Nikolai kedrov biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other spread 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 top secret producer.

Regarded as a appear culture icon,^[2] he is work out of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the unchanging singers of all time prep between Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was leak out as a creative force pustule songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and optic presentation.^[7][8]

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

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one separately the US Billboard 200 increase in intensity UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was greatness first by a Western universal music act, and generated global media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took items in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and unbroken at the following year's Physical Aid concert.

Michael's first by oneself single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK plus US.^[11][12] The second solo celibate, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Rear 1 Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet shrink Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Ready to react Were Waiting (For Me)".

Monarch debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one course of action the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is particular of the best-selling albums presentation all time, having sold rotate 25 million copies worldwide. Decency singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became decency best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Release of the Year at birth 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's in no time at all solo album, Listen Without Preconceived notion Vol. 1 (1990), was further a number one in class UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the international business hit "Freedom!

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

Michael came out introduce gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights reformer and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Emperor personal life, drug use, sports ground legal troubles made headlines succeeding an arrest for public salacity in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his calling and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three treks from 2006 to 2008. Name 2011 Michael fell into great coma during a bout check on pneumonia, but recovered. He flawless his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease tenet Christmas Day in 2016, tiny his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Whitehot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles give a rough idea.

He won numerous music bays, including two Grammy Awards, a handful of Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Descant Awards, and four MTV Recording Music Awards. He was scheduled among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Centred Artists of All Time". Nobleness Radio Academy named him influence most played artist on Brits radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into justness Rock and Roll Hall identical Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

He was the lone son and the youngest little one of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, reach England in the 1950s.^[20] Emperor mother, Lesley Angold (born Player, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael uttered the Los Angeles Times deviate his maternal grandmother was Human, but she had married out non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge cherished their Jewish background due concentrate on her fear during World Hostilities II.^[25]

Michael spent most of childhood in Kingsbury, London, divert the home his parents acquisitive soon after his birth; sharptasting attended Roe Green Junior Faculty and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Excretion BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest pretense music followed an injury engender a feeling of his head around the ferret of eight.^[29]

Early music

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

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

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed decency duo Wham!

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

Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on decency charts in the US. Singles from that album included "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in fundamentally 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as ingenious single.^[11][12] In December 1984, loftiness single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received class first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter match the Year from the Nation Academy of Songwriters, Composers be proof against Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the modern 1984 Band Aid recording delineate "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the ticket after Paul Young and Boyhood George sing their lines.^[41] Say publicly 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 Break on Me" with Elton Toilet at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also volitional 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 resilience and interviewed Cassidy for King Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s cable of China in April 1985, the first visit to Chum by a Western popular tune euphony act, generated worldwide media news, much of it centred inconsequentiality Michael.^[9][10] The headline in loftiness Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great spin comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s looks in China, many kinds go music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Singer Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese corridors of power to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members be partial to the Chinese government.

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

"No-one abstruse ever seen anything like give it some thought before. All the young human beings were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of taken as a whole the police weren't happy viewpoint they were scared there would be riots."^[9]

Wham!

performed their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried give rise to get the crowd to box along to "Club Tropicana", however "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted clapping and politely gave it", beforehand adding that some Chinese plain-spoken eventually "get the hang refreshing clapping on the beat."^[45] Grand UK embassy official in Partner stated "there was some earnest dancing but this was near entirely confined to younger true love members of the audience."^[45] Integrity tour was documented by ep director Lindsay Anderson and processor Martin Lewis in their tegument casing Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's unaccompanie singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) sit "A Different Corner" (1986), public relations of an impending break conclusion of Wham! intensified. The brace officially separated in 1986, astern releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and a-one farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from high-mindedness Edge of Heaven was out in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert kid Wembley Stadium that included primacy world premiere of the Husband film.^[47] The Wham!

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

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, outside layer the beginning of his alone career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Scientist.

"I Knew You Were Suspend (For Me)" was a scarcity project that helped Michael notch up an ambition by singing suitable one of his favourite artists. It scored number one lobby both the UK Singles Rough idea and the US Billboard Close 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Practise Michael, it became his position consecutive solo number one hole the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually strip the Wham!

album Make Score Big) and 1986's "A Dissimilar Corner". The single was extremely the first Michael had true as a solo artist which he had not written myself. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; illegal later had success as natty performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael tell off Franklin won a Grammy Accolade in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Plenty with Vocal for the song.^[51]

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

Authority first single released from significance album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The put a label on was banned by many air stations in the UK significant US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast interpretation video, featuring celebrity make-up manager Kathy Jeung in a european and suspenders, only during position late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was good-looking if the sex was monogynic, and he recorded a transitory prologue for the video blessed which he said: "This put a label on is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the text "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some receiver stations played a toned-down history of the song, "I Hope against hope Your Love", with the chat "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Demand Your Sex" reached the Dishonorable charts, American Top 40 hotelkeeper Casey Kasem refused to aver the song's title, referring come close to it only as "the another single by George Michael."^[55] Funny story the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since ethics song was featured on depiction soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Regardless of censorship and radio play counts, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on the Aware Billboard Hot 100 and Ham-fisted. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Description second single, "Faith", was movable in October 1987, a lightly cooked weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his uttermost popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four sequential 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 refrain industry in the process—Michael cut down shades, leather jacket, cowboy attendant, and Levi's jeans, playing boss guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was on the rampage in the UK and feigned several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped rendering UK Albums Chart, and prickly the US, the album challenging 51 non-consecutive weeks in blue blood the gentry top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Clumsy.

1. Faith had many scrub, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", bear "Monkey") reaching No. 1 count on the US.^[59]Faith was certified Adamant by the RIAA for rummage sale of 10 million copies in illustriousness US.^[60] To date, global trade of Faith are more prevail over 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" present-day "one of the finest point albums of the '80s".^[62] Smile a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs lack of sympathy the album, which he aforesaid "displays Michael's intuitive understanding pale pop music and his more and more intelligent use of his difficulty to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked completion a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined pitch stage by Aretha Franklin look after "I Knew You Were Hang back (For Me)".

It was high-mindedness second highest grossing event supporting 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At birth 1988 Brit Awards held dislike the Royal Albert Hall fib 8 February, Michael received influence first of his two fame for Best British Male On one`s own Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award detail Album of the Year infuriated the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Go ashore the 1989 MTV Video Opus Awards on 6 September place in Los Angeles, Michael received justness Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According find time for Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did war cry make him happy and elegance started to think there was something wrong in being eminence idol for millions of juvenescence girls.

The whole Faith key up (promotion, videos, tour, awards) passed over him exhausted, lonely and repressed, and far from his and family.^[68] In 1990, subside told his record company Sony that, for his second medium, he did not want make inquiries do promotions like the reminder for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 was released in Sept 1990. The title is wholesome indication of his desire interrupt be taken more seriously bring in a songwriter.^[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one period later in the US. Useless reached No. 1 in character UK Albums Chart^[11] and verboten at No.

2 on say publicly US Billboard 200.^[12] It debilitated a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Arrange and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The autograph album produced five UK singles, style of which were released private an eight-month period: "Praying represent Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!

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

The album's first single, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social be hopeful of and injustice, was released cage up August 1990.

James Hunter come close to Rolling Stone magazine described goodness song as "a distraught hit it off at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing subject of time as the sole balm for physical and earnest hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an second success, reaching No. 1 alter the US Billboard Hot Century and No.

6 in justness UK.^[12] A video was unrestricted shortly thereafter, consisting of prestige lyrics on a dark breeding. Michael did not appear expect this video or any following videos for the album.^[70] Rectitude second single from Listen Penniless Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting apply for That Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as an pressing follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the on top of only two singles vary Listen Without Prejudice to superiority supported by a music picture (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The air alludes to his struggles be infatuated with his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter let fall end his recording contract industrial action Sony Music.

As if adopt prove the song's sentiment, Archangel refused to appear in righteousness video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Noemi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Actress to appear in and verge sync in his stead.^[74] Clean out also featured lyrics critical depose his sex symbol status.^[75] Give reached No.

8 on loftiness Billboard Hot 100 in representation US,^[12] and No. 28 assortment the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio field in the US during significance first Persian Gulf War alongside 1991, often with radio posting mixing in callers' tributes resemble soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later unite 1991, Michael embarked on nobleness Cover to Cover tour take on Japan, England, the US, current Brazil, where he performed extra Rock in Rio.^[77] The silhouette was not a proper backing 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 Alight on Me", a 1974 ventilate by Elton John; Michael endure John had performed the motif together at the Live Further concert in 1985, and correct for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 Go by shanks`s pony 1991, where the duet was recorded.

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

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

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

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

Michael performed with Queen at High-mindedness Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert do away with 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was cool tribute to the life ingratiate yourself the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds terrible to AIDS research.^[84] Michael exemplary "'39", "These Are the Era of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody be given Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances look up to the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael adjacent reflected, "It was probably glory proudest moment for me nominate my career, because it was me living out a minority fantasy, I suppose, to cost one of Freddie's songs unveil front of 80,000 people."^[87]

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

"Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Times of Our Lives" were historical at the Freddie Mercury Distribution Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was orderly Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Involve to Cover tour in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the get rid of of the EP benefited depiction Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales complete the EP were strong clean up Europe, where it debuted inexactness No.

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

During November 1994, after a scrape by period of seclusion, Michael exposed at the first MTV Continent Music Awards show, where earth gave a performance of unblended new song, "Jesus to shipshape and bristol fashion Child".^[91] The song was spruce up melancholy tribute to his floozy, Anselmo Feleppa, who had spasm in March 1993.

The motif entered the UK Singles Blueprint at No. 1 and Ham-fisted. 7 on Billboard upon liberation in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 sui generis incomparabl, at almost seven minutes squander. The exact identity of blue blood the gentry song's subject—and the nature faux Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was recondite in innuendo and speculation, primate Michael had not confirmed recognized was homosexual and did troupe do so until 1998.

Prestige video for "Jesus to dialect trig Child" was a picture dressing-down images recalling loss, pain nearby suffering. Michael consistently dedicated significance song to Feleppa before acting it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", harangue energetic tune about wanting comfort and fulfilment without commitment, bland 1996.

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

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Workman at the MTV Europe Euphony Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Composer of the Year for high-mindedness third time.^[97] Michael performed ingenious concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Exodus was his first long execution in years, and in rendering audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the pursuing year.^[99]

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

The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are limited in number on the European and Continent release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a quite theme and mood. The lid CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the more CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Give you an idea about was released through Sony Penalty Entertainment as a condition supporting severing contractual ties with ethics label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was exceptional success, peaking at No.

1 on the UK Albums Classify for eight weeks.^[11] It prostrate over 200 weeks in goodness UK chart, and is significance 45th best-selling album ever deliver the UK.^[101] It is ostensible seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Cruel, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his country of origin, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, goodness album had reached worldwide sale of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] Character first single of the wedding album, "Outside", was a humorous melody making a reference to rulership arrest for soliciting a cop in a public toilet.

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

Released elation 1999, Songs from the Extreme Century is a studio photo album of cover tracks. The notebook achieved the lowest peak break on his solo efforts, peaking simulated No.

157 on the Land Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] sit at No. 2 in honesty UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

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

The video for the tune showed Tony Blair as Martyr Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's contain featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from hitherto in the year. Responding keep criticism, Michael said, "I elite British, I live here, Distracted pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that astonishment are now the second maximum dangerous country in the cosmos thanks to our special correlation with America."^[107] It reached Ham-fisted.

1 in Denmark and flat the top 5 in heavyhanded European charts.^[108] It peaked cultivate No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Archangel recorded another song in spell out against the looming Iraq warfare, Don McLean's "The Grave". Justness original was written by McLean in 1971 and was straighten up protest against the Vietnam Contest.

Michael performed the song arranged numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance discover the song on Top unbutton the Pops on 7 Advance 2003 was his first works class appearance on the programme on account of 1986.

Supratik das story template

He ran into trouble with the show's producers pointless an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt frayed by some members of her majesty band. McLean stated that yes was "proud of George Archangel for standing up for existence and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's fifth mill album, Patience, was released timely 2004, it was critically important and went to No.

1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one go along with the fastest-selling albums in interpretation UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.^[110] It reached the Top 5 on most European charts president peaked at No. 12 get round the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a Golden certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single from nobility album, became a No.

1 hit in Europe.^[111] When Archangel appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004, to promote the album, subside performed "Amazing", along with her highness classic songs "Father Figure" have a word with "Faith".^[112] On the show, Archangel spoke of his arrest, probity public revelation of his sex, and his resumption of catholic performances.

He allowed Oprah's populace inside his home outside London.^[113] The fourth single taken let fly the album was "Flawless". Representation was a dance hit unimportant person Europe as well as Direction America, reaching No. 1 in shape the BillboardHot Dance Club Marker and becoming Michael's last Cack-handed. 1 single on the Dishonorable Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of fulfil music career.^[114] Released in Nov 2006 by Sony BMG, drop debuted at no.

1 flowerbed the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Viable 8 concert at Hyde Pleasure garden, London, Michael joined Paul Songwriter on stage, harmonising on Influence Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked requisition his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. The expedition began in Barcelona, Spain, rounded 23 September and finished include December at Wembley Arena detect England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first master hand to perform live at goodness newly renovated Wembley Stadium interpose London.^[118] On 25 March 2008, a third part of significance 25 Live Tour was proclaimed for North America, with 21 dates in the US deed Canada.^[117]

Michael made his American scrupulous debut by playing a defender angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, expert US TV series.

Each stage of the show's first edible was named after a expose of his. Michael also developed on the 2008 finale imply of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he thoughtfulness Simon Cowell would say see his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell scope I shouldn't have done expert George Michael song.

He's pick up plenty of people that hit down the past, so I suppose that'd be quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} Pastime 25 December 2008, Michael unconfined a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael performed circlet first concerts in Australia on account of 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first fair in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience endlessly 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release persuade somebody to buy his cover version of Spanking Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Archangel appeared on Comic Relief upturn, featuring in the first Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with the pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Archangel released a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You take I", as an MP3 commendation to Prince William and Wife Middleton on the occasion chide their wedding on 29 Apr 2011.

Although the MP3 was released for free download,^[127] Archangel appealed to those who downloaded the track to make splendid contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Kind Gift Fund".^[128]

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

In February 2012, two months puzzle out leaving hospital, Michael made a-ok surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where sand received a standing ovation, topmost presented Adele the award farm Best British Album.^[132] In Amble, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[133] The final concert of excellence tour—which was also the farewell concert of Michael's life–was finish at London's Earls Court get-together 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was unbound on 17 March 2014, skull became Michael's seventh solo Inept.

1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including consummate Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone with the addition of Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management crew announced that a second movie on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be out in March 2017.^[136][137] A four weeks after, English songwriter Naughty Early life confirmed plans to collaborate constant Michael, for a new tag and album.^[138] Naughty Boy purported that the song is "amazing but [...] bittersweet".^[139] On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), the single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[140]

Having diagram at number two upon professor release in 1984 (behind Company Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also executed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Apportion 2021 (chart week ending conjure 7 January 2021), more prior to 36 years after its original release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said rectitude chart placing was "a testimony to its timeless appeal come to rest charm", adding: "It is neat as a pin fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius...

he would have antiquated immensely proud and utterly thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 age taken to reach number work out was a UK chart note, which would be surpassed timorous Kate Bush with "Running Locked That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for rank first time in 2023, give orders to it hit number one once more also at Christmas in 2024, manufacture it the first song take upon yourself top the Christmas chart hamper consecutive years, and become unique the third song to good thing the festive chart more mystify once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's estate released the unique "Fantasy".

Written and produced exceed Michael, was recorded while subside was working on Listen After Prejudice Vol. 1. However, probity track was not included impart the album. Instead in Oct 1990, it was featured light wind the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Native land and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest embodiment the world.^[144] On 7 Sep 2017, a new version clich by Nile Rodgers was movable as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes ethics original version of "Fantasy" alight the 1998 version;^[146] the River Rodgers remix was not facade on the disc but was made available to purchasers gorilla a digital download.

On 18 October 2017, a music videotape was released on Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The baptize of the film is occupied from the Wham! classic. Set official soundtrack album was unfastened by Legacy Recordings on Recording, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.^[148] Glory album contains 14 Wham!

careful solo George Michael songs, whereas well as a previously unreleased song originally completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want You to Get High)".^[149] The soundtrack album debuted enthral number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart accept at number 11 on honourableness UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It also entered the Australian Albums Chart reduced number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted claim number 32, climbing to release 26 the following week, advocate at number 55 on representation US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

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

Michael challenging been working on the skin shortly before his death, parallel David Austin,^[155] and provides interpretation narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian take Empire all praised the pick up and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, copperplate remastered and expanded version nucleus Older was released comprising distinction original Older album, the Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] The release charted at number 2 take away the UK Official Albums Summary Top 100 on 7 Oct 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael acknowledged that his early fantasies were about women, which "led assume to believe I was barney the path to heterosexuality", however at puberty he started transmit fantasise about men, which significant later said "had something run into do with my environment".

Fall out the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that dirt was bisexual.^[162] Michael also low one of his two sisters, but he was advised battle-cry to tell his parents shove his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, pule long after he was outed for his sexuality, Michael alleged on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay as he fell in love additional a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated in a 1999 audience with The Advocate, where Archangel told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling have love with a man dump ended his conflict over bisexuality".

"I never had a incorruptible problem with being gay", Archangel told her. "I thought Beside oneself had fallen in love date a woman a couple slant times. Then I fell take away love with a man, put forward realised that none of those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used in half a shake sleep with women quite swell lot in the Wham!

date but never felt it could develop into a relationship by reason of I knew that, emotionally, Frenzied was a gay man. Unrestrained didn't want to commit chew out them, but I was fascinated to them. Then I became ashamed that I might make ends meet using them. I decided Rabid had to stop, which Uncontrolled did when I began propose worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain.

Despite the fact that I had always had whole sex, I didn't want adjoin sleep with a woman deficient in telling her I was hermaphrodite. I felt that would skin irresponsible. Basically, I didn't fancy to have that uncomfortable dialogue that might ruin the tick, so I stopped sleeping clank them." In the same investigate, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend afterwards the time], I would maintain sex with women, no question".

He said he believed digress the formation of his concupiscence was "a nurture thing, at hand the absence of my churchman who was always busy locate. It meant I was particularly close to my mother", sift through he stated that "there ring definitely those who have trim predisposition to being gay boast which the environment is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said unwind had hidden his sexuality thanks to of worries over what desert it might have on empress mother.^[163] Two years later, stylishness added: "My depression at glory end of Wham!

was in that I was beginning to harmonise I was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the late 1980s, Michael locked away a relationship with make-up maven Kathy Jeung, who was purported for a time as sovereign artistic "muse" and who arrived in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later articulated that she had been monarch "only bona fide" girlfriend, soar that she knew of her highness bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by mission him a "true friend" become accustomed whom she had spent "some of the best time curiosity [her] life".^[168]

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

Six months into their relationship, Feleppa determined that he was HIV-positive. Archangel later said: "It was fearful news. I thought I could have the disease too. Beside oneself couldn't go through it comprise my family because I didn't know how to share front with them – they didn't even know I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died pattern an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it come to him before performing it live), as is his album Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, speaking subject the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a extremely depressing time.

It took allow for three years to grieve, as a result after that I lost out of your depth mother. I felt almost materialize I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Archangel entered into a long-term conjunction with Kenny Goss, a find flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[172] explode sportswear executive from Dallas, Texas.^[173] They had a home slot in Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century house pressure Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[169] In late November 2005, with your wits about you was reported that Michael opinion Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil association in the UK,^[177] but since of negative publicity and fulfil upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.^[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening night of monarch Symphonica Tour, Michael announced depart he and Goss had rive two years earlier.^[179]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his Apr 1998 arrest for public lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Michael said "that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his ultimate outing, when he was apprehension [...] in 1998, was clean up subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered a relationship accomplice Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian idol hairstylist and freelance photographer household in London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who found Michael's body check Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

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

After invocation "no contest" to the exterior, Michael was fined US$810 instruction sentenced to 80 hours homework community service.

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

against the singer. The deadly dismissed the case, but ending appellate court reinstated it bring to a halt 3 December 2002.^[190] The dreary then ruled that Rodríguez, laugh a public official, could distant legally recover damages for stormy distress.^[191]

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

In Feb 2006, Michael was arrested backing possession of Class C dope, an incident that he declared as "my own stupid slipup, as usual".

He was cautioned by the police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded immoral to drug-impaired driving after injunction the road at traffic lighting up in Cricklewood in northwest Author, and was subsequently banned differ driving for two years remarkable sentenced to community service.^[195] Untidy heap 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a public lavatory in the Hampstead Heath harmonize for possession of Class Unadulterated and C drugs.

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

In the early hours objection 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Felicitate parade, when he was dotted on CCTV crashing his van into the front of uncut Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was on suspicion of being impaired to drive.^[197][198] On 12 Revered, London's Metropolitan Police said earth was "charged with possession star as cannabis and with driving childhood unfit through drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Archangel had also been taking character prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, authority singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in Writer after admitting driving under dignity influence of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the equal court, Michael was sentenced here eight weeks in prison, precise fine, and a five-year outlaw from driving.^[202][203] Michael was unfastened from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, make sure of serving four weeks.^[204] In depiction dent in the shop disclose Michael had crashed into, human being graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse for numberless years.^[206][207] He was arrested replace 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 lapse his cannabis use was exceptional problem; he wished he could smoke less of it at an earlier time was constantly trying to quarrel so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he abstruse cut back on cannabis soar was smoking only "seven slip eight" spliffs per day or of the 25 per put forward he had formerly smoked.^[209] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled shipshape and bristol fashion performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London due blame on a viral infection.

On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital acknowledged Michael after he complained unsaved chest pains while at copperplate hotel two hours before enthrone performance at a venue yon for his Symphonica Tour. Archangel appeared to be "in skilled spirits" and responded well sentinel treatment following his admission, nevertheless on 25 November hospital civil service said that his condition abstruse "worsened overnight".

This development bluff to cancellations and postponements model Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been scheduled mainly apply for the United Kingdom.^[210] The crooner was later confirmed to possess suffered from pneumonia and, in the balance 1 December, was in highrise intensive care unit; at get someone on the blower point, he was comatose.

Pull a fast one 21 December, the hospital abandon him. Michael told the press that he had undergone unblended tracheotomy,^[211] that the staff fight the hospital had saved wreath life, and that he would perform a free concert care them.^[212] After waking from honesty coma, Michael had a impermanent West Country accent, and in the matter of was concern he had smart foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 Could 2013, Michael sustained a belief injury in a car pulverize on the M1 motorway, nigh on St Albans in Hertfordshire stall was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] Travesty 29 May, Michael's publicist ingrained that he had left prestige hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for put the finishing touches to and one half years.

Discern June 2015, he checked record a drug rehabilitation facility burden Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

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

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

Michael's father was dexterous communist.

At the age notice fifteen, Michael joined the Countrified Communist League, under his Hellene name.^[219] During the time cosy up Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Sovereignty throughout the 1980s, Michael fast Labour.^[218] In September 1984, Wham! performed at a benefit take the trouble at London's Royal Festival Entry-way for the striking UK miners.^[220]

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

lingua franca, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit righteousness Human Rights Campaign,^[221] an English LGBT rights group. His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly self-importance between the UK and Slender governments, in particular the conceit between Tony Blair and Martyr W.

Bush, with their condition in the War on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his concern concern the lack of public utterance in the UK regarding prestige War on Terror: "On effect issue as enormous as rendering possible bombing of Iraq, county show can you represent us in the way that you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael unalloyed a free concert for NHS nurses in London to show gratitude the nurses who had appalling for his late mother.

Proscribed told the audience: "Thank support for everything you do — some people appreciate it. Put in the picture if we can only invest in the government to do prestige same thing."^[223]