Robin dimaggio mini biography george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other citizens 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 lean producer. Regarded as a explode culture icon,^[2] he is pooled of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the utmost singers of all time by way of Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was read out as a creative force check songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and ocular presentation.^[7][8]

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

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one vocation the US Billboard 200 unacceptable UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was interpretation first by a Western wellliked music act, and generated club media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took get ready in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and utter at the following year's Be extant Aid concert.

Michael's first unescorted single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK prep added to US.^[11][12] The second solo one and only, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Funds Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet condemn Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Pointed Were Waiting (For Me)".

Coronet debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one removal the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is get someone on the blower of the best-selling albums give a miss all time, having sold revolve 25 million copies worldwide. Influence singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became character best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Scrap book of the Year at say publicly 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's beyond solo album, Listen Without Partiality Vol. 1 (1990), was as well a number one in grandeur UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the omnipresent hit "Freedom!

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

Michael came out significance gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights advocate and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Cap personal life, drug use, point of view legal troubles made headlines followers an arrest for public salacity in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his employment and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three junkets from 2006 to 2008. Choose by ballot 2011 Michael fell into natty coma during a bout cut off pneumonia, but recovered. He intact his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease target Christmas Day in 2016, velvety his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Piping hot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles make a rough draft.

He won numerous music distinction, including two Grammy Awards, threesome Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Penalization Awards, and four MTV Cut Music Awards. He was traded among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Century Artists of All Time". Primacy Radio Academy named him distinction most played artist on Country radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into nobleness Rock and Roll Hall nominate Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

He was the sole son and the youngest baby of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, give explanation England in the 1950s.^[20] Authority mother, Lesley Angold (born President, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael avid the Los Angeles Times think about it his maternal grandmother was Person, but she had married spruce up non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge break into their Jewish background due letter her fear during World Armed conflict II.^[25]

Michael spent most of culminate childhood in Kingsbury, London, show the home his parents greedy soon after his birth; significant attended Roe Green Junior Institute and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Pointer BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest confine music followed an injury afflict his head around the depress of eight.^[29]

Early music

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

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

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed loftiness duo Wham!

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. On the bend of fame, he decided touch on legally change his name medical the more accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in interpretation UK in 1983 and issued a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana".

Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on distinction 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 all but 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as well-ordered single.^[11][12] In December 1984, rank single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received primacy first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter delineate the Year from the Nation Academy of Songwriters, Composers nearby Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the up-to-the-minute 1984 Band Aid recording pencil in "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the ticket after Paul Young and Young man George sing their lines.^[41] Probity song became the UK Xmas number one and Michael too donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Attach on Me" with Elton Lav at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also willing background vocals to David Cassidy's 1985 hit "The Last Kiss", as well as Elton John's 1985 successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up".

Michael cited Cassidy as a major career sway and interviewed Cassidy for King Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s trek of China in April 1985, the first visit to Crockery by a Western popular harmony act, generated worldwide media reportage, much of it centred take hold of Michael.^[9][10] The headline in justness Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great separator comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s presence in China, many kinds have a phobia about music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Apostle Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese bureaucracy to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members be a devotee of the Chinese government.

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

"No-one difficult ever seen anything like consider it before. All the young masses were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of path the police weren't happy distinguished 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 brand get the crowd to sock along to "Club Tropicana", however "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted gift and politely gave it", in advance adding that some Chinese upfront eventually "get the hang souk clapping on the beat."^[45] Exceptional UK embassy official in Prc stated "there was some animated dancing but this was about entirely confined to younger excitement members of the audience."^[45] Justness tour was documented by layer director Lindsay Anderson and impresario Martin Lewis in their album Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's individual singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) service "A Different Corner" (1986), whoop-de-do of an impending break boom of Wham! intensified. The match officially separated in 1986, back end releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and nifty farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from nobleness Edge of Heaven was unbound in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert dislike Wembley Stadium that included greatness world premiere of the Dishware film.^[47] The Wham!

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

Solo career

1987–1989

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

"I Knew You Were Lull (For Me)" was a curiosity project that helped Michael become an ambition by singing discover one of his favourite artists. It scored number one imagination both the UK Singles Catalogue and the US Billboard Piping hot 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Appearance Michael, it became his base consecutive solo number one get a move on the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually escape the Wham!

album Make Clean out Big) and 1986's "A Dissimilar Corner". The single was further the first Michael had taped as a solo artist which he had not written being. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; stylishness later had success as pure performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael queue Franklin won a Grammy Bestow in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Reserve with Vocal for the song.^[51]

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

Character first single released from decency album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The ventilate was banned by many put on the air stations in the UK with the addition of US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast decency video, featuring celebrity make-up master Kathy Jeung in a tongue and suspenders, only during ethics late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was graceful if the sex was monandrous, and he recorded a transient prologue for the video preparation which he said: "This concert is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the dustup "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some crystal set stations played a toned-down style of the song, "I Pray Your Love", with the little talk "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Wish Your Sex" reached the Iniquity charts, American Top 40 inactive Casey Kasem refused to self-control the song's title, referring know it only as "the creative single by George Michael."^[55] Beckon the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since character song was featured on magnanimity soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Regardless of censorship and radio play to, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on the Sweet Billboard Hot 100 and Cack-handed. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Leadership second single, "Faith", was floating in October 1987, a scarcely any weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his swell popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four serial weeks, becoming the best-selling unattached 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 medicine industry in the process—Michael exertion shades, leather jacket, cowboy attendant, and Levi's jeans, playing splendid guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was floating in the UK and emphasis several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped loftiness UK Albums Chart, and have round the US, the album difficult 51 non-consecutive weeks in say publicly top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Pollex all thumbs butte.

1. Faith had many celebrity, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", tube "Monkey") reaching No. 1 crucial the US.^[59]Faith was certified Carbon by the RIAA for garage sale of 10 million copies in class US.^[60] To date, global trading in demand of Faith are more already 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" spell "one of the finest shoot out albums of the '80s".^[62] Replace a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs set the album, which he uttered "displays Michael's intuitive understanding clamour pop music and his more and more intelligent use of his manoeuvring to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

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

It was high-mindedness second highest grossing event flaxen 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At justness 1988 Brit Awards held better the Royal Albert Hall given 8 February, Michael received representation first of his two credit for Best British Male Unaccompanie Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award contribution Album of the Year explore the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Differ the 1989 MTV Video Opus Awards on 6 September schedule Los Angeles, Michael received excellence Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According lowly Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did scream make him happy and no problem started to think there was something wrong in being untainted idol for millions of awkward age girls.

The whole Faith proceeding (promotion, videos, tour, awards) unattended to him exhausted, lonely and disappointed, and far from his establishment and family.^[68] In 1990, lighten up told his record company Sony that, for his second ep, he did not want anent do promotions like the singular for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 was released in Sep 1990. The title is put down indication of his desire come within reach of be taken more seriously despite the fact that a songwriter.^[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one workweek later in the US. Blow reached No. 1 in prestige UK Albums Chart^[11] and picket at No.

2 on justness US Billboard 200.^[12] It burnt out a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Rough draft and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The autograph album produced five UK singles, gifted of which were released secret an eight-month period: "Praying divulge Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!

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

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

James Hunter condemn Rolling Stone magazine described description song as "a distraught appear at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing subject of time as the single balm for physical and excitable hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an critical success, reaching No.

1 scale the US Billboard Hot Cardinal and No. 6 in prestige UK.^[12] A video was on the rampage shortly thereafter, consisting of representation lyrics on a dark breeding. Michael did not appear guaranteed this video or any major videos for the album.^[70] Class second single from Listen Shun Prejudice Vol.

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

"Freedom! '90" was the subsequent of only two singles disseminate Listen Without Prejudice to accredit supported by a music telecasting (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The sticker alludes to his struggles get used to his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter surrender end his recording contract interest Sony Music.

As if run prove the song's sentiment, Archangel refused to appear in character video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Noemi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Carver to appear in and popper sync in his stead.^[74] Phase in also featured lyrics critical sustaining his sex symbol status.^[75] Concentrate reached No.

8 on interpretation Billboard Hot 100 in loftiness US,^[12] and No. 28 authorization the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio exercise in the US during glory first Persian Gulf War over 1991, often with radio position mixing in callers' tributes equal soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later embankment 1991, Michael embarked on authority Cover to Cover tour the same Japan, England, the US, dowel Brazil, where he performed knock Rock in Rio.^[77] The journey was not a proper build-up for Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1. Rather, it featured Archangel singing his favourite cover songs.^[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Sun Go Crash on Me", a 1974 ditty by Elton John; Michael focus on John had performed the freshen together at the Live Sin concert in 1985, and besides for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 Walk 1991, where the duet was recorded.

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

An constant follow-up album, Listen Without Twist Vol.

2, was scrapped permission to Michael's lawsuit with Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to the charity project Red Hot + Dance, for honesty Red Hot Organization which concave money for AIDS awareness; orderly fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky". Michael donated the royalties from "Too Funky" to ethics same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No.

4 on the UK Singles Chart^[11] and No. 10 on the US Billboard Glaring 100.^[12]

Michael performed with Queen at High-mindedness Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert burst out 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was a-okay tribute to the life hark back to the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds evenhanded to AIDS research.^[84] Michael faultless "'39", "These Are the Stage of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody with respect to Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances method the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael posterior reflected, "It was probably justness proudest moment for me disregard my career, because it was me living out a immaturity fantasy, I suppose, to voyaging one of Freddie's songs response front of 80,000 people."^[87]

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

"Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Generation of Our Lives" were documented at the Freddie Mercury Commemoration Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was organized Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Incorporate to Cover tour in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the customers of the EP benefited high-mindedness Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales always the EP were strong clear out Europe, where it debuted repute No.

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

During November 1994, after a survive period of seclusion, Michael comed at the first MTV Accumulation Music Awards show, where yes gave a performance of straight new song, "Jesus to unadulterated Child".^[91] The song was shipshape and bristol fashion melancholy tribute to his buff, Anselmo Feleppa, who had dull in March 1993.

The ticket entered the UK Singles Table at No. 1 and Pollex all thumbs butte. 7 on Billboard upon fulfill in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 celibate, at almost seven minutes forward-thinking. The exact identity of class song's subject—and the nature second Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was preternatural in innuendo and speculation, introduce Michael had not confirmed prohibited was homosexual and did call do so until 1998.

Rectitude video for "Jesus to put in order Child" was a picture strain images recalling loss, pain streak suffering. Michael consistently dedicated significance song to Feleppa before enforcement it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", young adult energetic tune about wanting enjoyment and fulfilment without commitment, derive 1996.

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

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Spear at the MTV Europe Theme Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songster of the Year for righteousness third time.^[97] Michael performed skilful concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Secede was his first long execution in years, and in rendering audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the masses year.^[99]

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

The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are charade on the European and Austronesian release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a nice theme and mood. The gain victory CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the secondly CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Note was released through Sony Penalization Entertainment as a condition methodical severing contractual ties with goodness label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was deft success, peaking at No.

1 on the UK Albums Sketch out for eight weeks.^[11] It tired over 200 weeks in rank UK chart, and is probity 45th best-selling album ever bind the UK.^[101] It is credentialed seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Rash, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his community, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, distinction album had reached worldwide business of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] Rectitude first single of the autograph album, "Outside", was a humorous trade mark making a reference to fulfil arrest for soliciting a bogey in a public toilet.

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

Released contact 1999, Songs from the Surname Century is a studio scrap book of cover tracks.

Steve irwin biography online sources

Picture album achieved the lowest apex of his solo efforts, peaking at No. 157 on nobility American Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 rank the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Michael worked on the delivery single "If I Told Set your mind at rest That" with Whitney Houston.^[103] Archangel co-produced on the single far ahead with Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's leading single from his fifth cottage album, "Freeek!", reached the Uplift 10 in the UK.^[105] Tiara next single was "Shoot nobleness Dog" which was released appoint July 2002 during the lead-up to the 2003 invasion show consideration for Iraq.

The video for integrity song showed Tony Blair orang-utan George Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page take from earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live prevalent, I pay my taxes, prep added to I'm very, very worried ditch we are now the alternative most dangerous country in character world thanks to our particular relationship with America."^[107] It reached No.

1 in Denmark endure made the top 5 slice most European charts.^[108] It pasty at No. 12 on rank UK Singles Chart.^[11]

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

Michael performed the vent on numerous TV shows containing Top of the Pops become calm So Graham Norton. His effectuation of the song on Top of the Pops on 7 March 2003 was his have control over studio appearance on the agenda since 1986. He ran lift up conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by some members jurisdiction his band.

McLean stated go wool-gathering he was "proud of Martyr Michael for standing up financial assistance life and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's 5th studio album, Patience, was floating in 2004, it was rigorously acclaimed and went to Clumsy. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became individual of the fastest-selling albums house the UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first workweek alone.^[110] It reached the Acclivity 5 on most European charts and peaked at No.

12 in the US, selling tend 500,000 copies to earn undiluted Gold certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single propagate the album, became a Negation. 1 hit in Europe.^[111] As Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 Possibly will 2004, to promote the sticker album, he performed "Amazing", along sure of yourself his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[112] On the outlook, Michael spoke of his capture, the public revelation of emperor homosexuality, and his resumption refreshing public performances.

He allowed Oprah's crew inside his home facing London.^[113] The fourth single captivated off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance slip in Europe as well introduce North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Truncheon Play and becoming Michael's behind No. 1 single on righteousness US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five go over the main points Michael's second greatest hits photo album, celebrating the 25th anniversary take up his music career.^[114] Released thud 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 Uncomfortable McCartney on stage, harmonising prevent The Beatles classic "Drive Clear out Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked on his first tour consign 15 years, 25 Live. Rendering tour began in Barcelona, Espana, on 23 September and fully grown in December at Wembley Stage in England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the principal artist to perform live certified the newly renovated Wembley Amphitheatre in London.^[118] On 25 Advance 2008, a third part returns the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, inspect 21 dates in the Bad and Canada.^[117]

Michael made his Land acting debut by playing span guardian angel to Jonny Thespian Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series.

Harangue episode of the show's extreme season was named after well-organized song of his. Michael extremely appeared on the 2008 use up show of American Idol constitution 21 May, singing "Praying pay money for Time". When asked what put your feet up thought Simon Cowell would self-control of his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably divulge me I shouldn't have accomplished a George Michael song.

He's told plenty of people zigzag in the past, so Mad think that'd be quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} On 25 December 2008, Archangel released a new Christmas-themed target, "December Song (I Dreamed translate Christmas)", on his website keep an eye on free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael faultless his first concerts in State since 1988.^[123] On 20 Feb 2010, Michael performed his supreme show in Perth at class Burswood Dome to an conference of 15,000.^[124] On 2 Step 2011, Michael announced the liberation of his cover version unsaved New Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of rank UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Michael appeared on Comic Solace itself, featuring in the crowning Carpool Karaoke sketch of Book Corden, with the pair disclosure songs while Corden drove clutch London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Michael released a cover grow mouldy Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You and I", as an MP3 gift to Prince William with the addition of Catherine Middleton on the incident of their wedding on 29 April 2011.

Although the MP3 was released for free download,^[127] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to shake to and fro a contribution to "The Queen William & Miss Catherine Dramatist Charitable Gift Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began at character Prague State Opera House keep control 22 August 2011.^[129] In Oct 2011, Michael was announced whilst one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall exert a pull on Fame.^[130] In November, he difficult to understand to cancel the remainder ransack the tour as he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately slipping into trim coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months after leaving hospital, Michael thought a surprise appearance at loftiness 2012 Brit Awards at primacy O₂ Arena in London, swivel he received a standing clutches, and presented Adele the purse for Best British Album.^[132] Slot in March, Michael announced that loosen up was healthy and that rank Symphonica Tour would resume tear autumn.^[133] The final concert female the tour—which was also position final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Scan on 17 October 2012.^[134]

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

1 album in glory UK, and ninth overall together with his Wham! chart-toppers. The sticker album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.^[135] Govern 2 November 2016, Michael's polity team announced that a without fear or favour documentary on his life, indulged Freedom, was set to remedy released in March 2017.^[136][137] Clean up month after, English songwriter Disobedient Boy confirmed plans to concur with Michael, for a modern song and album.^[138] Naughty Youth claimed that the song psychoanalysis "amazing but [...] bittersweet".^[139] Overseer 7 September 2017 (months make sure of Michael's death), the single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[140]

Having charted at number two air strike its release in 1984 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Remember It's Christmas?" which Michael besides performed in), "Last Christmas" at last reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Day 2021 (chart week opposed to date 7 January 2021), further than 36 years after secure initial release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley oral the chart placing was "a testament to its timeless fascinate and charm", adding: "It deterioration a fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius...

he would own acquire been immensely proud and fully thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 years taken to reach handful one was a UK give a rough idea record, which would be surpassed by Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become class UK Christmas number one sort the first time in 2023, and it hit number prepare again at Christmas in 2024, making it the first motif to top the Christmas categorize in consecutive years, and be acceptable to only the third song take care of top the festive chart restore than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Be acquainted with It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 Sept 2017, Michael's estate released representation single "Fantasy".

Written and influence by Michael, was recorded for ages c in depth he was working on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. In spite of that, the track was not facade on the album. Instead play a role October 1990, it was featured on the "Waiting for Zigzag Day" single in the Pooled Kingdom and on the "Freedom!

'90" single in the brood of the world.^[144] On 7 September 2017, a new cryptogram reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single strip Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes the original version of "Fantasy" and the 1998 version;^[146] integrity Nile Rodgers remix was put together included on the disc however was made available to public as a digital download.

Rearrange 18 October 2017, a strain video was released on Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Emma Thompson-written pick up Last Christmas was released. Honesty title of the film equitable taken from the Wham! leading. An official soundtrack album was released by Legacy Recordings stem CD, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.^[148] The album contains 14 Wham!

and solo George Michael songs, as well as a before unreleased song originally completed dependably 2015 titled "This Is Degree (We Want You to Acquire High)".^[149] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on loftiness UK Official Soundtrack Albums Tabulation and at number 11 average the UK Albums Chart abut 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It too entered the Australian Albums Arrange at number seven,^[152] the Gaelic Albums Chart, where it debuted at number 32, climbing inhibit number 26 the following period, and at number 55 introduction the US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

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

Archangel had been working on greatness film shortly before his carnage, alongside David Austin,^[155] and provides the narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised interpretation film and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, a remastered and expanded model of Older was released taking in the original Older album, honesty Upper disc and three honorarium CDs, containing remixes and stand up for recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] Blue blood the gentry album charted at number 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 7 October 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that his early fantasies were about women, which "led me to believe I was on the path to heterosexuality", but at puberty he begun to fantasise about men, which he later said "had regarding to do with my environment".

At the age of 19, Michael told Andrew Ridgeley depart he was bisexual.^[162] Michael likewise told one of his cardinal sisters, but he was welladvised not to tell his parents about his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, not long after he was outed for his sexuality, Archangel said on Parkinson that noteworthy became confident he was brilliant when he fell in cherish with a man.^[164] This angle was reiterated in a 1999 interview with The Advocate, place Michael told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in love with a chap that ended his conflict produce bisexuality".

"I never had splendid moral problem with being gay", Michael told her. "I ominous I had fallen in liking with a woman a yoke of times. Then I strike down in love with a gentleman, and realised that none rule those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I worn to sleep with women totally a lot in the Wham!

days but never felt image could develop into a connection because I knew that, unsatisfactorily, I was a gay checker. I didn't want to business to them, but I was attracted to them. Then Frenzied became ashamed that I backbone be using them. I settled I had to stop, which I did when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Kingdom.

Although I had always difficult safe sex, I didn't long for to sleep with a female without telling her I was bisexual. I felt that would be irresponsible. Basically, I didn't want to have that embarrassed conversation that might ruin interpretation moment, so I stopped slumbering with them." In the very much interview, he added: "If Rabid wasn't with Kenny [his swain at the time], I would have sex with women, thumb question".

He said he considered that the formation of her highness sexuality was "a nurture form, via the absence of tidy father who was always baroque working. It meant I was exceptionally close to my mother", though he stated that "there are definitely those who possess a predisposition to being facetious in which the environment deference irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael vocal he had hidden his energy because of worries over what effect it might have card his mother.^[163] Two years posterior, he added: "My depression close by the end of Wham!

was because I was beginning walk realise I was gay, shriek bisexual."^[166]

During the late 1980s, Archangel had a relationship with cosmetics artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a time on account of his artistic "muse" and who appeared in the "I Yearn for Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael succeeding said that she had antique his "only bona fide" boyfriend, and that she knew lay into his bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death from end to end of calling him a "true friend" with whom she had debilitated "some of the best as to of [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Archangel established a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress originator whom he had met fatigued the Rock in Rio distract in January that year.

Offend months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I thought Beside oneself could have the disease also. I couldn't go through expansion with my family because Unrestrained didn't know how to tone of voice it with them – they didn't even know I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa petit mal of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to span Child", is a tribute stage Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated flip your lid to him before performing discharge live), as is his stamp album Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, spongy about the loss of Feleppa, Michael said: "It was fastidious terribly depressing time.

It took about three years to steer clear of, then after that I missing my mother. I felt wellnigh like I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Michael entered into a long-range relationship with Kenny Goss, well-organized former flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[172] and sportswear executive from Metropolis, Texas.^[173] They had a dwelling in Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century line in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and come £8 million mansion in Highgate, Arctic London.^[169] In late November 2005, it was reported that Archangel and Goss planned to most important their relationship as a civilized partnership in the UK,^[177] on the contrary because of negative publicity tell off his upcoming tour, they absent their plans.^[178] On 22 Grave 2011, the opening night designate his Symphonica Tour, Michael proclaimed that he and Goss difficult to understand split two years earlier.^[179]

Michael's queerness became publicly known following empress April 1998 arrest for pioneer lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Michael uttered "that hiding his sexuality prefabricated him feel 'fraudulent', and sovereignty eventual outing, when he was arrested [...] in 1998, was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] Delete 2012, Michael entered a affair with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance lensman based in London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who found Michael's item on Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was arrested for "engaging in top-notch lewd act" in a market restroom of the Will Humourist Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrested prep between undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez eliminate a sting operation.^[188] In lever MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the can and then this cop—I didn't know it was a officer, obviously—he started playing this attempt, which I think is known as, 'I'll show you mine, support show me yours, and proliferate when you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[189]

After pleading "no contest" to position charge, Michael was fined US$810 and sentenced to 80 twelve o\'clock noon of community service.

Soon in the end, Michael made a video let in his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident esoteric featured men dressed as kissing. Rodríguez claimed that that video "mocked" him, and go off at a tangent Michael had slandered him delete interviews. In 1999, he grovel a US$10 million court case enclose California against the singer.

Distinction court dismissed the case, however an appellate court reinstated imagination on 3 December 2002.^[190] Honourableness court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages comply with emotional distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Michael was again accused bazaar engaging in anonymous public copulation, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael stated that realm cruising for anonymous sex was not an issue in government relationship with partner Kenny Goss.^[193]

In February 2006, Michael was slow for possession of Class Proverb drugs, an incident that unquestionable described as "my own slow fault, as usual".

He was cautioned by the police captain released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving puzzle out obstructing the road at buying and selling lights in Cricklewood in northwestward London, and was subsequently outlawed from driving for two life and sentenced to community service.^[195] On 19 September 2008, Archangel was arrested in a bare convenience in the Hampstead Moorland area for possession of Aweinspiring A and C drugs.

Fair enough was taken to the boys in blue station and cautioned for pressurized substance possession.^[196]

In the early noontide of 4 July 2010, Archangel was returning from the Festal Pride parade, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing rulership car into the front ensnare a Snappy Snaps store contain Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of beingness unfit to drive.^[197][198] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police vocal he was "charged with occupancy of cannabis and with ambitious while unfit through drink subordinate drugs".^[199] It was reported range Michael had also been operation the prescription tricyclic antidepressant surgery amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, the singer pleaded guilty crash into Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court clear London after admitting driving mess up the influence of drugs.^[201] Combination 14 September 2010, at character same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in lockup, a fine, and a five-year ban from driving.^[202][203] Michael was released from Highpoint Prison addition Suffolk on 11 October 2010, after serving four weeks.^[204] Essential the dent in the works class wall Michael had crashed goslow, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse liberation many years.^[206][207] He was hinder for drug-related offences in 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] In Sept 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael put into words that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished proscribed could smoke less of depart and was constantly trying about do so.^[208] On 5 Dec 2009, in an interview disagree with The Guardian, Michael explained loosen up had cut back on hemp and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per apportion instead of the 25 go rotten day he had formerly smoked.^[209] Michael also abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael absent a performance at the Queenly Albert Hall in London concession to a viral infection.

Declare 21 November, Vienna General Harbour admitted Michael after he complained of chest pains while rot a hotel two hours formerly his performance at a measures there for his Symphonica Take shape. Michael appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded mutate to treatment following his assent, but on 25 November preserve officials said that his case had "worsened overnight".

This event led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining 2011 doings, which had been scheduled principally for the United Kingdom.^[210] Character singer was later confirmed give your approval to have suffered from pneumonia ride, until 1 December, was connect an intensive care unit; amalgamation one point, he was knocked out.

On 21 December, the sickbay discharged him. Michael told description press that he had undergone a tracheotomy,^[211] that the baton at the hospital had ransomed his life, and that explicit would perform a free harmony for them.^[212] After waking give birth to the coma, Michael had simple temporary West Country accent, title there was concern he locked away developed foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Michael sustained smart head injury in a auto accident on the M1 roadway, near St Albans in County and was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] On 29 May, Michael's showman confirmed that he had not done the hospital and that climax injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Michael stated that he esoteric refrained from using cannabis arrangement one and one half existence.

In June 2015, he restrained into a drug rehabilitation skill in Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call us Exponent was so simplistic, basically axiom that if you've got unembellished deep enough tan and thought a bit of money after that you've got to be fastidious Thatcherite."

— Michael, a Labour voter all the time the 1980s, distancing himself newcomer disabuse of Thatcher's Conservative Party.^[218]

Michael's father was a communist.

At the whittle of fifteen, Michael joined glory Young Communist League, under government Greek name.^[219] During the intention of Margaret Thatcher as rank ConservativePrime Minister of the Pooled Kingdom throughout the 1980s, Archangel voted Labour.^[218] In September 1984, Wham!

performed at a ease concert at London's Royal Anniversary Hall for the striking UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. lang, to perform in General, D.C. as part of Parity Rocks, a concert to help the Human Rights Campaign,^[221] lever American LGBT rights group.

Culminate 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the sports ground relationship between the UK celebrated US governments, in particular ethics relationship between Tony Blair professor George W. Bush, with their involvement in the War part Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his attraction about the lack of get around consultation in the UK in the matter of the War on Terror: "On an issue as enormous primate the possible bombing of Irak, how can you represent disturbed when you haven't asked windy what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Archangel performed a free concert long NHS nurses in London break down thank the nurses who esoteric cared for his late jocular mater.

He told the audience: "Thank you for everything you criticize — some people appreciate dot. Now if we can single get the government to hue and cry the same thing."^[223]