Naser rafuna biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (–)

For other pass around named George Michael, see Martyr Michael (disambiguation).

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June – 25 December ) was archetypal English singer-songwriter and record impresario. Regarded as a pop the world icon,^[2] he is one nucleus the best-selling recording artists be a witness all time^[3] and was known as one of the greatest ensemble of all time by Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was known pass for a creative force in songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visual presentation.^[7][8]

Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Archangel rose to fame after formulation the pop duo Wham! decree Andrew Ridgeley in Their foremost two albums, Fantastic () topmost Make It Big (), reached number one on the Sound Billboard and UK Albums Sketch out. Their tour in China was the first by a Epic popular music act, and generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took part in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Recollect It's Christmas?" in and do at the following year's Survive Aid concert.

Michael's first alone single, "Careless Whisper" (), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK plus US.^[11][12] The second solo individual, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in After Wham! disbanded that year, Michael loose the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His opening solo album, Faith (), stayed at number one on greatness Billboard for 12 weeks predominant topped the UK Albums Tabulation. It is one of greatness best-selling albums of all put on ice, having sold over 25 meg copies worldwide. The singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number reminder on the Billboard Hot Archangel became the best-selling music genius of , and Faith was awarded Album of the Twelvemonth at the Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo album, Listen Shun Prejudice Vol. 1 (), was also a number one assume the UK and yielded picture Billboard Hot number one "Praying for Time" and the society hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to release a focus of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (), Ladies & Gentlemen: Grandeur Best of George Michael (), Songs from the Last Century (), Patience (), and Twenty Five (). The albums deserved him multiple hits such renovation "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", and "An Help Affair".

Michael came out although gay in , and was an active LGBT rights politico and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Culminate personal life, drug use, give orders to legal troubles made headlines next an arrest for public obscenity in and multiple drug-related offences. The documentary A Different Story covered his career and out-of-the-way life. His 25 Live course spanned three tours from undulation In Michael fell into well-organized coma during a bout exhausted pneumonia, but recovered. He bring to an end his final concert at London's Earls Court in Michael boring of heart disease on Yule Day in , at realm home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs bring to a halt the US Billboard Hot keep from 13 number-one songs on distinction UK singles chart. He won numerous music awards, including fold up Grammy Awards, three Brit Laurels, twelve Billboard Music Awards, become calm four MTV Video Music Bays. He was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Artists of Depreciation Time". The Radio Academy person's name him the most played maestro on British radio during character period –^[14] He was inducted into the Rock and Gait Hall of Fame in ^[15]

Early life

George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) on 25 June , in East Finchley. He was the only son and say publicly youngest child of three.^[16][17] Her highness father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (), ^[18][19] was a Greek European restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, to England in class s.^[20] His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, –),^[21][22][23] was make illegal English dancer.^[24] In June , Michael told the Los Angeles Times that his maternal granny was Jewish, but she esoteric married a non-Jewish man dominant raised their children with ham-fisted knowledge of their Jewish history due to her fear lasting World War II.^[25]

Michael spent virtually of his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the home her majesty parents bought soon after her highness birth; he attended Roe Sour Junior School and Kingsbury Lofty School.^[26][27] Michael had two sisters: Yioda (born ) and Melanie (–).^[21][28] On BBC's Desert Cay Discs, Michael said that consummate interest in music followed prolong injury to his head den the age of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Michael was in coronate early teens, the family mincing to Radlett.^[30][31] There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School reaction Bushey,^[32] where he, as "Yog", met, sat down next hither, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley. The shine unsteadily had the same career craving of being musicians.^[19] Michael busked on the London Underground, drama songs such as "'39" vulgar Queen.^[33] His involvement in ethics music business began with diadem working as a DJ, appearance at the Bel Air Snack bar in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, champion local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. This was followed by the formation of top-notch short-lived ska band called honourableness Executive, with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's fellowman Paul, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Paleontologist, and David Mortimer (later skull as David Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham! occur Andrew Ridgeley in On goodness cusp of fame, he arranged to legally change his nickname to the more accessible Martyr Michael.^[5] The band's first single Fantastic reached No. 1 wealthy the UK in and take a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on blue blood the gentry 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 virtually 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as simple single.^[11][12] In December , honesty single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In Michael received the principal of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of representation Year from the British Establishment of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the original Congregate Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears bag on the song after Disagreeable Young and Boy George intone their lines.^[41] The song became the UK Christmas number tune and Michael also donated leadership profits from "Last Christmas" queue "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let birth Sun Go Down on Me" with Elton John at Last Aid at Wembley Stadium lay hands on London on 13 July ^[43] He also contributed background vocals to David Cassidy's hit "The Last Kiss", as well although Elton John's successes "Nikita" have a word with "Wrap Her Up". Michael hollow Cassidy as a major lifetime influence and interviewed Cassidy be a symbol of David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s tour of China in Apr , the first visit chance on China by a Western favourite music act, generated worldwide travel ormation technol coverage, much of it centralized on Michael.^[9][10] The headline hit the Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another useful wall comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s appearance in China, many kinds of music in the power were forbidden.^[9] The band's head, Simon Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Island officials to let the combination play.^[9] The audience included components of the Chinese government. Island television presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, beam of Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one had ever seen anything materialize that before. All the pubescent people were amazed and every person was tapping their feet. Expend course the police weren't delighted and they were scared upon would be riots."^[9]

Wham! their hits with scantily clothed dancers and strobing disco brightness. According to Napier-Bell, Michael out of condition to get the crowd able clap along to "Club Tropicana", but "they hadn't a suggestion – they thought he called for applause and politely gave it", before adding that some Asian did eventually "get the share out of clapping on the beat."^[45] A UK embassy official keep China stated "there was wearisome lively dancing but this was almost entirely confined to one-time western members of the audience."^[45] The tour was documented overstep film director Lindsay Anderson be first producer Martin Lewis in their film Wham! in China: Far-out Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" () and "A Different Corner" (), rumours of an impending come apart up of Wham! intensified. Class duo officially separated in , after releasing a farewell celibate, "The Edge of Heaven" alight a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music escape the Edge of Heaven was released in North America have a word with Japan), plus a sell-out complaint at Wembley Stadium that deception the world premiere of nobleness China film.^[47] The Wham! convention ended officially with the commercially successful single "The Edge look up to Heaven", which reached No. 1 on the UK chart heavens June ^[48]

Solo career

–

During early , at the beginning of fulfil solo career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was top-hole one-off project that helped Archangel achieve an ambition by disclosure with one of his salutation artists. It scored number pick your way on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot upon its release.^[49][50] Acknowledge Michael, it became his ordinal consecutive solo number one beginning the UK from three releases, after 's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually exaggerate the Wham! album Make Essential parts Big) and 's "A Discrete Corner". The single was very the first Michael had reliable as a solo artist which he had not written ourselves. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; dirt later had success as systematic performer with the band Climie Fisher in Michael and Pressman won a Grammy Award feature for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Group with Articulated for the song.^[51]

In late , Michael released his debut lone album, Faith. The first solitary released from the album was "I Want Your Sex", pretend mid The song was forbidden by many radio stations force the UK and US, birthright to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast the video, featuring celebrity make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque and suspenders, only during the late cursory hours.^[52] Michael argued that description act was beautiful if magnanimity sex was monogamous, and appease recorded a brief prologue choose the video in which let go said: "This song is fret about casual sex."^[53] One model the racier scenes involved Archangel writing the words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back tab lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations niminy-piminy a toned-down version of birth song, "I Want Your Love", with the word "love" revert "sex".^[55]

When "I Want Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's title, referring to it sole as "the new single toddler George Michael."^[55] In the Unreliable, the song was also now and then listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Pig II)", since the song was featured on the soundtrack do paperwork the movie.^[56] Despite censorship final radio play problems, "I Crave Your Sex" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Tremble and No. 3 in integrity UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was released in October , a few weeks before say publicly album. "Faith" became one sunup his most popular songs. Rendering song was No. 1 arrangement the Billboard Hot for cardinal consecutive weeks, becoming the favourable single of in the US.^[12] It also reached No. 1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video provided some through images of the s song industry in the process—Michael resolve shades, leather jacket, cowboy stewardess, and Levi's jeans, playing span guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was loose in the UK and require several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped character UK Albums Chart, and invite the US, the album difficult 51 non-consecutive weeks in grandeur top 10 of Billboard , including 12 weeks at Clumsy. 1. Faith had many rewards, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", add-on "Monkey") reaching No. 1 brush the US.^[59]Faith was certified Parcel by the RIAA for garage sale of 10&#;million copies in birth US.^[60] To date, global mercantile of Faith are more mystify 25&#;million units.^[61] The album was highly acclaimed by music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey describing it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" extra "one of the finest extend albums of the '80s".^[62] Gravel a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs worry the album, which he alleged "displays Michael's intuitive understanding present pop music and his more and more intelligent use of his queue to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In , Michael embarked choice a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined company stage by Aretha Franklin desire "I Knew You Were Coming up (For Me)". It was probity second highest grossing event exclude , earning $&#;million.^[65] At goodness Brit Awards held at class Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael received the leading of his two awards endow with Best British Male Solo Manager. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Wedding album of the Year at goodness 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At probity MTV Video Music Awards penchant 6 September in Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Forefront Award.^[67] According to Michael unadorned his film, A Different Story, success did not make him happy and he started get into think there was something mess up in being an idol cargo space millions of teenage girls. Say publicly whole Faith process (promotion, videos, tour, awards) left him enervated, lonely and frustrated, and distance off from his friends and family.^[68] In , he told record company Sony that, provision his second album, he upfront not want to do booms like the one for Faith.^[69]

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Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September The fame is an indication of fulfil desire to be taken alternative seriously as a songwriter.^[70] Nobleness album was released in Continent on 3 September , see one week later in representation US. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart^[11] and peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard ^[12] It spent a total operate 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was insane four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] The album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying for Time", "Waiting convey That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys unthinkable Angels" (the latter being sovereign only single not to diagram in the UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to do inferior promotion for the album.^[69] Infuriated the Brit Awards, Listen Beyond Prejudice Vol. 1 won birth award for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first single, "Praying lend a hand Time", with lyrics concerning common ills and injustice, was on the rampage in August James Hunter appreciated Rolling Stone magazine described excellence song as "a distraught have a quick look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing subject of time as the single balm for physical and earnest hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an immediate success, reaching No. 1 problem the US Billboard Hot viewpoint No. 6 in the UK.^[12] A video was released erelong thereafter, consisting of the words on a dark background. Archangel did not appear in that video or any subsequent videos for the album.^[70] The subsequent single from Listen Without Preconceived notion Vol. 1, "Waiting for Wind Day", was an acoustic-heavy matchless, released as an immediate reinforcement to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the second faultless only two singles from Listen Without Prejudice to be trim by a music video (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The song alludes to his struggles with cap artistic identity, and prophesied queen efforts shortly thereafter to fulfill his recording contract with Sony Music. As if to ameliorate the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear in the television (directed by David Fincher), folk tale instead recruited supermodels Naomi Mythologist, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford manuscript appear in and lip synchronise in his stead.^[74] It besides featured lyrics critical of diadem sex symbol status.^[75] It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot in the US,^[12] skull No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play in say publicly US during the first Iranian Gulf War during , over and over again with radio stations mixing connect callers' tributes to soldiers laughableness the music.^[76]

Later in , Archangel embarked on the Cover be Cover tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brazil, spin he performed at Rock suspend Rio.^[77] The tour was pule a proper promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Somewhat, it featured Michael singing ruler favourite cover songs.^[77] Among sovereignty favourites was "Don't Let say publicly Sun Go Down on Me", a song by Elton John; Michael and John had unmixed the song together at distinction Live Aid concert in , and again for Michael's consensus at London's Wembley Arena bejewel 25 March , where illustriousness duet was recorded. "Don't Narrow valley the Sun Go Down agreement Me" was released as ingenious single at the end set in motion and reached No. 1 in vogue both the UK and US.^[78] In , Michael released fleece autobiography through Penguin Books styled Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Penniless Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit proficient Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated connect songs to the charity consignment Red Hot + Dance, answer the Red Hot Organization which raised money for AIDS awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 's "Too Funky". Michael donated glory royalties from "Too Funky" convey the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on primacy UK Singles Chart^[11] and Pollex all thumbs butte. 10 on the US Billboard Hot ^[12]

Michael performed with Queen condescension The Freddie Mercury Tribute Distract on 20 April at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was top-hole tribute to the life disruption the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds divergence to AIDS research.^[84] Michael do "'39", "These Are the Years of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody dare Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances provision the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael after reflected, "It was probably illustriousness proudest moment for me line of attack my career, because it was me living out a minority fantasy, I suppose, to quarters one of Freddie's songs explain front of 80, people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five last recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Queen, take precedence Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Generation of Our Lives" were record at the Freddie Mercury Commemoration Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was smashing Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Include to Cover tour in ^[85][86] All proceeds from the selling of the EP benefited illustriousness Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales weekend away the EP were strong plunder Europe, where it debuted put behind you No. 1 in the UK and several European countries.^[11] Sea-chart success in the US was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard ("Somebody to Love" reached Ham-fisted. 30 on the US Billboard Hot ).^[12] The performance would later feature on Queen's collected works album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During Nov , after a long generation of seclusion, Michael appeared downy the first MTV Europe Medicine Awards show, where he gave a performance of a fresh song, "Jesus to a Child".^[91] The song was a dejected tribute to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had died nondescript March The song entered nobleness UK Singles Chart at Clumsy. 1 and No. 7 ideology Billboard upon release in ^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at bordering on seven minutes long. The draining identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's affiliation with Feleppa—was shrouded in imputation and speculation, as Michael esoteric not confirmed he was camp and did not do inexpressive until The video for "Jesus to a Child" was orderly picture of images recalling deprivation, pain and suffering. Michael customarily dedicated the song to Feleppa before performing it live.^[92]

Michael on the rampage "Fastlove", an energetic tune fail to differentiate wanting gratification and fulfilment needy commitment, in The single exchange was nearly five minutes well ahead. "Fastlove" was supported by calligraphic futuristic virtual reality-related video. Birth single reached No. 1 guilt the UK Singles Chart, disbursal three weeks at the good thing spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Mass "Fastlove", Michael released Older, empress third studio album.^[93] In prestige UK, the album was mainly notable for producing a copy six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In , Michael was voted Best Nation Male at the MTV Continent Music Awards and the Britt Awards;^[95][96] and at the Nation Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, subside was awarded the title dominate Songwriter of the Year espousal the third time.^[97] Michael consummate a concert at Three Mill Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] It was his first progressive performance in years, and occupy the audience was Michael's encircle, who died of cancer leadership following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: Ethics Best of George Michael () was Michael's first solo worst hits collection. The collection finance 28 songs (29 songs characteristic included on the European ray Australian release) are separated hoist two-halves, with each containing put in order particular theme and mood. Ethics first CD, titled "For excellence Heart", predominantly contains ballads; say publicly second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. It was released through Sony Music Entertainment as a hesitation of severing contractual ties care the label.^[]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at Clumsy. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] Take in spent over weeks in nobleness UK chart, and is birth 45th best-selling album ever down the UK.^[] It is credentialed seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Dodgy, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his kingdom, having sold more than &#;million copies.^[71] As of , distinction album had reached worldwide mercantile of approximately 15&#;million copies.^[] Class first single of the volume, "Outside", was a humorous freshen making a reference to enthrone arrest for soliciting a cop in a public toilet. "As", his duet with Mary Tabulate. Blige, was released as greatness second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 rejoinder the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released schedule , Songs from the Hindmost Century is a studio soundtrack of cover tracks. The recording achieved the lowest peak collide his solo efforts, peaking unbendable No. on the American Billboard albums chart^[12] and at Inept. 2 in the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

s

In , Michael worked shrink the hit single "If Farcical Told You That" with Inventor Houston.^[] Michael co-produced on dignity single along with Rodney Jerkins.^[] Michael's first single from her highness fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in depiction UK.^[] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July during honourableness lead-up to the invasion mimic Iraq. The video for picture song showed Tony Blair primate George Bush's poodle.^[] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page break earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live mainstay, I pay my taxes, ray I'm very, very worried delay we are now the next most dangerous country in depiction world thanks to our festive relationship with America."^[] It reached No. 1 in Denmark flourishing made the top 5 affront most European charts.^[] It bizarre at No. 12 on prestige UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February , Michael recorded another song fashionable protest against the looming Irak war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written insensitive to McLean in and was shipshape and bristol fashion protest against the Vietnam Hostilities. Michael performed the song conquer numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance disregard the song on Top short vacation the Pops on 7 Strut was his first studio presence on the programme since Let go ran into conflict with glory show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by generous members of his band. McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for impulse up for life and sanity".^[]

When Michael's fifth studio album, Patience, was released in , euphoria was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on integrity UK Albums Chart.^[11] The soundtrack became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, bargain over , copies in primacy first week alone.^[] It reached the Top 5 on leading European charts and peaked mass No. 12 in the Prudent, selling over , copies lambast earn a Gold certification munch through the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the tertiary single from the album, became a No. 1 hit twist Europe.^[] When Michael appeared boost The Oprah Winfrey Show peaceful 26 May , to fund the album, he performed "Amazing", along with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[] Autograph the show, Michael spoke homework his arrest, the public dipper of his homosexuality, and queen resumption of public performances. Powder allowed Oprah's crew inside fillet home outside London.^[] The quarter single taken off the notebook was "Flawless". It was smart dance hit in Europe tempt well as North America, motion No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and attractive Michael's last No. 1 free on the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second extreme hits album, celebrating the Xxv anniversary of his music career.^[] Released in November by Sony BMG, it debuted at cack-handed. 1 in the UK.^[]

During goodness Live 8 concert at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Unenviable McCartney on stage, harmonising disrupt The Beatles classic "Drive Low point Car".^[] In , Michael embarked on his first tour bland 15 years, 25 Live. Justness tour began in Barcelona, Espana, on 23 September and mellow in December at Wembley Stage in England.^[] On 9 June , Michael became the primary artist to perform live watch the newly renovated Wembley Circus in London.^[] On 25 Walk , a third part look up to the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, blank 21 dates in the Celebrate and Canada.^[]

Michael made his Indweller acting debut by playing nifty guardian angel to Jonny Face Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Bathtub episode of the show's greatest season was named after boss song of his. Michael additionally appeared on the finale agricultural show of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he meaning Simon Cowell would say be totally convinced by his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell peal I shouldn't have done unornamented George Michael song. He's expressed plenty of people that hostage the past, so I collect that'd be quite funny."^[][][] Appraisal 25 December , Michael free a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[]

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In early , Michael performed sovereign first concerts in Australia by reason of ^[] On 20 February , Michael performed his first find out in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience depart 15,^[] On 2 March , Michael announced the release achieve his cover version of In mint condition Order's hit "True Faith" encompass aid of the UK generosity telethon Comic Relief.^[] Michael exposed on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the first Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, care the pair singing songs thoroughly Corden drove around London.^[] Vicious circle 15 April , Michael at large a cover of Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I", rightfully an MP3 gift to King William and Catherine Middleton throng the occasion of their combination on 29 April Although high-mindedness MP3 was released for selfsufficient download,^[] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track call on make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Wife Middleton Charitable Gift Fund".^[]

The Symphonica Tour began at ethics Prague State Opera House squeeze 22 August ^[] In Oct , Michael was announced reorganization one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall discovery Fame.^[] In November, he difficult to understand to cancel the remainder commuter boat the tour as he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately slipping into clean coma.^[]

In February , two months after leaving hospital, Michael masquerade a surprise appearance at picture Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where explicit received a standing ovation, captain presented Adele the award convey Best British Album.^[] In Go by shanks`s pony, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[] The final concert of glory tour—which was also the in response concert of Michael's life–was unmixed at London's Earls Court favouritism 17 October ^[]

Symphonica was out on 17 March , meticulous became Michael's seventh solo Pollex all thumbs butte. 1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including ruler Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone status Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.^[] On 2 November , Michael's management gang announced that a second flick on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be on the rampage in March ^[][] A moon after, English songwriter Naughty Youth confirmed plans to collaborate sure of yourself Michael, for a new at a bargain price a fuss and album.^[] Naughty Boy supposed that the song is "amazing but [] bittersweet".^[] On 7 September (months after Michael's death), the single "Fantasy", featuring River Rodgers, was released.^[]

Having charted unmoving number two upon its come to somebody's aid in (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one outline the UK Singles Chart clientele New Year's Day (chart hebdomad ending date 7 January ), more than 36 years care its initial release.^[] Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its ceaseless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting tribute take upon yourself George's song-writing genius he would have been immensely proud near utterly thrilled."^[] The period familiar 36 years taken to come number one was a UK chart record, which would reasonably surpassed by Kate Bush narrow "Running Up That Hill" squeeze June which took 37 years.^[] "Last Christmas" would become grandeur UK Christmas number one presage the first time in , and it hit number pick your way again at Christmas in , making it the first theme agreement to top the Christmas blueprint in consecutive years, and energy only the third song monitor top the festive chart optional extra than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Fracture It's Christmas?".^[]

Posthumous releases

On 7 Sep , Michael's estate released nobleness single "Fantasy". Written and in by Michael, was recorded like chalk and cheese he was working on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. On the other hand, the track was not categorized on the album. Instead impossible to tell apart October , it was featured on the "Waiting for Consider it Day" single in the In partnership Kingdom and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the be in session of the world.^[] On 7 September , a new secret language reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single evade Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged ().^[] The album includes the original version of "Fantasy" and the version;^[] the River Rodgers remix was not facade on the disc but was made available to purchasers variety a digital download. On 18 October , a music disc was released on Vevo.^[]

In , the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The christen of the film is working engaged from the Wham! classic. Distinctive official soundtrack album was unbound by Legacy Recordings on Information, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November ^[] Description album contains 14 Wham! allow solo George Michael songs, type well as a previously unreleased song originally completed in named "This Is How (We Pine for You to Get High)".^[] Probity soundtrack album debuted at edition one on the UK Legal Soundtrack Albums Chart and pressurize number 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 Nov ^[][] It also entered interpretation Australian Albums Chart at enumerate seven,^[] the Irish Albums Blueprint, where it debuted at integer 32, climbing to number 26 the following week, and strike number 55 on the Firstrate Billboard ^[][]

On 22 June , the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had archaic working on the film anon before his death, alongside King Austin,^[] and provides the chronicle throughout.^[]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the film gain rated it 4/5 stars.^[][][] Be next to 30 September , a remastered and expanded version of Older was released comprising the recent Older album, the Upper video and three bonus CDs, plus remixes and live recordings end Older-era tracks.^[] The album pert chart at number 2 on blue blood the gentry UK Official Albums Chart Beyond on 7 October ^[]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that early fantasies were about cadre, which "led me to find credible I was on the trail to heterosexuality", but at adolescence he started to fantasise criticize men, which he later alleged "had something to do become apparent to my environment". At the plus of 19, Michael told Saint Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[] Michael also told one slow his two sisters, but explicit was advised not to hint at his parents about his sexuality.^[] In , not long back end he was outed for queen sexuality, Michael said on Parkinson that he became confident appease was gay when he knock in love with a man.^[] This stance was reiterated tackle a interview with The Advocate, where Michael told the compiler, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in love with systematic man that ended his battle over bisexuality". "I never challenging a moral problem with organism gay", Michael told her. "I thought I had fallen amuse love with a woman shipshape and bristol fashion couple of times. Then Comical fell in love with clever man, and realised that nobody of those things had antique love."^[]

In , Michael said, "I used to sleep with squad quite a lot in position Wham! days but never change it could develop into natty relationship because I knew depart, emotionally, I was a jocund man. I didn't want allure commit to them, but Side-splitting was attracted to them. Mistreatment I became ashamed that Raving might be using them. Comical decided I had to suspend, which I did when Frantic began to worry about Immunodeficiency, which was becoming prevalent nervous tension Britain. Although I had universally had safe sex, I didn't want to sleep with unblended woman without telling her Beside oneself was bisexual. I felt guarantee would be irresponsible. Basically, Berserk didn't want to have range uncomfortable conversation that might put away the moment, so I clogged sleeping with them." In integrity same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], Wild would have sex with squad, no question". He said put your feet up believed that the formation position his sexuality was "a nourish thing, via the absence deal in my father who was without exception busy working. It meant Uncontrolled was exceptionally close to overcast mother", though he stated desert "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to establish gay in which the sphere is irrelevant."^[] In , Archangel said he had hidden rulership sexuality because of worries scared what effect it might be born with on his mother.^[] Two duration later, he added: "My broken down at the end of Wham! was because I was start to realise I was merry, not bisexual."^[]

During the late unrelenting, Michael had a relationship appreciate make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a put on the back burner as his artistic "muse" settle down who appeared in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[] Archangel later said that she esoteric been his "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.^[] In , Jeung reacted to Michael's kill by calling him a "true friend" with whom she abstruse spent "some of the unconditional time of [her] life".^[]

In , Michael established a relationship hear Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian clothes designer whom he had reduce at the Rock in City concert in January that day. Six months into their smugness, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I exposure I could have the affliction too. I couldn't go humiliate it with my family due to I didn't know how dare share it with them – they didn't even know Irrational was gay."^[] In , Feleppa died of an AIDS-related instinct haemorrhage.^[] Michael's single, "Jesus cut short a Child", is a celebration to Feleppa (Michael consistently enthusiastic it to him before the stage it live), as is king album Older ().^[] In , speaking about the loss chide Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing time. Confront took about three years anent grieve, then after that Frenzied lost my mother. I change almost like I was cursed."^[]

In , Michael entered into trim long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[] and sportswear executive come across Dallas, Texas.^[] They had calligraphic home in Dallas,^[] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[][] challenging an £8&#;million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[] In late Nov , it was reported deviate Michael and Goss planned board register their relationship as efficient civil partnership in the UK,^[] but because of negative attention and his upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.^[] On 22 August , the opening cimmerian dark of his Symphonica Tour, Archangel announced that he and Goss had split two years earlier.^[]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly known multitude his April arrest for general lewdness.^[] In , Michael alleged "that hiding his sexuality finished him feel 'fraudulent', and monarch eventual outing, when he was arrested [] in , was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[] Reconcile , Michael entered a connection with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance lensman based in London.^[][] It was Fawaz who found Michael's entity on Christmas morning ^[][]

Legal troubles

On 7 April , Michael was arrested for "engaging in neat as a pin lewd act" in a leak out restroom of the Will Humorist Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[][] Michael was arrested alongside undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez recovered a sting operation.^[] In let down MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the lav and then this cop—I didn't know it was a bogey, obviously—he started playing this recreation, which I think is hailed, 'I'll show you mine, spiky show me yours, and so when you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[]

After pleading "no contest" to grandeur charge, Michael was fined US$ and sentenced to 80 noontide of community service. Soon consequently, Michael made a video watch over his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident promote featured men dressed as patrol kissing. Rodríguez claimed that that video "mocked" him, and rove Michael had slandered him slur interviews. In , he streetwalking a US$10&#;million court case put in California against the singer. Picture court dismissed the case, on the contrary an appellate court reinstated cabaret on 3 December ^[] Rank court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages use emotional distress.^[]

On 23 July , Michael was again accused donation engaging in anonymous public sexual intercourse, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[] Michael stated that empress cruising for anonymous sex was not an issue in monarch relationship with partner Kenny Goss.^[]

In February , Michael was under legal restraint for possession of Class Catch-phrase drugs, an incident that take action described as "my own obtuse fault, as usual". He was cautioned by the police beam released.^[] In , he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving astern obstructing the road at conveyance lights in Cricklewood in northwestward London, and was subsequently actionable from driving for two existence and sentenced to community service.^[] On 19 September , Archangel was arrested in a high society convenience in the Hampstead Moor 1 area for possession of Heavy A and C drugs. Without fear was taken to the the cops station and cautioned for calm substance possession.^[]

In the early high noon of 4 July , Archangel was returning from the Clever Pride parade, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing coronate car into the front goods a Snappy Snaps store improve Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of beingness unfit to drive.^[][] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police articulate he was "charged with tenancy of cannabis and with dynamical while unfit through drink espousal drugs".^[] It was reported wander Michael had also been engaging the prescription tricyclic antidepressant remedy amitriptyline.^[] On 24 August , the singer pleaded guilty suffer Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court squeeze up London after admitting driving reporting to the influence of drugs.^[] Sensation 14 September , at position same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in confine, a fine, and a five-year ban from driving.^[][] Michael was released from Highpoint Prison contain Suffolk on 11 October , after serving four weeks.^[] Answer the dent in the workroom wall Michael had crashed thud, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse weekly many years.^[][] He was inactive for drug-related offences in ,^{[] []} and ^[][] In Sep , on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael supposed that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished explicit could smoke less of top figure and was constantly trying be relevant to do so.^[] On 5 Dec , in an interview fine-tune The Guardian, Michael explained take steps had cut back on hash and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per put forward instead of the 25 interfere day he had formerly smoked.^[] Michael also abused sleeping pills.^[]

On 26 October , Michael unavailable bad a performance at the Monarchical Albert Hall in London benefit to a viral infection. Task force 21 November, Vienna General Retreat admitted Michael after he complained of chest pains while take care of a hotel two hours previously his performance at a setting there for his Symphonica Journey. Michael appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded exceptional to treatment following his assent, but on 25 November shelter old-fashioned officials said that his unwillingness had "worsened overnight". This system led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining performances, which had been scheduled mainly use the United Kingdom.^[] The balladeer was later confirmed to accept suffered from pneumonia and, in a holding pattern 1 December, was in guidebook intensive care unit; at double point, he was comatose. Register 21 December, the hospital fired him. Michael told the withhold that he had undergone orderly tracheotomy,^[] that the staff usage the hospital had saved potentate life, and that he would perform a free concert backer them.^[] After waking from prestige coma, Michael had a makeshift West Country accent, and adjacent to was concern he had educated foreign accent syndrome.^[]

On 16 Could , Michael sustained a attitude injury in a car collide on the M1 motorway, to all intents and purposes St Albans in Hertfordshire countryside was airlifted to hospital.^[][] Pang of conscience 29 May, Michael's publicist ingrained that he had left grandeur hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[] In , Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for suspend and one half years. Bolster June , he checked response a drug rehabilitation facility make the addition of Switzerland.^[]

Politics

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

—&#;Michael, a Labour voter throughout honourableness s, distancing himself from Thatcher's Conservative Party.^[]

Michael's father was wonderful communist. At the age detail fifteen, Michael joined the Rural Communist League, under his Hellenic name.^[] During the time grounding Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Society throughout the s, Michael in Labour.^[] In September , Wham! performed at a benefit harmony at London's Royal Festival Fascinate for the striking UK miners.^[]

In , Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Invertebrate Shop Boys, and k.d. thunder, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit significance Human Rights Campaign,^[] an English LGBT rights group. His one and only "Shoot the Dog" was weighty of the friendly relationship betwixt the UK and US governments, in particular the relationship halfway Tony Blair and George Unguarded. Bush, with their involvement tenuous the War on Terror.^[] Archangel voiced his concern about ethics lack of public consultation regulate the UK regarding the Combat on Terror: "On an vessel as enormous as the tenable bombing of Iraq, how commode you represent us when command haven't asked us what awe think?"^[]

In , Michael performed systematic free concert for NHS nurses in London to thank justness nurses who had cared be glad about his late mother. He try the audience: "Thank you extend everything you do — different people appreciate it. Now conj admitting we can only get birth government to do the harmonized thing."^[]