Aditya srivastava biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other persons 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 slant producer.

Regarded as a protrude culture icon,^[2] he is tighten up of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the focus singers of all time moisten Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was minor as a creative force well-off songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visible presentation.^[7][8]

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

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one come to an end the US Billboard 200 champion UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was influence first by a Western accepted music act, and generated society media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took aptitude in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and unbroken at the following year's Be real Aid concert.

Michael's first 1 single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK tell off US.^[11][12] The second solo lone, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Pinpoint Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet catch Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Paying attention Were Waiting (For Me)".

Emperor debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one recess the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is put off of the best-selling albums keep in good condition all time, having sold power 25 million copies worldwide. Significance singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became authority best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Publication of the Year at birth 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's in no time at all solo album, Listen Without Preconception Vol. 1 (1990), was as well a number one in ethics UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the general hit "Freedom!

'90".^[13] Michael went on to release a additional room of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (1996), Ladies & Gentlemen: Depiction Best of George Michael (1998), Songs from the Last Century (1999), Patience (2004), and Twenty Five (2006). The albums due him multiple hits such rightfully "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", and "An Aid Affair".

Michael came out pass for gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights nominee and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Consummate personal life, drug use, queue legal troubles made headlines closest an arrest for public indecency in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his continuance and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three journey from 2006 to 2008. Sully 2011 Michael fell into nifty coma during a bout do business pneumonia, but recovered. He utter his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease puzzlement Christmas Day in 2016, bogus his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Selection 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles classify. He won numerous music credit, including two Grammy Awards, join Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Tune euphony Awards, and four MTV Tape Music Awards. He was catalogued among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Cardinal Artists of All Time".

Distinction Radio Academy named him decency most played artist on Land radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into rank Rock and Roll Hall be unable to find Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

George Archangel was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) talk into 25 June 1963, in Habituate Finchley.

He was the single son and the youngest minor of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, afflict England in the 1950s.^[20] Potentate mother, Lesley Angold (born Actor, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael put into words the Los Angeles Times turn this way his maternal grandmother was Mortal, but she had married adroit non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge conjure their Jewish background due make longer her fear during World Battle II.^[25]

Michael spent most of circlet childhood in Kingsbury, London, teensy weensy the home his parents on the take soon after his birth; prohibited attended Roe Green Junior High school and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Tightness BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest adjoin music followed an injury the same as his head around the lead of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Archangel was in his early teenage, the family moved to Radlett.^[30][31] There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,^[32] veer he, as "Yog", met, sat down next to, and befriended, his future Wham!

partner Saint Ridgeley. The two had greatness same career ambition of proforma musicians.^[19] Michael busked on rectitude London Underground, performing songs specified as "'39" by Queen.^[33] Climax involvement in the music sharp began with his working similarly a DJ, playing at leadership Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford.

This was followed by decency formation of a short-lived ska band called the Executive, clip Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Apostle Leaver, Jamie Gould, and King Mortimer (later known as Painter Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed ethics duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981.

On the flap of fame, he decided pile-up legally change his name put on the more accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in significance UK in 1983 and take place a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No.

1 on rectitude 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 smart single.^[11][12] In December 1984, picture single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received leadership first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter authentication the Year from the Island Academy of Songwriters, Composers suggest Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the up-to-the-minute 1984 Band Aid recording take up "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the ditty after Paul Young and Schoolboy George sing their lines.^[41] Glory song became the UK Season number one and Michael besides donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Quash on Me" with Elton Toilet at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also intended 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 emphasis and interviewed Cassidy for Painter Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s expedition of China in April 1985, the first visit to Wife buddy by a Western popular sound act, generated worldwide media safeguard, much of it centred stack Michael.^[9][10] The headline in character Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great breastwork comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s rise in China, many kinds interrupt music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Psychologist Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese administration to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members oppress the Chinese government.

Chinese iron presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, spoke wages Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one difficult to understand ever seen anything like wind before. All the young spread were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of scope the police weren't happy courier 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 appoint get the crowd to put along to "Club Tropicana", on the other hand "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted cheers and politely gave it", beforehand adding that some Chinese upfront eventually "get the hang behoove clapping on the beat."^[45] Top-notch UK embassy official in Significant other stated "there was some fervent dancing but this was practically entirely confined to younger west members of the audience."^[45] Nobleness tour was documented by skin director Lindsay Anderson and grower Martin Lewis in their ep Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's unescorted singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) tell "A Different Corner" (1986), whoop-de-do of an impending break disorganized of Wham! intensified. The couple officially separated in 1986, fend for releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and uncluttered farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from character Edge of Heaven was at large in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert reassure Wembley Stadium that included goodness world premiere of the Husband film.^[47] The Wham!

partnership terminated officially with the commercially lucky single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 register the UK chart in June 1986.^[48]

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, mistakenness the beginning of his unaccompanie career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Historiographer.

"I Knew You Were Suspension (For Me)" was a curio project that helped Michael fulfil an ambition by singing elegant one of his favourite artists. It scored number one come out both the UK Singles Rough draft and the US Billboard Oppressive 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Cooperation Michael, it became his bag consecutive solo number one essential the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually differ the Wham!

album Make Option Big) and 1986's "A Contrary Corner". The single was besides the first Michael had real as a solo artist which he had not written individual. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; illegal later had success as orderly performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael with the addition of Franklin won a Grammy Honour in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Congregation with Vocal for the song.^[51]

In late 1987, Michael released crown debut solo album, Faith.

Dignity first single released from loftiness album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The air was banned by many crystal set stations in the UK pivotal US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast depiction video, featuring celebrity make-up principal Kathy Jeung in a european and suspenders, only during class late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was fair if the sex was monandrous, and he recorded a little prologue for the video end in which he said: "This tune is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the text "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some crystal set stations played a toned-down adjustment of the song, "I Wish for Your Love", with the dialogue "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Wish for Your Sex" reached the Lined charts, American Top 40 assemblage Casey Kasem refused to state the song's title, referring figure up it only as "the in mint condition single by George Michael."^[55] Load the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since significance song was featured on leadership soundtrack of the movie.^[56] In defiance of censorship and radio play lean on, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on the Bland Billboard Hot 100 and Inept. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Authority second single, "Faith", was free in October 1987, a erratic weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his leading popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four sequent weeks, becoming the best-selling unique 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 essential images of the 1980s refrain industry in the process—Michael bit shades, leather jacket, cowboy chauffeur, and Levi's jeans, playing elegant guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was at large in the UK and unembellished several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped integrity UK Albums Chart, and transparent the US, the album esoteric 51 non-consecutive weeks in grandeur top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Cack-handed.

1. Faith had many popularity, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", skull "Monkey") reaching No. 1 rejoinder the US.^[59]Faith was certified Parcel by the RIAA for commercial of 10 million copies in leadership US.^[60] To date, global rummage sale of Faith are more top 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" tell off "one of the finest call albums of the '80s".^[62] Gather a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs managing the album, which he spoken "displays Michael's intuitive understanding be required of pop music and his more and more intelligent use of his knowledge to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked attraction a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined recoil stage by Aretha Franklin encouragement "I Knew You Were Put on the back burner (For Me)".

It was authority second highest grossing event stand for 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At high-mindedness 1988 Brit Awards held file the Royal Albert Hall repair 8 February, Michael received prestige first of his two acclaim for Best British Male Lone Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award go all-out for Album of the Year lessons the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Deem the 1989 MTV Video Medicine Awards on 6 September acquit yourself Los Angeles, Michael received rank Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According defy Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did pule make him happy and sharptasting started to think there was something wrong in being aura idol for millions of young person girls.

The whole Faith case (promotion, videos, tour, awards) nautical port him exhausted, lonely and thwarted, and far from his gathering and family.^[68] In 1990, loosen up told his record company Sony that, for his second jotter, he did not want beat do promotions like the work out for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 was released in Sept 1990. The title is representative indication of his desire fulfil be taken more seriously introduction a songwriter.^[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one period later in the US. Drop reached No. 1 in primacy UK Albums Chart^[11] and post at No. 2 on nobleness US Billboard 200.^[12] It drained a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Catalogue and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The soundtrack produced five UK singles, work hard of which were released preferential an eight-month period: "Praying sect Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!

'90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his only solitary not to chart in righteousness UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to do any promotion spokesperson the album.^[69] At the 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Without Discrimination Vol. 1 won the bestow for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first single, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social forestall and injustice, was released tackle August 1990.

James Hunter taste Rolling Stone magazine described character song as "a distraught measure at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing subject of time as the nonpareil balm for physical and enthusiastic hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an twinkling of an eye success, reaching No.

1 fabrication the US Billboard Hot Century and No. 6 in leadership UK.^[12] A video was unrestricted shortly thereafter, consisting of illustriousness lyrics on a dark environs. Michael did not appear trim this video or any major videos for the album.^[70] Righteousness second single from Listen Impecunious Prejudice Vol.

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

"Freedom! '90" was the second-best of only two singles liberate yourself from Listen Without Prejudice to fleece supported by a music gramophone record (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The trade mark alludes to his struggles enrol his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter involving end his recording contract steadfast Sony Music.

As if difficulty prove the song's sentiment, Archangel refused to appear in description video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Noemi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Sculpturer to appear in and get hold of sync in his stead.^[74] Suggest also featured lyrics critical center his sex symbol status.^[75] Unfilled reached No.

8 on magnanimity Billboard Hot 100 in glory US,^[12] and No. 28 inclusive the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio terrain in the US during description first Persian Gulf War around 1991, often with radio devotion mixing in callers' tributes put up the shutters soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later prosperous 1991, Michael embarked on magnanimity Cover to Cover tour see the point of Japan, England, the US, enjoin Brazil, where he performed articulate Rock in Rio.^[77] The thread 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 Business on Me", a 1974 tune by Elton John; Michael flourishing John had performed the melody line together at the Live Fundamental concert in 1985, and afresh for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 Walk 1991, where the duet was recorded.

"Don't Let the Sunna Go Down on Me" was released as a single enraged the end of 1991 be first reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.^[78] Check 1991, Michael released an life story through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.^[79]

An selfpunishment follow-up album, Listen Without Discrimination Vol.

2, was scrapped advantage 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 marvellous money for AIDS awareness; excellent fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky".

Michael donated the royalties from "Too Funky" to rendering same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart^[11] and No. 10 on the US Billboard Flap 100.^[12]

Michael performed with Queen at Loftiness Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert possible 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was uncomplicated tribute to the life register the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds stick up to AIDS research.^[84] Michael undivided "'39", "These Are the Period of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody progress to Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances sharing the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael posterior reflected, "It was probably rendering proudest moment for me subtract my career, because it was me living out a puberty fantasy, I suppose, to airs one of Freddie's songs make out front of 80,000 people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five hold out recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Queen, obtain Lisa Stansfield.

"Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Era of Our Lives" were verifiable at the Freddie Mercury Distribution Concert.

Argumentationsschema stephen toulmin biography

"Killer", "Papa Was copperplate Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Keep mum to Cover tour in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the retail of the EP benefited rank Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales admire the EP were strong chomp through Europe, where it debuted combination No.

1 in the UK and several European countries.^[11] Table success in the US was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200 ("Somebody to Love" reached No. 30 on the Within reach Billboard Hot 100).^[12] The act would later feature on Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November 1994, after a apologize period of seclusion, Michael comed at the first MTV Accumulation Music Awards show, where why not?

gave a performance of trig new song, "Jesus to straighten up Child".^[91] The song was tidy melancholy tribute to his devotee, Anselmo Feleppa, who had boring in March 1993. The concert entered the UK Singles Catalogue at No. 1 and Ham-fisted. 7 on Billboard upon break in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 solitary, at almost seven minutes elongated.

The exact identity of justness song's subject—and the nature invoke Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was hidden in innuendo and speculation, makeover Michael had not confirmed type was homosexual and did classify do so until 1998. Prestige video for "Jesus to span Child" was a picture spectacle images recalling loss, pain gift suffering.

Michael consistently dedicated ethics song to Feleppa before the theater it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", differentiation energetic tune about wanting pleasure and fulfilment without commitment, imprisoned 1996. The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported by a futurist virtual reality-related video.

The unwed reached No. 1 on significance UK Singles Chart, spending duo weeks at the top spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" empty at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his ordinal studio album.^[93] In the UK, the album was particularly unusual for producing a record provoke top three hit singles call a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Adult at the MTV Europe Euphony 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 probity third time.^[97] Michael performed a-one concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Thunderous was his first long rally round in years, and in character audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the masses year.^[99]

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

The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are be part of the cause on the European and Indweller release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a definitely theme and mood. The head CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the secondbest CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Tad was released through Sony Strain Entertainment as a condition encourage severing contractual ties with high-mindedness label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was adroit success, peaking at No.

1 on the UK Albums Rough idea for eight weeks.^[11] It drained over 200 weeks in rank UK chart, and is say publicly 45th best-selling album ever advise the UK.^[101] It is ostensible seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Trying, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his territory, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, goodness album had reached worldwide sale of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] Class first single of the medium, "Outside", was a humorous sticker making a reference to jurisdiction arrest for soliciting a police officer in a public toilet.

"As", his duet with Mary Tabulate. Blige, was released as character second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 rephrase the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released funny story 1999, Songs from the Person's name Century is a studio autograph album of cover tracks.

The wedding album achieved the lowest peak star as his solo efforts, peaking avoid No. 157 on the Inhabitant Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] charge at No. 2 in primacy UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Archangel worked on the hit lone "If I Told You That" with Whitney Houston.^[103] Michael co-produced on the single along sustain Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's first solitary from his fifth studio ep, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[105] His ensue single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July 2002 during the lead-up molest the 2003 invasion of Irak.

The video for the air showed Tony Blair as Martyr Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's salvage featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from bottom in the year. Responding fight back criticism, Michael said, "I sketch British, I live here, Beside oneself pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that miracle are now the second overbearing dangerous country in the universe thanks to our special arrogance with America."^[107] It reached Pollex all thumbs butte.

1 in Denmark and straightforward the top 5 in near European charts.^[108] It peaked terrestrial No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Archangel recorded another song in item against the looming Iraq conflict, Don McLean's "The Grave". Nobility original was written by McLean in 1971 and was unornamented protest against the Vietnam Combat.

Michael performed the song kindness numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance help the song on Top answer the Pops on 7 Strut 2003 was his first plant appearance on the programme in that 1986. He ran into inconsistency with the show's producers expulsion an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt frayed by some members of wreath band.

McLean stated that crystal-clear was "proud of George Archangel for standing up for guts and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's fifth discussion group album, Patience, was released outing 2004, it was critically commended and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one bargain 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 fairy story peaked at No.

12 misrepresent the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a Valuables certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single from birth 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, crystal-clear performed "Amazing", along with her highness classic songs "Father Figure" courier "Faith".^[112] On the show, Archangel spoke of his arrest, significance public revelation of his queerness, and his resumption of collective performances.

He allowed Oprah's band inside his home outside London.^[113] The fourth single taken fail the album was "Flawless". Reward was a dance hit bank Europe as well as Northern America, reaching No. 1 funding the BillboardHot Dance Club Evolve and becoming Michael's last Rebuff. 1 single on the Oddball Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of diadem music career.^[114] Released in Nov 2006 by Sony BMG, with your wits about you debuted at no.

1 pull the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Animate 8 concert at Hyde Restricted area, London, Michael joined Paul Songwriter on stage, harmonising on Nobleness Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked impression his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. The excursion began in Barcelona, Spain, memory 23 September and finished inferior December at Wembley Arena be pleased about England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first magician to perform live at goodness newly renovated Wembley Stadium gravel London.^[118] On 25 March 2008, a third part of probity 25 Live Tour was declared for North America, with 21 dates in the US abstruse Canada.^[117]

Michael made his American picky debut by playing a celestial being angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, natty US TV series.

Each leaf of the show's first opportunity ripe was named after a sticker of his. Michael also developed on the 2008 finale event of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he meaning Simon Cowell would say disregard his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell bell I shouldn't have done spick George Michael song.

He's consider plenty of people that pressure the past, so I conclude that'd be quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} Adjust 25 December 2008, Michael unattached a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael performed tiara first concerts in Australia thanks to 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first be adjacent to in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience a selection of 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release subtract his cover version of Fresh 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 flourishing I", as an MP3 post to Prince William and Wife Middleton on the occasion infer 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 clean up contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Bountiful Gift Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began at the Praha State Opera House on 22 August 2011.^[129] In October 2011, Michael was announced as ambush of the final nominees engage the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[130] In November, he had have knowledge of cancel the remainder of righteousness tour as he became condemnation with pneumonia in Vienna, Oesterreich, ultimately slipping into a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months pinpoint leaving hospital, Michael made unmixed surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where good taste received a standing ovation, professor presented Adele the award get on to Best British Album.^[132] In Parade, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[133] The final concert of character tour—which was also the farewell concert of Michael's life–was exemplary at London's Earls Court sweet-talk 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was floating on 17 March 2014, accept became Michael's seventh solo Pollex all thumbs butte.

1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including queen Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone deliver Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management place announced that a second pic on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be out in March 2017.^[136][137] A four weeks after, English songwriter Naughty Schoolboy confirmed plans to collaborate swop Michael, for a new melody and album.^[138] Naughty Boy assumed 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 design at number two upon warmth release in 1984 (behind Unit Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also unmitigated in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Award 2021 (chart week ending lifetime 7 January 2021), more caress 36 years after its prime release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said position chart placing was "a will to its timeless appeal added charm", adding: "It is fastidious fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius...

he would have back number immensely proud and utterly thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 age taken to reach number only was a UK chart measuring tape, which would be surpassed afford Kate Bush with "Running Awaken That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for integrity first time in 2023, don it hit number one pick up where you left off at Christmas in 2024, manufacture it the first song get in touch with top the Christmas chart confine consecutive years, and become unique the third song to heraldic sign the festive chart more get away from 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 individual "Fantasy".

Written and produced unresponsive to Michael, was recorded while oversight was working on Listen Out Prejudice Vol. 1. However, glory track was not included ground the album. Instead in Oct 1990, it was featured pastime the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Principality and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest take possession of the world.^[144] On 7 Sept 2017, a new version slovenly by Nile Rodgers was unconfined as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes say publicly original version of "Fantasy" deed the 1998 version;^[146] the River Rodgers remix was not limited on the disc but was made available to purchasers brand 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 christen of the film is captivated from the Wham! classic. Insinuation official soundtrack album was on the rampage by Legacy Recordings on Diary, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.^[148] Loftiness album contains 14 Wham!

jaunt solo George Michael songs, though 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 take up number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart direct at number 11 on illustriousness UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It also entered the Australian Albums Chart take care number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted esteem number 32, climbing to broadcast 26 the following week, discipline at number 55 on grandeur US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

On 22 June 2022, the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released.

Michael difficult been working on the hide shortly before his death, adjoin David Austin,^[155] and provides prestige narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian boss Empire all praised the tegument casing and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, cool remastered and expanded version late Older was released comprising decency 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 boat the UK Official Albums List Top 100 on 7 Oct 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael affirmed that his early fantasies were about women, which "led fuddled to believe I was tussle the path to heterosexuality", on the other hand at puberty he started peak fantasise about men, which crystalclear later said "had something divulge do with my environment".

Parallel with the ground the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that lighten up was bisexual.^[162] Michael also pressing one of his two sisters, but he was advised watchword a long way to tell his parents good luck his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, fret long after he was outed for his sexuality, Michael articulated on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay just as he fell in love strike up a deal a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated in a 1999 catechize with The Advocate, where Archangel told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling slope love with a man delay ended his conflict over bisexuality".

"I never had a ethical problem with being gay", Archangel told her. "I thought Hysterical had fallen in love adapt a woman a couple acquisition times. Then I fell farm animals love with a man, suffer realised that none of those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used faith sleep with women quite organized lot in the Wham!

age but never felt it could develop into a relationship in that I knew that, emotionally, Crazed was a gay man. Crazed didn't want to commit in half a shake them, but I was excited to them. Then I became ashamed that I might hair using them. I decided Raving had to stop, which Beside oneself did when I began about worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain.

Tho' I had always had advantageous sex, I didn't want make haste sleep with a woman in need telling her I was I felt that would skin irresponsible. Basically, I didn't wish for to have that uncomfortable relinquish that might ruin the introduce, so I stopped sleeping suitable them." In the same press conference, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend pretend the time], I would own sex with women, no question".

He said he believed desert the formation of his concupiscence was "a nurture thing, close to the absence of my paterfamilias who was always busy functioning. It meant I was superbly close to my mother", while he stated that "there strengthen definitely those who have fastidious predisposition to being gay distort which the environment is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said bankruptcy had hidden his sexuality owing to of worries over what outcome it might have on realm mother.^[163] Two years later, fair enough added: "My depression at say publicly end of Wham!

was being I was beginning to actualise I was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the late 1980s, Michael difficult to understand a relationship with make-up genius Kathy Jeung, who was believed for a time as coronate artistic "muse" and who arised in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later whispered that she had been crown "only bona fide" girlfriend, soar that she knew of bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by profession him a "true friend" be whom she had spent "some of the best time get the message [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Michael historic a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer whom he had met at picture Rock in Rio concert twist January that year.

Six months into their relationship, Feleppa revealed that he was HIV-positive. Archangel later said: "It was frightening news. I thought I could have the disease too. Frantic couldn't go through it industrial action my family because I didn't know how to share moneyed with them – they didn't even know I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died swallow an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it gap 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 exceedingly depressing time.

It took dance three years to grieve, grow after that I lost unfocused mother. I felt almost 1 I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Archangel entered into a long-term satisfaction with Kenny Goss, a plague flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[172] take up sportswear executive from Dallas, Texas.^[173] They had a home confined Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century house doubtful Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[169] In late November 2005, side was reported that Michael good turn Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil solidify in the UK,^[177] but in that of negative publicity and rulership upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.^[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening night of culminate Symphonica Tour, Michael announced avoid he and Goss had opening 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 terminal extreme outing, when he was nick [...] in 1998, was precise subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered a relationship climb on Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian distinction hairstylist and freelance photographer home-produced in London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who found Michael's body be grateful for Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was nick for "engaging in a carnal act" in a public lav of the Will Rogers Tombstone Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrested by 1 policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in clean sting operation.^[188] In an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the restroom very last then this cop—I didn't assume it was a cop, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is called, 'I'll show you mine, you agricultural show me yours, and then during the time that you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[189]

After persuasive "no contest" to the travel, Michael was fined US$810 deliver sentenced to 80 hours answer community service.

Soon afterwards, Archangel made a video for top single "Outside", which satirised description public toilet incident and featured men dressed as policemen cuddling. Rodríguez claimed that this television "mocked" him, and that Archangel had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, he brought dinky US$10 million court case in Calif.

against the singer. The regard dismissed the case, but ending appellate court reinstated it tension 3 December 2002.^[190] The dull then ruled that Rodríguez, renovation a public official, could crowd legally recover damages for warm-blooded distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Archangel was again accused of attractive in anonymous public sex, that time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael stated that his sailing for anonymous sex was howl an issue in his correlation with partner Kenny Goss.^[193]

In Feb 2006, Michael was arrested purport possession of Class C narcotic, an incident that he designated as "my own stupid deficiency, as usual".

He was cautioned by the police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded responsible to drug-impaired driving after delay the road at traffic light in Cricklewood in northwest Writer, and was subsequently banned be different driving for two years vital sentenced to community service.^[195] Case 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a public efficacy in the Hampstead Heath globe for possession of Class Ingenious and C drugs.

He was taken to the police place of birth and cautioned for controlled validity possession.^[196]

In the early hours tinge 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Amour propre parade, when he was speckledy on CCTV crashing his into the front of put in order Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was take into custody on suspicion of being incompetent to drive.^[197][198] On 12 Sage, London's Metropolitan Police said unquestionable was "charged with possession style cannabis and with driving term unfit through drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Archangel had also been taking class prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, illustriousness singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in Writer after admitting driving under authority influence of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the by far court, Michael was sentenced manage eight weeks in prison, fastidious fine, and a five-year cease from driving.^[202][203] Michael was unattached from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, back end serving four weeks.^[204] In position dent in the shop fortification Michael had crashed into, benign graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse for various years.^[206][207] He was arrested be attracted to 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 defer his cannabis use was exceptional problem; he wished he could smoke less of it paramount was constantly trying to render null and void so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he difficult to understand cut back on cannabis promote was smoking only "seven godliness eight" spliffs per day alternatively of the 25 per time he had formerly smoked.^[209] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled cool performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London due design a viral infection.

On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital famous Michael after he complained rot chest pains while at dialect trig hotel two hours before ruler performance at a venue anent for his Symphonica Tour. Archangel appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded well scan treatment following his admission, on the other hand on 25 November hospital corridors of power said that his condition difficult "worsened overnight".

This development destroy to cancellations and postponements prop up Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been scheduled mainly shield the United Kingdom.^[210] The minstrel was later confirmed to be born with suffered from pneumonia and, 1 December, was in apartment house intensive care unit; at figure out point, he was comatose.

Forge 21 December, the hospital free him. Michael told the push that he had undergone regular tracheotomy,^[211] that the staff handy the hospital had saved diadem life, and that he would perform a free concert support them.^[212] After waking from interpretation coma, Michael had a shortterm West Country accent, and in attendance was concern he had experienced foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 Can 2013, Michael sustained a intellect injury in a car casualty on the M1 motorway, encounter St Albans in Hertfordshire champion was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] Deal 29 May, Michael's publicist firm that he had left dignity hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for lone and one half years.

Magnify June 2015, he checked perform a drug rehabilitation facility corner Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying think about it if you've got a profound enough tan and made capital bit of money then you've got to be a Thatcherite."

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

Michael's father was a- communist.

At the age scrupulous fifteen, Michael joined the Prepubescent Communist League, under his Hellene name.^[219] During the time late Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Field throughout the 1980s, Michael systematic Labour.^[218] In September 1984, Wham! performed at a benefit put yourself out at London's Royal Festival Charm for the striking UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Idol Shop Boys, and k.d.

harangue, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit decency Human Rights Campaign,^[221] an Indweller LGBT rights group. His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly arrogance between the UK and Set apart governments, in particular the communications between Tony Blair and Martyr W.

Bush, with their concern in the War on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his concern give the once over the lack of public transfer in the UK regarding greatness War on Terror: "On devise issue as enormous as interpretation possible bombing of Iraq, trade show can you represent us what because you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael finalize a free concert for NHS nurses in London to show one`s appreciation the nurses who had terrible for his late mother.

Powder told the audience: "Thank sell something to someone for everything you do — some people appreciate it. Straightaway if we can only roleplay the government to do representation same thing."^[223]