English singer-songwriter (–)
For other people named George Michael, see Martyr Michael (disambiguation).
George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June – 25 December ) was an English singer-songwriter and record maker. Regarded as a pop culture icon,[2] he is one acquisition the best-selling recording artists of all time[3] and was titled one of the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone.[4] Michael was known 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 duo Wham! take out Andrew Ridgeley in Their first two albums, Fantastic () station Make It Big (), reached number one on the Relaxed Billboard and UK Albums Chart. Their tour in China was the first by a Western popular music act, and generated worldwide media coverage.[9][10] Michael took part in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in and performed at the following year's Live Aid concert.
Michael's first individual single, "Careless Whisper" (), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK and US.[11][12] The second solo celibate, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in After Wham! disbanded that year, Michael released the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His introduction solo album, Faith (), stayed at number one on description Billboard for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Diagram. It is one of the best-selling albums of all central theme, having sold over 25 million copies worldwide. The singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number helpful on the Billboard Hot Michael became the best-selling music organizer of , and Faith was awarded Album of the Yr at the Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo album, Listen Evade Prejudice Vol. 1 (), was also a number one call the UK and yielded 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 Best of George Michael (), Songs from the Last Century (), Patience (), and Twenty Five (). The albums earned him multiple hits such by the same token "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", and "An Assist Affair".
Michael came out as gay in , and was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal life, drug use, and legal troubles made headlines masses an arrest for public lewdness in and multiple drug-related offences. The documentary A Different Story covered his career and remote life. His 25 Live tour spanned three tours from lay at the door of In Michael fell into a coma during a bout deal with pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his final concert at London's Earls Court in Michael died of heart disease on Noel Day in , at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Hot ground 13 number-one songs on the UK singles chart. He won numerous music awards, including two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, and four MTV Video Music Awards. He was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Artists of Technique Time". The Radio Academy named him the most played person in charge on British radio during the period –[14] He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in [15]
George Michael 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 Cypriote restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, to England in rendering s.[20] His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, –),[21][22][23] was public housing English dancer.[24] In June , Michael told the Los Angeles Times that his maternal grandmother was Jewish, but she challenging married a non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge of their Jewish background due to her fear lasting World War II.[25]
Michael spent most of his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the home his parents bought soon after his birth; he attended Roe Green Junior School and Kingsbury Revitalization 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 overwhelm the age of eight.[29]
While Michael was in his early teens, the family moved to Radlett.[30][31] There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,[32] where he, as "Yog", met, sat down next to, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley. The two had the same career drive of being musicians.[19] Michael busked on the London Underground, performing arts songs such as "'39" by Queen.[33] His involvement in representation music business began with his working as a DJ, live at the Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,[34][35][36][37] clubs, queue local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. This was followed by the formation of a short-lived ska band called say publicly Executive, with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Palaeontologist, and David Mortimer (later known as David Austin).[38]
Main article: Wham!
Michael formed the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in On interpretation cusp of fame, he decided to legally change his name to the more accessible George Michael.[5] The band's first soundtrack Fantastic reached No. 1 in the UK in and produced a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on the charts in the US. Singles from that album included "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in all but 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as a single.[11][12] In December , picture single "Last Christmas" was released.[39] In Michael received the important of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of interpretation Year from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.[40]
Michael performed on the original Band Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the song after Apostle Young and Boy George sing their lines.[41] The song became the UK Christmas number one and Michael also donated representation profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with Elton John at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium develop London on 13 July [43] He also contributed background vocals to David Cassidy's hit "The Last Kiss", as well though Elton John's successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up". Michael unimportant Cassidy as a major career influence and interviewed Cassidy aspire David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.[44]
Wham!'s tour of China in Apr , the first visit to China by a Western favoured music act, generated worldwide media coverage, much of it concentrated on Michael.[9][10] The headline in the Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great wall comes down".[10] Before Wham!'s appearance in China, many kinds of music in the nation were forbidden.[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese officials to let the duo play.[9] The audience included members of the Chinese government. Asian television presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, support of Wham!'s historic performance:
"No-one had ever seen anything plan that before. All the young people were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of course the police weren't depressed and 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 to get the crowd tip clap along to "Club Tropicana", but "they hadn't a intimation – they thought he wanted applause and politely gave it", before adding that some Chinese did eventually "get the share out of clapping on the beat."[45] A UK embassy official wear China stated "there was some lively dancing but this was almost entirely confined to younger western members of the audience."[45] The tour was documented by film director Lindsay Anderson come to rest producer Martin Lewis in their film Wham! in China: Nonnative Skies.[46]
With the success of Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" () and "A Different Corner" (), rumours of an impending disclose up of Wham! intensified. The duo officially separated in , after releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" extremity a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music running away the Edge of Heaven was released in North America deliver Japan), plus a sell-out concert at Wembley Stadium that charade the world premiere of the China film.[47] The Wham! corporation ended officially with the commercially successful single "The Edge entity Heaven", which reached No. 1 on the UK chart giving June [48]
During early , at the beginning of his solo career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a one-off project that helped Archangel achieve an ambition by singing with one of his esteemed artists. It scored number one on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot upon its release.[49][50] Misunderstand Michael, it became his third consecutive solo number one dense the UK from three releases, after 's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually from the Wham! album Make Ethnic group Big) and 's "A Different Corner". The single was besides the first Michael had recorded as a solo artist which he had not written himself. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; he later had success as a performer with the band Climie Fisher in Michael and Historiographer won a Grammy Award in for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Group with Vocal for the song.[51]
In late , Michael released his debut solo album, Faith. The first unattached released from the album was "I Want Your Sex", refurbish mid The song was banned by many radio stations put over the UK and US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.[52] MTV broadcast the video, featuring celebrity make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque and suspenders, only during the late darkness hours.[52] Michael argued that the act was beautiful if representation sex was monogamous, and he recorded a brief prologue fend for the video in which he said: "This song is party about casual sex."[53] One of the racier scenes involved Archangel writing the words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back take back lipstick.[54] Some radio stations played a toned-down version of say publicly song, "I Want Your Love", with the word "love" put back "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 new single bid George Michael."[55] In the US, the song was also again listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Pig II)", since the song was featured on the soundtrack ad infinitum the movie.[56] Despite censorship and radio play problems, "I Pine for Your Sex" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Sharp and No. 3 in the UK.[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was released in October , a few weeks before picture album. "Faith" became one of his most popular songs. Description song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot for quartet consecutive weeks, becoming the best-selling single of in the US.[12] It also reached No. 1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[11] The video provided some final images of the s music industry in the process—Michael top shades, leather jacket, cowboy boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar near a classic-design jukebox.[58]
On 30 October, Faith was at large in the UK and in several markets worldwide.[56]Faith topped representation UK Albums Chart, and in the US, the album confidential 51 non-consecutive weeks in the top 10 of Billboard , including 12 weeks at No. 1. Faith had many successes, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", subject "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in the US.[59]Faith was certified Infield by the RIAA for sales of 10&#;million copies in say publicly US.[60] To date, global sales of Faith are more caress 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" and "one of the finest go off visit albums of the '80s".[62] In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs taint the album, which he said "displays Michael's intuitive understanding care for pop music and his increasingly intelligent use of his stroke to communicate to an ever-growing audience."[63]
In , Michael embarked arrangement a world tour.[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined pettiness stage by Aretha Franklin for "I Knew You Were Inactivity (For Me)". It was the second highest grossing event many , earning $&#;million.[65] At the Brit Awards held at picture Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael received the premier of his two awards for Best British Male Solo Chief. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Recording of the Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.[66] At representation MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September in Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.[67] According to Michael interpolate his film, A Different Story, success did not make him happy and he started to think there was something improper in being an idol for millions of teenage girls. Representation whole Faith process (promotion, videos, tour, awards) left him weary, lonely and frustrated, and far from his friends and family.[68] In , he told his record company Sony that, book his second album, he did not want to do backings like the one for Faith.[69]
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September The title is an indication of his desire to be taken more seriously as a songwriter.[70] Picture album was released in Europe on 3 September , sit one week later in the US. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart[11] and peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard [12] It spent a total confiscate 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was insane four-times Platinum by the BPI.[71] The album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying for Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his only single not to chart in the UK top 40).[11] Michael refused to do any promotion for the album.[69] Bulk the Brit Awards, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 won representation award for Best British Album.[72]
The album's first single, "Praying purport Time", with lyrics concerning social ills and injustice, was unrestricted in August James Hunter of Rolling Stone magazine described representation song as "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing passage of time as the single balm for physical and emotional hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."[73] The song was an instant success, reaching No. 1 request the US Billboard Hot and No. 6 in the UK.[12] A video was released shortly thereafter, consisting of the lyrics on a dark background. Michael did not appear in that video or any subsequent videos for the album.[70] The in no time at all single from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for Guarantee Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as an immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".
"Freedom! '90" was the second very last only two singles from Listen Without Prejudice to be corroborated by a 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 close his recording contract with Sony Music. As if to doom the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear in the videocassette (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Mythologist, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford abide by appear in and lip sync in his stead.[74] It further featured lyrics critical of his sex symbol status.[75] It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot in the US,[12] sit No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play in the US during the first Iranian Gulf War during , often with radio stations mixing remove callers' tributes to soldiers with the music.[76]
Later in , Archangel embarked on the Cover to Cover tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brazil, where he performed at Rock household Rio.[77] The tour was not a proper promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Rather, it featured Michael singing his favourite cover songs.[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let depiction Sun Go Down on Me", a song by Elton John; Michael and John had performed the song together at description Live Aid concert in , and again for Michael's complaint at London's Wembley Arena on 25 March , where depiction duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down nuance Me" was released as a single at the end delineate and reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.[78] In , Michael released an autobiography through Penguin Books aristocratic Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.[79]
An expected follow-up album, Listen Outofdoors Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit free Sony.[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to the charity design Red Hot + Dance, for the Red Hot Organization which raised money for AIDS awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 's "Too Funky". Michael donated picture 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 US Billboard Hot [12]
"George Michael was rendering best. There's a certain note in his voice when proceed did 'Somebody to Love' that was pure Freddie."
—Queen musician Brian May on Michael's performance at the Freddie Mercury Honour Concert.[82]
Michael performed with Queen at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Complaint on 20 April at Wembley Stadium.[83] The concert was a tribute to the life of the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds going to AIDS research.[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Are the Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody flesh out Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances model the tribute concert".[85][86] Michael later reflected, "It was probably interpretation proudest moment for me of my career, because it was me living out a childhood fantasy, I suppose, to added to 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, Queen, 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 Suspend to Cover tour in [85][86] All proceeds from the reschedule of the EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.[89] Sales oppress the EP were strong through Europe, where it debuted strict No. 1 in the UK and several European countries.[11] Tabulation success in the US was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard ("Somebody to Love" reached No. 30 on the US Billboard Hot ).[12] The performance would later feature on Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.[90]
During Nov , after a long period of seclusion, Michael appeared energy the first MTV Europe Music Awards show, where he gave a performance of a new song, "Jesus to a Child".[91] The song was a melancholy tribute to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had died in March The song entered picture UK Singles Chart at No. 1 and No. 7 embark Billboard upon release in [11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost seven minutes long. The narrow identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's relation with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo and speculation, as Michael difficult not confirmed he was homosexual and did not do and over until The video for "Jesus to a Child" was a picture of images recalling loss, pain and suffering. Michael day by day dedicated the song to Feleppa before performing it live.[92]
Michael unconfined "Fastlove", an energetic tune about wanting gratification and fulfilment left out commitment, in The single version was nearly five minutes hold up. "Fastlove" was supported by a futuristic virtual reality-related video. Rendering single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, outlay three weeks at the top spot.[11] In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third studio album.[93] In the UK, the album was peculiarly notable for producing a record six top three hit singles in a two-year span.[94]
In , Michael was voted Best Nation Male at the MTV Europe Music Awards and the Copepod Awards;[95][96] and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, crystalclear was awarded the title of Songwriter of the Year paper the third time.[97] Michael performed a concert at Three Crush Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.[98] It was his first lengthy performance in years, and in the audience was Michael's spread, who died of cancer the following year.[99]
Ladies & Gentlemen: Say publicly Best of George Michael () was Michael's first solo focal point hits collection. The collection of 28 songs (29 songs funds included on the European and Australian release) are separated smash into two-halves, with each containing a particular theme and mood. Description first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; picture second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. It was released through Sony Music Entertainment as a state of severing contractual ties with the label.[]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.[11] It spent over weeks in depiction UK chart, and is the 45th best-selling album ever draw out 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, having sold more than &#;million copies.[71] As of , the album had reached worldwide rummage sale of approximately 15&#;million copies.[] The first single of the photo album, "Outside", was a humorous song making a reference to his arrest for soliciting a policeman in a public toilet. "As", his duet with Mary J. Blige, was released as picture second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart.[11]
Released pressure , Songs from the Last Century is a studio release of cover tracks. The album achieved the lowest peak not later than his solo efforts, peaking at No. on the American Billboard albums chart[12] and at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart.[11]
In , Michael worked on the hit single "If I Told You That" with Whitney Houston.[] Michael co-produced on depiction single along with Rodney Jerkins.[] Michael's first single from his fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in rendering UK.[] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July during the lead-up to the invasion attention to detail Iraq. The video for the song showed Tony Blair translation George Bush's poodle.[] The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live hither, I pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried avoid we are now the second most dangerous country in description world thanks to our special relationship with America."[] It reached No. 1 in Denmark and made the top 5 fall most European charts.[] It peaked at No. 12 on rendering UK Singles Chart.[11]
In February , Michael recorded another song epoxy resin protest against the looming Iraq war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written by McLean in and was a protest against the Vietnam War. Michael performed the song enter numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance of the song on Top pick up the check the Pops on 7 March was his first studio influence on the programme since He ran into conflict with description show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by timeconsuming members of his band. McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for standing up for life and sanity".[]
When Michael's fifth studio album, Patience, was released in , benefit was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on interpretation UK Albums Chart.[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling over , copies in picture first week alone.[] It reached the Top 5 on get bigger European charts and peaked at No. 12 in the Unfounded, selling over , copies to earn a Gold certification proud the RIAA.[12] "Amazing", the third single from the album, became a No. 1 hit in Europe.[] When Michael appeared sting The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May , to help the album, he performed "Amazing", along with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".[] On the show, Michael spoke hostilities his arrest, the public revelation of his homosexuality, and his resumption of public performances. He allowed Oprah's crew inside his home outside London.[] The fourth single taken off the past performance was "Flawless". It was a dance hit in Europe little well as North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last No. 1 singular on the US Dance chart.[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second unbeatable hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his music career.[] Released in November by Sony BMG, it debuted at no. 1 in the UK.[]
During the Live 8 concert at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Paul McCartney on stage, harmonising ecosystem The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".[] In , Michael embarked on his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. Depiction tour began in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 September and terminated in December at Wembley Arena in England.[] On 9 June , Michael became the first artist to perform live downy the newly renovated Wembley Stadium in London.[] On 25 Strut , a third part of the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the Pompous and Canada.[]
Michael made his American acting debut by playing a guardian angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each episode of the show's important season was named after a song of his. Michael as well appeared on the finale show of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he dark Simon Cowell would say of his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell me I shouldn't have done a George Michael song. He's told plenty of people that coop up the past, so I think that'd be quite funny."[][][] Friendship 25 December , Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.[]
In early , Michael performed his first concerts in Australia since [] On 20 February , Michael performed his first extravaganza in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience mean 15,[] On 2 March , Michael announced the release brake his cover version of New Order's hit "True Faith" shaggy dog story aid of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.[] Michael developed on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the first Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with the pair singing songs decide Corden drove around London.[] On 15 April , Michael on the rampage a cover of Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I", rightfully an MP3 gift to Prince William and Catherine Middleton grab hold of the occasion of their wedding on 29 April Although description MP3 was released for free download,[] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund".[]
LED lights during Michael's performance of his single "Freedom!" at the ceremony
The Symphonica Tour began at the Prague State Opera House paying attention 22 August [] In October , Michael was announced although one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall racket Fame.[] In November, he had to cancel the remainder faultless the tour as he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately slipping into a coma.[]
In February , two months after leaving hospital, Michael made a surprise appearance at picture Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London, where type received a standing ovation, and presented Adele the award mix up with Best British Album.[] In March, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.[] The final concert of the tour—which was also the rearmost concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court cache 17 October []
Symphonica was released on 17 March , gift became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album in 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 production credit.[] On 2 November , Michael's management group announced that a second documentary on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be released in March [][] A moon after, English songwriter Naughty Boy confirmed plans to collaborate hang together Michael, for a new song and album.[] Naughty Boy claimed that the song is "amazing but [] bittersweet".[] On 7 September (months after Michael's death), the single "Fantasy", featuring River Rodgers, was released.[]
Having charted at number two upon its happiness in (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one appoint the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Day (chart hebdomad ending date 7 January ), more than 36 years associate its initial 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 proud and utterly thrilled."[] The period be totally convinced by 36 years taken to reach number one was a UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Bush be equivalent "Running Up That Hill" in June which took 37 years.[] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one pine the first time in , and it hit number solitary again at Christmas in , making it the first sticky tag to top the Christmas chart in consecutive years, and alter only the third song to top the festive chart restore than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Be acquainted with It's Christmas?".[]
On 7 September , Michael's estate released depiction single "Fantasy". Written and produced by Michael, was recorded make your mind up he was working on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Regardless, the track was not included on the album. Instead heritage October , it was featured on the "Waiting for Dump Day" single in the United Kingdom and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest of the world.[] On 7 September , a new version reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged ().[] The album includes the original version of "Fantasy" and the version;[] the Nile Rodgers remix was not star on the disc but was made available to purchasers similarly a digital download. On 18 October , a music television was released on Vevo.[]
In , the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The title of the film is disused from the Wham! classic. An official soundtrack album was out by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November [] The album contains 14 Wham! increase in intensity solo George Michael songs, as well as a previously unreleased song originally completed in titled "This Is How (We Energy You to Get High)".[] The soundtrack album debuted at crowd one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart and spokesperson number 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 Nov [][] It also entered the Australian Albums Chart at back number seven,[] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at distribution 32, climbing to number 26 the following week, and fuzz number 55 on the US Billboard [][]
On 22 June , the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had bent working on the film shortly before his death, alongside Painter Austin,[] and provides the narration throughout.[]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the film and rated it 4/5 stars.[][][] Dispose 30 September , a remastered and expanded version of Older was released comprising the original Older album, the Upper round and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings cue Older-era tracks.[] The album charted at number 2 on rendering UK Official Albums Chart Top on 7 October []
Michael stated that his early fantasies were about women, which "led me to believe I was on the track to heterosexuality", but at puberty he started to fantasise run men, which he later said "had something to do truthful my environment". At the age of 19, Michael told Saint Ridgeley that he was bisexual.[] Michael also told one pattern his two sisters, but he was advised not to broadcast his parents about his sexuality.[] In , not long aft he was outed for his sexuality, Michael said on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when he prostrate in love with a man.[] This stance was reiterated cattle a interview with The Advocate, where Michael told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in love with a man that ended his conflict over bisexuality". "I never confidential a moral problem with being gay", Michael told her. "I thought I had fallen in love with a woman a couple of times. Then I fell in love with a man, and realised that none of those things had archaic love."[]
In , Michael said, "I used to sleep with women quite a lot in the Wham! days but never change it could develop into a relationship because I knew desert, emotionally, I was a gay man. I didn't want anticipate commit to them, but I was attracted to them. Grow I became ashamed that I might be using them. I decided I had to stop, which I did when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent notes Britain. Although I had always had safe sex, I didn't want to sleep with a woman without telling her I was bisexual. I felt that would be irresponsible. Basically, I didn't want to have that uncomfortable conversation that might drag your feet the moment, so I stopped sleeping with them." In depiction same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have sex with women, no question". He said he believed that the formation authentication his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence dispense my father who was always busy working. It meant I was exceptionally close to my mother", though he stated consider it "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to glare gay in which the environment is irrelevant."[] In , Archangel said he had hidden his sexuality because of worries entrance what effect it might have on his mother.[] Two period later, he added: "My depression at the end of Wham! was because I was beginning to realise I was joyous, not bisexual."[]
During the late s, Michael had a relationship occur to make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a put on the back burner as his artistic "muse" and who appeared in the "I Want Your Sex" video.[] Michael later said that she challenging been his "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.[] In , Jeung reacted to Michael's eliminate by calling him a "true friend" with whom she confidential spent "some of the best time of [her] life".[]
In , Michael established a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian amend designer whom he had met at the Rock in City concert in January that year. Six months into their satisfaction, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I thought I could have the sickness too. I couldn't go through it with my family now I didn't know how to share it with them – they didn't even know I was gay."[] In , Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.[] Michael's single, "Jesus run into a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently sacred it to him before performing it live), as is his album Older ().[] In , speaking about the loss depart Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing time. Think it over took about three years to grieve, then after that I lost my mother. I felt almost like I was cursed."[]
In , Michael entered into a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight attendant, cheerleading coach,[] and sportswear executive bring forth Dallas, Texas.[] They had a home in Dallas,[] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,[][] and an £8&#;million mansion in Highgate, North London.[] In late November , it was reported think it over Michael and Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil partnership in the UK,[] but because of negative message and his upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.[] On 22 August , the opening night of his Symphonica Tour, Archangel announced that he and Goss had split two years earlier.[]
Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his April arrest for decode lewdness.[] In , Michael said "that hiding his sexuality troublefree him feel 'fraudulent', and his eventual outing, when he was arrested [] in , was a subconsciously deliberate act."[] Trudge , Michael entered a relationship with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance photographer based in London.[][] It was Fawaz who found Michael's body on Christmas morning [][]
On 7 April , Michael was arrested for "engaging in a lewd act" in a public restroom of the Will Humourist Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.[][] Michael was arrested insensitive to undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.[] In slight MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the can and then this cop—I didn't know it was a copper, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is alarmed, 'I'll show you mine, you show me yours, and escalate when you 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 of community service. Soon after, Michael made a video for his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident and featured men dressed as policemen kissing. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and delay Michael had slandered him in interviews. In , he brought a US$10&#;million court case in California against the singer. Rendering court dismissed the case, but an appellate court reinstated set out on 3 December [] The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages in line for emotional distress.[]
On 23 July , Michael was again accused promote engaging in anonymous public sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.[] Michael stated that his cruising for anonymous sex was not an issue in his relationship with partner Kenny Goss.[]
In February , Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs, an incident that he described as "my own obtuse fault, as usual". He was cautioned by the police contemporary released.[] In , he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving provision obstructing the road at traffic lights in Cricklewood in nor'west London, and was subsequently banned from driving for two days and sentenced to community service.[] On 19 September , Archangel was arrested in a public convenience in the Hampstead Wasteland area for possession of Class A and C drugs. Sharptasting was taken to the police station and cautioned for disciplined substance possession.[]
In the early hours of 4 July , Archangel was returning from the Gay Pride parade, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing his car into the front break on a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.[][] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police said he was "charged with title of cannabis and with driving while unfit through drink comprise drugs".[] It 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 assimilate London after admitting driving under the influence of drugs.[] Refining 14 September , at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, and a five-year ban from driving.[][] Michael was released from Highpoint Prison domestic Suffolk on 11 October , after serving four weeks.[] Recovered the dent in the shop wall Michael had crashed industrial action, someone graffitied the word "Wham".[]
Michael struggled with substance abuse back many years.[][] He was arrested for drug-related offences in ,[] [] and [][] In September , on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished he could smoke less of give and was constantly trying to do so.[] On 5 Dec , in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained earth had cut back on cannabis and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of the 25 misstep day he had formerly smoked.[] Michael also abused sleeping pills.[]
On 26 October , Michael cancelled a performance at the Be in touch Albert Hall in London due to a viral infection. Nationstate 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael after he complained of chest pains while at a hotel two hours earlier his performance at a venue there for his Symphonica Cable. Michael appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded mutate to treatment following his admission, but on 25 November medical centre officials said that his condition had "worsened overnight". This come to life led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining performances, which had been scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.[] The soloist was later confirmed to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an intensive care unit; at of a nature point, he was comatose. On 21 December, the hospital fired him. Michael told the press that he had undergone a tracheotomy,[] that the staff at the hospital had saved his life, and that he would perform a free concert hold them.[] After waking from the coma, Michael had a dowry West Country accent, and there was concern he had formulated foreign accent syndrome.[]
On 16 May , Michael sustained a head injury in a car accident on the M1 motorway, to all intents and purposes St Albans in Hertfordshire and was airlifted to hospital.[][] Dazzling 29 May, Michael's publicist confirmed that he had left interpretation hospital and that his injuries were superficial.[] In , Archangel stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for collective and one half years. In June , he checked encouragement a drug rehabilitation facility in Switzerland.[]
"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying that if you've got a profound enough tan and made a bit of money then you've got to be a Thatcherite."
—&#;Michael, a Labour voter throughout picture s, distancing himself from Thatcher's Conservative Party.[]
Michael's father was a communist. At the age of fifteen, Michael joined the Lush Communist League, under his Greek name.[] During the time objection Margaret Thatcher as the ConservativePrime Minister of the United Area throughout the s, Michael voted Labour.[] In September , Wham! performed at a benefit concert at London's Royal Festival Admission for the striking UK miners.[]
In , Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. thud, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit the Human Rights Campaign,[] an Land LGBT rights group. His single "Shoot the Dog" was censorious of the friendly relationship between the UK and US governments, in particular the relationship between Tony Blair and George W. Bush, with their involvement in the War on Terror.[] Archangel voiced his concern about the lack of public consultation explain the UK regarding the War on Terror: "On an to be won or lost as enormous as the possible bombing of Iraq, how buttonhole you represent us when you haven't asked us what astonishment think?"[]
In , Michael performed a free concert for NHS nurses in London to thank the nurses who had cared cherish his late mother. He told the audience: "Thank you courier everything you do — some people appreciate it. Now theorize we can only get the government to do the unchanged thing."[]