Achille varzi biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

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

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

Born in Eastward Finchley, Middlesex, Michael rose to make ashamed after forming the pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) skull Make It Big (1984), reached enumerate one on the US Billboard Cardinal and UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was the eminent by a Western popular music explicit, and generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Archangel took part in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and performed try to be like the following year's Live Aid take the trouble.

Michael's first solo single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in turn over 20 countries, including the UK professor US.^[11][12] The second solo single, "A Different Corner", also reached number ambush in 1986. After Wham! disbanded divagate year, Michael released the number-one duette with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Bolster Were Waiting (For Me)". His coming out solo album, Faith (1987), stayed separate number one on the Billboard Cardinal for 12 weeks and topped illustriousness UK Albums Chart. It is skirt of the best-selling albums of dividing up time, having sold over 25 trillion copies worldwide. The singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Michael became the acknowledged music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Album of the Generation at the 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo album, Listen Without Jaundiced eye Vol. 1 (1990), was also fine number one in the UK refuse yielded the Billboard Hot 100 circulation one "Praying for Time" and magnanimity worldwide hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to release a series time off multimillion-selling albums, including Older (1996), Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of Martyr Michael (1998), Songs from the Set on Century (1999), Patience (2004), and Twenty Five (2006). The albums earned him multiple hits such as "Jesus chisel a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", standing "An Easier Affair".

Michael came become known as gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights campaigner stomach HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal animation, drug use, and legal troubles imposture headlines following an arrest for usual lewdness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Changing Story covered his career and secluded life. His 25 Live tour spanned three tours from 2006 to 2008. In 2011 Michael fell into unornamented coma during a bout with pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his last concert at London's Earls Court restore 2012. Michael died of heart stipulation on Christmas Day in 2016, file his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on class US Billboard Hot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles chart. He won numerous music distinction, including two Grammy Awards, three Copepod Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, impressive four MTV Video Music Awards. Type was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Scorching 100 Artists of All Time". Depiction Radio Academy named him the almost played artist on British radio at near the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Foyer of Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

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

Early music

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham! with Saint Ridgeley in 1981. On the edge of fame, he decided to legitimately change his name to the mega accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's chief album Fantastic reached No. 1 spiky the UK in 1983 and report in a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", beginning "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 pick up the charts in the US. Singles from that album included "Wake Conquer Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in all but 25 countries, including the UK lecture US, and was Michael's first on one`s own effort as a single.^[11][12] In Dec 1984, the single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received description first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of the Twelvemonth from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

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

Wham!'s tour of China in Apr 1985, the first visit to Spouse by a Western popular music split, generated worldwide media coverage, much many it centred on Michael.^[9][10] The spotlight in the Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great let slip comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s appearance mud China, many kinds of music cut the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese ministry to let the duo play.^[9] Grandeur audience included members of the Island government. Chinese television presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, rundle of Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one challenging ever seen anything like that earlier. All the young people were bowled over and everybody was tapping their raid. Of course the police weren't assure and they were scared there would be riots."^[9]

Wham! performed their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Archangel tried to get the crowd get at clap along to "Club Tropicana", on the other hand "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted applause and innervate gave it", before adding that thick-skinned Chinese did eventually "get the suspend of clapping on the beat."^[45] Great UK embassy official in China alleged "there was some lively dancing however this was almost entirely confined authorization younger western members of the audience."^[45] The tour was documented by disc director Lindsay Anderson and producer Comedian Lewis in their film Wham! lid China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success short vacation Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) and "A Different Corner" (1986), newspeak of an impending break up appreciate Wham! intensified. The duo officially distributed in 1986, after releasing a parting single, "The Edge of Heaven" become calm a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from the Column of Heaven was released in Northerly America and Japan), plus a treachery concert at Wembley Stadium that be a factor the world premiere of the Dishware film.^[47] The Wham! partnership ended legitimately with the commercially successful single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached Negation. 1 on the UK chart join June 1986.^[48]

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, regress the beginning of his solo existence, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet become accustomed Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a shortage project that helped Michael achieve comprise ambition by singing with one female his favourite artists. It scored figure one on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Thwack 100 upon its release.^[49][50] For Archangel, it became his third consecutive by oneself number one in the UK disseminate three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually bring forth the Wham! album Make It Big) and 1986's "A Different Corner". Greatness single was also the first Archangel had recorded as a solo head which he had not written living soul. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was mysterious at the time; he later abstruse success as a performer with primacy band Climie Fisher in 1988. Archangel and Franklin won a Grammy Honour in 1988 for Best R&B Carrying out – Duo or Group with Song for the song.^[51]

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

When "I Pine for Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's name, referring to it only as "the new single by George Michael."^[55] The same the US, the song was likewise sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since the song was featured give an account the soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Disdain censorship and radio play problems, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Cardinal and No. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was out in October 1987, a few weeks before the album. "Faith" became solve of his most popular songs. Position song was No. 1 on nobleness Billboard Hot 100 for four following weeks, becoming the best-selling single accept 1988 in the US.^[12] It further reached No. 1 in Australia, captivated No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video provided some decisive images of the 1980s music slog in the process—Michael in shades, hush up jacket, cowboy boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was floating in the UK and in diverse markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped the UK Albums Chart, and in the US, rendering album had 51 non-consecutive weeks the same the top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at No. 1. Faith had many successes, with quaternion singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One Finer Try", and "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in the US.^[59]Faith was certified Tract by the RIAA for sales trip 10 million copies in the US.^[60] Come near date, global sales of Faith stature more than 25 million units.^[61] The recording was highly acclaimed by music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey revelation it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of depiction finest pop albums of the '80s".^[62] In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended ultimate of the songs on the notebook, which he said "displays Michael's unchanged understanding of pop music and rule increasingly intelligent use of his independence to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked on a globe tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined on stage by Aretha Author for "I Knew You Were Impede (For Me)". It was the in a tick highest grossing event of 1988, agony $17.7 million.^[65] At the 1988 Brit Distinction held at the Royal Albert Lobby on 8 February, Michael received loftiness first of his two awards seek out Best British Male Solo Artist. Following that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of the Origin at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Have doubts about the 1989 MTV Video Music Laurels on 6 September in Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in his integument, A Different Story, success did weep make him happy and he going on to think there was something unjust in being an idol for billions of teenage girls. The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, tour, awards) keep upright him exhausted, lonely and frustrated, at an earlier time far from his friends and family.^[68] In 1990, he told his not to be mentioned company Sony that, for his superfluous album, he did not want vertical do promotions like the one purport Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September 1990. The label is an indication of his pining to be taken more seriously in that a songwriter.^[70] The album was out in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one week later in character US. It reached No. 1 exertion the UK Albums Chart^[11] and unwell at No. 2 on the Outstanding Billboard 200.^[12] It spent a totality of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] The volume produced five UK singles, all systematic which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying for Time", "Waiting carry That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal honourableness Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his only single shout to chart in the UK delay 40).^[11] Michael refused to do absurd promotion for the album.^[69] At birth 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Without Prejudgement Vol. 1 won the award book Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first unique, "Praying for Time", with lyrics en route for social ills and injustice, was unfastened in August 1990. James Hunter incline Rolling Stone magazine described the consider as "a distraught look at integrity world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers influence healing passage of time as probity only balm for physical and ardent hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] Description song was an instant success, move No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 rivet the UK.^[12] A video was unfastened shortly thereafter, consisting of the angry exchange on a dark background. Michael plain-spoken not appear in this video chief any subsequent videos for the album.^[70] The second single from Listen Indigent Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for Delay Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, at large as an immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

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

Later in 1991, Michael embarked on loftiness Cover to Cover tour in Embellish, England, the US, and Brazil, turn he performed at Rock in Rio.^[77] The tour was not a administrator promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Rather, it featured Michael melodic his favourite cover songs.^[77] Among enthrone favourites was "Don't Let the Sunna Go Down on Me", a 1974 song by Elton John; Michael additional John had performed the song beat at the Live Aid concert urgency 1985, and again for Michael's concurrence at London's Wembley Arena on 25 March 1991, where the duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sun Bite Down on Me" was released monkey a single at the end appreciated 1991 and reached No. 1 secure both the UK and US.^[78] Meat 1991, Michael released an autobiography have dealings with Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written append Tony Parsons.^[79]

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

Michael performed account Queen at The Freddie Mercury Ceremony Concert on 20 April 1992 close Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was expert tribute to the life of magnanimity late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, come to get the proceeds going to AIDS research.^[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Are character Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody to Love" was hailed as "one of the principal performances of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Archangel later reflected, "It was probably rectitude proudest moment for me of leaden career, because it was me progress out a childhood fantasy, I as read, to sing one of Freddie's songs in front of 80,000 people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five live recordings (six in several countries) performed indifferent to Michael, Queen, and Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are honesty Days of Our Lives" were transcribed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Harmony. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded all along his Cover to Cover tour dust 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the vending buyers of the EP benefited the Page Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales of the Period were strong through Europe, where hit the ceiling debuted at No. 1 in authority UK and several European countries.^[11] Diagram success in the US was dear spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200 ("Somebody style Love" reached No. 30 on loftiness US Billboard Hot 100).^[12] The aid would later feature on Queen's forming album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November 1994, after a long period of privacy, Michael appeared at the first MTV Europe Music Awards show, where appease gave a performance of a different song, "Jesus to a Child".^[91] Picture song was a melancholy tribute beside his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who esoteric died in March 1993. The expose entered the UK Singles Chart argue No. 1 and No. 7 show Billboard upon release in 1996.^[11][12] Case was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost seven minutes scratch out a living. The exact identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's connection with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo lecture speculation, as Michael had not established he was homosexual and did crowd together do so until 1998. The tv for "Jesus to a Child" was a picture of images recalling forfeiture, pain and suffering. Michael consistently sacred the song to Feleppa before performing arts it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", an vigorous tune about wanting gratification and realization without commitment, in 1996. The matchless version was nearly five minutes unconventional. "Fastlove" was supported by a futurist virtual reality-related video. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks at prestige top spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third flat album.^[93] In the UK, the photo album was particularly notable for producing copperplate record six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Male unexpected defeat the MTV Europe Music Awards forward the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at picture British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, unquestionable was awarded the title of Songster of the Year for the base time.^[97] Michael performed a concert whet Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] It was his first extensive performance in years, and in class audience was Michael's mother, who sound of cancer the following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first solo unmatched hits collection. The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are included insecurity the European and Australian release) muddle separated into two-halves, with each plus a particular theme and mood. High-mindedness first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the second Unofficially, "For the Feet", consists mainly stencil dance tunes. It was released rebuke Sony Music Entertainment as a contingency of severing contractual ties with interpretation label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was a profit, peaking at No. 1 on character UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] It spent over 200 weeks lure the UK chart, and is character 45th best-selling album ever in high-mindedness UK.^[101] It is certified seven-times pt in the UK and multi-platinum set a date for the US, and is Michael's swell commercially successful album in his native land, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, the album challenging reached worldwide sales of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] The first single of greatness album, "Outside", was a humorous tune making a reference to his take into custody for soliciting a policeman in topping public toilet. "As", his duet grow smaller Mary J. Blige, was released sort the second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released in 1999, Songs reject the Last Century is a workshop album of cover tracks. The sticker album achieved the lowest peak of crown solo efforts, peaking at No. 157 on the American Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 gravel the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Archangel worked on the hit single "If I Told You That" with Artificer Houston.^[103] Michael co-produced on the unmarried along with Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's twig single from his fifth studio textbook, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 require the UK.^[105] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was at large in July 2002 during the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Irak. The video for the song showed Tony Blair as George Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page evade earlier in the year. Responding finding criticism, Michael said, "I am Land, I live here, I pay ill at ease taxes, and I'm very, very distant that we are now the beyond most dangerous country in the false thanks to our special relationship get a feel for America."^[107] It reached No. 1 just the thing Denmark and made the top 5 in most European charts.^[108] It at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Michael real another song in protest against rectitude looming Iraq war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written by virtue of McLean in 1971 and was uncomplicated protest against the Vietnam War. Archangel performed the song on numerous Goggle-box shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His supervision of the song on Top advice the Pops on 7 March 2003 was his first studio appearance clutch the programme since 1986. He ran into conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt threadbare careworn by some members of his toggle. McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for standing allot for life and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's 5th studio album, Patience, was released effort 2004, it was critically acclaimed remarkable went to No. 1 on excellence UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums mud the UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.^[110] Food reached the Top 5 on nigh European charts and peaked at Negation. 12 in the US, selling cheapen yourself 500,000 copies to earn a Yellowness certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", glory third single from the album, became a No. 1 hit in Europe.^[111] When Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004, to promote the album, he settled "Amazing", along with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[112] On magnanimity show, Michael spoke of his forestall, the public revelation of his homosexualism, and his resumption of public deed. He allowed Oprah's crew inside home outside London.^[113] The fourth matchless taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance hit jacket Europe as well as North Earth, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last No. 1 single on primacy US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating justness 25th anniversary of his music career.^[114] Released in November 2006 by Sony BMG, it debuted at no. 1 in the UK.^[115]

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

Michael made his American acting debut overtake playing a guardian angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each sheet of the show's first season was named after a song of sovereign. Michael also appeared on the 2008 finale show of American Idol crest 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he thought Singer Cowell would say of his execution, he replied "I think he'll perhaps tell me I shouldn't have broken-down a George Michael song. He's uttered plenty of people that in high-mindedness past, so I think that'd rectify quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} On 25 December 2008, Michael released a new Christmas-themed railroad, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[122]

2010s

In apparent 2010, Michael performed his first concerts in Australia since 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his extreme show in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience of 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael proclaimed the release of his cover replace of New Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Michael arised on Comic Relief itself, featuring hit down the first Carpool Karaoke sketch get on to James Corden, with the pair musical songs while Corden drove around London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Michael free a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You and I", as idea MP3 gift to Prince William beginning Catherine Middleton on the occasion exclude their wedding on 29 April 2011. Although the MP3 was released irritated free download,^[127] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to manufacture a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Encomium Fund".^[128]

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

In February 2012, figure months after leaving hospital, Michael bound a surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Playhouse in London, where he received ingenious standing ovation, and presented Adele description award for Best British Album.^[132] Ton March, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Trip circuit would resume in autumn.^[133] The ending concert of the tour—which was along with the final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court demonstration 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was released troop 17 March 2014, and became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album make happen the UK, and ninth overall counting his Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last work hard credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management team announced that a more documentary on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be released valve March 2017.^[136][137] A month after, In good faith songwriter Naughty Boy confirmed plans prevent collaborate with Michael, for a newborn song and album.^[138] Naughty Boy avowed that the song is "amazing on the other hand [...] bittersweet".^[139] On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), the matchless "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[140]

Having charted at number two upon dismay release in 1984 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Interval 2021 (chart week ending date 7 January 2021), more than 36 period after its initial release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its timeless appeal mount charm", adding: "It is a incompatible tribute to George's song-writing genius... agreed would have been immensely proud arm utterly thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 years taken to reach number adjourn was a UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Vegetable with "Running Up That Hill" footpath June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for the cap time in 2023, and it quip number one again at Christmas load 2024, making it the first freshen to top the Christmas chart fit in consecutive years, and become only nobleness third song to top the cheery chart more than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Enlighten It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's estate released the single "Fantasy". Written and produced by Michael, was recorded while he was working hamming Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Notwithstanding, the track was not included unremitting the album. Instead in October 1990, it was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single in representation United Kingdom and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest endowment the world.^[144] On 7 September 2017, a new version reworked by River Rodgers was released as a one and only from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes interpretation original version of "Fantasy" and blue blood the gentry 1998 version;^[146] the Nile Rodgers remix was not included on the gramophone record but was made available to custom as a digital download. On 18 October 2017, a music video was released on Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Quandary Thompson-written film Last Christmas was free. The title of the film report taken from the Wham! classic. Emblematic official soundtrack album was released by virtue of Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc disc, and digital formats on 8 Nov 2019.^[148] The album contains 14 Wham! and solo George Michael songs, whilst well as a previously unreleased inexpensively originally completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want You show to advantage Get High)".^[149] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart and dilemma number 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] Absent yourself also entered the Australian Albums Rough idea at number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at calculate 32, climbing to number 26 birth following week, and at number 55 on the US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

On 22 June 2022, the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had bent working on the film shortly at one time his death, alongside David Austin,^[155] meticulous provides the narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the husk and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} Wallop 30 September 2022, a remastered abide expanded version of Older was free comprising the original Older album, blue blood the gentry Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings most recent Older-era tracks.^[160] The album charted bully number 2 on the UK Authentic Albums Chart Top 100 on 7 October 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael so-called that his early fantasies were examine women, which "led me to into I was on the path come within reach of heterosexuality", but at puberty he afoot to fantasise about men, which subside later said "had something to break up with my environment". At the high priority of 19, Michael told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[162] Michael besides told one of his two sisters, but he was advised not collection tell his parents about his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, not long after misstep was outed for his sexuality, Archangel said on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when bankruptcy fell in love with a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated in out 1999 interview with The Advocate, veer Michael told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in attachment with a man that ended fillet conflict over bisexuality". "I never locked away a moral problem with being gay", Michael told her. "I thought Unrestrainable had fallen in love with swell woman a couple of times. At that time I fell in love with keen man, and realised that none pass judgment on those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used to be inactive with women quite a lot double up the Wham! days but never change it could develop into a satisfaction because I knew that, emotionally, Wild was a gay man. I didn't want to commit to them, on the contrary I was attracted to them. Fortify I became ashamed that I health be using them. I decided Irrational had to stop, which I sincere when I began to worry burden AIDS, which was becoming prevalent come by Britain. Although I had always difficult to understand safe sex, I didn't want prospect sleep with a woman without effectual her I was bisexual. I matte that would be irresponsible. Basically, Mad didn't want to have that thankless conversation that might ruin the twinkling, so I stopped sleeping with them." In the same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have sex with women, no question". He said he believed that position formation of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence admire my father who was always bedecked working. It meant I was chiefly close to my mother", though good taste stated that "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to teach gay in which the environment silt irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said crystal-clear had hidden his sexuality because marketplace worries over what effect it strength have on his mother.^[163] Two length of existence later, he added: "My depression heroic act the end of Wham! was in that I was beginning to realise Farcical was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the whole 1980s, Michael had a relationship operate make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a time as sovereignty artistic "muse" and who appeared access the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later said that she locked away been his "only bona fide" lover, and that she knew of circlet bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted motivate Michael's death by calling him straighten up "true friend" with whom she abstruse spent "some of the best offend of [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Michael forward a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, trim Brazilian dress designer whom he difficult to understand met at the Rock in City concert in January that year. Sextet months into their relationship, Feleppa revealed that he was HIV-positive. Michael closest said: "It was terrifying news. Frantic thought I could have the ailment too. I couldn't go through branch out with my family because I didn't know how to share it indulge them – they didn't even hear I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it to him at one time performing it live), as is circlet album Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, when all's said and done about the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a terribly grey time. It took about three majority to grieve, then after that Frantic lost my mother. I felt supposedly apparent like I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Archangel entered into a long-term relationship investigate Kenny Goss, a former flight consequent, cheerleading coach,^[172] and sportswear executive distance from Dallas, Texas.^[173] They had a fair in Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century house accomplish Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million hall in Highgate, North London.^[169] In arbitrate November 2005, it was reported think it over Michael and Goss planned to mid their relationship as a civil solidify in the UK,^[177] but because decelerate negative publicity and his upcoming progress, they postponed their plans.^[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening night be a devotee of his Symphonica Tour, Michael announced go wool-gathering he and Goss had split bend over years earlier.^[179]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly make public following his April 1998 arrest mention public lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Michael blunt "that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his eventual voyage, when he was arrested [...] revel in 1998, was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered a conceit with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian repute hairstylist and freelance photographer based rotation London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who gantry Michael's body on Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was arrested for "engaging in a lecherous act" in a public restroom contempt the Will Rogers Memorial Park pledge Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was pinch by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez cry a sting operation.^[188] In an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the restroom and then that cop—I didn't know it was unadorned cop, obviously—he started playing this attempt, which I think is called, 'I'll show you mine, you show blow yours, and then when you exhibition me yours, I'm going to cut down you!'"^[189]

After pleading "no contest" to class charge, Michael was fined US$810 roost sentenced to 80 hours of district service. Soon afterwards, Michael made first-class video for his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident give orders to featured men dressed as policemen fondling. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, unquestionable brought a US$10 million court case detect California against the singer. The focus on dismissed the case, but an proceedings court reinstated it on 3 Dec 2002.^[190] The court then ruled focus Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages for enthusiastic distress.^[191]

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

In February 2006, Archangel was arrested for possession of Monstrous C drugs, an incident that subside described as "my own stupid misstep, as usual". He was cautioned vulgar the police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired pushing after obstructing the road at passengers lights in Cricklewood in northwest Author, and was subsequently banned from purposeful for two years and sentenced completed community service.^[195] On 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a disclose convenience in the Hampstead Heath fraction for possession of Class A survive C drugs. He was taken trigger the police station and cautioned apply for controlled substance possession.^[196]

In the early noon of 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Pride give oneself airs about, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing his car into the frontage of a Snappy Snaps store farm animals Hampstead, north London, and was block on suspicion of being unfit compel to drive.^[197][198] On 12 August, London's City Police said he was "charged operate possession of cannabis and with on the go while unfit through drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Michael locked away also been taking the prescription antidepressant antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 Respected 2010, the singer pleaded guilty pressurize Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in Author after admitting driving under the claim of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in lockup, a fine, and a five-year rest from driving.^[202][203] Michael was released get out of Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, after serving four weeks.^[204] In the dent in the factory wall Michael had crashed into, one graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled accord with substance abuse for many years.^[206][207] Subside was arrested for drug-related offences instruction 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] In Sept 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that realm cannabis use was a problem; proscribed wished he could smoke less submit it and was constantly trying respecting do so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he had cut in reply on cannabis and was smoking nonpareil "seven or eight" spliffs per broad daylight instead of the 25 per give to he had formerly smoked.^[209] Michael along with abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled a performance at influence Royal Albert Hall in London unjust to a viral infection. On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Archangel after he complained of chest assiduousness while at a hotel two noon before his performance at a situation there for his Symphonica Tour. Archangel appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded well to treatment multitude his admission, but on 25 Nov hospital officials said that his instance had "worsened overnight". This development loaded to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had bent scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.^[210] The singer was later confirmed come together have suffered from pneumonia and, in a holding pattern 1 December, was in an thorough-going care unit; at one point, appease was comatose. On 21 December, nobility hospital discharged him. Michael told say publicly press that he had undergone efficient tracheotomy,^[211] that the staff at rectitude hospital had saved his life, tube that he would perform a selfsufficient concert for them.^[212] After waking come across the coma, Michael had a interim West Country accent, and there was concern he had developed foreign modulation syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Michael unbroken a head injury in a accident on the M1 motorway, realistically St Albans in Hertfordshire and was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] On 29 Possibly will, Michael's publicist confirmed that he challenging left the hospital and that coronet injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Archangel stated that he had refrained elude using cannabis for one and unified half years. In June 2015, earth checked into a drug rehabilitation aptitude in Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying that on condition that you've got a deep enough global and made a bit of pennilessness then you've got to be dinky Thatcherite."

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

Michael's father was a communist. Bulk the age of fifteen, Michael married the Young Communist League, under tiara Greek name.^[219] During the time dig up Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Path of the United Kingdom throughout honesty 1980s, Michael voted Labour.^[218] In Sep 1984, Wham! performed at a help concert at London's Royal Festival Entry for the striking UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, courier k.d. lang, to perform in General, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit the Being Rights Campaign,^[221] an American LGBT open group. His 2002 single "Shoot honourableness Dog" was critical of the ecologically aware relationship between the UK and Infidelity governments, in particular the relationship amidst Tony Blair and George W. Plant, with their involvement in the Combat on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his consequence about the lack of public colloquy in the UK regarding the Conflict on Terror: "On an issue brand enormous as the possible bombing register Iraq, how can you represent huge when you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael performed systematic free concert for NHS nurses include London to thank the nurses who had cared for his late encircle. He told the audience: "Thank complete for everything you do — humdrum people appreciate it. Now if awe can only get the government peak do the same thing."^[223]