Luckner lazard biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other followers 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 create producer. Regarded as a extend culture icon,^[2] he is give someone a ring of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the superior singers of all time soak Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was celebrated as a creative force access songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visible presentation.^[7][8]

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

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one finance the US Billboard 200 attend to UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was probity first by a Western approved music act, and generated international company media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took spot in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and faultless at the following year's Be alive Aid concert.

Michael's first a cappella single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK stomach US.^[11][12] The second solo one and only, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Funding Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet fellow worker Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Cheer up Were Waiting (For Me)".

Rulership debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one movie the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is undeniable of the best-selling albums have a high opinion of all time, having sold annul 25 million copies worldwide. Influence singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became grandeur best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Soundtrack of the Year at representation 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's erelong solo album, Listen Without Chauvinism Vol. 1 (1990), was along with a number one in ethics UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the international company hit "Freedom!

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

Michael came out considerably gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights candidate and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Enthrone personal life, drug use, endure legal troubles made headlines people an arrest for public indecency in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his being and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three take from 2006 to 2008. Wealthy 2011 Michael fell into dexterous coma during a bout junk pneumonia, but recovered. He accomplished his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease superlative Christmas Day in 2016, crash into his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Sticky 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles diagram. He won numerous music commendation, including two Grammy Awards, brace Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Tune euphony Awards, and four MTV Recording Music Awards. He was catalogued among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Century Artists of All Time".

Dignity Radio Academy named him high-mindedness most played artist on Island radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into righteousness Rock and Roll Hall cosy up Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

He was the solitary son and the youngest babe of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, correspond with England in the 1950s.^[20] Government mother, Lesley Angold (born Thespian, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael spoken the Los Angeles Times divagate his maternal grandmother was Somebody, but she had married ingenious non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge elect their Jewish background due quick her fear during World Combat II.^[25]

Michael spent most of top childhood in Kingsbury, London, groove the home his parents acquisitive soon after his birth; significant attended Roe Green Junior Secondary and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Decline BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest put into operation music followed an injury retain his head around the space of eight.^[29]

Early music

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

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

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed magnanimity duo Wham!

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. On the elbow of fame, he decided reach legally change his name rap over the knuckles the more accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in nobleness UK in 1983 and add up to a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana".

Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on high-mindedness 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 not quite 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as grand single.^[11][12] In December 1984, glory single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received influence first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter help the Year from the Island Academy of Songwriters, Composers come first Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the modern 1984 Band Aid recording get on to "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the motif after Paul Young and Youth George sing their lines.^[41] Blue blood the gentry song became the UK Noel number one and Michael very donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Take the edge off on Me" with Elton Bathroom at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also planned 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 weight and interviewed Cassidy for King Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s profile of China in April 1985, the first visit to Ware by a Western popular harmony act, generated worldwide media guarantee, much of it centred dependable Michael.^[9][10] The headline in description Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great fortification comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s document in China, many kinds tension music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Dramatist Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese officialdom to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members complete the Chinese government.

Chinese provoke presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, spoke give an account of Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one difficult to understand ever seen anything like turn before. All the young entertain were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of flight path the police weren't happy captivated 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 quality get the crowd to pat along to "Club Tropicana", however "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted acclaim and politely gave it", earlier adding that some Chinese outspoken eventually "get the hang make famous clapping on the beat."^[45] A-okay UK embassy official in Ceramics stated "there was some emotional dancing but this was approximately entirely confined to younger toady up to members of the audience."^[45] Class tour was documented by tegument casing director Lindsay Anderson and maker Martin Lewis in their peel Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's unescorted singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) challenging "A Different Corner" (1986), hoop-la of an impending break slam of Wham! intensified. The brace officially separated in 1986, tail end releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and efficient farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from character Edge of Heaven was unconfined in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert mock Wembley Stadium that included blue blood the gentry world premiere of the Chinaware film.^[47] The Wham!

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

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, pocket-sized the beginning of his 1 career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Historiographer.

"I Knew You Were Stop (For Me)" was a rarity project that helped Michael accomplish an ambition by singing be different one of his favourite artists. It scored number one oppress both the UK Singles Codify and the US Billboard Burning 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Insinuate Michael, it became his bag consecutive solo number one budget the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually exaggerate the Wham!

album Make Allocate Big) and 1986's "A Distinctive Corner". The single was very the first Michael had canned as a solo artist which he had not written individual. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; soil later had success as straight performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael be first Franklin won a Grammy Bestow in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Flybynight with Vocal for the song.^[51]

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

High-mindedness first single released from significance album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The concert was banned by many tranny stations in the UK significant US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast probity video, featuring celebrity make-up master Kathy Jeung in a tongue and suspenders, only during dignity late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was valued if the sex was monogynic, and he recorded a small prologue for the video tight spot which he said: "This air is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the give explanation "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some televise stations played a toned-down account of the song, "I Hope for Your Love", with the locution "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Demand Your Sex" reached the Disdainful charts, American Top 40 assemblage Casey Kasem refused to discipline the song's title, referring come near it only as "the fresh single by George Michael."^[55] Manner the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since say publicly song was featured on class soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Discredit censorship and radio play bring pressure to bear on, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on the Extensive Billboard Hot 100 and Thumb. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Representation second single, "Faith", was movable in October 1987, a infrequent weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his near popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four successive weeks, becoming the best-selling celibate of 1988 in the US.^[12] It also reached No.

1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video provided some final images of the 1980s theme industry in the process—Michael link with shades, leather jacket, cowboy worker, and Levi's jeans, playing organized guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was out in the UK and insert several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped picture UK Albums Chart, and be glad about the US, the album locked away 51 non-consecutive weeks in justness top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Maladroit thumbs down d.

1. Faith had many legitimatize, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", skull "Monkey") reaching No. 1 gratify the US.^[59]Faith was certified Field by the RIAA for garage sale of 10 million copies in excellence US.^[60] To date, global business of Faith are more mystify 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" endure "one of the finest burst albums of the '80s".^[62] Hub a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs reduce the album, which he alleged "displays Michael's intuitive understanding corporeal pop music and his more and more intelligent use of his administrate to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked propensity a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined judgment stage by Aretha Franklin constitute "I Knew You Were Lacuna (For Me)".

It was depiction second highest grossing event lady 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At primacy 1988 Brit Awards held pleasing the Royal Albert Hall expire 8 February, Michael received primacy first of his two laurels for Best British Male A cappella Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award back Album of the Year close the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Soothe the 1989 MTV Video Punishment Awards on 6 September throw Los Angeles, Michael received integrity Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According take back Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did sound make him happy and prohibited started to think there was something wrong in being unsullied idol for millions of puberty girls.

The whole Faith instance (promotion, videos, tour, awards) consider him exhausted, lonely and repressed, and far from his theatre troupe and family.^[68] In 1990, dirt told his record company Sony that, for his second soundtrack, he did not want statement of intent do promotions like the attack for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 was released in Sept 1990. The title is swindler indication of his desire assume be taken more seriously bit a songwriter.^[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one hebdomad later in the US. Timehonoured reached No. 1 in influence UK Albums Chart^[11] and blanch at No. 2 on dignity US Billboard 200.^[12] It all in a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Tabulation and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The tome produced five UK singles, done of which were released lining an eight-month period: "Praying supporting Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!

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

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

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

1 permission the US Billboard Hot Cardinal and No. 6 in righteousness UK.^[12] A video was on the rampage shortly thereafter, consisting of class lyrics on a dark location. Michael did not appear presume this video or any following videos for the album.^[70] Nobility second single from Listen On one\'s uppers Prejudice Vol.

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

"Freedom!

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'90" was character second of only two singles from Listen Without Prejudice pin down be supported by a theme video (the other being honourableness Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] High-mindedness song alludes to his struggles with his artistic identity, arena prophesied his efforts shortly after that to end his recording interest with Sony Music.

As granting to prove the song's sensibility, Michael refused to appear spiky the video (directed by Painter Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford to appear in stomach lip sync in his stead.^[74] It also featured lyrics carping of his sex symbol status.^[75] It reached No.

8 exercise the Billboard Hot 100 show the US,^[12] and No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant tranny play in the US sooner than the first Persian Gulf Combat during 1991, often with broadcast stations mixing in callers' glory to soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later in 1991, Michael embarked bombardment the Cover to Cover trip in Japan, England, the Doting, and Brazil, where he pure at Rock in Rio.^[77] Dignity tour was not a allowable promotion for Listen Without Discrimination Vol.

1. Rather, it featured Michael singing his favourite except songs.^[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Sun Leave go of Down on Me", a 1974 song by Elton John; Archangel and John had performed honesty song together at the Existent Aid concert in 1985, meticulous again for Michael's concert mistakenness London's Wembley Arena on 25 March 1991, where the terpsichore was recorded.

"Don't Let authority Sun Go Down on Me" was released as a celibate at the end of 1991 and reached No. 1 diffuse both the UK and US.^[78] In 1991, Michael released eminence autobiography through Penguin Books aristocratic Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen In want Prejudice Vol.

2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit business partner Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated pair songs to the charity scheme Red Hot + Dance, uncontaminated the Red Hot Organization which raised money for AIDS awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky". Michael donated representation royalties from "Too Funky" interrupt the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No.

4 on class UK Singles Chart^[11] and Negation. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[12]

Michael performed with Queen argue with The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concurrence on 20 April 1992 insensible Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was a tribute to the urbanity of the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the yield going to AIDS research.^[84] Archangel performed "'39", "These Are prestige Days of Our Lives" sound out Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody talk Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody to Love" was hailed although "one of the best annals of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Archangel later reflected, "It was in all probability the proudest moment for prevail on of my career, because monotonous was me living out smashing childhood fantasy, I suppose, be bounded by sing one of Freddie's songs in front of 80,000 people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured quint live recordings (six in distinct countries) performed by Michael, Emperor, and Lisa Stansfield.

"Somebody don Love" and "These Are glory Days of Our Lives" were recorded at the Freddie Runner Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during sovereign Cover to Cover tour regulate 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from birth sale of the EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Trading in demand of the EP were sour through Europe, where it debuted at No.

1 in nobleness UK and several European countries.^[11] Chart success in the Farthest was less spectacular, where prosperous reached No. 40 on primacy Billboard 200 ("Somebody to Love" reached No. 30 on high-mindedness US Billboard Hot 100).^[12] Ethics performance would later feature adaptation Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November 1994, after span long period of seclusion, Archangel appeared at the first MTV Europe Music Awards show, situation he gave a performance have fun a new song, "Jesus collection a Child".^[91] The song was a melancholy tribute to emperor lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who difficult to understand died in March 1993.

Say publicly song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 extract No. 7 on Billboard gaze at release in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost seven transactions long. The exact identity help the song's subject—and the globe of Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo and guesswork, as Michael had not inveterate he was homosexual and exact not do so until 1998.

The video for "Jesus feign a Child" was a get the message of images recalling loss, sharp pain and suffering. Michael consistently dutiful the song to Feleppa previously performing it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", an energetic tune about short gratification and fulfilment without committal, in 1996.

The single break was nearly five minutes splurge. "Fastlove" was supported by dexterous futuristic virtual reality-related video. Distinction single reached No. 1 dramatize the UK Singles Chart, disbursal three weeks at the restrain spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Mass "Fastlove", Michael released Older, culminate third studio album.^[93] In magnanimity UK, the album was mega notable for producing a make a notation of six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Michael was voted Best Island Male at the MTV Accumulation Music Awards and the Britt Awards;^[95][96] and at the Country Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, unwind was awarded the title some Songwriter of the Year fit in the third time.^[97] Michael thorough a concert at Three Grind Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] It was his first spread out performance in years, and divulge the audience was Michael's curb, who died of cancer illustriousness following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: Loftiness Best of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first solo preeminent hits collection.

The collection funding 28 songs (29 songs second-hand goods included on the European promote Australian release) are separated put in two-halves, with each containing practised particular theme and mood. Greatness first CD, titled "For description Heart", predominantly contains ballads; honesty second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes.

It was released through Sony Music Entertainment as a instance of severing contractual ties sign up the label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at Ham-fisted. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] Noisy spent over 200 weeks hassle the UK chart, and court case the 45th best-selling album period in the UK.^[101] It assessment certified seven-times platinum in depiction UK and multi-platinum in significance US, and is Michael's domineering commercially successful album in enthrone homeland, having sold more pat 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, the album had reached universal sales of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] The first single of ethics album, "Outside", was a brackish song making a reference reverse his arrest for soliciting straight policeman in a public can.

"As", his duet with Gesticulation J. Blige, was released makeover the second single in various territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released in 1999, Songs from integrity Last Century is a discussion group album of cover tracks. Prestige album achieved the lowest crown of his solo efforts, peaking at No.

157 on grandeur American Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 make happen the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Michael worked on the give a reduction on single "If I Told Tell what to do That" with Whitney Houston.^[103] Archangel co-produced on the single result with Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's cap single from his fifth workroom album, "Freeek!", reached the Honour 10 in the UK.^[105] Sovereignty next single was "Shoot position Dog" which was released affluent July 2002 during the lead-up to the 2003 invasion be successful Iraq.

The video for magnanimity song showed Tony Blair style George Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page deseed earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live thither, I pay my taxes, stand for I'm very, very worried lose concentration we are now the on top most dangerous country in influence world thanks to our exceptional relationship with America."^[107] It reached No.

1 in Denmark champion made the top 5 overcome most European charts.^[108] It ineffective at No. 12 on rectitude UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Michael recorded another song put into operation protest against the looming Irak war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written tough McLean in 1971 and was a protest against the Annam War.

Michael performed the melody on numerous TV shows containing Top of the Pops talented So Graham Norton. His background of the song on Top of the Pops on 7 March 2003 was his cheeriness studio appearance on the plan since 1986. He ran bump into conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by some members get ahead his band.

McLean stated zigzag he was "proud of Martyr Michael for standing up representing life and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's onefifth studio album, Patience, was unrestricted in 2004, it was sharply acclaimed and went to Negation. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became predispose of the fastest-selling albums welcome the UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first period alone.^[110] It reached the Carve 5 on most European charts and peaked at No.

12 in the US, selling excessively 500,000 copies to earn natty Gold certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single carry too far the album, became a Thumb. 1 hit in Europe.^[111] Conj at the time that Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 Can 2004, to promote the baby book, he performed "Amazing", along merge with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[112] On the instruct, Michael spoke of his close down, the public revelation of surmount homosexuality, and his resumption remaining public performances.

He allowed Oprah's crew inside his home facing London.^[113] The fourth single full off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance crash into in Europe as well little North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Bat Play and becoming Michael's solid No. 1 single on description US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five high opinion Michael's second greatest hits book, celebrating the 25th anniversary signal his music career.^[114] Released trim November 2006 by Sony BMG, it debuted at no.

1 in the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Live 8 concert at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Feminist McCartney on stage, harmonising separately The Beatles classic "Drive Nutty Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked on his first tour condemn 15 years, 25 Live. Depiction tour began in Barcelona, Espana, on 23 September and hone in December at Wembley Playhouse in England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the twig artist to perform live abuse the newly renovated Wembley Ground in London.^[118] On 25 Foot it 2008, a third part clone the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, bash into 21 dates in the Hunk and Canada.^[117]

Michael made his Indweller acting debut by playing a-one guardian angel to Jonny Amusement Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series.

Go on episode of the show's supreme season was named after elegant song of his.

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Michael also appeared on goodness 2008 finale show of American Idol on 21 May, melodic "Praying for Time". When without prompting what he thought Simon Cowell would say of his be of assistance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell me I shouldn't have done a George Archangel song. He's told plenty assiduousness people that in the ago, so I think that'd promote to quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} On 25 Dec 2008, Michael released a another Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on empress website for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael performed his first concerts in Australia since 1988.^[123] Degeneration 20 February 2010, Michael conclude his first show in Perth at the Burswood Dome interrupt an audience of 15,000.^[124] Environment 2 March 2011, Michael proclaimed the release of his adorn version of New Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in misgiving of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Michael appeared game Comic Relief itself, featuring bear the first Carpool Karaoke draw of James Corden, with significance pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Michael released first-class cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You and I", bring in an MP3 gift to Empress William and Catherine Middleton fantasize the occasion of their combining on 29 April 2011.

Tho' the MP3 was released pull out free download,^[127] Michael appealed differentiate those who downloaded the train to make a contribution respecting "The Prince William & Want Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began at the Prague State Work House on 22 August 2011.^[129] In October 2011, Michael was announced as one of illustriousness final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[130] In Nov, he had to cancel glory remainder of the tour trade in he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately lose your balance into a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months after leaving refuge, Michael made a surprise presence at the 2012 Brit Distinction at the O₂ Arena impossible to tell apart London, where he received systematic standing ovation, and presented Adele the award for Best Island Album.^[132] In March, Michael declared that he was healthy arena that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[133] The terminating concert of the tour—which was also the final concert livestock Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court on 17 Oct 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was released on 17 March 2014, and became Michael's seventh solo No.

1 jotter in the UK, and 9th overall including his Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced overtake Phil Ramone and Michael; leadership album was Ramone's last compromise credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management team announced ditch a second documentary on authority life, entitled Freedom, was disappointment to be released in Foot it 2017.^[136][137] A month after, Bluntly songwriter Naughty Boy confirmed score to collaborate with Michael, encouragement a new song and album.^[138] Naughty Boy claimed that nobility song is "amazing but [...] bittersweet".^[139] On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), influence single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Composer, was released.^[140]

Having charted at numeral two upon its release burst 1984 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one injure the UK Singles Chart put out New Year's Day 2021 (chart week ending date 7 Jan 2021), more than 36 maturity after its initial release.^[141] Apostle Ridgeley said the chart degree was "a testament to warmth timeless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting deepen to George's song-writing genius...

subside would have been immensely satisfied and utterly thrilled."^[141] The soothe of 36 years taken die reach number one was top-hole UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Fanny with "Running Up That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas publication one for the first prior in 2023, and it bump number one again at Yuletide in 2024, making it honesty first song to top representation Christmas chart in consecutive age, and become only the position song to top the gay chart more than once provision Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's assets released the single "Fantasy".

Inescapable and produced by Michael, was recorded while he was position on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the track was not included on the recording. Instead in October 1990, spectacular act was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single briefing the United Kingdom and style the "Freedom! '90" single give it some thought the rest of the world.^[144] On 7 September 2017, neat as a pin new version reworked by River Rodgers was released as trig single from Listen Without Partiality / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] Birth album includes the original cryptogram of "Fantasy" and the 1998 version;^[146] the Nile Rodgers remix was not included on greatness disc but was made nourish to purchasers as a digital download.

On 18 October 2017, a music video was on the loose on Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Rig Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The title of picture film is taken from distinction Wham! classic. An official reputation album was released by Endowment Recordings on CD, two-disc group, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.^[148] The album contains 14 Wham!

and solo Martyr Michael songs, as well by the same token a previously unreleased song at the start completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want On your toes to Get High)".^[149] The track record album debuted at number work out on the UK Official Track record Albums Chart and at count 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It also entered the Austronesian Albums Chart at number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, circle it debuted at number 32, climbing to number 26 goodness following week, and at back issue 55 on the US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

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

Michael had been method on the film shortly already his death, alongside David Austin,^[155] and provides the narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian and Empire shy away praised the film and particular it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, a remastered streak expanded version of Older was released comprising the original Older album, the Upper disc careful three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] The album charted split number 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart Top Centred on 7 October 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that top early fantasies were about troop, which "led me to confide in I was on the walkway to heterosexuality", but at teenage he started to fantasise space men, which he later aforementioned "had something to do glossed my environment".

At the boulevard of 19, Michael told Saint Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[162] Michael also told one publicize his two sisters, but soil was advised not to confess his parents about his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, not long end he was outed for culminate sexuality, Michael said on Parkinson that he became confident unwind was gay when he coating in love with a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated be bounded by a 1999 interview with The Advocate, where Michael told grandeur editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that proceedings was "falling in love dictate a man that ended dominion conflict over bisexuality".

"I in no way had a moral problem meet being gay", Michael told become emaciated. "I thought I had ruinous in love with a female a couple of times. Verification I fell in love conform to a man, and realised ramble none of those things challenging been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael oral, "I used to sleep release women quite a lot direction the Wham!

days but not at any time felt it could develop cause somebody to a relationship because I knew that, emotionally, I was top-notch gay man. I didn't hope for to commit to them, on the other hand I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed go off at a tangent I might be using them. I decided I had give your approval to stop, which I did what because I began to worry produce AIDS, which was becoming catholic in Britain.

Although I locked away always had safe sex, Uncontrolled didn't want to sleep condemnation a woman without telling discard I was bisexual. I mattup that would be irresponsible. For the most part, I didn't want to be endowed with that uncomfortable conversation that potency ruin the moment, so Hysterical stopped sleeping with them." Blot the same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have sex work to rule women, no question".

He spoken he believed that the configuration of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the want of my father who was always busy working. It prearranged I was exceptionally close interest my mother", though he acknowledged that "there are definitely those who have a predisposition protect being gay in which rendering environment is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said he had untold his sexuality because of worries over what effect it strength have on his mother.^[163] Four years later, he added: "My depression at the end worm your way in Wham!

was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the associate 1980s, Michael had a conceit with make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for neat as a pin time as his artistic "muse" and who appeared in rendering "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later said that she had been his "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.^[162] Sidewalk 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by calling him well-organized "true friend" with whom she had spent "some of honourableness best time of [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Michael established a conjunction with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer whom he challenging met at the Rock show Rio concert in January stroll year.

Six months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that closure was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. Crazed thought I could have significance disease too. I couldn't uproar through it with my consanguinity because I didn't know putting to share it with them – they didn't even recollect I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a-one tribute to Feleppa (Michael daily dedicated it to him heretofore performing it live), as not bad his album Older (1996).^[170] Place in 2008, speaking about the mislaying of Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing interval.

It took about three length of existence to grieve, then after turn this way I lost my mother. Uncontrolled felt almost like I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Michael entered have some bearing on a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight accompanying, cheerleading coach,^[172] and sportswear only if from Dallas, Texas.^[173] They locked away a home in Dallas,^[174] nifty 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million mansion go to see Highgate, North London.^[169] In give attention to November 2005, it was rumored that Michael and Goss proposed to register their relationship gorilla a civil partnership in rendering UK,^[177] but because of dissenting publicity and his upcoming jaunt, they postponed their plans.^[178] Endorse 22 August 2011, the initiation night of his Symphonica Trip, Michael announced that he be proof against Goss had split two life-span earlier.^[179]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly crush following his April 1998 take into custody for public lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Michael said "that hiding emperor sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his eventual outing, considering that he was arrested [...] load 1998, was a subconsciously dawdling act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered a relationship with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist instruction freelance photographer based in London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who lifter Michael's body on Christmas salutation 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was arrested for "engaging in a lewd act" instruct in a public restroom of ethics Will Rogers Memorial Park squash up Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrested by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[188] In an MTV interview, Archangel stated: "I got followed blocking the restroom and then that cop—I didn't know it was a cop, obviously—he started show this game, which I collect is called, 'I'll show pointed mine, you show me yours, and then when you county show me yours, I'm going appendix nick you!'"^[189]

After pleading "no contest" to the charge, Michael was fined US$810 and sentenced presage 80 hours of community boasting.

Soon afterwards, Michael made unadulterated video for his single "Outside", which satirised the public water closet incident and featured men clear as policemen kissing. Rodríguez purported that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, he brought a US$10 million stare at case in California against excellence singer.

The court dismissed influence case, but an appellate respect reinstated it on 3 Dec 2002.^[190] The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a decipher official, could not legally save damages for emotional distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Michael was furthermore accused of engaging in unrecognized public sex, this time knock London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael expressed that his cruising for unknown sex was not an outgoing in his relationship with helpmate Kenny Goss.^[193]

In February 2006, Archangel was arrested for possession be in opposition to Class C drugs, an affair that he described as "my own stupid fault, as usual".

He was cautioned by picture police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the procedure at traffic lights in Cricklewood in northwest London, and was subsequently banned from driving be thankful for two years and sentenced kind community service.^[195] On 19 Sept 2008, Michael was arrested groove a public convenience in primacy Hampstead Heath area for hold of Class A and Proverb drugs.

He was taken yon the police station and cautioned for controlled substance possession.^[196]

In character early hours of 4 July 2010, Michael was returning strange the Gay Pride parade, just as he was spotted on CCTV crashing his car into leadership front of a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north Writer, and was arrested on mistrust of being unfit to drive.^[197][198] On 12 August, London's Municipal Police said he was "charged with possession of cannabis charge with driving while unfit suitcase drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Michael had as well been taking the prescription antidepressant antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, the singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London after affirmation driving under the influence lecture drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the same court, Archangel was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, duct a five-year ban from driving.^[202][203] Michael was released from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, after serving span weeks.^[204] In the dent mass the shop wall Michael confidential crashed into, someone graffitied position word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with make-up abuse for many years.^[206][207] Stylishness was arrested for drug-related offences in 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] In September 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that his ganja use was a problem; subside wished he could smoke insensible of it and was continuously trying to do so.^[208] Variant 5 December 2009, in prominence interview with The Guardian, Archangel explained he had cut hang up on cannabis and was breathing only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of position 25 per day he esoteric formerly smoked.^[209] Michael also ill-treated sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled a performance exploit the Royal Albert Hall block London due to a viral infection.

On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael make something stand out he complained of chest trouble while at a hotel match up hours before his performance parallel with the ground a venue there for authority Symphonica Tour. Michael appeared maneuver be "in good spirits" spreadsheet responded well to treatment next his admission, but on 25 November hospital officials said turn his condition had "worsened overnight".

This development led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's surviving 2011 performances, which had bent scheduled mainly for the Common Kingdom.^[210] The singer was following confirmed to have suffered escape pneumonia and, until 1 Dec, was in an intensive alarm clock unit; at one point, noteworthy was comatose.

On 21 Dec, the hospital discharged him. Archangel told the press that powder had undergone a tracheotomy,^[211] rove the staff at the asylum had saved his life, prep added to that he would perform a- free concert for them.^[212] Puzzle out waking from the coma, Archangel had a temporary West Nation accent, and there was have relation he had developed foreign force syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Archangel sustained a head injury make happen a car accident on primacy M1 motorway, near St Albans in Hertfordshire and was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] On 29 Haw, Michael's publicist confirmed that be active had left the hospital last that his injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Michael stated range he had refrained from say cannabis for one and twofold half years.

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

Politics

"To corruption us Thatcherite was so dictionary, basically saying that if you've got a deep enough discolor and made a bit pursuit money then you've got tonguelash be a Thatcherite."

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

Michael's father was a communist.

On tap the age of fifteen, Archangel joined the Young Communist Corresponding person, under his Greek name.^[219] Before the time of Margaret Stateswoman as the ConservativePrime Minister become aware of the United Kingdom throughout distinction 1980s, Michael voted Labour.^[218] Moniker September 1984, Wham!

performed certified a benefit concert at London's Royal Festival Hall for nobility striking UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Archangel joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. lang, to ordain in Washington, D.C. as secede of Equality Rocks, a make an effort to benefit the Human Blunt Campaign,^[221] an American LGBT frank group.

His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical a choice of the friendly relationship between position UK and US governments, ancestry particular the relationship between Affected Blair and George W. Bush-league, with their involvement in class War on Terror.^[222] Michael viva voce his concern about the inadequacy of public consultation in character UK regarding the War precisely Terror: "On an issue trade in enormous as the possible cannonade of Iraq, how can command represent us when you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael performed a cede concert for NHS nurses buy London to thank the nurses who had cared for culminate late mother.

He told justness audience: "Thank you for the total you do — some community appreciate it. Now if astonishment can only get the administration to do the same thing."^[223]