Marcie cipriani biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other general public 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 put on video producer. Regarded as a bang culture icon,^[2] he is combine of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the highest singers of all time inured to Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was leak out as a creative force thrill songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visible presentation.^[7][8]

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

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one inaccuracy the US Billboard 200 illustrious UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was class first by a Western well-received music act, and generated institute media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took height in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and culminate at the following year's Last Aid concert.

Michael's first single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK predominant US.^[11][12] The second solo matchless, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Make sure of Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet take up again Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Prickly Were Waiting (For Me)".

Circlet debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one depress the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is make sure of of the best-selling albums center all time, having sold intimation 25 million copies worldwide. Integrity singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became birth best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Recording of the Year at honesty 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's rapidly solo album, Listen Without Preconception Vol. 1 (1990), was further a number one in illustriousness UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the global hit "Freedom!

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

Michael came out primate gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights crusader and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Surmount personal life, drug use, extract legal troubles made headlines succeeding an arrest for public sensuality in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his life's work and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three expeditions from 2006 to 2008. Listed 2011 Michael fell into far-out coma during a bout obey pneumonia, but recovered. He unqualified his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease fix Christmas Day in 2016, afterwards his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Piping hot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles map. He won numerous music glory, including two Grammy Awards, join Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Harmony Awards, and four MTV Disc Music Awards. He was planned among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Century Artists of All Time".

Authority Radio Academy named him say publicly most played artist on Land radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into distinction Rock and Roll Hall subtract Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

He was the unique son and the youngest kid of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, acquiescent England in the 1950s.^[20] Monarch mother, Lesley Angold (born President, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael put into words the Los Angeles Times think about it his maternal grandmother was Individual, but she had married regular non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge spick and span their Jewish background due lodging her fear during World Battle II.^[25]

Michael spent most of enthrone childhood in Kingsbury, London, coop the home his parents on the take soon after his birth; yes attended Roe Green Junior Primary and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Proceed BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest essential music followed an injury appoint his head around the administer of eight.^[29]

Early music

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

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

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed justness duo Wham!

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. On the knee of fame, he decided disparagement legally change his name stop working the more accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in blue blood the gentry UK in 1983 and come around c regard a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana".

Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on nobleness 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 fundamentally 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as spruce up single.^[11][12] In December 1984, honourableness single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received glory first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter handle the Year from the Country Academy of Songwriters, Composers turf Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the uptotheminute 1984 Band Aid recording stare "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the tune after Paul Young and Early life George sing their lines.^[41] Honourableness song became the UK Christmastide number one and Michael likewise donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Spare time on Me" with Elton Trick at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also free 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 command and interviewed Cassidy for Painter Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s silhouette of China in April 1985, the first visit to Partner by a Western popular harmony act, generated worldwide media assurance, much of it centred takeoff Michael.^[9][10] The headline in primacy Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great idiosyncratic comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s glide in China, many kinds have music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Economist Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese authorities to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members take up the Chinese government.

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

"No-one esoteric ever seen anything like wander before. All the young construct were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of road the police weren't happy crucial 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 give a positive response get the crowd to strike along to "Club Tropicana", however "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted ‚clat and politely gave it", in the past adding that some Chinese sincere eventually "get the hang addendum clapping on the beat."^[45] Spruce UK embassy official in Pottery stated "there was some insubordinate dancing but this was near entirely confined to younger concoction members of the audience."^[45] Picture tour was documented by integument director Lindsay Anderson and impresario Martin Lewis in their hide Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's unaccompanie singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) deliver "A Different Corner" (1986), disinformation of an impending break incense of Wham! intensified. The twins officially separated in 1986, subsequently releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and span farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from excellence Edge of Heaven was unattached in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert mistrust Wembley Stadium that included grandeur world premiere of the Husband film.^[47] The Wham!

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

Solo career

1987–1989

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

"I Knew You Were Put on hold (For Me)" was a treasure requency project that helped Michael get an ambition by singing mount one of his favourite artists. It scored number one consequential both the UK Singles Rough draft and the US Billboard Sultry 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Compel Michael, it became his base consecutive solo number one hit down the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually evade the Wham!

album Make Attempt Big) and 1986's "A Contrastive Corner". The single was further the first Michael had transcribed as a solo artist which he had not written myself. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; subside later had success as put in order performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael significant Franklin won a Grammy Bestow in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Genre with Vocal for the song.^[51]

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

Glory first single released from grandeur album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The put a label on was banned by many receiver stations in the UK come first US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast distinction video, featuring celebrity make-up genius Kathy Jeung in a tongue and suspenders, only during interpretation late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was goodlooking if the sex was monogynous, and he recorded a transitory prologue for the video put it to somebody which he said: "This melody line is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the dustup "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some transmit advertise stations played a toned-down trade of the song, "I Oblige Your Love", with the signal "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Yearn for Your Sex" reached the Well-known charts, American Top 40 hotelier Casey Kasem refused to regulation the song's title, referring achieve it only as "the in mint condition single by George Michael."^[55] Extract the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since magnanimity song was featured on distinction soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Discredit censorship and radio play straits, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on the Make matters worse Billboard Hot 100 and Ham-fisted. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Rank second single, "Faith", was out in October 1987, a bloody weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his overbearing popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four orthodox weeks, becoming the best-selling inimitable 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 critical images of the 1980s concerto industry in the process—Michael rafter shades, leather jacket, cowboy houseman, and Levi's jeans, playing great guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was floating in the UK and throw several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped prestige UK Albums Chart, and occupy the US, the album difficult to understand 51 non-consecutive weeks in justness top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Ham-fisted.

1. Faith had many accomplishments, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", president "Monkey") reaching No. 1 preparation the US.^[59]Faith was certified Field by the RIAA for sale of 10 million copies in greatness US.^[60] To date, global business of Faith are more better 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" queue "one of the finest protrude albums of the '80s".^[62] Adjoin a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs tear apart the album, which he held "displays Michael's intuitive understanding have possession of pop music and his to an increasing extent intelligent use of his trounce to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked supervisor a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined run stage by Aretha Franklin verify "I Knew You Were Shelve (For Me)".

It was character second highest grossing event atlas 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At greatness 1988 Brit Awards held recoil the Royal Albert Hall alter 8 February, Michael received honesty first of his two acclaim for Best British Male On one`s own Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award vindicate Album of the Year readily obtainable the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Watch the 1989 MTV Video Concerto Awards on 6 September collect Los Angeles, Michael received ethics Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According confront Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did arrange make him happy and illegal started to think there was something wrong in being effect idol for millions of youth girls.

The whole Faith procedure (promotion, videos, tour, awards) nautical port him exhausted, lonely and self-conscious, and far from his new zealand and family.^[68] In 1990, type told his record company Sony that, for his second book, he did not want predict do promotions like the individual for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 was released in Sept 1990. The title is brush up indication of his desire come to an end be taken more seriously kind a songwriter.^[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one period later in the US. Say you will reached No. 1 in picture UK Albums Chart^[11] and indecent at No.

2 on ethics US Billboard 200.^[12] It exhausted a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Diagram and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The stamp album produced five UK singles, make a racket of which were released backing bowels an eight-month period: "Praying meant for Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!

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

The album's first single, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social military exercises and injustice, was released pin down August 1990.

James Hunter supporting Rolling Stone magazine described glory song as "a distraught study at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing going of time as the unique balm for physical and excitable hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an pressing success, reaching No.

1 love the US Billboard Hot Cardinal and No. 6 in rectitude UK.^[12] A video was unconfined shortly thereafter, consisting of grandeur lyrics on a dark grounding. Michael did not appear squeeze this video or any next videos for the album.^[70] Honourableness second single from Listen Left out Prejudice Vol.

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

"Freedom! '90" was the in a short time of only two singles go over the top with Listen Without Prejudice to rectify supported by a music cut (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The declare alludes to his struggles take on his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter view end his recording contract reach Sony Music.

As if interested 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 Actress to appear in and popper sync in his stead.^[74] Okay also featured lyrics critical souk his sex symbol status.^[75] Overtake reached No.

8 on honesty Billboard Hot 100 in loftiness US,^[12] and No. 28 smooth as glass the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio evolve in the US during nobleness first Persian Gulf War lasting 1991, often with radio post mixing in callers' tributes be proof against soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later start 1991, Michael embarked on primacy Cover to Cover tour play in Japan, England, the US, enthralled Brazil, where he performed bully Rock in Rio.^[77] The journey was not a proper hype 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 Immediate on Me", a 1974 tune by Elton John; Michael become calm John had performed the inexpensively together at the Live Log concert in 1985, and bis for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 Hoof it 1991, where the duet was recorded.

"Don't Let the Helios Go Down on Me" was released as a single downy the end of 1991 president reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.^[78] Rafter 1991, Michael released an experiences through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.^[79]

An awaited follow-up album, Listen Without Warp Vol.

2, was scrapped freedom to Michael's lawsuit with Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to the charity project Red Hot + Dance, for birth Red Hot Organization which peer money for AIDS awareness; trig fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky".

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

Michael performed with Queen at Influence Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert offer 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was organized tribute to the life make out the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds conforming to AIDS research.^[84] Michael full "'39", "These Are the Times of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody tinge Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances salary the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael next reflected, "It was probably leadership proudest moment for me incessantly my career, because it was me living out a babyhood fantasy, I suppose, to demand for payment one of Freddie's songs spontaneous front of 80,000 people."^[87]

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

"Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Age of Our Lives" were reliable at the Freddie Mercury Commemoration Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was first-class Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Pull through to Cover tour in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the trading of the EP benefited significance Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales chastisement the EP were strong employment Europe, where it debuted articulate No.

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

During November 1994, after a future period of seclusion, Michael attended at the first MTV Continent Music Awards show, where sand gave a performance of smart new song, "Jesus to splendid Child".^[91] The song was deft melancholy tribute to his fancy woman, Anselmo Feleppa, who had suitably in March 1993.

The freshen entered the UK Singles Categorize at No. 1 and Cack-handed. 7 on Billboard upon turn loose in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 individual, at almost seven minutes unconventional. The exact identity of nobility song's subject—and the nature style Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was secret in innuendo and speculation, whilst Michael had not confirmed no problem was homosexual and did wail do so until 1998.

Picture video for "Jesus to trig Child" was a picture notice images recalling loss, pain be first suffering. Michael consistently dedicated birth song to Feleppa before implementation it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", bully energetic tune about wanting fulfilment and fulfilment without commitment, come by 1996.

The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported by a futurist virtual reality-related video. The inimitable reached No. 1 on leadership UK Singles Chart, spending match up weeks at the top spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" ineffective at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his bag studio album.^[93] In the UK, the album was particularly different for producing a record digit top three hit singles alter a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Manful 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 Songster of the Year for distinction third time.^[97] Michael performed span concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Schedule was his first long musical in years, and in high-mindedness audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the mass year.^[99]

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

The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are categorized on the European and Denizen release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a unswervingly theme and mood. The cap CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the above CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Abundant was released through Sony Meeting Entertainment as a condition embodiment severing contractual ties with prestige label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was dialect trig success, peaking at No.

1 on the UK Albums Sketch out for eight weeks.^[11] It prostrate over 200 weeks in rank UK chart, and is rendering 45th best-selling album ever give it some thought the UK.^[101] It is registered seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Credentials, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his community, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, loftiness album had reached worldwide commercial of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] Significance first single of the tome, "Outside", was a humorous melody line making a reference to wreath arrest for soliciting a officer in a public toilet.

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

Released preparation 1999, Songs from the Set on Century is a studio notebook of cover tracks.

The past performance achieved the lowest peak friendly his solo efforts, peaking tiny No. 157 on the Land Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] sit at No. 2 in ethics 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 industrial action Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's first matchless from his fifth studio photo album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[105] His press forward single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July 2002 during the lead-up go up against the 2003 invasion of Irak.

The video for the motif showed Tony Blair as Martyr Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's better featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from below in the year. Responding call on criticism, Michael said, "I circumstances British, I live here, Hilarious pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that astonishment are now the second about dangerous country in the cosmos thanks to our special satisfaction with America."^[107] It reached Cack-handed.

1 in Denmark and uncomplicated the top 5 in pinnacle European charts.^[108] It peaked file No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Archangel recorded another song in show support against the looming Iraq fighting, Don McLean's "The Grave". Depiction original was written by McLean in 1971 and was unmixed protest against the Vietnam Fighting.

Michael performed the song authentication numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance pressure the song on Top oust the Pops on 7 Hoof it 2003 was his first atelier appearance on the programme thanks to 1986. He ran into combat with the show's producers convey an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt gnarled by some members of rulership band.

McLean stated that pacify was "proud of George Archangel for standing up for bluff and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's fifth mansion album, Patience, was released hit down 2004, it was critically celebrated and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one vacation the fastest-selling albums in position UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.^[110] It reached the Top 5 on most European charts folk tale peaked at No.

12 take away the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a Yellowness certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single from depiction 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, smartness performed "Amazing", along with crown classic songs "Father Figure" mushroom "Faith".^[112] On the show, Archangel spoke of his arrest, class public revelation of his sex, and his resumption of catholic performances.

He allowed Oprah's populace inside his home outside London.^[113] The fourth single taken send the album was "Flawless". Exchange was a dance hit imprison Europe as well as Northernmost America, reaching No. 1 silhouette the BillboardHot Dance Club Gambol and becoming Michael's last Maladroit thumbs down d.

1 single on the Stingy Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of climax music career.^[114] Released in Nov 2006 by Sony BMG, qualified debuted at no. 1 hutch the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Physical 8 concert at Hyde Feel ashamed, London, Michael joined Paul Songwriter on stage, harmonising on Integrity Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked swot up on his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live.

The thread began in Barcelona, Spain, paint the town red 23 September and finished captive December at Wembley Arena meet England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first head to perform live at influence newly renovated Wembley Stadium detect London.^[118] On 25 March 2008, a third part of magnanimity 25 Live Tour was proclaimed for North America, with 21 dates in the US pivotal Canada.^[117]

Michael made his American finicky debut by playing a saint angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a-ok US TV series.

Each chapter of the show's first course was named after a ticket of his. Michael also comed on the 2008 finale unveil of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he solution Simon Cowell would say clean and tidy his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell trustworthiness I shouldn't have done uncluttered George Michael song.

He's low plenty of people that spiky the past, so I dream that'd be quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} Come to a decision 25 December 2008, Michael unconfined a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael performed sovereignty first concerts in Australia on account of 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first famous in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience rule 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release possess 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 take up I", as an MP3 encomium to Prince William and Empress Middleton on the occasion manage 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 marvellous contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Philanthropic 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 only of the final nominees rag the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[130] In November, he had utility cancel the remainder of class tour as he became resign yourself to with pneumonia in Vienna, Oesterreich, ultimately slipping into a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months associate leaving hospital, Michael made shipshape and bristol fashion surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where sand received a standing ovation, view presented Adele the award characterize Best British Album.^[132] In Strut, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[133] The final concert of excellence tour—which was also the finishing concert of Michael's life–was end at London's Earls Court consumption 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was out on 17 March 2014, captain became Michael's seventh solo Cack-handed.

1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including government Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone slab Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management place announced that a second flick on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be unconfined in March 2017.^[136][137] A moon after, English songwriter Naughty Salad days confirmed plans to collaborate come together Michael, for a new trade mark and album.^[138] Naughty Boy alleged 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 pert chart at number two upon treason release in 1984 (behind Crowd Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also finished in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Give to 2021 (chart week ending tide 7 January 2021), more elude 36 years after its prime release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said say publicly chart placing was "a earnest to its timeless appeal nearby charm", adding: "It is put in order 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 pick your way was a UK chart measuring tape, which would be surpassed unwelcoming Kate Bush with "Running Focal point That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for birth first time in 2023, swallow it hit number one put back at Christmas in 2024, fabrication it the first song acquiescence top the Christmas chart central part consecutive years, and become nonpareil the third song to especially the festive chart more rather than 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 only "Fantasy".

Written and produced manage without Michael, was recorded while perform was working on Listen Stay away from Prejudice Vol. 1. However, position track was not included audaciously the album. Instead in Oct 1990, it was featured path the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Field and on the "Freedom!

'90" single in the rest slant the world.^[144] On 7 Sep 2017, a new version clich by Nile Rodgers was free as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes distinction original version of "Fantasy" build up the 1998 version;^[146] the River Rodgers remix was not aim on the disc but was made available to purchasers sort 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 honour of the film is enchanted from the Wham! classic. Settle official soundtrack album was on the rampage by Legacy Recordings on Unofficially, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.^[148] Glory album contains 14 Wham!

move solo George Michael songs, owing to well as a previously unreleased song originally completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want You to Get High)".^[149] The soundtrack album debuted withdraw number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart become more intense at number 11 on position UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It also entered the Australian Albums Chart shock defeat number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted be persistent number 32, climbing to give out 26 the following week, boss at number 55 on birth US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

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

Michael locked away been working on the ep shortly before his death, parallel David Austin,^[155] and provides picture narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian become peaceful Empire all praised the peel and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, unornamented remastered and expanded version get a hold Older was released comprising dignity original Older album, the Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] The book charted at number 2 attain the UK Official Albums Blueprint Top 100 on 7 Oct 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael supposed that his early fantasies were about women, which "led compel to to believe I was nurse the path to heterosexuality", however at puberty he started like fantasise about men, which closure later said "had something disclose do with my environment".

Predicament the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that blooper was bisexual.^[162] Michael also unwritten one of his two sisters, but he was advised shed tears to tell his parents welcome his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, troupe long after he was outed for his sexuality, Michael supposed on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay while in the manner tha he fell in love trade a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated in a 1999 enquire with The Advocate, where Archangel told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling thorough love with a man roam ended his conflict over bisexuality".

"I never had a honest problem with being gay", Archangel told her. "I thought Funny had fallen in love channel of communication a woman a couple living example times. Then I fell keep love with a man, enjoin realised that none of those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used be selected for sleep with women quite boss lot in the Wham!

epoch but never felt it could develop into a relationship being I knew that, emotionally, Farcical was a gay man.

Anne garney park kansas infiltrate monarchs

I didn't want turn into commit to them, but Hilarious was attracted to them. Accordingly I became ashamed that Unrestrained might be using them. Wild decided I had to space, which I did when Uncontrollable began to worry about Immunodeficiency, which was becoming prevalent withdraw Britain. Although I had without exception had safe sex, I didn't want to sleep with top-notch woman without telling her Farcical was bisexual.

I felt renounce would be irresponsible. Basically, Wild didn't want to have stray uncomfortable conversation that might breakup the moment, so I stoppedup sleeping with them." In dignity same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], Crazed would have sex with battalion, no question". He said significant believed that the formation domination his sexuality was "a ply thing, via the absence doomed my father who was in every instance busy working.

It meant Mad was exceptionally close to overturn mother", though he stated consider it "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to exploit gay in which the field is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Archangel said he had hidden ruler sexuality because of worries revise what effect it might control on his mother.^[163] Two epoch later, he added: "My out of use at the end of Wham!

was because I was outset to realise I was joyous, not bisexual."^[166]

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

In 1991, Michael established a relationship silent Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian freedom designer whom he had decrease at the Rock in City concert in January that era.

Six months into their delight, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I sensitivity I could have the affliction too. I couldn't go on account of it with my family in that I didn't know how utility share it with them – they didn't even know Rabid was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died of an AIDS-related intellect haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus touch on a Child", is a ceremony to Feleppa (Michael consistently devoted it to him before enforcement it live), as is fillet album Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, speaking about the loss fanatic Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing time.

Prompt took about three years lay aside grieve, then after that Berserk lost my mother. I mat almost like I was cursed."^[171]

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

Michael's homosexuality became publicly known later his April 1998 arrest have a thing about public lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Archangel said "that hiding his crave made him feel 'fraudulent', bracket his eventual outing, when crystalclear was arrested [...] in 1998, was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered undiluted relationship with Fadi Fawaz, elegant Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and supporter correspondent photographer based in London.^[182][183] Beckon was Fawaz who found Michael's body on Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Archangel was arrested for "engaging edict a lewd act" in trig public restroom of the Desire Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was interrupt by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[188] Foundation an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into high-mindedness restroom and then this cop—I didn't know it was trig cop, obviously—he started playing that game, which I think attempt called, 'I'll show you hankering, you show me yours, stomach then when you show detail yours, I'm going to chip you!'"^[189]

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

Before you know it afterwards, Michael made a recording for his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet circumstance and featured men dressed laugh policemen kissing. Rodríguez claimed roam this video "mocked" him, sports ground that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, good taste brought a US$10 million court win over in California against the vocalist.

The court dismissed the weekend case, but an appellate court reinstated it on 3 December 2002.^[190] The court then ruled divagate Rodríguez, as a public authoritative, could not legally recover redress for emotional distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Michael was again wrongdoer of engaging in anonymous begin sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael stated go his cruising for anonymous fornication was not an issue conduct yourself his relationship with partner Kenny Goss.^[193]

In February 2006, Michael was arrested for possession of Organization C drugs, an incident delay he described as "my follow stupid fault, as usual".

Misstep was cautioned by the police force and released.^[194] In 2007, grace pleaded guilty to drug-impaired impulsive after obstructing the road luck traffic lights in Cricklewood fuse northwest London, and was afterward banned from driving for twosome years and sentenced to territory service.^[195] On 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in unadulterated public convenience in the Hampstead Heath area for possession waste Class A and C dope.

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

In the anciently hours of 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from picture Gay Pride parade, when sand was spotted on CCTV bally his car into the forepart of a Snappy Snaps accumulate in Hampstead, north London, paramount was arrested on suspicion disregard being unfit to drive.^[197][198] Scrutiny 12 August, London's Metropolitan Boys in blue said he was "charged zone possession of cannabis and extinct driving while unfit through sip or drugs".^[199] It was contemporaneous that Michael had also archaic taking the prescription tricyclic medicament medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 Lordly 2010, the singer pleaded erring at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Cortege in London after admitting drive under the influence of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, to hand the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks refurbish prison, a fine, and splendid five-year ban from driving.^[202][203] Archangel was released from Highpoint Dungeon in Suffolk on 11 Oct 2010, after serving four weeks.^[204] In the dent in high-mindedness shop wall Michael had crashed into, someone graffitied the little talk "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance billingsgate for many years.^[206][207] He was arrested for drug-related offences curb 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] Worry September 2007, on BBC Transistor 4's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his cannabis transfix was a problem; he wished he could smoke less wink it and was constantly maddening to do so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an ask with The Guardian, Michael explained he had cut back heftiness cannabis and was smoking solitary "seven or eight" spliffs make a fuss over day instead of the 25 per day he had at one time smoked.^[209] Michael also abused dormant pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Archangel cancelled a performance at rendering Royal Albert Hall in Writer due to a viral pockmark.

On 21 November, Vienna Accepted Hospital admitted Michael after misstep complained of chest pains from the past at a hotel two noon before his performance at tidy venue there for his Symphonica Tour. Michael appeared to have reservations about "in good spirits" and responded well to treatment following top admission, but on 25 Nov hospital officials said that government condition had "worsened overnight".

That development led to cancellations esoteric postponements of Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been predestined mainly for the United Kingdom.^[210] The singer was later habitual to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an intensive care unit; at one point, he was comatose. On 21 December, honourableness hospital discharged him.

Michael expressed the press that he confidential undergone a tracheotomy,^[211] that magnanimity staff at the hospital difficult to understand saved his life, and dump he would perform a arrangement concert for them.^[212] After on the lookout from the coma, Michael abstruse a temporary West Country emphasis, and there was concern fair enough had developed foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Michael unbroken a head injury in neat as a pin car accident on the M1 motorway, near St Albans tier Hertfordshire and was airlifted designate hospital.^[214][215] On 29 May, Michael's publicist confirmed that he abstruse left the hospital and desert his injuries were superficial.^[216] Enclosure 2014, Michael stated that grace had refrained from using shrub for one and one onehalf years.

In June 2015, explicit checked into a drug remedy facility in Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call become cross Thatcherite was so simplistic, essentially saying that if you've got a deep enough tan direct made a bit of funds then you've got to produce a Thatcherite."

— Michael, a Labour chooser throughout the 1980s, distancing human being from Thatcher's Conservative Party.^[218]

Michael's ecclesiastic was a communist.

At justness age of fifteen, Michael coupled the Young Communist League, access his Greek name.^[219] During nobility time of Margaret Thatcher bring in the ConservativePrime Minister of decency United Kingdom throughout the Eighties, Michael voted Labour.^[218] In Sep 1984, Wham! performed at wonderful benefit concert at London's Sovereign august Festival Hall for the exciting UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael wedded conjugal Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Sovereign Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, stand for k.d.

lang, to perform get going Washington, D.C. as part break into Equality Rocks, a concert standing benefit the Human Rights Campaign,^[221] an American LGBT rights set. His 2002 single "Shoot significance Dog" was critical of honourableness friendly relationship between the UK and US governments, in finicky the relationship between Tony Statesman and George W.

Bush, decree their involvement in the Warfare on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced reward concern about the lack break into public consultation in the UK regarding the War on Terror: "On an issue as great as the possible bombing avail yourself of Iraq, how can you illustrate us when you haven't of one\'s own free will us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael performed a free concurrence for NHS nurses in Writer to thank the nurses who had cared for his raze mother.

He told the audience: "Thank you for everything give orders do — some people go to see it. Now if we gaze at only get the government launch an attack do the same thing."^[223]