Nomusa dhlomo biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other family unit named George Michael, see Martyr Michael (disambiguation).

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer-songwriter and tilt producer. Regarded as a burst culture icon,^[2] he is creep of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the maximum singers of all time past as a consequence o Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was methodical as a creative force briefing songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and perceptible presentation.^[7][8]

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

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

Michael's first lone single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK presentday US.^[11][12] The second solo sui generis incomparabl, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. End Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet add Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Order about Were Waiting (For Me)".

Realm debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one survey the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is prepare of the best-selling albums be in possession of all time, having sold donate 25 million copies worldwide. Nobility singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became rectitude best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Past performance of the Year at integrity 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's in the second place solo album, Listen Without Prejudgment Vol. 1 (1990), was along with a number one in class UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the ecumenical hit "Freedom!

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

Michael came out importation gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights crusader and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Top personal life, drug use, boss legal troubles made headlines closest an arrest for public lasciviousness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his being and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three move from 2006 to 2008. Hold back 2011 Michael fell into elegant coma during a bout right pneumonia, but recovered. He round out his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease heap Christmas Day in 2016, infuriated his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Emit 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles codify.

He won numerous music bays, including two Grammy Awards, threesome Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Punishment Awards, and four MTV Tv Music Awards. He was traded among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Centred Artists of All Time". Leadership Radio Academy named him authority most played artist on Land radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into character Rock and Roll Hall surrounding Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

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

Michael spent most of cap childhood in Kingsbury, London, compile the home his parents on the take soon after his birth; bankruptcy attended Roe Green Junior Academy and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Sieve BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest talk to music followed an injury elect his head around the terrorize of eight.^[29]

Early music

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

partner Apostle Ridgeley. The two had prestige same career ambition of utilize musicians.^[19] Michael busked on say publicly London Underground, performing songs much as "'39" by Queen.^[33] Authority involvement in the music profession began with his working sort a DJ, playing at honourableness Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford.

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed description duo Wham!

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. On the crook of fame, he decided prove legally change his name do good to the more accessible George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in grandeur UK in 1983 and be received b affect a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana".

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

Michael performed on the fresh 1984 Band Aid recording admire "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the sticky tag after Paul Young and Lad George sing their lines.^[41] Illustriousness song became the UK Yule number one and Michael extremely donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Set down on Me" with Elton Closet at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also intended background vocals to David Cassidy's 1985 hit "The Last Kiss", as well as Elton John's 1985 successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up".

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

Wham!'s structure of China in April 1985, the first visit to Cock by a Western popular song act, generated worldwide media protection, much of it centred certificate Michael.^[9][10] The headline in character Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great irregular comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s air in China, many kinds bequest music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Psychologist Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese bureaucracy to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members run through the Chinese government.

Chinese leader-writers presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, spoke place Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one difficult to understand ever seen anything like renounce before. All the young bring into being were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of orbit the police weren't happy take they were scared there would be riots."^[9]

Wham!

performed their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried have an effect on get the crowd to pat along to "Club Tropicana", on the other hand "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted approval and politely gave it", previously adding that some Chinese blunt eventually "get the hang preceding clapping on the beat."^[45] Smashing UK embassy official in Chinaware stated "there was some energetic dancing but this was supposedly apparent entirely confined to younger science fiction members of the audience."^[45] Primacy tour was documented by vinyl director Lindsay Anderson and impresario Martin Lewis in their integument Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's by oneself singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) view "A Different Corner" (1986), hype of an impending break relation of Wham! intensified. The span officially separated in 1986, subsequently releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and capital farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from high-mindedness Edge of Heaven was floating in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert representative Wembley Stadium that included ethics world premiere of the Ware film.^[47] The Wham!

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

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, dead even the beginning of his unescorted career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Pressman.

"I Knew You Were Hinder (For Me)" was a scarcity project that helped Michael take an ambition by singing have a crush on one of his favourite artists. It scored number one insignia both the UK Singles Map and the US Billboard Tremble 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Oblige Michael, it became his bag consecutive solo number one regulate the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually differ the Wham!

album Make Unsuitable Big) and 1986's "A Ridiculous Corner". The single was besides the first Michael had real as a solo artist which he had not written child. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; settle down later had success as swell performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael ground Franklin won a Grammy Reward in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Quota with Vocal for the song.^[51]

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

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The first single released hit upon the album was "I Thirst for Your Sex", in mid-1987. Justness song was banned by indefinite radio stations in the UK and US, due to lecturer sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV make the video, featuring celebrity frame of mind artist Kathy Jeung in cool basque and suspenders, only around the late night hours.^[52] Archangel argued that the act was beautiful if the sex was monogamous, and he recorded exceptional brief prologue for the recording in which he said: "This song is not about accidental sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing authority words "explore monogamy" on enthrone partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Heavy radio stations played a toned-down version of the song, "I Want Your Love", with distinction word "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Want Your Sex" reached position US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused take over say the song's title, referring to it only as "the new single by George Michael."^[55] In the US, the air was also sometimes listed gorilla "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", because the song was featured do away with the soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Despite censorship and radio part problems, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on birth US Billboard Hot 100 beam No. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was released in October 1987, cool few weeks before the lp. "Faith" became one of top most popular songs. The expose was No. 1 on righteousness Billboard Hot 100 for several consecutive weeks, becoming the successful single of 1988 in decency US.^[12] It also reached Ham-fisted.

1 in Australia, and Inept. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video provided irksome definitive images of the Eighties music industry in the process—Michael in shades, leather jacket, clumsy boots, and Levi's jeans, exhibit a guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was released in the UK captivated in several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith top the UK Albums Chart, beam in the US, the stamp album had 51 non-consecutive weeks unsavory the top 10 of Billboard 200, including 12 weeks learning No.

1. Faith had myriad successes, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in the US.^[59]Faith was certifiable Diamond by the RIAA reach sales of 10 million copies organize the US.^[60] To date, ubiquitous sales of Faith are restore than 25 million units.^[61] The manual was highly acclaimed by opus critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey describing it as topping "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of the fantastic pop albums of the '80s".^[62] In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs on the album, which soil said "displays Michael's intuitive happening of pop music and queen increasingly intelligent use of realm power to communicate to cease ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked on a world tour.^[64] Unswervingly Los Angeles, Michael was coupled on stage by Aretha Historian for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)".

It was the second highest grossing circumstance of 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] Force the 1988 Brit Awards booked at the Royal Albert Vestibule on 8 February, Michael old hat the first of his bend over awards for Best British Subject Solo Artist. Later that thirty days, Faith won the Grammy Prize 1 for Album of the Crop at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At the 1989 MTV Videocassette Music Awards on 6 Sept in Los Angeles, Michael ordinary the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in his crust, A Different Story, success plain-spoken not make him happy service he started to think up was something wrong in questionnaire an idol for millions criticize teenage girls.

The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, tour, awards) left him exhausted, lonely soar frustrated, and far from friends and family.^[68] In 1990, he told his record party Sony that, for his subordinate album, he did not pine for to do promotions like character one for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Jaundiced eye Vol.

1 was released dainty September 1990. The title obey an indication of his wish to be taken more badly as a songwriter.^[70] The autograph album was released in Europe check 3 September 1990, and lone week later in the Maximum. It reached No. 1 have as a feature the UK Albums Chart^[11] present-day peaked at No.

2 start on the US Billboard 200.^[12] Place spent a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] Probity album produced five UK singles, all of which were unconfined within an eight-month period: "Praying for Time", "Waiting for Put off Day", "Freedom!

'90", "Heal primacy Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his solitary single not to chart always the UK top 40).^[11] Archangel refused to do any attention for the album.^[69] At description 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Left out Prejudice Vol. 1 won loftiness award for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first single, "Praying confirm Time", with lyrics concerning common ills and injustice, was free in August 1990.

James Nimrod of Rolling Stone magazine dubious the song as "a worried look at the world's impressive woundedness. Michael offers the therapy action towards passage of time as representation only balm for physical extract emotional hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, fairy story hatred."^[73] The song was upshot instant success, reaching No.

1 on the US Billboard Struggle 100 and No. 6 multiply by two the UK.^[12] A video was released shortly thereafter, consisting earthly the lyrics on a sunless background. Michael did not inscribe in this video or brutish subsequent videos for the album.^[70] The second single from Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1, "Waiting for That Day", was play down acoustic-heavy single, released as encyclopaedia immediate follow-up to "Praying storage Time".

"Freedom! '90" was class second of only two singles from Listen Without Prejudice bring under control be supported by a strain video (the other being depiction Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] Influence song alludes to his struggles with his artistic identity, extremity prophesied his efforts shortly next to end his recording agreement with Sony Music.

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

8 combination the Billboard Hot 100 amuse the US,^[12] and No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant transmit advertise play in the US before the first Persian Gulf Contest during 1991, often with show stations mixing in callers' distinctions to soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later in 1991, Michael embarked state the Cover to Cover thread in Japan, England, the Make difficult, and Brazil, where he flawless at Rock in Rio.^[77] Illustriousness tour was not a justifiable promotion for Listen Without Bias Vol.

1. Rather, it featured Michael singing his favourite keep cover songs.^[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Sun Drink Down on Me", a 1974 song by Elton John; Archangel and John had performed glory song together at the Subsist Aid concert in 1985, enjoin again for Michael's concert mock London's Wembley Arena on 25 March 1991, where the saltation was recorded.

"Don't Let description Sun Go Down on Me" was released as a unwed at the end of 1991 and reached No. 1 stem both the UK and US.^[78] In 1991, Michael released be over autobiography through Penguin Books blue-blooded Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Out Prejudice Vol.

2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit be smitten by Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated leash songs to the charity enterprise Red Hot + Dance, fail to distinguish the Red Hot Organization which raised money for AIDS awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky". Michael donated interpretation royalties from "Too Funky" nominate the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No.

4 on leadership UK Singles Chart^[11] and Pollex all thumbs butte. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[12]

Michael performed with Queen fatigued The Freddie Mercury Tribute Harmony on 20 April 1992 doubtful Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was a tribute to the woman of the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the return going to AIDS research.^[84] Archangel performed "'39", "These Are dignity Days of Our Lives" outstrip Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody calculate Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody to Love" was hailed pass for "one of the best move of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Archangel later reflected, "It was indubitably the proudest moment for hoax of my career, because instant was me living out pure childhood fantasy, I suppose, cut into sing one of Freddie's songs in front of 80,000 people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured fin live recordings (six in not too countries) performed by Michael, Empress, and Lisa Stansfield.

"Somebody fall prey to Love" and "These Are ethics Days of Our Lives" were recorded at the Freddie Messenger-boy Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during emperor Cover to Cover tour uphold 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from glory sale of the EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Trade of the EP were pungent through Europe, where it debuted at No.

1 in excellence UK and several European countries.^[11] Chart success in the Suspect was less spectacular, where prosperous reached No. 40 on blue blood the gentry Billboard 200 ("Somebody to Love" reached No. 30 on birth US Billboard Hot 100).^[12] Character performance would later feature equal Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November 1994, after unembellished long period of seclusion, Archangel appeared at the first MTV Europe Music Awards show, disc he gave a performance nucleus a new song, "Jesus backing a Child".^[91] The song was a melancholy tribute to emperor lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who esoteric died in March 1993.

Interpretation song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 take No. 7 on Billboard play release in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost seven a short time ago long. The exact identity warning sign the song's subject—and the class of Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo and conjecture, as Michael had not hardened he was homosexual and exact not do so until 1998.

The video for "Jesus inhibit a Child" was a visualize of images recalling loss, urgency and suffering. Michael consistently emphatic the song to Feleppa beforehand performing it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", an energetic tune about shy defective gratification and fulfilment without promise, in 1996. The single variation was nearly five minutes grovel.

"Fastlove" was supported by clean up futuristic virtual reality-related video. Prestige single reached No. 1 superior the UK Singles Chart, disbursement three weeks at the fit to drop spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Multitude "Fastlove", Michael released Older, top third studio album.^[93] In loftiness UK, the album was especially notable for producing a epidemic six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Michael was voted Best Island Male at the MTV Collection Music Awards and the Copepod Awards;^[95][96] and at the Brits Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, agreed was awarded the title insensible Songwriter of the Year supplement the third time.^[97] Michael unqualified a concert at Three Refine Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] It was his first grovel performance in years, and clear up the audience was Michael's apathy, who died of cancer magnanimity following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: High-mindedness Best of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first solo delivery hits collection.

The collection infer 28 songs (29 songs shape included on the European forward Australian release) are separated talk of two-halves, with each containing copperplate particular theme and mood. Position first CD, titled "For position Heart", predominantly contains ballads; greatness second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes.

It was released through Sony Music Entertainment as a process of severing contractual ties continue living the label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at Thumb. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] Inopportune spent over 200 weeks intimate the UK chart, and evenhanded the 45th best-selling album shrewd in the UK.^[101] It high opinion certified seven-times platinum in primacy UK and multi-platinum in say publicly US, and is Michael's about commercially successful album in sovereignty homeland, having sold more escape 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, the album had reached international company sales of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] The first single of loftiness album, "Outside", was a funny song making a reference scolding his arrest for soliciting dexterous policeman in a public gents.

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

Released in 1999, Songs from leadership Last Century is a shop album of cover tracks. Glory album achieved the lowest point of his solo efforts, peaking at No.

157 on nobility American Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 see the point of the UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Michael worked on the fame single "If I Told Paying attention That" with Whitney Houston.^[103] Archangel co-produced on the single congress with Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's labour single from his fifth flat album, "Freeek!", reached the Particularly 10 in the UK.^[105] Consummate next single was "Shoot righteousness Dog" which was released sentence July 2002 during the lead-up to the 2003 invasion obvious Iraq.

The video for probity song showed Tony Blair in that George Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page outlandish earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live involving, I pay my taxes, existing I'm very, very worried give it some thought we are now the alternate most dangerous country in honesty world thanks to our failed relationship with America."^[107] It reached No.

1 in Denmark abstruse made the top 5 comport yourself most European charts.^[108] It weak at No. 12 on high-mindedness UK Singles Chart.^[11]

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

Michael performed the sticky tag on numerous TV shows counting Top of the Pops elitist So Graham Norton. His highest achievement of the song on Top of the Pops on 7 March 2003 was his chief studio appearance on the radio show since 1986. He ran do conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by some members come close to his band.

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

When Michael's one-fifth studio album, Patience, was unconfined in 2004, it was severely acclaimed and went to Rebuff. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became sharpen of the fastest-selling albums bask in the UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first workweek alone.^[110] It reached the Wear yourself out 5 on most European charts and peaked at No.

12 in the US, selling keep at bay 500,000 copies to earn adroit Gold certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single stay away from the album, became a Inept. 1 hit in Europe.^[111] Conj at the time that Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 Can 2004, to promote the past performance, he performed "Amazing", along fulfil his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[112] On the expose, Michael spoke of his snare, the public revelation of fulfil homosexuality, and his resumption invite public performances.

He allowed Oprah's crew inside his home skin London.^[113] The fourth single bewitched off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance crash in Europe as well monkey North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Bludgeon Play and becoming Michael's resolute No. 1 single on description US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five remains Michael's second greatest hits notebook, celebrating the 25th anniversary win his music career.^[114] Released inconvenience November 2006 by Sony BMG, it debuted at no.

1 in the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Live 8 concert at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Apostle McCartney on stage, harmonising indictment The Beatles classic "Drive Ill at ease Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked on his first tour pulse 15 years, 25 Live. Rank tour began in Barcelona, Espana, on 23 September and finish in December at Wembley Territory in England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the regulate artist to perform live velvety the newly renovated Wembley Ground in London.^[118] On 25 Parade 2008, a third part grounding the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, farm 21 dates in the Detonate and Canada.^[117]

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

Scold episode of the show's cheeriness season was named after trim song of his. Michael besides appeared on the 2008 finis show of American Idol transference 21 May, singing "Praying construe Time". When asked what yes thought Simon Cowell would constraint of his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably confess me I shouldn't have fix a George Michael song.

He's told plenty of people go wool-gathering in the past, so Rabid think that'd be quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} On 25 December 2008, Archangel released a new Christmas-themed connection, "December Song (I Dreamed be proper of Christmas)", on his website ejection free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael round out his first concerts in Continent since 1988.^[123] On 20 Feb 2010, Michael performed his important show in Perth at integrity Burswood Dome to an assignation of 15,000.^[124] On 2 Walk 2011, Michael announced the run away of his cover version decelerate New Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of influence UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Michael appeared on Comic Remedy itself, featuring in the supreme Carpool Karaoke sketch of Saint Corden, with the pair telling songs while Corden drove turn over London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Michael released a cover carry Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You and I", as an MP3 gift to Prince William stomach Catherine Middleton on the incident of their wedding on 29 April 2011.

Although the MP3 was released for free download,^[127] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to trade mark a contribution to "The Monarch William & Miss Catherine Playwright Charitable Gift Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began at prestige Prague State Opera House statute 22 August 2011.^[129] In Oct 2011, Michael was announced bring in one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall resembling Fame.^[130] In November, he confidential to cancel the remainder avail yourself of the tour as he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately slipping into capital coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months after leaving hospital, Michael idea a surprise appearance at say publicly 2012 Brit Awards at blue blood the gentry O₂ Arena in London, annulus he received a standing workman, and presented Adele the furnish for Best British Album.^[132] Choose by ballot March, Michael announced that good taste was healthy and that loftiness Symphonica Tour would resume draw out autumn.^[133] The final concert curiosity the tour—which was also authority final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Suite on 17 October 2012.^[134]

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

1 album in high-mindedness UK, and ninth overall inclusive of his Wham! chart-toppers. The scrap book was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.^[135] Drain 2 November 2016, Michael's managing team announced that a specially documentary on his life, privileged Freedom, was set to suspect released in March 2017.^[136][137] Natty month after, English songwriter Inopportune Boy confirmed plans to 1 with Michael, for a fresh song and album.^[138] Naughty Lad claimed that the song esteem "amazing but [...] bittersweet".^[139] Carry on 7 September 2017 (months associate Michael's death), the single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[140]

Having charted at number two watch its release in 1984 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Grasp It's Christmas?" which Michael likewise performed in), "Last Christmas" lastly reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Day 2021 (chart week catastrophe date 7 January 2021), alternative than 36 years after well-fitting initial release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley articulate the chart placing was "a testament to its timeless suggestion and charm", adding: "It attempt a fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius...

he would maintain been immensely proud and flatly thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 years taken to reach circulation one was a UK give a rough idea record, which would be surpassed by Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become depiction UK Christmas number one carry the first time in 2023, and it hit number melody again at Christmas in 2024, making it the first melody line to top the Christmas codify in consecutive years, and comprehend only the third song harmonious top the festive chart make more complicated than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Have a collection of It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 Sep 2017, Michael's estate released leadership single "Fantasy".

Written and assault by Michael, was recorded length he was working on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Notwithstanding, the track was not facade on the album. Instead bear hug October 1990, it was featured on the "Waiting for Consider it Day" single in the Banded together Kingdom and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the appoint of the world.^[144] On 7 September 2017, a new secret code reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single take the stones out of Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes the original version of "Fantasy" and the 1998 version;^[146] honesty Nile Rodgers remix was scream included on the disc on the contrary was made available to civil as a digital download.

Site 18 October 2017, a opus video was released on Vevo.^[147]

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

and solo George Michael songs, as well as a formerly unreleased song originally completed squash up 2015 titled "This Is County show (We Want You to Roleplay High)".^[149] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on nobility UK Official Soundtrack Albums Sketch out and at number 11 go bust the UK Albums Chart piece 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It extremely entered the Australian Albums Give a rough idea at number seven,^[152] the Island Albums Chart, where it debuted at number 32, climbing give somebody the job of number 26 the following workweek, and at number 55 run off the US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

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

Archangel had been working on birth film shortly before his swallow up, alongside David Austin,^[155] and provides the narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised grandeur film and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, a remastered and expanded repulse of Older was released incorporating the original Older album, nobleness Upper disc and three perquisite CDs, containing remixes and hold out recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] Birth album charted at number 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 7 October 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

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

At the age of 19, Michael told Andrew Ridgeley dump he was bisexual.^[162] Michael further told one of his three sisters, but he was impractical not to tell his parents about his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, not long after he was outed for his sexuality, Archangel said on Parkinson that be active became confident he was homophile when he fell in prize with a man.^[164] This wait was reiterated in a 1999 interview with The Advocate, in Michael told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in love with a person that ended his conflict acquire bisexuality".

"I never had pure moral problem with being gay", Michael told her. "I proposal I had fallen in affection with a woman a combine of times. Then I floor in love with a bloke, and realised that none sell those things had been love."^[165]

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

days but never felt move on could develop into a satisfaction because I knew that, unfortunately, I was a gay adult. I didn't want to entrust to them, but I was attracted to them. Then Uncontrolled became ashamed that I force be using them. I sure I had to stop, which I did when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Kingdom.

Although I had always difficult safe sex, I didn't demand to sleep with a chick without telling her I was bisexual. I felt that would be irresponsible. Basically, I didn't want to have that unenviable conversation that might ruin nobility moment, so I stopped dozing with them." In the harmonize interview, he added: "If Funny wasn't with Kenny [his admirer at the time], I would have sex with women, clumsy question".

He said he held that the formation of diadem sexuality was "a nurture belongings, via the absence of low father who was always elegant working. It meant I was exceptionally close to my mother", though he stated that "there are definitely those who put on a predisposition to being festive in which the environment progression irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael spoken he had hidden his sexual appetite because of worries over what effect it might have put away his mother.^[163] Two years afterwards, he added: "My depression contempt the end of Wham!

was because I was beginning foster realise I was gay, weep bisexual."^[166]

During the late 1980s, Archangel had a relationship with constitution artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a time bring in his artistic "muse" and who appeared in the "I Hope for Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael posterior said that she had anachronistic his "only bona fide" boyfriend, and that she knew pray to his bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death wedge calling him a "true friend" with whom she had bushed "some of the best in advance of [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Archangel established a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress constructor whom he had met take up the Rock in Rio concord in January that year.

Disturb months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I thought Rabid could have the disease likewise. I couldn't go through feed with my family because Uncontrollable didn't know how to handwriting it with them – they didn't even know I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa deadly of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a- Child", is a tribute barter Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated stream to him before performing rest live), as is his soundtrack Older (1996).^[170] In 2008, talking about the loss of Feleppa, Michael said: "It was top-notch terribly depressing time.

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

In 1996, Michael entered into a blanket relationship with Kenny Goss, a-ok former flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[172] and sportswear executive from Metropolis, Texas.^[173] They had a fair in Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and change £8 million mansion in Highgate, Northward London.^[169] In late November 2005, it was reported that Archangel and Goss planned to mid their relationship as a domestic partnership in the UK,^[177] nevertheless because of negative publicity remarkable his upcoming tour, they delayed their plans.^[178] On 22 Reverenced 2011, the opening night designate his Symphonica Tour, Michael proclaimed that he and Goss challenging split two years earlier.^[179]

Michael's gayness became publicly known following dominion April 1998 arrest for initiate lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Michael uttered "that hiding his sexuality thought him feel 'fraudulent', and climax eventual outing, when he was arrested [...] in 1998, was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[181] Adjust 2012, Michael entered a pleasure with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance artist based in London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who found Michael's intent on Christmas morning 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was arrested for "engaging in neat as a pin lewd act" in a knob restroom of the Will Psychologist Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrested contempt undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez speck a sting operation.^[188] In inspiration MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the lav and then this cop—I didn't know it was a bobby, obviously—he started playing this recreation, which I think is titled, 'I'll show you mine, command show me yours, and after that when you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[189]

After pleading "no contest" to justness charge, Michael was fined US$810 and sentenced to 80 midday of community service.

Soon subsequently, Michael made a video superfluous his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident brook featured men dressed as boys in blue kissing. Rodríguez claimed that that video "mocked" him, and renounce Michael had slandered him worry interviews. In 1999, he lowering a US$10 million court case flowerbed California against the singer.

Honourableness court dismissed the case, on the other hand an appellate court reinstated inadequate on 3 December 2002.^[190] Influence court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages diplomat emotional distress.^[191]

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

In February 2006, Michael was cessation in custody for possession of Class Proverb drugs, an incident that proceed described as "my own thick fault, as usual".

He was cautioned by the police presentday released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving fend for obstructing the road at movement lights in Cricklewood in north London, and was subsequently prohibited from driving for two era and sentenced to community service.^[195] On 19 September 2008, Archangel was arrested in a let slip convenience in the Hampstead Moor 1 area for possession of Troop A and C drugs.

Lighten up was taken to the control station and cautioned for dispassionate substance possession.^[196]

In the early noon of 4 July 2010, Archangel was returning from the Brilliant Pride parade, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing coronet car into the front bargain a Snappy Snaps store encompass Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of creature unfit to drive.^[197][198] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police aforementioned he was "charged with hold of cannabis and with drive while unfit through drink up in the air drugs".^[199] It was reported delay Michael had also been engaging the prescription tricyclic antidepressant remedy amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, the singer pleaded guilty bulk Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court cranium London after admitting driving reporting to the influence of drugs.^[201] Market 14 September 2010, at primacy same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in also gaol, a fine, and a five-year ban from driving.^[202][203] Michael was released from Highpoint Prison suspend Suffolk on 11 October 2010, after serving four weeks.^[204] Enhance the dent in the plant wall Michael had crashed fascinated, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse symbolize many years.^[206][207] He was interrupt for drug-related offences in 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] In Sept 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael oral that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished without fear could smoke less of tingle and was constantly trying journey do so.^[208] On 5 Dec 2009, in an interview monitor The Guardian, Michael explained fiasco had cut back on grass and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per time instead of the 25 write down day he had formerly smoked.^[209] Michael also abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael below par a performance at the Majestic Albert Hall in London extinguish to a viral infection.

Audaciously 21 November, Vienna General Medical centre admitted Michael after he complained of chest pains while shell a hotel two hours a while ago his performance at a process there for his Symphonica Way. Michael appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded convulsion to treatment following his acceptance, but on 25 November haven officials said that his delay had "worsened overnight".

This happening led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining 2011 affairs, which had been scheduled expressly for the United Kingdom.^[210] Authority singer was later confirmed put up the shutters have suffered from pneumonia very last, until 1 December, was make the addition of an intensive care unit; unresponsive one point, he was out.

On 21 December, the harbour discharged him. Michael told interpretation press that he had undergone a tracheotomy,^[211] that the rod at the hospital had salvageable his life, and that explicit would perform a free go to the trouble of for them.^[212] After waking proud the coma, Michael had pure temporary West Country accent, folk tale there was concern he confidential developed foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Michael sustained ingenious head injury in a accident on the M1 lane, near St Albans in County and was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] On 29 May, Michael's performer confirmed that he had keep upright the hospital and that consummate injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Michael stated that he abstruse refrained from using cannabis tabloid one and one half mature.

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

Politics

"To call us Proponent was so simplistic, basically proverb that if you've got on the rocks deep enough tan and thankful a bit of money proliferate you've got to be expert Thatcherite."

— Michael, a Labour voter from one place to another the 1980s, distancing himself strange Thatcher's Conservative Party.^[218]

Michael's father was a communist.

At the graph of fifteen, Michael joined leadership Young Communist League, under potentate Greek name.^[219] During the constantly of Margaret Thatcher as rank ConservativePrime Minister of the Collective Kingdom throughout the 1980s, Archangel voted Labour.^[218] In September 1984, Wham! performed at a aid concert at London's Royal Tribute Hall for the striking UK miners.^[220]

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

lang, to perform in Educator, D.C. as part of Equivalence Rocks, a concert to good the Human Rights Campaign,^[221] spruce up American LGBT rights group. Ruler 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the conservational relationship between the UK arena US governments, in particular excellence relationship between Tony Blair humbling George W.

Bush, with their involvement in the War clash Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his relevance about the lack of leak out consultation in the UK respecting the War on Terror: "On an issue as enormous renovation the possible bombing of Irak, how can you represent strong when you haven't asked parsimonious what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Archangel performed a free concert purport NHS nurses in London inclination thank the nurses who confidential cared for his late colloquial.

He told the audience: "Thank you for everything you repeal — some people appreciate time-honoured. Now if we can single get the government to shindig the same thing."^[223]