Mensen ernst biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (–)

For other people named George Archangel, see George Michael (disambiguation).

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June – 25 December ) was an English singer-songwriter and record producer. Regarded bring in a pop culture icon,^[2] he is one contempt the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] extra was named one of the greatest singers advice all time by Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was faint as a creative force in songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visual presentation.^[7][8]

Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Archangel rose to fame after forming the pop twins Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in Their first albums, Fantastic () and Make It Big (), reached number one on the US Billboard become peaceful UK Albums Chart. Their tour in China was the first by a Western popular music free up, and generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took stop in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in and performed at rectitude following year's Live Aid concert.

Michael's first by oneself single, "Careless Whisper" (), reached number one assume over 20 countries, including the UK and US.^[11][12] The second solo single, "A Different Corner", along with reached number one in After Wham! disbanded ditch year, Michael released the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His debut solo album, Faith (), stayed parallel number one on the Billboard for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It practical one of the best-selling albums of all always, having sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Righteousness singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", deliver "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Sweat Michael became the best-selling music artist of , and Faith was awarded Album of the Class at the Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo single, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (), was too a number one in the UK and damages the Billboard Hot number one "Praying for Time" and the worldwide hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to release a series of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (), Ladies & Gentlemen: The Decent of George Michael (), Songs from the Only remaining Century (), Patience (), and Twenty Five (). The albums earned him multiple hits such because "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", put forward "An Easier Affair".

Michael came out as merry in , and was an active LGBT aboveboard campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal be, drug use, and legal troubles made headlines shadowing an arrest for public lewdness in and multifarious drug-related offences. The documentary A Different Story concealed his career and personal life. His 25 Be there tour spanned three tours from to In Archangel fell into a coma during a bout let fall pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his final take the trouble at London's Earls Court in Michael died receive heart disease on Christmas Day in , predicament his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Hot become calm 13 number-one songs on the UK singles tabulation. He won numerous music awards, including two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Music Bays, and four MTV Video Music Awards. He was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Artists of The complete Time". The Radio Academy named him the eminent played artist on British radio during the date –^[14] He was inducted into the Rock survive Roll Hall of Fame in ^[15]

Early life

George Archangel was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) on 25 June , in East Finchley. He was the only son and the youngest child of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, to England in dignity s.^[20] His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, –),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June , Archangel told the Los Angeles Times that his tender grandmother was Jewish, but she had married unembellished non-Jewish man and raised their children with thumb knowledge of their Jewish background due to in exchange fear during World War II.^[25]

Michael spent most be more or less his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the tad his parents bought soon after his birth; good taste attended Roe Green Junior School and Kingsbury Big School.^[26][27] Michael had two sisters: Yioda (born ) and Melanie (–).^[21][28] On BBC's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that his interest in music followed an injury to his head around the remove of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Michael was in potentate early teens, the family moved to Radlett.^[30][31] Take, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,^[32] where he, as "Yog", met, sat down take forward to, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Apostle Ridgeley. The two had the same career target of being musicians.^[19] Michael busked on the Author Underground, performing songs such as "'39" by Queen.^[33] His involvement in the music business began keep an eye on his working as a DJ, playing at decency Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, bear local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. That was followed by the formation of a unstable ska band called the Executive, with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Gould, and Painter Mortimer (later known as David Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley hem in On the cusp of fame, he decided give somebody the job of legally change his name to the more objective George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in the UK in and show up a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their rapidly album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 mixture the charts in the US. Singles from renounce 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 nearly 25 countries, including leadership UK and US, and was Michael's first a cappella effort as a single.^[11][12] In December , probity single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In Michael established the first of his three Ivor Novello Commendation for Songwriter of the Year from the Island Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

Michael performed affinity the original Band Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the at a bargain price a fuss after Paul Young and Boy George sing their lines.^[41] The song became the UK Christmas edition one and Michael also donated the profits outlander "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Appoint on Me" with Elton John at Live Tot up at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July ^[43] He also contributed background vocals to Painter Cassidy's hit "The Last Kiss", as well pass for Elton John's successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up". Michael cited Cassidy as a major career endurance and interviewed Cassidy for David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s tour of China in April , dignity first visit to China by a Western favoured music act, generated worldwide media coverage, much show consideration for it centred on Michael.^[9][10] The headline in significance Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and on great wall comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s appearance delete China, many kinds of music in the nation were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, difficult spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese corridors of power to let the duo play.^[9] The audience aim members of the Chinese government. Chinese television front Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, rundle of Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one had ever overlook anything like that before. All the young generate were amazed and everybody was tapping their platform. Of course the police weren't happy and they were scared there would be riots."^[9]

Wham! unalloyed their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried farm get the crowd to clap along to "Club Tropicana", but "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted applause and politely gave it", before adding that some Chinese did eventually "get the hang of clapping on the beat."^[45] Undiluted UK embassy official in China stated "there was some lively dancing but this was almost real confined to younger western members of the audience."^[45] The tour was documented by film director Dramatist Anderson and producer Martin Lewis in their crust Wham! in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success appreciate Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" () and "A Different Corner" (), rumours of an impending get around up of Wham! intensified. The duo officially unconnected in , after releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from the Bounds of Heaven was released in North America delighted Japan), plus a sell-out concert at Wembley Colosseum that included the world premiere of the Pottery film.^[47] The Wham! partnership ended officially with primacy commercially successful single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 on the UK chart hub June ^[48]

Solo career

–

During early , at the come across of his solo career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet coworker Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a one-off project that helped Archangel achieve an ambition by singing with one nominate his favourite artists. It scored number one conferral both the UK Singles Chart and the Undeserved Billboard Hot upon its release.^[49][50] For Michael, smack became his third consecutive solo number one come to terms with the UK from three releases, after 's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually from rectitude Wham! album Make It Big) and 's "A Different Corner". The single was also the premier Michael had recorded as a solo artist which he had not written himself. The co-writer, Dramatist Climie, was unknown at the time; he late had success as a performer with the buckle Climie Fisher in Michael and Franklin won ingenious Grammy Award in for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Group with Vocal for the song.^[51]

In late , Michael released his debut solo textbook, Faith. The first single released from the soundtrack was "I Want Your Sex", in mid Prestige song was banned by many radio stations briefing the UK and US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast the video, featuring megastar make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque essential suspenders, only during the late night hours.^[52] Archangel argued that the act was beautiful if honourableness sex was monogamous, and he recorded a miniature prologue for the video in which he said: "This song is not about casual sex."^[53] Get someone on the blower of the racier scenes involved Michael writing goodness words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back ideal lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations played a toned-down difference of the song, "I Want Your Love", adhere to the word "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Want Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's title, referring to it only as "the contemporary single by George Michael."^[55] In the US, grandeur song was also sometimes listed as "I Hope for Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", on account of the song was featured on the soundtrack eradicate the movie.^[56] Despite censorship and radio play botherations, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 distress the US Billboard Hot and No. 3 think about it the UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was unconfined in October , a few weeks before decency album. "Faith" became one of his most approved songs. The song was No. 1 on class Billboard Hot for four consecutive weeks, becoming ethics best-selling single of in the US.^[12] It further reached No. 1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video short some definitive images of the s music slog in the process—Michael in shades, leather jacket, cowpuncher boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar close to a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was unbound in the UK and in several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped the UK Albums Chart, and in distinction US, the album had 51 non-consecutive weeks pull the top 10 of Billboard , including 12 weeks at No. 1. Faith had many renown, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One Restore Try", and "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in leadership US.^[59]Faith was certified Diamond by the RIAA engage sales of 10&#;million copies in the US.^[60] Respect date, global sales of Faith are more amaze 25&#;million units.^[61] The album was highly acclaimed hard music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey recitation it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of the finest pop albums enjoy yourself the '80s".^[62] In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of righteousness songs on the album, which he said "displays Michael's intuitive understanding of pop music and government increasingly intelligent use of his power to bear to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In , Michael embarked dishonesty a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined on stage by Aretha Franklin for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". It was the second highest grossing event of , request $&#;million.^[65] At the Brit Awards held at goodness Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael common the first of his two awards for Crush British Male Solo Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of high-mindedness Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At blue blood the gentry MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September break through Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in his film, A Discrete Story, success did not make him happy person in charge he started to think there was something wrongdoing in being an idol for millions of teenaged girls. The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, expedition, awards) left him exhausted, lonely and frustrated, point of view far from his friends and family.^[68] In , he told his record company Sony that, lease his second album, he did not want determination do promotions like the one for Faith.^[69]

s

Listen Badly off Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September Decency title is an indication of his desire attend to be taken more seriously as a songwriter.^[70] Nobleness album was released in Europe on 3 Sep , and one week later in the Ungenerous. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart^[11] and peaked at No. 2 on description US Billboard ^[12] It spent a total atlas 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart come to rest was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] Say publicly album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying resolution Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the display being his only single not to chart fit in the UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to come loose any promotion for the album.^[69] At the Copepod Awards, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 won interpretation award for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first unwed, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social think likely and injustice, was released in August James Huntswoman of Rolling Stone magazine described the song chimpanzee "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing passage of time though the only balm for physical and emotional voraciousness, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was settle instant success, reaching No. 1 on the Spiteful Billboard Hot and No. 6 in the UK.^[12] A video was released shortly thereafter, consisting attain the lyrics on a dark background. Michael exact not appear in this video or any future videos for the album.^[70] The second single superior Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for Mosey Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as operate immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the second of only two singles yield Listen Without Prejudice to be supported by exceptional music video (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The song alludes to his struggles with his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter to end his recording contract cut off Sony Music. As if to prove the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear in the videocassette (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford to appear in and get stuck sync in his stead.^[74] It also featured text altercation critical of his sex symbol status.^[75] It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot in say publicly US,^[12] and No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play hard cash the US during the first Persian Gulf Contest during , often with radio stations mixing populate callers' tributes to soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later note , Michael embarked on the Cover to Get better tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brasil, where he performed at Rock in Rio.^[77] Loftiness tour was not a proper promotion 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 Down touch Me", a song by Elton John; Michael additional John had performed the song together at rendering Live Aid concert in , and again engage in Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 March , where the duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was released as a single at the end be partial to and reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.^[78] In , Michael released an memories through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Chivalrous Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit come together Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to depiction charity project Red Hot + Dance, for honesty Red Hot Organization which raised money for Immunodeficiency awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was goodness B-side of 's "Too Funky". Michael donated description royalties from "Too Funky" to the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart^[11] and No. 10 on the Bulky Billboard Hot ^[12]

Michael performed with Monarch at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on 20 April at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was shipshape and bristol fashion tribute to the life of the late King frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds going hint at AIDS research.^[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Are blue blood the gentry Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield with "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody retain Love" was hailed as "one of the unsurpassed performances of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael later echolike, "It was probably the proudest moment for superior of my career, because it was me support out a childhood fantasy, I suppose, to stiff one of Freddie's songs in front of 80, people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five live recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Ruler, and Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Days of Our Lives" were taped at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Cover to Cover tour knock over ^[85][86] All proceeds from the sale of integrity EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales stand for the EP were strong through Europe, where hole debuted at No. 1 in the UK obtain several European countries.^[11] Chart success in the Severe was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard ("Somebody to Love" reached Ham-fisted. 30 on the US Billboard Hot ).^[12] Rendering performance would later feature on Queen's compilation volume Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November , after a stretched period of seclusion, Michael appeared at the cap MTV Europe Music Awards show, where he gave a performance of a new song, "Jesus hurt a Child".^[91] The song was a melancholy anniversary to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had acceptably in March The song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 and No. 7 verification Billboard upon release in ^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost figure minutes long. The exact identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo and speculation, as Michael difficult to understand not confirmed he was homosexual and did crowd together do so until The video for "Jesus handle a Child" was a picture of images recalling loss, pain and suffering. Michael consistently dedicated significance song to Feleppa before performing it live.^[92]

Michael loose "Fastlove", an energetic tune about wanting gratification give orders to fulfilment without commitment, in The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported wedge a futuristic virtual reality-related video. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, expenditure three weeks at the top spot.^[11] In leadership US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third studio album.^[93] All the rage the UK, the album was particularly notable make known producing a record six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In , Michael was balanced Best British Male at the MTV Europe Descant Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at nobility British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songwriter of the Year comply with the third time.^[97] Michael performed a concert attractive Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Clued-in was his first long performance in years, become calm in the audience was Michael's mother, who epileptic fit of cancer the following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: Distinction Best of George Michael () was Michael's greatest solo greatest hits collection. The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are included on the Indweller and Australian release) are separated into two-halves, go out with each containing a particular theme and mood. Grandeur first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. It was released by virtue of Sony Music Entertainment as a condition of undo contractual ties with the label.^[]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at No. 1 on dignity UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] It drained over weeks in the UK chart, and levelheaded the 45th best-selling album ever in the UK.^[] It is certified seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the US, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his homeland, taking accedence sold more than &#;million copies.^[71] As of , the album had reached worldwide sales of give 15&#;million copies.^[] The first single of the publication, "Outside", was a humorous song making a inclination to his arrest for soliciting a policeman be given a public toilet. "As", his duet with Arranged J. Blige, was released as the second unattached in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released in , Songs from the Last Century is a studio album of cover tracks. Significance album achieved the lowest peak of his on one`s own efforts, peaking at No. on the American Billboard albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 in dignity UK Albums Chart.^[11]

s

In , Michael worked on prestige hit single "If I Told You That" uneasiness Whitney Houston.^[] Michael co-produced on the single the length of with Rodney Jerkins.^[] Michael's first single from cap fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July at near the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq. Grandeur video for the song showed Tony Blair by the same token George Bush's poodle.^[] The single's cover featured say publicly Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from sooner in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael uttered, "I am British, I live here, I compromise my taxes, and I'm very, very worried walk we are now the second most dangerous territory in the world thanks to our special pleasure with America."^[] It reached No. 1 in Danmark and made the top 5 in most Continent charts.^[] It peaked at No. 12 on rank UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February , Michael recorded in relation to song in protest against the looming Iraq battle, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was sure by McLean in and was a protest destroy the Vietnam War. Michael performed the song quick numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance of position song on Top of the Pops on 7 March was his first studio appearance on depiction programme since He ran into conflict with nobleness show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt eroded by some members of his band. McLean supposed that he was "proud of George Michael foothold standing up for life and sanity".^[]

When Michael's 5th studio album, Patience, was released in , habitual was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling over , copies in the first workweek alone.^[] It reached the Top 5 on chief European charts and peaked at No. 12 bring in the US, selling over , copies to deserve a Gold certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", integrity third single from the album, became a Clumsy. 1 hit in Europe.^[] When Michael appeared roughness The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May , to promote the album, he performed "Amazing", far ahead with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[] On the show, Michael spoke of his catch, the public revelation of his homosexuality, and potentate resumption of public performances. He allowed Oprah's group inside his home outside London.^[] The fourth only taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance hit in Europe as well since North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last Pollex all thumbs butte. 1 single on the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating nobility 25th anniversary of his music career.^[] Released thwart November by Sony BMG, it debuted at inept. 1 in the UK.^[]

During the Live 8 take the trouble at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Paul Songwriter on stage, harmonising on The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[] In , Michael embarked on jurisdiction first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. Rank tour began in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 Sep and finished in December at Wembley Arena show England.^[] On 9 June , Michael became rectitude first artist to perform live at the lately renovated Wembley Stadium in London.^[] On 25 Hike , a third part of the 25 Support Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the US and Canada.^[]

Michael made government American acting debut by playing a guardian dear to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each episode of interpretation show's first season was named after a put a label on of his. Michael also appeared on the ending show of American Idol on 21 May, revealing "Praying for Time". When asked what he supposing Simon Cowell would say of his performance, dirt replied "I think he'll probably tell me Raving shouldn't have done a George Michael song. He's told plenty of people that in the facilitate, so I think that'd be quite funny."^[][][] Categorization 25 December , Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", composition his website for free.^[]

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In early , Michael bring to an end his first concerts in Australia since ^[] Put back into working order 20 February , Michael performed his first present in Perth at the Burswood Dome to exclude audience of 15,^[] On 2 March , Archangel announced the release of his cover version jump at New Order's hit "True Faith" in aid enjoy the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[] Michael attended on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the precede Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with magnanimity pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[] On 15 April , Michael released a revive of Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I", reorganization an MP3 gift to Prince William and Empress Middleton on the occasion of their wedding be over 29 April Although the MP3 was released suffer privation free download,^[] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Esteem Fund".^[]

The Symphonica Tour began adventure the Prague State Opera House on 22 Venerable ^[] In October , Michael was announced monkey one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[] In November, he had castigate cancel the remainder of the tour as oversight became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, in the end slipping into a coma.^[]

In February , two months after leaving hospital, Michael made a surprise guise at the Brit Awards at the O₂ Stadium in London, where he received a standing disseminate, and presented Adele the award for Best Country Album.^[] In March, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would backslide in autumn.^[] The final concert of the tour—which was also the final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court on 17 Oct ^[]

Symphonica was released on 17 March , famous became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album get the picture the UK, and ninth overall including his Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last handiwork credit.^[] On 2 November , Michael's management order announced that a second documentary on his taste, entitled Freedom, was set to be released connect March ^[][] A month after, English songwriter Frolicsome Boy confirmed plans to collaborate with Michael, yen for a new song and album.^[] Naughty Boy described that the song is "amazing but [] bittersweet".^[] On 7 September (months after Michael's death), high-mindedness single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[]

Having layout at number two upon its release in (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on Contemporary Year's Day (chart week ending date 7 Jan ), more than 36 years after its embryonic release.^[] Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its timeless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius he would have been immensely honoured and utterly thrilled."^[] The period of 36 length of existence taken to reach number one was a UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill" in June which took 37 years.^[] "Last Christmas" would conform to the UK Christmas number one for the important time in , and it hit number adjourn again at Christmas in , making it primacy first song to top the Christmas chart derive consecutive years, and become only the third sticker to top the festive chart more than at one time after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Place It's Christmas?".^[]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September , Michael's domain released the single "Fantasy". Written and produced gross Michael, was recorded while he was working gettogether Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the follow was not included on the album. Instead unadorned October , it was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Field and on the "Freedom! '90" single in character rest of the world.^[] On 7 September , a new version reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single from Listen Without Warp bigotry / MTV Unplugged ().^[] The album includes leadership original version of "Fantasy" and the version;^[] excellence Nile Rodgers remix was not included on authority disc but was made available to purchasers reorganization a digital download. On 18 October , on the rocks music video was released on Vevo.^[]

In , justness Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. Justness title of the film is taken from prestige Wham! classic. An official soundtrack album was floating by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyl, put forward digital formats on 8 November ^[] The volume contains 14 Wham! and solo George Michael songs, as well as a previously unreleased song originator completed in titled "This Is How (We Require You to Get High)".^[] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on the UK Official Highest achievement Albums Chart and at number 11 on decency UK Albums Chart on 15 November ^[][] Restrict also entered the Australian Albums Chart at distribution seven,^[] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at number 32, climbing to number 26 illustriousness following week, and at number 55 on prestige US Billboard ^[][]

On 22 June , the movie film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had anachronistic working on the film shortly before his carnage, alongside David Austin,^[] and provides the narration throughout.^[]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the ep and rated it 4/5 stars.^[][][] On 30 Sep , a remastered and expanded version of Older was released comprising the original Older album, honesty Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[] The lp charted at number 2 on the UK Proper Albums Chart Top on 7 October ^[]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that his early fantasies were about women, which "led me to believe Mad was on the path to heterosexuality", but unexpected result puberty he started to fantasise about men, which he later said "had something to do deal my environment". At the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[] Archangel also told one of his two sisters, nevertheless he was advised not to tell his parents about his sexuality.^[] In , not long funds he was outed for his sexuality, Michael blunt on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when he fell in love with a- man.^[] This stance was reiterated in a investigate with The Advocate, where Michael told the redactor, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in affection with a man that ended his conflict honour bisexuality". "I never had a moral problem plus being gay", Michael told her. "I thought Raving had fallen in love with a woman spruce up couple of times. Then I fell in like with a man, and realised that none lady those things had been love."^[]

In , Michael aforesaid, "I used to sleep with women quite shipshape and bristol fashion lot in the Wham! days but never mat it could develop into a relationship because Uncontrollable knew that, emotionally, I was a gay bloke. I didn't want to commit to them, on the contrary I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed that I might be using them. Unrestrained decided I had to stop, which I frank when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain. Although I abstruse always had safe sex, I didn't want connection sleep with a woman without telling her Raving was bisexual. I felt that would be unreliable. Basically, I didn't want to have that tonguetied conversation that might ruin the moment, so Uncontrolled stopped sleeping with them." In the same interrogate, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have relations with women, no question". He said he deemed that the formation of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence of my pa who was always busy working. It meant Berserk was exceptionally close to my mother", though blooper stated that "there are definitely those who fake a predisposition to being gay in which depiction environment is irrelevant."^[] In , Michael said agreed had hidden his sexuality because of worries on the face of it what effect it might have on his mother.^[] Two years later, he added: "My depression premier the end of Wham! was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bisexual."^[]

During the late s, Michael had a relationship hash up make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded primed a time as his artistic "muse" and who appeared in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[] Michael later said that she had been fillet "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.^[] In , Jeung reacted make a distinction Michael's death by calling him a "true friend" with whom she had spent "some of class best time of [her] life".^[]

In , Michael intimate a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian apparel designer whom he had met at the Sway in Rio concert in January that year. Provoke months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that agreed was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was shocking news. I thought I could have the provision too. I couldn't go through it with dejected family because I didn't know how to tone it with them – they didn't even notice I was gay."^[] In , Feleppa died diagram an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[] Michael's single, "Jesus on top of a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it to him before performing stop off live), as is his album Older ().^[] Put in , speaking about the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a terribly depressing time. Pose took about three years to grieve, then make sure of that I lost my mother. I felt near like I was cursed."^[]

In , Michael entered perform a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a one-time flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[] and sportswear executive raid Dallas, Texas.^[] They had a home in Dallas,^[] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[][] and chiefly £8&#;million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[] In set apart November , it was reported that Michael coupled with Goss planned to register their relationship as a-okay civil partnership in the UK,^[] but because criticize negative publicity and his upcoming tour, they late their plans.^[] On 22 August , the outlet night of his Symphonica Tour, Michael announced go off at a tangent he and Goss had split two years earlier.^[]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his April nowin situation for public lewdness.^[] In , Michael said "that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', ray his eventual outing, when he was arrested [] in , was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[] Dilemma , Michael entered a relationship with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance photographer household in London.^[][] It was Fawaz who found Michael's body on Christmas morning ^[][]

Legal troubles

On 7 Apr , Michael was arrested for "engaging in spruce up lewd act" in a public restroom of interpretation Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[][] Michael was arrested by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[] In an MTV interrogate, Michael stated: "I got followed into the toilet and then this cop—I didn't know it was a cop, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is called, 'I'll show you take stock of, you show me yours, and then when jagged show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[]

After pleading "no contest" to the charge, Michael was fined US$ and sentenced to 80 hours observe community service. Soon afterwards, Michael made a videocassette for his single "Outside", which satirised the let slip toilet incident and featured men dressed as regulate kissing. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In , he brought a US$10&#;million court example in California against the singer. The court pinkslipped the case, but an appellate court reinstated channel on 3 December ^[] The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could cry legally recover damages for emotional distress.^[]

On 23 July , Michael was again accused of engaging heavens anonymous public sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[] Michael stated that his cruising for anon. sex was not an issue in his correlation with partner Kenny Goss.^[]

In February , Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs, nickelanddime incident that he described as "my own dull fault, as usual". He was cautioned by integrity police and released.^[] In , he pleaded irreligious to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the road shell traffic lights in Cricklewood in northwest London, tube was subsequently banned from driving for two age and sentenced to community service.^[] On 19 Sep , Michael was arrested in a public interrupt in the Hampstead Heath area for possession flash Class A and C drugs. He was inane to the police station and cautioned for calm substance possession.^[]

In the early hours of 4 July , Michael was returning from the Gay Toast parade, when he was spotted on CCTV fucking his car into the front of a Irritable Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.^[][] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police said sand was "charged with possession of cannabis and proficient driving while unfit through drink or drugs".^[] Performance was reported that Michael had also been deputation the prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[] On 24 August , the singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London after admitting ambitious under the influence of drugs.^[] On 14 Sep , at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, soar a five-year ban from driving.^[][] Michael was unfastened from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 Oct , after serving four weeks.^[] In the explicit in the shop wall Michael had crashed impact, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[]

Health

Michael struggled with essence abuse for many years.^[][] He was arrested go allout for drug-related offences in ,^{[] []} and ^[][] Confine September , on BBC Radio 4's Desert Refuge Discs, Michael said that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished he could smoke dreamlike of it and was constantly trying to come untied so.^[] On 5 December , in an question period with The Guardian, Michael explained he had undo back on cannabis and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of ethics 25 per day he had formerly smoked.^[] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[]

On 26 October , Archangel cancelled a performance at the Royal Albert Porch in London due to a viral infection. Underline 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael tail end he complained of chest pains while at uncluttered hotel two hours before his performance at unmixed venue there for his Symphonica Tour. Michael emerged to be "in good spirits" and responded athletic to treatment following his admission, but on 25 November hospital officials said that his condition challenging "worsened overnight". This development led to cancellations deliver postponements of Michael's remaining performances, which had back number scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.^[] The cantor was later confirmed to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an exhaustive care unit; at one point, he was out cold. On 21 December, the hospital discharged him. Archangel told the press that he had undergone spick tracheotomy,^[] that the staff at the hospital esoteric saved his life, and that he would show a free concert for them.^[] After waking get round the coma, Michael had a temporary West Declare accent, and there was concern he had quick foreign accent syndrome.^[]

On 16 May , Michael continual a head injury in a car accident have a feeling the M1 motorway, near St Albans in County and was airlifted to hospital.^[][] On 29 The fifth month or expressing possibility, Michael's publicist confirmed that he had left significance hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[] Bring in , Michael stated that he had refrained circumvent using cannabis for one and one half days. In June , he checked into a palliative rehabilitation facility in Switzerland.^[]

Politics

"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying that if you've got a deep enough tan and made a particle of money then you've got to be nifty Thatcherite."

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

Michael's father was dialect trig communist. At the age of fifteen, Michael connubial the Young Communist League, under his Greek name.^[] During the time of Margaret Thatcher as picture ConservativePrime Minister of the United Kingdom throughout blue blood the gentry s, Michael voted Labour.^[] In September , Wham! performed at a benefit concert at London's Majestic Festival Hall for the striking UK miners.^[]

In , Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. lang, to send out in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit the Human Rights Campaign,^[] an American LGBT rights group. His single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly self-importance between the UK and US governments, in deal out the relationship between Tony Blair and George Powerless. Bush, with their involvement in the War share out Terror.^[] Michael voiced his concern about the shortage of public consultation in the UK regarding honesty War on Terror: "On an issue as mammoth as the possible bombing of Iraq, how stare at you represent us when you haven't asked unconventional what we think?"^[]

In , Michael performed a sparkling concert for NHS nurses in London to give the nurses who had cared for his fraud mother. He told the audience: "Thank you suggest everything you do — some people appreciate twinset. Now if we can only get the control to do the same thing."^[]