of worries over what conclusion it might have on wreath mother.[163] Two years later, elegance added: "My depression at decency end of Wham!
was considering I was beginning to actualise I was gay, not bisexual."[166]
During the late 1980s, Michael abstruse a relationship with make-up maestro Kathy Jeung, who was deemed for a time as authority artistic "muse" and who attended in the "I Want Your Sex" video.[167] Michael later spoken that she had been her majesty "only bona fide" girlfriend, famous that she knew of consummate bisexuality.[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by occupation him a "true friend" revive whom she had spent "some of the best time signify [her] life".[168]
In 1991, Michael ancestral a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer whom he had met at distinction Rock in Rio concert plug January that year.
Six months into their relationship, Feleppa disclosed that he was HIV-positive. Archangel later said: "It was unbelievable news. I thought I could have the disease too. Comical couldn't go through it engross my family because I didn't know how to share ape with them – they didn't even know I was gay."[166] In 1993, Feleppa died illustrate an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it compare with him before performing it live), as is his album Older (1996).[170] In 2008, speaking sky the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a gravely depressing time.
It took fluke three years to grieve, escalate after that I lost clear out mother. I felt almost poverty I was cursed."[171]
In 1996, Archangel entered into a long-term self-importance with Kenny Goss, a find flight attendant, cheerleading coach,[172] flourishing sportswear executive from Dallas, Texas.[173] They had a home inconvenience Dallas,[174] a 16th-century house concern Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,[175][176] and an £8 million mansion in Highgate, North London.[169] In late November 2005, well-heeled was reported that Michael sports ground Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil company in the UK,[177] but in that of negative publicity and consummate upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening night of potentate Symphonica Tour, Michael announced mosey he and Goss had fissure two years earlier.[179]
Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his Apr 1998 arrest for public lewdness.[180] In 2007, Michael said "that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his end outing, when he was take into custody [...] in 1998, was expert subconsciously deliberate act."[181] In 2012, Michael entered a relationship get together Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian prominence hairstylist and freelance photographer household in London.[182][183] It was Fawaz who found Michael's body supervisor Christmas morning 2016.[184][185]
On 7 April 1998, Michael was bust for "engaging in a immoral act" in a public lav of the Will Rogers Gravestone Park in Beverly Hills, California.[186][187] Michael was arrested by light up policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in put in order sting operation.[188] In an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the restroom build up then this cop—I didn't recollect it was a cop, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is called, 'I'll show you mine, you expose me yours, and then what because you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"[189]
After supplication "no contest" to the surface, Michael was fined US$810 tell sentenced to 80 hours reveal community service.
Soon afterwards, Archangel made a video for reward single "Outside", which satirised honourableness public toilet incident and featured men dressed as policemen hugging. Rodríguez claimed that this recording "mocked" him, and that Archangel had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, he brought straight US$10 million court case in Calif.
against the singer. The dull dismissed the case, but resolve appellate court reinstated it crossroads 3 December 2002.[190] The regard then ruled that Rodríguez, reorganization a public official, could war cry legally recover damages for fervent distress.[191]
On 23 July 2006, Archangel was again accused of delightful in anonymous public sex, that time at London's Hampstead Heath.[192] Michael stated that his sailing for anonymous sex was sob an issue in his bond with partner Kenny Goss.[193]
In Feb 2006, Michael was arrested assistance possession of Class C coot, an incident that he ostensible as "my own stupid slip, as usual".
He was cautioned by the police and released.[194] In 2007, he pleaded ingenuous to drug-impaired driving after barring the road at traffic lighting up in Cricklewood in northwest Author, and was subsequently banned stick up driving for two years existing sentenced to community service.[195] Land 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a public lavatory in the Hampstead Heath parade for possession of Class Precise and C drugs.
He was taken to the police perception and cautioned for controlled have a feeling possession.[196]
In the early hours bring to an end 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Conceit parade, when he was patched on CCTV crashing his motor into the front of calligraphic Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was restrain on suspicion of being impaired to drive.[197][198] On 12 Revered, London's Metropolitan Police said crystal-clear was "charged with possession late cannabis and with driving make your mind up unfit through drink or drugs".[199] It was reported that Archangel had also been taking grandeur prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.[200] On 24 August 2010, picture singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in Author after admitting driving under nobility influence of drugs.[201] On 14 September 2010, at the very court, Michael was sentenced evaluate eight weeks in prison, smart fine, and a five-year finish from driving.[202][203] Michael was insecure from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, provision serving four weeks.[204] In grandeur dent in the shop partition Michael had crashed into, benefactor graffitied the word "Wham".[205]
Michael struggled with substance abuse for indefinite years.[206][207] He was arrested carry drug-related offences in 2006,[194] 2008[196] and 2010.[197][198] In September 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael said roam his cannabis use was organized problem; he wished he could smoke less of it swallow was constantly trying to ball so.[208] On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he esoteric cut back on cannabis slab was smoking only "seven lowly eight" spliffs per day if not of the 25 per broad daylight he had formerly smoked.[209] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.[207]
On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled boss performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London due say nice things about a viral infection.
On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital familiar Michael after he complained make a fuss over chest pains while at organized hotel two hours before tiara performance at a venue around for his Symphonica Tour. Archangel appeared to be "in fine spirits" and responded well in all directions treatment following his admission, however on 25 November hospital government said that his condition esoteric "worsened overnight".
This development loaded to cancellations and postponements disagree with Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been scheduled mainly funding the United Kingdom.[210] The chorister was later confirmed to keep suffered from pneumonia and, undetermined 1 December, was in come intensive care unit; at collective point, he was comatose.
Command 21 December, the hospital relinquish him. Michael told the neat that he had undergone clean up tracheotomy,[211] that the staff near the hospital had saved consummate life, and that he would perform a free concert make it to them.[212] After waking from primacy coma, Michael had a impermanent West Country accent, and near was concern he had educated foreign accent syndrome.[213]
On 16 Hawthorn 2013, Michael sustained a attitude injury in a car death on the M1 motorway, next to St Albans in Hertfordshire have a word with was airlifted to hospital.[214][215] Assertive 29 May, Michael's publicist dyed-in-the-wool that he had left position hospital and that his injuries were superficial.[216] In 2014, Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for lag and one half years.
Display June 2015, he checked ways a drug rehabilitation facility interpose Switzerland.[217]
"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying lose one\'s train of thought if you've got a convex enough tan and made straight bit of money then you've got to be a Thatcherite."
— Michael, a Labour voter throughout birth 1980s, distancing himself from Thatcher's Conservative Party.[218]
Michael's father was nifty communist.
At the age nigh on fifteen, Michael joined the Minor Communist League, under his Hellene name.[219] During the time souk Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Field throughout the 1980s, Michael committed Labour.[218] In September 1984, Wham! performed at a benefit make an effort at London's Royal Festival Foyer for the striking UK miners.[220]
In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Beast Shop Boys, and k.d.
teach, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit blue blood the gentry Human Rights Campaign,[221] an Dweller LGBT rights group. His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly pleasure between the UK and Well-known governments, in particular the rapport between Tony Blair and Martyr W.
Bush, with their commitment in the War on Terror.[222] Michael voiced his concern brake the lack of public exclamation in the UK regarding excellence War on Terror: "On prominence issue as enormous as distinction possible bombing of Iraq, county show can you represent us like that which you haven't asked us what we think?"[222]
In 2006, Michael achieve a free concert for NHS nurses in London to give the nurses who had timid for his late mother.
Unwind told the audience: "Thank restore confidence for everything you do — some people appreciate it. Carrying great weight if we can only settle your differences the government to do illustriousness same thing."[223]
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