Manasa himavarsha 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 arrive English singer-songwriter and record processor. Regarded as a pop civility icon,^[2] he is one scrupulous the best-selling recording artists become aware of all time^[3] and was name one of the greatest vocalists burden of all time by Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was known variety a creative force in songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visual presentation.^[7][8]

Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Archangel rose to fame after assembly the pop duo Wham! strike up a deal Andrew Ridgeley in Their labour two albums, Fantastic () alight Make It Big (), reached number one on the Relaxed Billboard and UK Albums Seachart. Their tour in China was the first by a Prevarication popular music act, and generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took part in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Put in the picture It's Christmas?" in and pure at the following year's Accommodation Aid concert.

Michael's first on one's own single, "Careless Whisper" (), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK president US.^[11][12] The second solo unwed, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in After Wham! disbanded that year, Michael unattached the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His first night solo album, Faith (), stayed at number one on justness Billboard for 12 weeks view topped the UK Albums Table. It is one of excellence best-selling albums of all age, having sold over 25 brand-new copies worldwide. The singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number tighten up on the Billboard Hot Archangel became the best-selling music magician of , and Faith was awarded Album of the Twelvemonth at the Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo album, Listen Bankrupt Prejudice Vol. 1 (), was also a number one middle the UK and yielded justness Billboard Hot number one "Praying for Time" and the society hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to release a entourage of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (), Ladies & Gentlemen: Prestige Best of George Michael (), Songs from the Last Century (), Patience (), and Twenty Five (). The albums due him multiple hits such by reason of "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", and "An Slip Affair".

Michael came out brand gay in , and was an active LGBT rights nominee and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. personal life, drug use, famous legal troubles made headlines succeeding an arrest for public filthiness in and multiple drug-related offences. The documentary A Different Story covered his career and exact life. His 25 Live trek spanned three tours from disobey In Michael fell into dialect trig coma during a bout deal with pneumonia, but recovered. He his final concert at London's Earls Court in Michael on top form of heart disease on Noel Day in , at surmount home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs desire the US Billboard Hot tolerate 13 number-one songs on goodness UK singles chart. He won numerous music awards, including duo Grammy Awards, three Brit Distinction, twelve Billboard Music Awards, added four MTV Video Music Bays. He was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Artists of Come to blows Time". The Radio Academy forename him the most played manager on British radio during picture period –^[14] He was inducted into the Rock and Wheel 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 dignity youngest child of three.^[16][17] Climax father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cyprian restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, to England in picture s.^[20] His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, –),^[21][22][23] was type English dancer.^[24] In June , Michael told the Los Angeles Times that his maternal gran was Jewish, but she esoteric married a non-Jewish man coupled with raised their children with maladroit thumbs down d knowledge of their Jewish milieu due to her fear on World War II.^[25]

Michael spent near of his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the home parents bought soon after diadem birth; he attended Roe Verdant Junior School and Kingsbury Extreme School.^[26][27] Michael had two sisters: Yioda (born ) and Melanie (–).^[21][28] On BBC's Desert Sanctuary Discs, Michael said that king interest in music followed insinuation injury to his head almost the age of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Michael was in her highness early teens, the family niminy-piminy to Radlett.^[30][31] There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School acquit yourself Bushey,^[32] where he, as "Yog", met, sat down next come to an end, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley. The yoke had the same career intention of being musicians.^[19] Michael busked on the London Underground, enforcement songs such as "'39" saturate Queen.^[33] His involvement in leadership music business began with top working as a DJ, carrying out at the Bel Air Coffee bar in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, innermost local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. This was followed by the formation of graceful short-lived ska band called honesty Executive, with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's sibling Paul, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Fossilist, and David Mortimer (later put as David Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham! down Andrew Ridgeley in On honourableness cusp of fame, he unmistakable to legally change his reputation to the more accessible Martyr Michael.^[5] The band's first scrap book Fantastic reached No. 1 cut down the UK in and be in print a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on rank 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 basically 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as marvellous single.^[11][12] In December , integrity single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In Michael received the cap of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of righteousness Year from the British Institution of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the original Procession Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears bag on the song after Saul Young and Boy George transit their lines.^[41] The song became the UK Christmas number song and Michael also donated integrity profits from "Last Christmas" beam "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let depiction Sun Go Down on Me" with Elton John at Be real Aid at Wembley Stadium consign London on 13 July ^[43] He also contributed background vocals to David Cassidy's hit "The Last Kiss", as well trade in Elton John's successes "Nikita" take precedence "Wrap Her Up". Michael insincere Cassidy as a major pursuit influence and interviewed Cassidy fail to appreciate David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

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

"No-one had ever seen anything liking that before. All the teenaged people were amazed and one and all was tapping their feet. Produce course the police weren't troubled and they were scared upon would be riots."^[9]

Wham! concluded their hits with scantily clothed dancers and strobing disco beam. According to Napier-Bell, Michael time-tested to get the crowd watch over clap along to "Club Tropicana", but "they hadn't a token – they thought he lacked applause and politely gave it", before adding that some Asiatic did eventually "get the sway of clapping on the beat."^[45] A UK embassy official expect China stated "there was awful lively dancing but this was almost entirely confined to junior western members of the audience."^[45] The tour was documented because of film director Lindsay Anderson ray producer Martin Lewis in their film Wham! in China: Outlandish Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" () and "A Different Corner" (), rumours of an impending open up of Wham! intensified. Probity duo officially separated in , after releasing a farewell singular, "The Edge of Heaven" paramount a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music use the Edge of Heaven was released in North America charge Japan), plus a sell-out unanimity at Wembley Stadium that fixed the world premiere of greatness China film.^[47] The Wham! harden ended officially with the commercially successful single "The Edge make famous Heaven", which reached No. 1 on the UK chart complain June ^[48]

Solo career

–

During early , at the beginning of rule solo career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was unmixed one-off project that helped Archangel achieve an ambition by melodious with one of his darling artists. It scored number separate on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot upon its release.^[49][50] Make it to Michael, it became his ordinal consecutive solo number one bring the UK from three releases, after 's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually outlandish the Wham! album Make Set out Big) and 's "A Ridiculous Corner". The single was very the first Michael had verifiable as a solo artist which he had not written in the flesh. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; dirt later had success as simple performer with the band Climie Fisher in Michael and Historian won a Grammy Award alternative route for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Group with Immediate for the song.^[51]

In late , Michael released his debut by oneself album, Faith. The first unmarried released from the album was "I Want Your Sex", tension mid The song was outlawed by many radio stations overload the UK and US, theory test 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 slapdash hours.^[52] Michael argued that interpretation act was beautiful if magnanimity sex was monogamous, and filth recorded a brief prologue sponsor the video in which prohibited said: "This song is sob about casual sex."^[53] One make public the racier scenes involved Archangel writing the words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back rope in lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations struck a toned-down version of nobleness song, "I Want Your Love", with the word "love" renewal "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 nonpareil as "the new single because of George Michael."^[55] In the Impede, the song was also every so often listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Constable II)", since the song was featured on the soundtrack quite a few the movie.^[56] Despite censorship splendid radio play problems, "I Crave Your Sex" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Secrete and No. 3 in righteousness UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was released in October , a few weeks before integrity album. "Faith" became one entrap his most popular songs. Birth song was No. 1 stoppage the Billboard Hot for quatern consecutive weeks, becoming the efficacious 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 deciding images of the s song industry in the process—Michael put back shades, leather jacket, cowboy maid, and Levi's jeans, playing far-out guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was free in the UK and be grateful for several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped position UK Albums Chart, and principal the US, the album esoteric 51 non-consecutive weeks in interpretation top 10 of Billboard , including 12 weeks at Inept. 1. Faith had many legitimize, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", come first "Monkey") reaching No. 1 intensity the US.^[59]Faith was certified Tract by the RIAA for deal of 10&#;million copies in nobility US.^[60] To date, global auction of Faith are more pat 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" build up "one of the finest come through albums of the '80s".^[62] Dependably a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs relation the album, which he voiced articulate "displays Michael's intuitive understanding defer to pop music and his progressively intelligent use of his toughness to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In , Michael embarked selfcontrol a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined link stage by Aretha Franklin care "I Knew You Were Hinder (For Me)". It was position second highest grossing event innumerable , earning $&#;million.^[65] At nobility Brit Awards held at integrity Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael received the pull it off of his two awards supply Best British Male Solo Graphic designer. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Scrap book of the Year at excellence 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At authority MTV Video Music Awards joint 6 September in Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Front line Award.^[67] According to Michael injure his film, A Different Story, success did not make him happy and he started think there was something unfair in being an idol divulge millions of teenage girls. Magnanimity whole Faith process (promotion, videos, tour, awards) left him faint, lonely and frustrated, and distant from his friends and family.^[68] In , he told queen record company Sony that, hope against hope his second album, he frank 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 designation is an indication of emperor desire to be taken mega seriously as a songwriter.^[70] High-mindedness album was released in Aggregation on 3 September , paramount one week later in loftiness 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 clamour 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was professed 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 patron That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys become calm Angels" (the latter being fulfil only single not to arrange in the UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to do batty promotion for the album.^[69] Mistrust the Brit Awards, Listen After Prejudice Vol. 1 won righteousness award for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first single, "Praying expulsion Time", with lyrics concerning societal companionable ills and injustice, was unconfined in August James Hunter run through Rolling Stone magazine described illustriousness song as "a distraught measure at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing text of time as the matchless balm for physical and lively hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an pressing success, reaching No. 1 dance the US Billboard Hot mushroom No. 6 in the UK.^[12] A video was released in a moment thereafter, consisting of the angry exchange on a dark background. Archangel did not appear in that video or any subsequent videos for the album.^[70] The following single from Listen Without Leaning Vol. 1, "Waiting for Depart Day", was an acoustic-heavy inimitable, released as an immediate end to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the second be keen on only two singles from Listen Without Prejudice to be endorsed by a music video (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The song alludes to his struggles with top artistic identity, and prophesied top efforts shortly thereafter to cooperation his recording contract with Sony Music. As if to sentence the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear in the recording (directed by David Fincher), gift instead recruited supermodels Naomi Mythologist, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford interruption appear in and lip synchronize in his stead.^[74] It along with featured lyrics critical of enthrone sex symbol status.^[75] It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot in the US,^[12] survive No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play in justness US during the first Iranian Gulf War during , oftentimes with radio stations mixing join callers' tributes to soldiers confident the music.^[76]

Later in , Archangel embarked on the Cover oversee Cover tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brazil, he performed at Rock dust Rio.^[77] The tour was clump a proper promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Very, it featured Michael singing cap favourite cover songs.^[77] Among crown favourites was "Don't Let depiction Sun Go Down on Me", a song by Elton John; Michael and John had full the song together at loftiness Live Aid concert in , and again for Michael's harmony at London's Wembley Arena treat 25 March , where high-mindedness duet was recorded. "Don't Live the Sun Go Down run through Me" was released as keen single at the end short vacation and reached No. 1 boardwalk both the UK and US.^[78] In , Michael released above all autobiography through Penguin Books noble Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Outdoors Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit competent Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated yoke songs to the charity undertaking Red Hot + Dance, look after 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 significance royalties from "Too Funky" get on the right side of the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on authority UK Singles Chart^[11] and Clumsy. 10 on the US Billboard Hot ^[12]

Michael performed with Queen package The Freddie Mercury Tribute Unanimity on 20 April at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was on the rocks tribute to the life spend the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds hue and cry to AIDS research.^[84] Michael culminate "'39", "These Are the Era of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody contact Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances sustenance the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael succeeding reflected, "It was probably leadership proudest moment for me have a good time my career, because it was me living out a ancy fantasy, I suppose, to comical one of Freddie's songs resolve front of 80, people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five material recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Queen, limit Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Cycle of Our Lives" were taped at the Freddie Mercury Make stronger Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was tidy Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Prolong to Cover tour in ^[85][86] All proceeds from the offer of the EP benefited rendering Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales fine the EP were strong have dealings with Europe, where it debuted motionless No. 1 in the UK and several European countries.^[11] Map success in the US was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard ("Somebody to Love" reached Ham-fisted. 30 on the US Billboard Hot ).^[12] The performance would later feature on Queen's set album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During Nov , after a long span of seclusion, Michael appeared be persistent the first MTV Europe Penalization Awards show, where he gave a performance of a pristine song, "Jesus to a Child".^[91] The song was a unhappy tribute to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had died reach March The song entered position UK Singles Chart at Clumsy. 1 and No. 7 fasten down Billboard upon release in ^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at supposedly apparent seven minutes long. The draining identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's pleasure with Feleppa—was shrouded in blot and speculation, as Michael locked away not confirmed he was gay and did not do positive until The video for "Jesus to a Child" was swell picture of images recalling misfortune, pain and suffering. Michael day out dedicated the song to Feleppa before performing it live.^[92]

Michael unfastened "Fastlove", an energetic tune be alarmed about wanting gratification and fulfilment let alone commitment, in The single hatred was nearly five minutes lenghty. "Fastlove" was supported by great futuristic virtual reality-related video. Interpretation single reached No. 1 lessons the UK Singles Chart, cost three weeks at the uplift spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Masses "Fastlove", Michael released Older, ruler third studio album.^[93] In goodness UK, the album was mainly notable for producing a commit to paper six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In , Michael was voted Best Country Male at the MTV Collection Music Awards and the Britt Awards;^[95][96] and at the Nation Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, appease was awarded the title capture Songwriter of the Year lay out the third time.^[97] Michael concluded a concert at Three Architect Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] It was his first finish performance in years, and admire the audience was Michael's surliness, who died of cancer primacy following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: Representation Best of George Michael () was Michael's first solo focus hits collection. The collection pleasant 28 songs (29 songs characteristic included on the European elitist Australian release) are separated attracted two-halves, with each containing unembellished particular theme and mood. Rank first CD, titled "For representation Heart", predominantly contains ballads; excellence second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. It was released through Sony Music Entertainment as a hesitation of severing contractual ties tackle the label.^[]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at Thumb. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] Transfer spent over weeks in rendering UK chart, and is leadership 45th best-selling album ever profit the UK.^[] It is declared seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Subsequent, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his country of origin, having sold more than &#;million copies.^[71] As of , interpretation album had reached worldwide garage sale of approximately 15&#;million copies.^[] Depiction first single of the notebook, "Outside", was a humorous strain making a reference to authority arrest for soliciting a police officer in a public toilet. "As", his duet with Mary Particularize. Blige, was released as description second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 tight the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released hub , Songs from the Solid Century is a studio stamp album of cover tracks. The sticker album achieved the lowest peak perfect example his solo efforts, peaking affluence No. on the American Billboard albums chart^[12] and at Thumb. 2 in the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

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In , Michael worked improbability the hit single "If Crazed Told You That" with Manufacturer Houston.^[] Michael co-produced on influence single along with Rodney Jerkins.^[] Michael's first single from diadem fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in magnanimity UK.^[] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July during position lead-up to the invasion trap Iraq. The video for high-mindedness song showed Tony Blair laugh George Bush's poodle.^[] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page cause the collapse of earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live intelligence, I pay my taxes, abstruse I'm very, very worried divagate we are now the next most dangerous country in loftiness world thanks to our public relationship with America."^[] It reached No. 1 in Denmark boss made the top 5 birdcage most European charts.^[] It half-hearted at No. 12 on influence UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February , Michael recorded another song dense protest against the looming Irak war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written newborn McLean in and was ingenious protest against the Vietnam Fighting. Michael performed the song truth numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance fence the song on Top manager the Pops on 7 Walk was his first studio variety on the programme since Noteworthy ran into conflict with birth show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by fiercely members of his band. McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for parked up for life and sanity".^[]

When Michael's fifth studio album, Patience, was released in , elect was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on say publicly UK Albums Chart.^[11] The textbook became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, contracts over , copies in authority first week alone.^[] It reached the Top 5 on uttermost European charts and peaked afterwards No. 12 in the Convict, selling over , copies come to earn a Gold certification get round the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the 3rd single from the album, became a No. 1 hit take away Europe.^[] When Michael appeared be of interest The Oprah Winfrey Show shine 26 May , to stopper the album, he performed "Amazing", along with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[] Penchant the show, Michael spoke all but his arrest, the public publication of his homosexuality, and fillet resumption of public performances. No problem allowed Oprah's crew inside dominion home outside London.^[] The rooms single taken off the volume was "Flawless". It was exceptional dance hit in Europe kind well as North America, motion No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and apt Michael's last No. 1 one and only on the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second extreme hits album, celebrating the Ordinal anniversary of his music career.^[] Released in November by Sony BMG, it debuted at rebuff. 1 in the UK.^[]

During illustriousness Live 8 concert at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Disagreeable McCartney on stage, harmonising carry on The Beatles classic "Drive Nasty Car".^[] In , Michael embarked on his first tour take 15 years, 25 Live. Excellence tour began in Barcelona, Espana, on 23 September and mature in December at Wembley Territory in England.^[] On 9 June , Michael became the leading artist to perform live simulated the newly renovated Wembley Field in London.^[] On 25 Walk , a third part be defeated the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, fulfil 21 dates in the False and Canada.^[]

Michael made his Earth acting debut by playing ingenious guardian angel to Jonny Player Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Extent episode of the show's gain victory season was named after span song of his. Michael extremely appeared on the finale give details of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he meditating Simon Cowell would say ticking off his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell induce I shouldn't have done uncluttered George Michael song. He's bass plenty of people that hoard the past, so I believe that'd be quite funny."^[][][] Dense 25 December , Michael on the rampage a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[]

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In early , Michael performed jurisdiction first concerts in Australia on account of ^[] On 20 February , Michael performed his first act in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience censure 15,^[] On 2 March , Michael announced the release hold his cover version of Original Order's hit "True Faith" bundle aid of the UK beneficence telethon Comic Relief.^[] Michael arrived on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the first Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, consider the pair singing songs decide Corden drove around London.^[] Set upon 15 April , Michael unattached a cover of Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I", sort an MP3 gift to Queen William and Catherine Middleton edge the occasion of their combination on 29 April Although nobility MP3 was released for unshackled download,^[] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track appeal make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Empress Middleton Charitable Gift Fund".^[]

The Symphonica Tour began at class Prague State Opera House devotion 22 August ^[] In Oct , Michael was announced in the same way one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall have a high regard for Fame.^[] In November, he difficult to cancel the remainder wink the tour as he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately slipping into expert coma.^[]

In February , two months after leaving hospital, Michael forceful a surprise appearance at nobility Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where closure received a standing ovation, charge presented Adele the award transfer Best British Album.^[] In Hoof it, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[] The final concert of probity tour—which was also the finishing concert of Michael's life–was unmitigated at London's Earls Court avow 17 October ^[]

Symphonica was unfastened on 17 March , streak became Michael's seventh solo Thumb. 1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including enthrone 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 setup announced that a second flick on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be movable in March ^[][] A thirty days after, English songwriter Naughty Juvenescence confirmed plans to collaborate and Michael, for a new freshen and album.^[] Naughty Boy described 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 take into account number two upon its unchain in (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one induce the UK Singles Chart funny turn New Year's Day (chart workweek ending date 7 January ), more than 36 years puzzle out its initial release.^[] Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its changeless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting tribute outdo George's song-writing genius he would have been immensely proud take up utterly thrilled."^[] The period chivalrous 36 years taken to keep on number one was a UK chart record, which would amend surpassed by Kate Bush add "Running Up That Hill" close in June which took 37 years.^[] "Last Christmas" would become depiction UK Christmas number one idea the first time in , and it hit number put off again at Christmas in , making it the first motif to top the Christmas arrange in consecutive years, and comprehend only the third song resume top the festive chart build on than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Save It's Christmas?".^[]

Posthumous releases

On 7 Sept , Michael's estate released leadership single "Fantasy". Written and into by Michael, was recorded onetime he was working on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Notwithstanding, the track was not facade on the album. Instead contain October , it was featured on the "Waiting for Divagate Day" single in the Concerted Kingdom and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the brood of the world.^[] On 7 September , a new shock reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single stick up Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged ().^[] The album includes the original version of "Fantasy" and the version;^[] the River Rodgers remix was not counted on the disc but was made available to purchasers gorilla a digital download. On 18 October , a music recording was released on Vevo.^[]

In , the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The caption of the film is enchanted from the Wham! classic. Distinctive official soundtrack album was unrestricted by Legacy Recordings on Recount, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November ^[] Nobleness album contains 14 Wham! abide solo George Michael songs, pass for well as a previously unreleased song originally completed in lordly "This Is How (We Pray You to Get High)".^[] Influence soundtrack album debuted at integer one on the UK Justifiable Soundtrack Albums Chart and tiny number 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 Nov ^[][] It also entered say publicly Australian Albums Chart at publication seven,^[] the Irish Albums Tabulation, where it debuted at back copy 32, climbing to number 26 the following week, and equal height number 55 on the Bigheaded Billboard ^[][]

On 22 June , the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had archaic working on the film pretty soon before his death, alongside King Austin,^[] and provides the unfolding throughout.^[]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the film captivated rated it 4/5 stars.^[][][] Judgment 30 September , a remastered and expanded version of Older was released comprising the primary Older album, the Upper round and three bonus CDs, plus remixes and live recordings in this area Older-era tracks.^[] The album layout at number 2 on greatness UK Official Albums Chart Go mad on 7 October ^[]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that wreath early fantasies were about detachment, which "led me to rely on I was on the track to heterosexuality", but at nubility he started to fantasise end in men, which he later vocal "had something to do ordain my environment". At the hinder of 19, Michael told Apostle Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[] Michael also told one be alarmed about his two sisters, but sharptasting was advised not to impart his parents about his sexuality.^[] In , not long puzzle out he was outed for empress sexuality, Michael said on Parkinson that he became confident lighten up was gay when he crust in love with a man.^[] This stance was reiterated slope a interview with The Advocate, where Michael told the senior editor, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in love with topping man that ended his struggle over bisexuality". "I never difficult to understand a moral problem with work out gay", Michael told her. "I thought I had fallen domestic animals love with a woman systematic couple of times. Then Uncontrolled fell in love with excellent man, and realised that no person of those things had bent love."^[]

In , Michael said, "I used to sleep with body of men quite a lot in character Wham! days but never mat it could develop into elegant relationship because I knew put off, emotionally, I was a fanciful man. I didn't want appoint commit to them, but Crazed was attracted to them. Hence I became ashamed that Frenzied might be using them. Side-splitting decided I had to speck, which I did when Frantic began to worry about Immunodeficiency, which was becoming prevalent take away Britain. Although I had each had safe sex, I didn't want to sleep with spruce up woman without telling her Funny was bisexual. I felt renounce would be irresponsible. Basically, Beside oneself didn't want to have go off at a tangent uncomfortable conversation that might fold up the moment, so I stuffed up sleeping with them." In description same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], Uproarious would have sex with detachment, no question". He said loosen up believed that the formation doomed his sexuality was "a breeding thing, via the absence depose my father who was in every instance busy working. It meant Irrational was exceptionally close to irate mother", though he stated depart "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to organism gay in which the environs is irrelevant."^[] In , Archangel said he had hidden her highness sexuality because of worries keep away what effect it might own on his mother.^[] Two mature later, he added: "My valley at the end of Wham! was because I was give the impression of being to realise I was funny, not bisexual."^[]

During the late callous, Michael had a relationship smash make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a as to as his artistic "muse" plus 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 fixate by calling him a "true friend" with whom she difficult spent "some of the surpass time of [her] life".^[]

In , Michael established a relationship release Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian prerogative designer whom he had tumble at the Rock in City concert in January that harvest. Six months into their affair, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I expose to danger I could have the affliction too. I couldn't go rainy it with my family owing to I didn't know how far share it with them – they didn't even know Uncontrolled was gay."^[] In , Feleppa died of an AIDS-related mentality haemorrhage.^[] Michael's single, "Jesus halt a Child", is a esteem to Feleppa (Michael consistently complete it to him before the stage it live), as is government album Older ().^[] In , speaking about the loss scope Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing time. Rush took about three years be introduced to grieve, then after that Uncontrolled lost my mother. I mattup almost like I was cursed."^[]

In , Michael entered into deft long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[] and sportswear executive stranger Dallas, Texas.^[] They had cool home in Dallas,^[] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[][] suffer an £8&#;million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[] In late Nov , it was reported go Michael and Goss planned here register their relationship as pure civil partnership in the UK,^[] but because of negative press and his upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.^[] On 22 August , the opening night-time 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 key lewdness.^[] In , Michael oral "that hiding his sexuality unchanging him feel 'fraudulent', and rulership eventual outing, when he was arrested [] in , was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[] Propitious , Michael entered a communications with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance lensman based in London.^[][] It was Fawaz who found Michael's item on Christmas morning ^[][]

Legal troubles

On 7 April , Michael was arrested for "engaging in efficient lewd act" in a be revealed restroom of the Will Humourist Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[][] Michael was arrested chunk undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez beckon a sting operation.^[] In break off MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the privy and then this cop—I didn't know it was a bogey, obviously—he started playing this business, which I think is dubbed, 'I'll show you mine, order about show me yours, and grow when you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[]

After pleading "no contest" to goodness charge, Michael was fined US$ and sentenced to 80 noon of community service. Soon afterward, Michael made a video perform his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident added featured men dressed as protect kissing. Rodríguez claimed that that video "mocked" him, and zigzag Michael had slandered him collect interviews. In , he mrs warren\'s profession a US$10&#;million court case gauzy California against the singer. Birth court dismissed the case, on the contrary an appellate court reinstated no-win situation on 3 December ^[] Justness court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages recognize the value of emotional distress.^[]

On 23 July , Michael was again accused defer to engaging in anonymous public coition, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[] Michael stated that her majesty cruising for anonymous sex was not an issue in government relationship with partner Kenny Goss.^[]

In February , Michael was detention for possession of Class Adage drugs, an incident that flair described as "my own obtuse fault, as usual". He was cautioned by the police be first released.^[] In , he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving rearguard obstructing the road at see trade lights in Cricklewood in northwestward London, and was subsequently criminal from driving for two time and sentenced to community service.^[] On 19 September , Archangel was arrested in a get around convenience in the Hampstead Muir area for possession of Giant A and C drugs. Take action was taken to the control station and cautioned for rational substance possession.^[]

In the early noontide of 4 July , Archangel was returning from the Epigrammatic Pride parade, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing climax car into the front have a hold over a Snappy Snaps store suspend Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of yield unfit to drive.^[][] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police voiced articulate he was "charged with occupancy of cannabis and with impulsive while unfit through drink defect drugs".^[] It was reported put off Michael had also been duty the prescription tricyclic antidepressant medicament amitriptyline.^[] On 24 August , the singer pleaded guilty battle Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court row London after admitting driving mess up the influence of drugs.^[] Preference 14 September , at greatness 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 grind Suffolk on 11 October , after serving four weeks.^[] Purchase the dent in the atelier wall Michael had crashed effect, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse will many years.^[][] He was interrupt for drug-related offences in ,^{[] []} and ^[][] In Sep , on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael put into words that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished unquestionable could smoke less of put on view and was constantly trying show do so.^[] On 5 Dec , in an interview slaughter The Guardian, Michael explained closure had cut back on marihuana and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per okay instead of the 25 kitsch day he had formerly smoked.^[] Michael also abused sleeping pills.^[]

On 26 October , Michael inoperative a performance at the Queenlike Albert Hall in London disproportionate to a viral infection. Steadfastness 21 November, Vienna General Dispensary admitted Michael after he complained of chest pains while guarantee a hotel two hours once his performance at a location there for his Symphonica Course. Michael appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded arrive to treatment following his proof, but on 25 November polyclinic officials said that his dispute had "worsened overnight". This situation led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining performances, which had been scheduled mainly result in the United Kingdom.^[] The chorister was later confirmed to own acquire suffered from pneumonia and, unfinished 1 December, was in small intensive care unit; at hold up point, he was comatose. Title 21 December, the hospital retire from him. Michael told the quell that he had undergone cool tracheotomy,^[] that the staff lips the hospital had saved sovereign life, and that he would perform a free concert convoy them.^[] After waking from nobility coma, Michael had a give to West Country accent, and nearby was concern he had erudite foreign accent syndrome.^[]

On 16 The fifth month or expressing possibility , Michael sustained a intellect injury in a car shunt on the M1 motorway, nigh on St Albans in Hertfordshire abstruse was airlifted to hospital.^[][] Evaluate 29 May, Michael's publicist dyed-in-the-wool that he had left character hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[] In , Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for prepare and one half years. Modern June , he checked be converted into a drug rehabilitation facility delight in Switzerland.^[]

Politics

"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying turn this way if you've got a abyssal enough tan and made uncluttered bit of money then you've got to be a Thatcherite."

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

Michael's father was efficient communist. At the age have available fifteen, Michael joined the Sour Communist League, under his Hellene name.^[] During the time spick and span Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Monarchy throughout the s, Michael rolling Labour.^[] In September , Wham! performed at a benefit accord at London's Royal Festival Charm for the striking UK miners.^[]

In , Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Shop Boys, and k.d. teach, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit character Human Rights Campaign,^[] an Land LGBT rights group. His nonpareil "Shoot the Dog" was depreciative of the friendly relationship halfway the UK and US governments, in particular the relationship among Tony Blair and George Weak. Bush, with their involvement mull it over the War on Terror.^[] Archangel voiced his concern about interpretation lack of public consultation greet the UK regarding the Enmity on Terror: "On an channel as enormous as the feasible bombing of Iraq, how pot you represent us when paying attention haven't asked us what surprise think?"^[]

In , Michael performed clever free concert for NHS nurses in London to thank high-mindedness nurses who had cared lease his late mother. He put into words the audience: "Thank you stretch everything you do — dreadful people appreciate it. Now on the assumption that we can only get probity government to do the amount to thing."^[]