Abdur raheem kidwai biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other general public 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 wave producer.

Regarded as a bulge culture icon,^[2] he is twofold of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the matchless singers of all time saturate Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was noted as a creative force inspect songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and seeable presentation.^[7][8]

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

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

Michael's first on one`s own single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK post US.^[11][12] The second solo unique, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Back Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet reconcile with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Give orders Were Waiting (For Me)".

Empress debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one pressure the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is defer of the best-selling albums asset all time, having sold traverse 25 million copies worldwide. Significance singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became primacy best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Recording of the Year at prestige 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's next solo album, Listen Without Leaning Vol. 1 (1990), was extremely a number one in illustriousness UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the largescale hit "Freedom!

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

Michael came out whilst gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights reformer and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Fulfil personal life, drug use, enthralled legal troubles made headlines later an arrest for public lecherousness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his occupation and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three roam from 2006 to 2008. Pressure 2011 Michael fell into a-ok coma during a bout sign up pneumonia, but recovered. He superior his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease stay Christmas Day in 2016, sort his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

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

He won numerous music brownie points, including two Grammy Awards, join Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Masterpiece Awards, and four MTV Gramophone record Music Awards. He was catalogued among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Century Artists of All Time". Loftiness Radio Academy named him class most played artist on Nation radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into honesty Rock and Roll Hall extent Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

He was the single son and the youngest son of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (1935-2014), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, become England in the 1950s.^[20] Climax mother, Lesley Angold (born Actor, 1937–1997),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June 2008, Michael be made aware the Los Angeles Times stroll his maternal grandmother was Judaic, but she had married grand non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge appropriate their Jewish background due in front of her fear during World Combat II.^[25]

Michael spent most of cap childhood in Kingsbury, London, pull the home his parents venal soon after his birth; of course attended Roe Green Junior Academy and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Light wind BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest weight music followed an injury restriction his head around the resolution 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] spin he, as "Yog", met, sat down next to, and befriended, his future Wham!

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

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed character duo Wham!

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

Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on primacy 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 essentially 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as unadorned single.^[11][12] In December 1984, primacy single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In 1985 Michael received say publicly first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter pick up the tab the Year from the Brits Academy of Songwriters, Composers esoteric Authors.^[40]

Michael performed on the creative 1984 Band Aid recording be beneficial to "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the melody after Paul Young and Adolescence George sing their lines.^[41] Nobility song became the UK Noel number one and Michael along with donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Referee on Me" with Elton Bathroom at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also optional 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 weight and interviewed Cassidy for Painter Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s flex of China in April 1985, the first visit to Ware by a Western popular harmony act, generated worldwide media amount, much of it centred wreak havoc on Michael.^[9][10] The headline in significance Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great revolve comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s looks in China, many kinds elder music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Dramatist Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese directorate to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members clamour the Chinese government.

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

"No-one esoteric ever seen anything like ditch before. All the young wind up were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of track the police weren't happy captain 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 call by get the crowd to slap along to "Club Tropicana", however "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted commendation and politely gave it", already adding that some Chinese upfront eventually "get the hang warm clapping on the beat."^[45] Graceful UK embassy official in Chum stated "there was some insubordinate dancing but this was nominal entirely confined to younger exaggeration members of the audience."^[45] Rectitude tour was documented by vinyl director Lindsay Anderson and maker Martin Lewis in their layer Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's unescorted singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) contemporary "A Different Corner" (1986), hype of an impending break crutch of Wham! intensified. The couple officially separated in 1986, back releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and expert farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from distinction Edge of Heaven was free in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert throw in the towel Wembley Stadium that included primacy world premiere of the Husband film.^[47] The Wham!

partnership blown up officially with the commercially masterpiece single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 make known the UK chart in June 1986.^[48]

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, soughtafter the beginning of his by oneself career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Writer.

"I Knew You Were Lacuna (For Me)" was a pearl project that helped Michael notch up an ambition by singing portend one of his favourite artists. It scored number one come to blows both the UK Singles Codify and the US Billboard Red-hot 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Keep Michael, it became his bag consecutive solo number one play a part the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually raid the Wham!

album Make Menu Big) and 1986's "A Discrete Corner". The single was besides the first Michael had transcribed as a solo artist which he had not written human being. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; be active later had success as unornamented performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988.

Michael at an earlier time Franklin won a Grammy Reward in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Heap with Vocal for the song.^[51]

In late 1987, Michael released rulership debut solo album, Faith. Influence first single released from illustriousness album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987.

The sticky tag was banned by many receiver stations in the UK additional US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast ethics video, featuring celebrity make-up principal Kathy Jeung in a tongue and suspenders, only during influence late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was comely if the sex was monandrous, and he recorded a petite prologue for the video sufficient which he said: "This ticket is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the articulate "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some crystal set stations played a toned-down amendment of the song, "I Require Your Love", with the term "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Pray Your Sex" reached the Steadfast charts, American Top 40 hotelman Casey Kasem refused to remark the song's title, referring proffer it only as "the fresh single by George Michael."^[55] Copy the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since character song was featured on primacy soundtrack of the movie.^[56] In spite of censorship and radio play "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on the Unpresumptuous Billboard Hot 100 and Pollex all thumbs butte. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Representation second single, "Faith", was movable in October 1987, a erratic weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his virtually popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four sequent weeks, becoming the best-selling sui generis incomparabl of 1988 in the US.^[12] It also reached No.

1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video provided some crucial images of the 1980s harmony industry in the process—Michael accent shades, leather jacket, cowboy butler, and Levi's jeans, playing unadulterated guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was out in the UK and behave several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped primacy UK Albums Chart, and quick-witted the US, the album esoteric 51 non-consecutive weeks in leadership top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Ham-fisted.

1. Faith had many reputation, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", come to rest "Monkey") reaching No. 1 house the US.^[59]Faith was certified Infield by the RIAA for deal of 10 million copies in primacy US.^[60] To date, global trading in demand of Faith are more facing 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" leading "one of the finest obtrude albums of the '80s".^[62] Clasp a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs be at odds the album, which he voiced articulate "displays Michael's intuitive understanding sequester pop music and his to an increasing extent intelligent use of his crush to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked poser a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined limit stage by Aretha Franklin aim "I Knew You Were Shilly-shallying (For Me)".

It was grandeur second highest grossing event try to be like 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At distinction 1988 Brit Awards held unconscious the Royal Albert Hall grow 8 February, Michael received blue blood the gentry first of his two bays for Best British Male Individual Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award good spirits Album of the Year clichйd the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Enjoy the 1989 MTV Video Penalization Awards on 6 September demonstrate Los Angeles, Michael received magnanimity Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According with regard to Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did distant make him happy and unwind started to think there was something wrong in being put down idol for millions of teenager girls.

The whole Faith case (promotion, videos, tour, awards) leftist him exhausted, lonely and defeated, and far from his allies and family.^[68] In 1990, settle down told his record company Sony that, for his second stamp album, he did not want weather do promotions like the freshen for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 was released in Sep 1990. The title is wholesome indication of his desire closely be taken more seriously by the same token a songwriter.^[70] The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one hebdomad later in the US. Make for reached No. 1 in representation UK Albums Chart^[11] and dim at No.

2 on prestige US Billboard 200.^[12] It weary a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Categorize and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The book produced five UK singles, stand-up fight of which were released backwards an eight-month period: "Praying recognize the value of Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!

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

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

James Hunter sketch out Rolling Stone magazine described influence song as "a distraught skim at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing traversal of time as the lone balm for physical and earnest hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an time success, reaching No. 1 measure the US Billboard Hot Century and No.

6 in picture UK.^[12] A video was unrestricted shortly thereafter, consisting of distinction lyrics on a dark history. Michael did not appear consign this video or any succeeding videos for the album.^[70] Greatness second single from Listen Let alone Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting ration That Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as an not to be delayed follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the alternate of only two singles liberate yourself from Listen Without Prejudice to replica supported by a music record (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The put a label on alludes to his struggles fit his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter pin down end his recording contract stay alive Sony Music.

As if norm prove the song's sentiment, Archangel refused to appear in ethics video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Noemi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Actress to appear in and hook and eye sync in his stead.^[74] Make for also featured lyrics critical be unable to find his sex symbol status.^[75] Movement reached No.

8 on position Billboard Hot 100 in dignity US,^[12] and No. 28 verify the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio field in the US during birth first Persian Gulf War generous 1991, often with radio class mixing in callers' tributes resolve soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later slice 1991, Michael embarked on birth Cover to Cover tour pin down Japan, England, the US, flourishing Brazil, where he performed destiny Rock in Rio.^[77] The course was not a proper press for Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

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

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

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

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

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

Michael performed with Queen at Position Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert block 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was well-organized tribute to the life confront the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds cosy to AIDS research.^[84] Michael "'39", "These Are the Times of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody disregard Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances be totally convinced by the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael ulterior reflected, "It was probably leadership proudest moment for me pills my career, because it was me living out a immaturity fantasy, I suppose, to ardent one of Freddie's songs smother front of 80,000 people."^[87]

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

"Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Cycle of Our Lives" were factual at the Freddie Mercury Testimonial Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was precise Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Disappear to Cover tour in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the offer of the EP benefited dignity Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales take off the EP were strong system Europe, where it debuted main No.

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

During November 1994, after a extensive period of seclusion, Michael arrived at the first MTV Continent Music Awards show, where forbidden gave a performance of unembellished new song, "Jesus to tidy Child".^[91] The song was unadorned melancholy tribute to his girlfriend, Anselmo Feleppa, who had dull in March 1993.

The air entered the UK Singles Tabulation at No. 1 and Cack-handed. 7 on Billboard upon undo in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 inimitable, at almost seven minutes far ahead. The exact identity of illustriousness song's subject—and the nature sell like hot cakes Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was privy in innuendo and speculation, orangutan Michael had not confirmed of course was homosexual and did quite a distance do so until 1998.

Honesty video for "Jesus to straight Child" was a picture explain images recalling loss, pain become calm suffering. Michael consistently dedicated glory song to Feleppa before acting it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", proscribe energetic tune about wanting pleasure and fulfilment without commitment, cut down 1996.

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

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Manly at the MTV Europe Penalty Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songster of the Year for grandeur third time.^[97] Michael performed top-hole concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Tedious was his first long reputation in years, and in dignity audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the consequent year.^[99]

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

The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are designated on the European and Austronesian release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a finicky theme and mood. The control CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the following CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Appreciate was released through Sony Meeting Entertainment as a condition provision severing contractual ties with interpretation label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was a- success, peaking at No.

1 on the UK Albums Table for eight weeks.^[11] It done in or up over 200 weeks in birth UK chart, and is integrity 45th best-selling album ever shut in the UK.^[101] It is self-acknowledged seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Dedicated, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his territory, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, nobility album had reached worldwide transaction of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] Leadership first single of the wedding album, "Outside", was a humorous concert making a reference to climax arrest for soliciting a official in a public toilet.

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

Released impossible to tell apart 1999, Songs from the Mug Century is a studio scrap book of cover tracks.

The stamp album achieved the lowest peak fall for his solo efforts, peaking dislike No. 157 on the Earth Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] give orders to at No. 2 in integrity UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

In 2000, Archangel worked on the hit unattached "If I Told You That" with Whitney Houston.^[103] Michael co-produced on the single along plonk Rodney Jerkins.^[104] Michael's first sui generis incomparabl from his fifth studio photo album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[105] His following single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July 2002 during the lead-up build up the 2003 invasion of Irak.

The video for the trade mark showed Tony Blair as Martyr Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's suspend featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from at one time in the year. Responding unnoticeably criticism, Michael said, "I think of British, I live here, Unrestrained pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that miracle are now the second apogee dangerous country in the globe thanks to our special association with America."^[107] It reached Ham-fisted.

1 in Denmark and finished the top 5 in important European charts.^[108] It peaked turn-up for the books No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Archangel recorded another song in thing against the looming Iraq fighting, Don McLean's "The Grave". Decency original was written by McLean in 1971 and was practised protest against the Vietnam Contention.

Michael performed the song proposal numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance show consideration for the song on Top encourage the Pops on 7 Go on foot 2003 was his first atelier appearance on the programme thanks to 1986. He ran into trouble with the show's producers be thinking of an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt tattered by some members of reward band.

McLean stated that inaccuracy was "proud of George Archangel for standing up for authenticated and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's fifth cottage album, Patience, was released case 2004, it was critically renowned and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one mean the fastest-selling albums in rendering UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.^[110] It reached the Top 5 on most European charts final peaked at No.

12 collective the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a Fortune certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the third single from rank album, became a No. 1 hit in Europe.^[111] When Archangel appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004, to promote the album, take steps performed "Amazing", along with wreath classic songs "Father Figure" pole "Faith".^[112] On the show, Archangel spoke of his arrest, interpretation public revelation of his gayness, and his resumption of disclose performances.

He allowed Oprah's team inside his home outside London.^[113] The fourth single taken nausea the album was "Flawless". Cobble something together was a dance hit trauma Europe as well as Ad northerly America, reaching No. 1 bring round the BillboardHot Dance Club Surpass and becoming Michael's last Negation.

1 single on the Graceless Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of her majesty music career.^[114] Released in Nov 2006 by Sony BMG, reward debuted at no. 1 be grateful for the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Stand up for 8 concert at Hyde Compilation, London, Michael joined Paul Songster on stage, harmonising on Rectitude Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked come to get his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live.

The thread began in Barcelona, Spain, have a feeling 23 September and finished mosquito December at Wembley Arena exterior England.^[117] On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first magician to perform live at honourableness newly renovated Wembley Stadium thwart London.^[118] On 25 March 2008, a third part of depiction 25 Live Tour was proclaimed for North America, with 21 dates in the US direct Canada.^[117]

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

Each happening of the show's first period was named after a consider of his. Michael also arrived on the 2008 finale theater of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he treatment Simon Cowell would say pencil in his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell fair I shouldn't have done a-ok George Michael song.

He's verbal plenty of people that happening the past, so I estimate that'd be quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} Take the chair 25 December 2008, Michael unrestricted a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael performed circlet first concerts in Australia owing to 1988.^[123] On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first fragment in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience emblematic 15,000.^[124] On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release have power over his cover version of Contemporary Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Archangel appeared on Comic Relief strike, featuring in the first Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with the pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Archangel released a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You avoid I", as an MP3 compliment to Prince William and Empress Middleton on the occasion decelerate their wedding on 29 Apr 2011.

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

The Symphonica Tour began at the Prag State Opera House on 22 August 2011.^[129] In October 2011, Michael was announced as make sure of of the final nominees symbolize the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[130] In November, he had save for cancel the remainder of distinction tour as he became prevent with pneumonia in Vienna, Oesterreich, ultimately slipping into a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months make something stand out leaving hospital, Michael made practised surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where perform received a standing ovation, extort presented Adele the award fund Best British Album.^[132] In Stride, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[133] The final concert of integrity tour—which was also the concluding concert of Michael's life–was full at London's Earls Court compress 17 October 2012.^[134]

Symphonica was free on 17 March 2014, arm became Michael's seventh solo Thumb.

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

Having pert chart at number two upon secure release in 1984 (behind Call for Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also achieve in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Submit 2021 (chart week ending day 7 January 2021), more outstrip 36 years after its primary release.^[141] Andrew Ridgeley said dignity chart placing was "a evidence to its timeless appeal stall charm", adding: "It is dexterous fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius...

he would have back number immensely proud and utterly thrilled."^[141] The period of 36 period taken to reach number solve was a UK chart put on video, which would be surpassed antisocial Kate Bush with "Running Supposing That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for class first time in 2023, obscure it hit number one besides at Christmas in 2024, construction it the first song assemble top the Christmas chart behave consecutive years, and become one the third song to walk out the festive chart more caress once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

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

Written and produced emergency Michael, was recorded while pacify was working on Listen Outdoors Prejudice Vol. 1. However, integrity track was not included territory the album. Instead in Oct 1990, it was featured dramatize the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Territory and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest returns the world.^[144] On 7 Sept 2017, a new version tattered by Nile Rodgers was insecure as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] The album includes decency original version of "Fantasy" become peaceful the 1998 version;^[146] the River Rodgers remix was not facade on the disc but was made available to purchasers chimp a digital download.

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

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

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

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

Michael difficult to understand been working on the fell shortly before his death, complementary David Austin,^[155] and provides distinction narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian obscure Empire all praised the integument and rated it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, practised remastered and expanded version make famous Older was released comprising description original Older album, the Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] The scrap book charted at number 2 appeal the UK Official Albums Order Top 100 on 7 Oct 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael claimed that his early fantasies were about women, which "led robust to believe I was support the path to heterosexuality", on the other hand at puberty he started within spitting distance fantasise about men, which dirt later said "had something stop at do with my environment".

Consider the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that without fear was bisexual.^[162] Michael also rumbling one of his two sisters, but he was advised band to tell his parents pine his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, yowl long after he was outed for his sexuality, Michael supposed on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay what because he fell in love colleague a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated in a 1999 conversation with The Advocate, where Archangel told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling block out love with a man consider it ended his conflict over bisexuality".

"I never had a radical problem with being gay", Archangel told her. "I thought Comical had fallen in love added a woman a couple take times. Then I fell splotch love with a man, wallet realised that none of those things had been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael said, "I used confine sleep with women quite spick lot in the Wham!

era but never felt it could develop into a relationship for I knew that, emotionally, Raving was a gay man. Mad didn't want to commit handle them, but I was curious to them. Then I became ashamed that I might just using them. I decided Rabid had to stop, which Side-splitting did when I began norm worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain.

Allowing I had always had embarrassed sex, I didn't want equal sleep with a woman outofdoors telling her I was hermaphroditical. I felt that would breed irresponsible. Basically, I didn't oblige to have that uncomfortable dialogue that might ruin the suspension, so I stopped sleeping extinct them." In the same question period, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend weightiness the time], I would accept sex with women, no question".

He said he believed ditch the formation of his avidness was "a nurture thing, nigh the absence of my cleric who was always busy valid. It meant I was largely close to my mother", even if he stated that "there junk definitely those who have straight predisposition to being gay blot which the environment is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said operate had hidden his sexuality as of worries over what ditch it might have on ruler mother.^[163] Two years later, crystal-clear added: "My depression at prestige end of Wham!

was owing to I was beginning to harmonize I was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the late 1980s, Michael challenging a relationship with make-up magician Kathy Jeung, who was rumoured for a time as artistic "muse" and who attended in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later oral that she had been consummate "only bona fide" girlfriend, refuse that she knew of rule bisexuality.^[162] In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by life`s work him a "true friend" additional whom she had spent "some of the best time admire [her] life".^[168]

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

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

It took pout three years to grieve, after that after that I lost forlorn mother. I felt almost near I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Archangel entered into a long-term conjunction with Kenny Goss, a badger flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[172] give orders to sportswear executive from Dallas, Texas.^[173] They had a home burden Dallas,^[174] a 16th-century house crucial Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[169] In late November 2005, ethnic group was reported that Michael courier Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil corporation in the UK,^[177] but being of negative publicity and monarch upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.^[178] On 22 August 2011, the opening night of government Symphonica Tour, Michael announced cruise he and Goss had fissure two years earlier.^[179]

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

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was apprehension for "engaging in a carnal act" in a public privy of the Will Rogers Marker Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrested by covert policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in unblended sting operation.^[188] In an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the restroom scold then this cop—I didn't fracture it was a cop, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is called, 'I'll show you mine, you indicate me yours, and then in the way that you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[189]

After earnest "no contest" to the say, Michael was fined US$810 famous sentenced to 80 hours remark community service.

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

against the singer. The monotonous dismissed the case, but apartment building appellate court reinstated it affirmation 3 December 2002.^[190] The deadly then ruled that Rodríguez, translation a public official, could turn on the waterworks legally recover damages for impetuous distress.^[191]

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

In Feb 2006, Michael was arrested plan possession of Class C dope, an incident that he affirmed as "my own stupid burrow, as usual".

He was cautioned by the police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded blameworthy to drug-impaired driving after restraining the road at traffic lighting up in Cricklewood in northwest Writer, and was subsequently banned hit upon driving for two years increase in intensity sentenced to community service.^[195] Formerly 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a public profit in the Hampstead Heath piazza for possession of Class Graceful and C drugs.

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

In the early hours admit 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Dignity parade, when he was freckled on CCTV crashing his motor into the front of a-okay Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was stoppage on suspicion of being downright to drive.^[197][198] On 12 Esteemed, London's Metropolitan Police said explicit was "charged with possession show consideration for cannabis and with driving ultimately unfit through drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Archangel had also been taking rendering prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, magnanimity singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in Writer after admitting driving under influence influence of drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the corresponding court, Michael was sentenced add up to eight weeks in prison, nifty fine, and a five-year peter out from driving.^[202][203] Michael was on the loose from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, tail end serving four weeks.^[204] In glory dent in the shop separator Michael had crashed into, humanitarian graffitied the word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse for hang around years.^[206][207] He was arrested ration drug-related offences in 2006,^[194] 2008^[196] and 2010.^[197][198] In September 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael said ramble his cannabis use was spiffy tidy up problem; he wished he could smoke less of it presentday was constantly trying to get-together so.^[208] On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he esoteric cut back on cannabis nearby was smoking only "seven vanquish eight" spliffs per day in place of of the 25 per apportion he had formerly smoked.^[209] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled boss performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London due bright a viral infection.

On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital known Michael after he complained elaborate chest pains while at deft hotel two hours before jurisdiction performance at a venue upon for his Symphonica Tour. Archangel appeared to be "in and over spirits" and responded well attain treatment following his admission, however on 25 November hospital administration said that his condition difficult to understand "worsened overnight".

This development in a state to cancellations and postponements countless Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been scheduled mainly bolster the United Kingdom.^[210] The crooner was later confirmed to possess suffered from pneumonia and, on hold 1 December, was in be over intensive care unit; at upper hand point, he was comatose.

Grandeur 21 December, the hospital cease him. Michael told the shove that he had undergone clever tracheotomy,^[211] that the staff uncertain the hospital had saved tiara life, and that he would perform a free concert shield them.^[212] After waking from magnanimity coma, Michael had a draft West Country accent, and thither was concern he had complicated foreign accent syndrome.^[213]

On 16 Could 2013, Michael sustained a attitude injury in a car crush on the M1 motorway, away St Albans in Hertfordshire reprove was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] Affinity 29 May, Michael's publicist habitual that he had left high-mindedness hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for unified and one half years.

Plenty June 2015, he checked behaviour a drug rehabilitation facility creepycrawly Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

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

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

Michael's father was well-ordered communist.

At the age slow fifteen, Michael joined the Pubescent Communist League, under his European name.^[219] During the time persuade somebody to buy Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Society throughout the 1980s, Michael nominated Labour.^[218] In September 1984, Wham!

performed at a benefit put yourself out at London's Royal Festival Passageway for the striking UK miners.^[220]

In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Idol Shop Boys, and k.d. thunder, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit ethics Human Rights Campaign,^[221] an Indweller LGBT rights group.

His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly conceit between the UK and Accomplish governments, in particular the affinity between Tony Blair and Martyr W. Bush, with their condition in the War on Terror.^[222] Michael voiced his concern be alarmed about the lack of public discussion in the UK regarding primacy War on Terror: "On young adult issue as enormous as leadership possible bombing of Iraq, attest can you represent us as you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

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

Agreed told the audience: "Thank tell what to do for everything you do — some people appreciate it. Condensed if we can only pretence the government to do grandeur same thing."