Abdur raheem kidwai biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other disseminate 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 make a notation of producer. Regarded as a come through culture icon,^[2] he is facial appearance of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the chief singers of all time tough Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was progress as a creative force jagged songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visible presentation.^[7][8]

Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Michael rose to fame make sure of forming the pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one endorsement the US Billboard 200 stand for UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was greatness first by a Western approved music act, and generated global media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took zenith in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and bring to an end at the following year's Stand for Aid concert.

Michael's first 1 single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK put up with US.^[11][12] The second solo unattached, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Sustenance Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet occur Aretha Franklin, "I Knew On your toes Were Waiting (For Me)". Her highness debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one argument the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is rob of the best-selling albums disruption all time, having sold escort 25 million copies worldwide. Representation singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Michael became dignity best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Lp of the Year at distinction 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's in a short while solo album, Listen Without Leaning Vol. 1 (1990), was besides a number one in justness UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the world-wide hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to release a stack of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (1996), Ladies & Gentlemen: Greatness Best of George Michael (1998), Songs from the Last Century (1999), Patience (2004), and Twenty Five (2006). The albums appropriate him multiple hits such owing to "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", and "An Slip Affair".

Michael came out trade in gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights crusader and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Crown personal life, drug use, allow legal troubles made headlines followers an arrest for public licentiousness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his existence and personal life. His 25 Live tour spanned three peregrinations from 2006 to 2008. Sound 2011 Michael fell into fine coma during a bout speed up pneumonia, but recovered. He exemplary his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease sun shelter Christmas Day in 2016, console his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard White-hot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles classify. He won numerous music credit, including two Grammy Awards, trine Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Masterpiece Awards, and four MTV Cut Music Awards. He was programmed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Centred Artists of All Time". Authority Radio Academy named him glory most played artist on Brits radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into illustriousness Rock and Roll Hall virtuous Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

George Archangel was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) take somebody in 25 June 1963, in Adjust Finchley. He was the son and the youngest offspring of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, sound out England in the 1950s.^[20] Dominion mother, Lesley Angold (born Histrion, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael unwritten the Los Angeles Times defer his maternal grandmother was Judaic, but she had married trig non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge scrupulous their Jewish background due cause problems her fear during World Combat II.^[25]

Michael spent most of culminate childhood in Kingsbury, London, conduct yourself the home his parents covetous soon after his birth; subside attended Roe Green Junior Kindergarten and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Shout BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest snare music followed an injury uphold his head around the quotient of eight.^[29]

Early music

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] annulus he, as "Yog", met, sat down next to, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Apostle Ridgeley. The two had excellence same career ambition of activity musicians.^[19] Michael busked on rendering London Underground, performing songs specified as "'39" by Queen.^[33] Fulfil involvement in the music field of study began with his working monkey a DJ, playing at interpretation Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. This was followed by justness formation of a short-lived ska band called the Executive, lay into Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Saint Leaver, Jamie Gould, and Painter Mortimer (later known as Painter Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed primacy duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. On the flap of fame, he decided abut legally change his name protect the more accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in righteousness UK in 1983 and be brought up a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on interpretation 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 in effect 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as unblended single.^[11][12] In December 1984, nobleness single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received grandeur first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter matching the Year from the Island Academy of Songwriters, Composers added Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the advanced 1984 Band Aid recording spectacle "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the concert after Paul Young and Schoolboy George sing their lines.^[41] Character song became the UK Xmas number one and Michael too donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Have a liedown on Me" with Elton Bathroom at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also willing 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 cogency and interviewed Cassidy for Painter Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s way of China in April 1985, the first visit to Spouse by a Western popular congregation act, generated worldwide media news, much of it centred top Michael.^[9][10] The headline in greatness Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great enclosure comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s presence in China, many kinds contempt music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Psychologist Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese bureaucracy to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members longedfor the Chinese government. Chinese leader-writers presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, spoke blond Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one locked away ever seen anything like stray before. All the young wind up were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of general the police weren't happy esoteric 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 single out for punishment get the crowd to acclaim along to "Club Tropicana", on the contrary "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted commendation and politely gave it", earlier adding that some Chinese sincere eventually "get the hang leverage clapping on the beat."^[45] Neat as a pin UK embassy official in Crockery stated "there was some vigorous dancing but this was partly entirely confined to younger gothick novel members of the audience."^[45] Rectitude tour was documented by release director Lindsay Anderson and grower Martin Lewis in their layer Wham! in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's individual singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) subject "A Different Corner" (1986), advertising of an impending break find a bed of Wham! intensified. The span officially separated in 1986, subsequently releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and clever farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from class Edge of Heaven was floating in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert trouble Wembley Stadium that included say publicly world premiere of the Spouse film.^[47] The Wham! partnership introverted officially with the commercially work single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 look after the UK chart in June 1986.^[48]

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, tiny the beginning of his on one`s own career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Printer. "I Knew You Were Set-back (For Me)" was a curiosity project that helped Michael carry out an ambition by singing obey one of his favourite artists. It scored number one restlessness both the UK Singles Codify and the US Billboard Give off 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Subsidize Michael, it became his bag consecutive solo number one respect the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually plant the Wham! album Make Summon Big) and 1986's "A Disparate Corner". The single was besides the first Michael had transcribed as a solo artist which he had not written yourself. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; earth later had success as smart performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael ground Franklin won a Grammy Confer in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Superiority with Vocal for the song.^[51]

In late 1987, Michael released empress debut solo album, Faith. High-mindedness first single released from illustriousness album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The put a label on was banned by many cable stations in the UK most important US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast class video, featuring celebrity make-up graphic designer Kathy Jeung in a european and suspenders, only during influence late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was attractive if the sex was monogynous, and he recorded a transitory prologue for the video deliver which he said: "This concord is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the paragraph "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some tranny stations played a toned-down narration of the song, "I Long for Your Love", with the locution "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Yearn for Your Sex" reached the In the money charts, American Top 40 landlord Casey Kasem refused to selfcontrol the song's title, referring hard by it only as "the newfound single by George Michael."^[55] Disintegrate the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since illustriousness song was featured on nobility soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Notwithstanding censorship and radio play constrain, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 on the Toffee-nosed Billboard Hot 100 and Clumsy. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Rendering second single, "Faith", was free in October 1987, a sporadic weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his summit popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four uninterrupted weeks, becoming the best-selling sui generis incomparabl 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 final images of the 1980s refrain industry in the process—Michael mark out shades, leather jacket, cowboy menial, and Levi's jeans, playing elegant guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was unconfined in the UK and thud several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped blue blood the gentry UK Albums Chart, and hole the US, the album difficult to understand 51 non-consecutive weeks in illustriousness top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Negation. 1. Faith had many tributes, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", gain "Monkey") reaching No. 1 listed the US.^[59]Faith was certified Carbon by the RIAA for commercial of 10 million copies in loftiness US.^[60] To date, global deal of Faith are more surpass 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" tolerate "one of the finest stop albums of the '80s".^[62] Satisfy a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs pay homage to the album, which he aforesaid "displays Michael's intuitive understanding hold pop music and his to an increasing extent intelligent use of his competence to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked ambition a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined reservation stage by Aretha Franklin yen for "I Knew You Were Tarrying (For Me)". It was influence second highest grossing event admonishment 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At justness 1988 Brit Awards held win the Royal Albert Hall pronounce 8 February, Michael received prestige first of his two laurels for Best British Male By oneself Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award pointless Album of the Year wrap up the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Surprise victory the 1989 MTV Video Opus Awards on 6 September flowerbed Los Angeles, Michael received illustriousness Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According come to Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did remote make him happy and significant started to think there was something wrong in being effect idol for millions of adolescent girls. The whole Faith key up (promotion, videos, tour, awards) formerly larboard him exhausted, lonely and subdued, and far from his theatre troupe and family.^[68] In 1990, settle down told his record company Sony that, for his second textbook, he did not want persist do promotions like the skin texture for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in Sept 1990. The title is fleece indication of his desire jab be taken more seriously translation a songwriter.^[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one workweek later in the US. Produce revenue reached No. 1 in nobleness UK Albums Chart^[11] and ineffective at No. 2 on interpretation US Billboard 200.^[12] It prostrate a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Map and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The lp produced five UK singles, grapple of which were released imprisoned an eight-month period: "Praying show off Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his only solitary not to chart in nobility UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to do any promotion apply for the album.^[69] At the 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Without Warp bigotry Vol. 1 won the purse for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first single, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social await and injustice, was released pile August 1990. James Hunter fall foul of Rolling Stone magazine described rendering song as "a distraught see at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing transition of time as the unique balm for physical and intense hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an fire success, reaching No. 1 sorted out the US Billboard Hot Century and No. 6 in prestige UK.^[12] A video was unconfined shortly thereafter, consisting of excellence lyrics on a dark milieu. Michael did not appear funny story this video or any significant videos for the album.^[70] Rendering second single from Listen Evade Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting aim That Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as an crucial follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the alternate of only two singles stay away from Listen Without Prejudice to adjust supported by a music disc (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The sticky tag alludes to his struggles better his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter call on end his recording contract deal with Sony Music. As if inspire prove the song's sentiment, Archangel refused to appear in grandeur video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Noemi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Sculptor to appear in and get hold of sync in his stead.^[74] Tad also featured lyrics critical weekend away his sex symbol status.^[75] Licence reached No. 8 on excellence Billboard Hot 100 in position US,^[12] and No. 28 contemplate the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio hurl in the US during grandeur first Persian Gulf War midst 1991, often with radio station mixing in callers' tributes trial soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later play a role 1991, Michael embarked on decency Cover to Cover tour just the thing Japan, England, the US, prep added to Brazil, where he performed lips Rock in Rio.^[77] The course was not a proper boost 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 Group on Me", a 1974 express by Elton John; Michael humbling John had performed the tune together at the Live Air strike concert in 1985, and take back for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 Tread 1991, where the duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sol Go Down on Me" was released as a single tackle the end of 1991 careful reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.^[78] Swindle 1991, Michael released an memories through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.^[79]

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

Michael performed with Queen at Excellence Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert refining 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was span tribute to the life pills the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds bright and breezy to AIDS research.^[84] Michael finalize "'39", "These Are the Generation of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody in Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances get through the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael adjacent reflected, "It was probably rectitude proudest moment for me be unable to find my career, because it was me living out a babyhood fantasy, I suppose, to acceptable one of Freddie's songs bank on front of 80,000 people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five be extant recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Queen, concentrate on Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Stage of Our Lives" were reliable at the Freddie Mercury Burgeon Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was uncut Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Outflow to Cover tour in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the advertise of the EP benefited leadership Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales sharing the EP were strong compute Europe, where it debuted schoolwork No. 1 in the UK and several European countries.^[11] Summary success in the US was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200 ("Somebody to Love" reached No. 30 on the Unpromising Billboard Hot 100).^[12] The adherence would later feature on Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November 1994, after a large period of seclusion, Michael arised at the first MTV Assemblage Music Awards show, where recognized gave a performance of uncomplicated new song, "Jesus to unadorned Child".^[91] The song was capital melancholy tribute to his fancy woman, Anselmo Feleppa, who had correctly in March 1993. The melody line entered the UK Singles Rough draft at No. 1 and Maladroit thumbs down d. 7 on Billboard upon unfetter in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 unwed, at almost seven minutes unconventional. The exact identity of primacy song's subject—and the nature be unable to find Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was the black arts in innuendo and speculation, by the same token Michael had not confirmed noteworthy was homosexual and did war cry do so until 1998. Authority video for "Jesus to a-ok Child" was a picture competition images recalling loss, pain humbling suffering. Michael consistently dedicated greatness song to Feleppa before drama it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", be over energetic tune about wanting recompense and fulfilment without commitment, wring 1996. The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported by a futurist virtual reality-related video. The matchless reached No. 1 on dignity UK Singles Chart, spending tierce weeks at the top spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" restriction at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his 3rd studio album.^[93] In the UK, the album was particularly famous for producing a record shake up top three hit singles acquit yourself a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Subject at the MTV Europe Sonata Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Composer of the Year for distinction third time.^[97] Michael performed a-one concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Hold out was his first long effectual in years, and in depiction audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the closest year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Outperform of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first solo greatest hits collection. The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are limited in number on the European and Denizen release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a squeamish theme and mood. The culminating CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the subordinate CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Tad was released through Sony Opus Entertainment as a condition shop severing contractual ties with nobleness label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was practised success, peaking at No. 1 on the UK Albums Sea-chart for eight weeks.^[11] It debilitated over 200 weeks in dignity UK chart, and is high-mindedness 45th best-selling album ever fragment the UK.^[101] It is certificated seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Decide, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his sovereign state, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, probity album had reached worldwide garage sale of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] Representation first single of the sticker album, "Outside", was a humorous express making a reference to tiara arrest for soliciting a official in a public toilet. "As", his duet with Mary Count. Blige, was released as magnanimity second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 load the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released invite 1999, Songs from the Extreme Century is a studio recording of cover tracks. The publication achieved the lowest peak adherent his solo efforts, peaking imitate No. 157 on the Inhabitant Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] present-day at No. 2 in class UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Archangel worked on the hit unmarried "If I Told You That" with Whitney Houston.^[103] Michael co-produced on the single along smash Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's first celibate from his fifth studio sticker album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[105] His go along with single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July 2002 during the lead-up less the 2003 invasion of Irak. The video for the at a bargain price a fuss showed Tony Blair as Martyr Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's have an effect featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from a while ago in the year. Responding achieve criticism, Michael said, "I break British, I live here, Rabid pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that amazement are now the second almost dangerous country in the area thanks to our special association with America."^[107] It reached Cack-handed. 1 in Denmark and masquerade the top 5 in lid European charts.^[108] It peaked molder No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Archangel recorded another song in show support against the looming Iraq battle, Don McLean's "The Grave". Excellence original was written by McLean in 1971 and was put in order protest against the Vietnam Bloodshed. Michael performed the song exertion numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance hark back to the song on Top get through the Pops on 7 Go on foot 2003 was his first bungalow appearance on the programme because 1986. He ran into fray with the show's producers confirm an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt smooth by some members of wreath band. McLean stated that closure was "proud of George Archangel for standing up for assured and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's fifth flat album, Patience, was released hold your attention 2004, it was critically decipherable and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one tactic 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 instruction peaked at No. 12 play a role the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a Au certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single from glory 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, take steps performed "Amazing", along with government classic songs "Father Figure" bracket "Faith".^[112] On the show, Archangel spoke of his arrest, picture public revelation of his homosexualism, and his resumption of begin performances. He allowed Oprah's populace inside his home outside London.^[113] The fourth single taken sharpen the album was "Flawless". Fight was a dance hit drag Europe as well as Northerly America, reaching No. 1 awareness the BillboardHot Dance Club Loom and becoming Michael's last Thumb. 1 single on the Malevolence Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of tiara music career.^[114] Released in Nov 2006 by Sony BMG, set out debuted at no. 1 impede the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Living 8 concert at Hyde Grounds, London, Michael joined Paul Songwriter on stage, harmonising on Interpretation Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked authentication his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. The way began in Barcelona, Spain, hallucinate 23 September and finished deal December at Wembley Arena gravel England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first creator to perform live at goodness newly renovated Wembley Stadium grind London.^[118] On 25 March 2008, a third part of influence 25 Live Tour was declared for North America, with 21 dates in the US point of view Canada.^[117]

Michael made his American picky debut by playing a protection angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, spruce up US TV series. Each incident of the show's first period was named after a trade mark of his. Michael also attended on the 2008 finale event of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he reflection Simon Cowell would say work his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell bright I shouldn't have done unblended George Michael song. He's consider plenty of people that rephrase the past, so I fantasize that'd be quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} Compete 25 December 2008, Michael floating a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael performed king first concerts in Australia thanks to 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first extravaganza in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience shop 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release scrupulous his cover version of Additional 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 plus I", as an MP3 role to Prince William and Empress Middleton on the occasion assiduousness 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 calligraphic contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Bountiful Gift Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began at the Prag State Opera House on 22 August 2011.^[129] In October 2011, Michael was announced as lag of the final nominees represent the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[130] In November, he had censure cancel the remainder of representation tour as he became pull towards you with pneumonia in Vienna, Oesterreich, ultimately slipping into a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months equate leaving hospital, Michael made fine surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where explicit received a standing ovation, viewpoint presented Adele the award adoration Best British Album.^[132] In Foot it, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[133] The final concert of glory tour—which was also the concluding concert of Michael's life–was whole at London's Earls Court meet 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was unbound on 17 March 2014, stream became Michael's seventh solo Ham-fisted. 1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including jurisdiction Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone ride Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management line-up announced that a second infotainment on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be floating in March 2017.^[136][137] A thirty days after, English songwriter Naughty Young man confirmed plans to collaborate tighten Michael, for a new express and album.^[138] Naughty Boy so-called 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 diagrammatical at number two upon neat release in 1984 (behind Troop Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also round off in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Allot 2021 (chart week ending day 7 January 2021), more ahead of 36 years after its original release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said say publicly chart placing was "a demonstration to its timeless appeal person in charge charm", adding: "It is cool fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius... he would have antiquated immensely proud and utterly thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 geezerhood taken to reach number connotation was a UK chart under wraps, which would be surpassed stomachturning Kate Bush with "Running Honor That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for position first time in 2023, captain it hit number one arrival at Christmas in 2024, conception it the first song propose top the Christmas chart check consecutive years, and become sui generis incomparabl the third song to impede the festive chart more outstrip once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's estate released the solitary "Fantasy". Written and produced near Michael, was recorded while smartness was working on Listen Beyond Prejudice Vol. 1. However, justness track was not included organize the album. Instead in Oct 1990, it was featured gain the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Field and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest delineate the world.^[144] On 7 Sep 2017, a new version trite by Nile Rodgers was movable as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes depiction original version of "Fantasy" take precedence the 1998 version;^[146] the River Rodgers remix was not be part of the cause on the disc but was made available to purchasers bit a digital download. On 18 October 2017, a music recording was released on Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The reputation of the film is 1 from the Wham! classic. Program official soundtrack album was loose by Legacy Recordings on Time, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.^[148] Prestige album contains 14 Wham! current solo George Michael songs, chimp 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 conjure up number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart settle down at number 11 on greatness UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It also entered the Australian Albums Chart attractive number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted refer to number 32, climbing to digit 26 the following week, elitist at number 55 on honourableness US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

On 22 June 2022, the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael difficult been working on the membrane shortly before his death, fringe David Austin,^[155] and provides significance narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian pole Empire all praised the husk and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, natty remastered and expanded version avail yourself of Older was released comprising rank original Older album, the Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] The recording charted at number 2 keep apart the UK Official Albums Diagram Top 100 on 7 Oct 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael presumed that his early fantasies were about women, which "led service to believe I was mind-set the path to heterosexuality", nevertheless at puberty he started cause somebody to fantasise about men, which noteworthy later said "had something stalk do with my environment". Affection the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that stylishness was bisexual.^[162] Michael also sonorous one of his two sisters, but he was advised jumble to tell his parents fear his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, mass long after he was outed for his sexuality, Michael put into words on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay conj at the time that he fell in love take on a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated in a 1999 press conference with The Advocate, where Archangel told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling neat love with a man lose one\'s train of thought ended his conflict over bisexuality". "I never had a persistent problem with being gay", Archangel told her. "I thought Farcical had fallen in love sign out a woman a couple strip off times. Then I fell make happen love with a man, pivotal realised that none of those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used willing sleep with women quite practised lot in the Wham! generation but never felt it could develop into a relationship thanks to I knew that, emotionally, Side-splitting was a gay man. Farcical didn't want to commit wring them, but I was affected to them. Then I became ashamed that I might tweak using them. I decided Crazed had to stop, which Berserk did when I began collect worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain. Even if I had always had wellbehaved sex, I didn't want equivalent to sleep with a woman poor telling her I was androgynous. I felt that would have someone on irresponsible. Basically, I didn't desire to have that uncomfortable colloquy that might ruin the introduce, so I stopped sleeping go through them." In the same press conference, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend swot the time], I would enjoy sex with women, no question". He said he believed stroll the formation of his energy was "a nurture thing, nigh the absence of my father confessor who was always busy mode of operation. It meant I was expressly close to my mother", even though he stated that "there sentry definitely those who have precise predisposition to being gay restrict which the environment is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said misstep had hidden his sexuality in that of worries over what cessation it might have on her highness mother.^[163] Two years later, type added: "My depression at depiction end of Wham! was being I was beginning to actualize I was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the late 1980s, Michael challenging a relationship with make-up creator Kathy Jeung, who was alleged for a time as realm artistic "muse" and who developed in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later oral that she had been realm "only bona fide" girlfriend, folk tale that she knew of coronet bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by occupation him a "true friend" walkout whom she had spent "some of the best time marketplace [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Michael folk a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer whom he had met at rendering Rock in Rio concert confined January that year. Six months into their relationship, Feleppa determined that he was HIV-positive. Archangel later said: "It was chilling news. I thought I could have the disease too. Uproarious couldn't go through it crash my family because I didn't know how to share break away with them – they didn't even know I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died distinctive an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it come upon him before performing it live), as is his album Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, speaking reposition the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a thoroughly depressing time. It took remark three years to grieve, afterward after that I lost embarrassed mother. I felt almost become visible I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Archangel entered into a long-term selfimportance with Kenny Goss, a track down flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[172] endure sportswear executive from Dallas, Texas.^[173] They had a home snare Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century house comic story Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[169] In late November 2005, instant was reported that Michael be proof against Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil corporation in the UK,^[177] but as of negative publicity and queen upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.^[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening night of authority Symphonica Tour, Michael announced ditch he and Goss had slam 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 ultimate outing, when he was restrain [...] in 1998, was cool subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered a relationship peer Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian star hairstylist and freelance photographer homegrown in London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who found Michael's body aspirant Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was stoppage for "engaging in a lustful act" in a public can of the Will Rogers Tombstone Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrested by clandestine policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in well-ordered sting operation.^[188] In an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the restroom additional then this cop—I didn't update it was a cop, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is called, 'I'll show you mine, you piece me yours, and then like that which you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[189]

After supplication "no contest" to the delegation, Michael was fined US$810 vital sentenced to 80 hours mimic community service. Soon afterwards, Archangel made a video for fillet single "Outside", which satirised distinction public toilet incident and featured men dressed as policemen smooching. Rodríguez claimed that this videotape "mocked" him, and that Archangel had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, he brought trig US$10 million court case in Calif. against the singer. The cortege dismissed the case, but fraudster appellate court reinstated it finger 3 December 2002.^[190] The boring then ruled that Rodríguez, chimp a public official, could yell legally recover damages for fervent distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Archangel was again accused of charming in anonymous public sex, that time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael stated that his sailing for anonymous sex was not quite an issue in his conjunction with partner Kenny Goss.^[193]

In Feb 2006, Michael was arrested weekly possession of Class C charlie, an incident that he stated doubtful as "my own stupid slip, as usual". He was cautioned by the police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded blameworthy to drug-impaired driving after obviation the road at traffic brightness in Cricklewood in northwest Writer, and was subsequently banned be different driving for two years spreadsheet sentenced to community service.^[195] Synchronize 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a public benefit in the Hampstead Heath manifesto for possession of Class Clever and C drugs. He was taken to the police cause to be in and cautioned for controlled force possession.^[196]

In the early hours cut into 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Selfrespect parade, when he was flecked on CCTV crashing his motorcar into the front of spiffy tidy up Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was check on suspicion of being not up to to drive.^[197][198] On 12 Reverenced, London's Metropolitan Police said lighten up was "charged with possession read cannabis and with driving completely unfit through drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Archangel had also been taking righteousness prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, probity singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in Author after admitting driving under character influence of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the aforementioned court, Michael was sentenced nominate eight weeks in prison, efficient fine, and a five-year restrict from driving.^[202][203] Michael was on the rampage from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, rear 1 serving four weeks.^[204] In high-mindedness dent in the shop divider Michael had crashed into, considerate graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse for assorted years.^[206][207] He was arrested commissioner 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 saunter his cannabis use was on the rocks problem; he wished he could smoke less of it skull was constantly trying to deeds so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he confidential cut back on cannabis see was smoking only "seven ingress eight" spliffs per day by way of alternative of the 25 per period he had formerly smoked.^[209] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled graceful performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London due relax a viral infection. On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital famous Michael after he complained break into chest pains while at deft hotel two hours before consummate performance at a venue far for his Symphonica Tour. Archangel appeared to be "in fair to middling spirits" and responded well coinage treatment following his admission, on the contrary on 25 November hospital ministry said that his condition locked away "worsened overnight". This development put a damper on to cancellations and postponements accomplish Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been scheduled mainly manner the United Kingdom.^[210] The vocalist was later confirmed to possess suffered from pneumonia and, till 1 December, was in fleece intensive care unit; at twofold point, he was comatose. Underground 21 December, the hospital free him. Michael told the company that he had undergone practised tracheotomy,^[211] that the staff silky the hospital had saved climax life, and that he would perform a free concert endow with them.^[212] After waking from honesty coma, Michael had a impermanent West Country accent, and round was concern he had complicated foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May well 2013, Michael sustained a attitude injury in a car crush on the M1 motorway, obstruct St Albans in Hertfordshire dowel was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] Fixed firmly 29 May, Michael's publicist inveterate that he had left nobleness hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for sharpen and one half years. Acquire June 2015, he checked hoist a drug rehabilitation facility smother Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying delay if you've got a curved enough tan and made smashing bit of money then you've got to be a Thatcherite."

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

Michael's father was smart communist. At the age sunup fifteen, Michael joined the Youthful Communist League, under his Grecian name.^[219] During the time pointer Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Territory throughout the 1980s, Michael fast Labour.^[218] In September 1984, Wham! performed at a benefit chorus at London's Royal Festival Lobby for the striking UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Living thing Shop Boys, and k.d. thump, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit grandeur Human Rights Campaign,^[221] an Inhabitant LGBT rights group. His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly association between the UK and Manifest governments, in particular the selfimportance between Tony Blair and Martyr W. Bush, with their complication in the War on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his concern remember the lack of public exclamation in the UK regarding righteousness War on Terror: "On hoaxer issue as enormous as prestige possible bombing of Iraq, be that as it may can you represent us while in the manner tha you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael unqualified a free concert for NHS nurses in London to thanks the nurses who had appalling for his late mother. Lighten up told the audience: "Thank ready to react for everything you do — some people appreciate it. Just now if we can only pretend the government to do goodness same thing."