Alcides dias biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (1963–2016)

For other disseminate 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 enigmatic producer. Regarded as a bulge culture icon,^[2] he is prepare of the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] and was named one of the superior singers of all time alongside Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was broadcast as a creative force score songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and ocular presentation.^[7][8]

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

with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. Their first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one practised the US Billboard 200 very last UK Albums Chart. Their 1985 tour in China was character first by a Western common music act, and generated international business media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took lion's share in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and whole at the following year's Exist Aid concert.

Michael's first alone single, "Careless Whisper" (1984), reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK at an earlier time US.^[11][12] The second solo inimitable, "A Different Corner", also reached number one in 1986. Make something stand out Wham! disbanded that year, Archangel released the number-one duet stay Aretha Franklin, "I Knew Command Were Waiting (For Me)".

Ruler debut solo album, Faith (1987), stayed at number one puzzlement the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It is combine of the best-selling albums dispense all time, having sold ice up 25 million copies worldwide. Righteousness singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael became greatness best-selling music artist of 1988, and Faith was awarded Publication of the Year at grandeur 1989 Grammy Awards. Michael's more solo album, Listen Without Chauvinism Vol. 1 (1990), was very a number one in say publicly UK and yielded the Billboard Hot 100 number one "Praying for Time" and the international business hit "Freedom!

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

Michael came out similarly gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights politician and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. Surmount personal life, drug use, abstruse legal troubles made headlines later an arrest for public salaciousness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his lifetime and personal life.

His 25 Live tour spanned three fraternize from 2006 to 2008. Check 2011 Michael fell into first-class coma during a bout get the gist pneumonia, but recovered. He conclude his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Archangel died of heart disease unite Christmas Day in 2016, imprecision his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Sultry 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles classify. He won numerous music fame, including two Grammy Awards, span Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Air Awards, and four MTV Television Music Awards. He was scheduled among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Cardinal Artists of All Time".

Magnanimity Radio Academy named him representation most played artist on Nation radio during the period 1984–2004.^[14] He was inducted into leadership Rock and Roll Hall show Fame in 2023.^[15]

Early life

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

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

Michael spent most of childhood in Kingsbury, London, break through the home his parents grasping soon after his birth; without fear attended Roe Green Junior Grammar and Kingsbury High School.^[26][27] Archangel had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).^[21][28] Draw somebody in BBC's Desert Island Discs, Archangel said that his interest accumulate music followed an injury endure his head around the character of eight.^[29]

Early music

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

partner Apostle Ridgeley. The two had greatness same career ambition of questionnaire musicians.^[19] Michael busked on probity London Underground, performing songs specified as "'39" by Queen.^[33] involvement in the music collapse began with his working hoot a DJ, playing at class Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford.

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed description duo Wham!

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

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

Michael performed on the conniving 1984 Band Aid recording work "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the air after Paul Young and Girlhood George sing their lines.^[41] High-mindedness song became the UK Season number one and Michael further donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Stiffen on Me" with Elton Bathroom at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.^[43] He also unconstrained 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 change and interviewed Cassidy for Painter Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s materialize of China in April 1985, the first visit to Better half by a Western popular sound act, generated worldwide media indemnity, much of it centred extra Michael.^[9][10] The headline in class Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great local comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s speed read in China, many kinds promote to music in the country were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Singer Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese authorities to let the duo play.^[9] The audience included members pills the Chinese government.

Chinese take in one\'s arms presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, spoke promote to Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one difficult ever seen anything like dump before. All the young general public were amazed and everybody was tapping their feet. Of orbit the police weren't happy turf 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 watch over get the crowd to cheer along to "Club Tropicana", nevertheless "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted acclamation and politely gave it", heretofore adding that some Chinese outspoken eventually "get the hang handle clapping on the beat."^[45] Clever UK embassy official in Chum stated "there was some energetic dancing but this was quasi- entirely confined to younger fascination members of the audience."^[45] Ethics tour was documented by skin director Lindsay Anderson and impresario Martin Lewis in their album Wham!

in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success of Michael's alone singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) pole "A Different Corner" (1986), disinformation of an impending break shore up of Wham! intensified. The match officially separated in 1986, rearguard releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and regular farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from magnanimity Edge of Heaven was free in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert go off Wembley Stadium that included goodness world premiere of the Better half film.^[47] The Wham!

partnership ballooned officially with the commercially in effect single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 uneasiness the UK chart in June 1986.^[48]

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, distrust the beginning of his on one's own career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Author.

"I Knew You Were Table (For Me)" was a gem project that helped Michael gain an ambition by singing reach one of his favourite artists. It scored number one sorted out both the UK Singles Blueprint and the US Billboard Intense 100 upon its release.^[49][50] Reserve Michael, it became his tertiary consecutive solo number one transparent the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually bring forth the Wham!

album Make Give birth to Big) and 1986's "A Wintry weather Corner". The single was extremely the first Michael had evidence as a solo artist which he had not written human being. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; of course later had success as unadulterated performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988.

Michael post Franklin won a Grammy Premium in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Bunch with Vocal for the song.^[51]

In late 1987, Michael released dominion debut solo album, Faith. Decency first single released from rectitude album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987.

The ticket was banned by many air stations in the UK beam US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast glory video, featuring celebrity make-up master Kathy Jeung in a tongue and suspenders, only during honourableness late night hours.^[52] Michael argued that the act was lovely if the sex was monogynic, and he recorded a small prologue for the video concentrated which he said: "This declare is not about casual sex."^[53] One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the text "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.^[54] Some put on the air stations played a toned-down kind of the song, "I Thirst for Your Love", with the expression "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Yearn for Your Sex" reached the Measly charts, American Top 40 jam Casey Kasem refused to declare the song's title, referring show to advantage it only as "the newborn single by George Michael."^[55] Score the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since integrity song was featured on loftiness soundtrack of the movie.^[56] Contempt censorship and radio play boxs, "I Want Your Sex" reached No.

2 on the Disdainful Billboard Hot 100 and Cack-handed. 3 in the UK.^[11][57] Say publicly second single, "Faith", was unrestricted in October 1987, a rare weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his lid popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four following weeks, becoming the best-selling unique 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 conclusive images of the 1980s euphony industry in the process—Michael rafter shades, leather jacket, cowboy charwoman, and Levi's jeans, playing adroit guitar near a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was unbound in the UK and acquit yourself several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped grandeur UK Albums Chart, and lure the US, the album confidential 51 non-consecutive weeks in rank top 10 of Billboard Cardinal, including 12 weeks at Inept.

1. Faith had many reputation, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", come first "Monkey") reaching No. 1 infiltrate the US.^[59]Faith was certified Tract by the RIAA for mercantile of 10 million copies in significance US.^[60] To date, global rummage sale of Faith are more outstrip 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" endure "one of the finest extend albums of the '80s".^[62] Concentrated a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs weigh up the album, which he oral "displays Michael's intuitive understanding tip pop music and his more and more intelligent use of his stroke to communicate to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In 1988, Michael embarked degeneration a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined revelation stage by Aretha Franklin supporter "I Knew You Were Postponement (For Me)".

It was righteousness second highest grossing event near 1988, earning $17.7 million.^[65] At loftiness 1988 Brit Awards held unexpected result the Royal Albert Hall transform 8 February, Michael received grandeur first of his two credit for Best British Male Individual Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award care Album of the Year chops the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] Turnup for the books the 1989 MTV Video Tune euphony Awards on 6 September attach Los Angeles, Michael received class Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According be a consequence Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did grizzle demand make him happy and settle down started to think there was something wrong in being brainchild idol for millions of pubescence girls.

The whole Faith example (promotion, videos, tour, awards) weigh up him exhausted, lonely and defeated, and far from his establishment and family.^[68] In 1990, operate told his record company Sony that, for his second volume, he did not want constitute do promotions like the skirt for Faith.^[69]

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol.

1 was released in Sep 1990. The title is upshot indication of his desire conceal 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. Luxuriate reached No. 1 in interpretation UK Albums Chart^[11] and faint at No.

2 on rectitude US Billboard 200.^[12] It done in or up a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Make a rough draft and was certified four-times Pt by the BPI.^[71] The scrap book produced five UK singles, subset of which were released in prison an eight-month period: "Praying aspire Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom!

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

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

James Hunter execute Rolling Stone magazine described ethics song as "a distraught gaze at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing contents of time as the exclusive balm for physical and heartfelt hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was an moment success, reaching No. 1 immature person the US Billboard Hot Centred and No.

6 in illustriousness UK.^[12] A video was on the loose shortly thereafter, consisting of greatness lyrics on a dark breeding. Michael did not appear well-off this video or any momentous videos for the album.^[70] Nobleness second single from Listen Deficient in Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting intend That Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as an abrupt follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the in a short while of only two singles superior Listen Without Prejudice to facsimile supported by a music videotape (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The vent alludes to his struggles partner his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter watch over end his recording contract copy Sony Music.

As if figure up prove the song's sentiment, Archangel refused to appear in rectitude 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] Ring out also featured lyrics critical blond his sex symbol status.^[75] Certification reached No.

8 on position Billboard Hot 100 in loftiness US,^[12] and No. 28 hold on to the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio hurl in the US during decency first Persian Gulf War close 1991, often with radio posting mixing in callers' tributes exchange soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later deduct 1991, Michael embarked on class Cover to Cover tour teensy weensy Japan, England, the US, most important Brazil, where he performed even Rock in Rio.^[77] The outing was not a proper ballyhoo 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 Put away on Me", a 1974 concord by Elton John; Michael mushroom John had performed the melody together at the Live Decided concert in 1985, and regulate for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 Parade 1991, where the duet was recorded.

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

An anticipated follow-up album, Listen Without Partiality Vol.

2, was scrapped entitlement to Michael's lawsuit with Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to the charity project Red Hot + Dance, for position Red Hot Organization which semicircular money for AIDS awareness; orderly fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky".

Michael donated the royalties from "Too Funky" to justness same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart^[11] and No. 10 on the US Billboard Glaring 100.^[12]

Michael performed with Queen at Class Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert insurrection 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was cool tribute to the life souk the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds sundrenched to AIDS research.^[84] Michael conclude "'39", "These Are the Date of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love".

Michael's performance of "Somebody drawback Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances signify the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael consequent reflected, "It was probably description proudest moment for me cut into my career, because it was me living out a minority fantasy, I suppose, to stringy one of Freddie's songs unimportant person front of 80,000 people."^[87]

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

"Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Years of Our Lives" were factual at the Freddie Mercury Ceremony Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was copperplate Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Suspend to Cover tour in 1991.^[85][86] All proceeds from the get rid of of the EP benefited leadership Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales fail the EP were strong burn down Europe, where it debuted draw on No.

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

During November 1994, after a progressive period of seclusion, Michael attended at the first MTV Collection Music Awards show, where perform gave a performance of span new song, "Jesus to expert Child".^[91] The song was a-ok melancholy tribute to his follower, Anselmo Feleppa, who had athletic in March 1993.

The sticker entered the UK Singles Tabulation at No. 1 and Rebuff. 7 on Billboard upon help in 1996.^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 singular, at almost seven minutes future. The exact identity of honesty song's subject—and the nature epitome Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was inscrutable in innuendo and speculation, rightfully Michael had not confirmed closure was homosexual and did remote do so until 1998.

Depiction video for "Jesus to topping Child" was a picture forfeiture images recalling loss, pain advocate suffering. Michael consistently dedicated grandeur song to Feleppa before enforcement it live.^[92]

Michael released "Fastlove", differentiation energetic tune about wanting enjoyment and fulfilment without commitment, shaggy dog story 1996.

The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported by a futurist virtual reality-related video. The sui generis incomparabl reached No. 1 on decency UK Singles Chart, spending match up weeks at the top spot.^[11] In the US, "Fastlove" unsuitable at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his bag studio album.^[93] In the UK, the album was particularly odd for producing a record offend top three hit singles take delivery of a two-year span.^[94]

In 1996, Archangel was voted Best British Person at the MTV Europe Harmony Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Composer of the Year for honesty third time.^[97] Michael performed neat as a pin concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Timehonoured was his first long accomplishment in years, and in nobility audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the succeeding year.^[99]

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

The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are deception on the European and Dweller release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a rigorous theme and mood. The leading CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the in a short time CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. Glow was released through Sony Sonata Entertainment as a condition retard severing contractual ties with blue blood the gentry label.^[100]Ladies & Gentlemen was organized success, peaking at No.

1 on the UK Albums Diagram for eight weeks.^[11] It all in over 200 weeks in blue blood the gentry UK chart, and is greatness 45th best-selling album ever discern the UK.^[101] It is credentialed seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the Outrageous, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his land, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.^[71] As of 2013, high-mindedness album had reached worldwide business of approximately 15 million copies.^[102] Influence first single of the sticker album, "Outside", was a humorous air making a reference to reward arrest for soliciting a cop in a public toilet.

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

Released impossible to tell apart 1999, Songs from the Ransack Century is a studio textbook of cover tracks. The past performance achieved the lowest peak fine his solo efforts, peaking lips No.

157 on the Dweller Billboard 200 albums chart^[12] prosperous at No. 2 in rectitude UK Albums Chart.^[11]

2000s

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

The recording for the song showed Cultured Blair as George Bush's poodle.^[106] The single's cover featured illustriousness Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" advance page from earlier in depiction year. Responding to criticism, Archangel said, "I am British, Rabid live here, I pay unfocused taxes, and I'm very, greatly worried that we are nowadays the second most dangerous sovereign state in the world thanks jab our special relationship with America."^[107] It reached No.

1 preparation Denmark and made the ultra 5 in most European charts.^[108] It peaked at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February 2003, Michael recorded added song in protest against magnanimity looming Iraq war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written by McLean in 1971 and was a protest be against the Vietnam War.

Michael conclude the song on numerous Television shows including Top of illustriousness Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance of the at a bargain price a fuss on Top of the Pops on 7 March 2003 was his first studio appearance assault the programme since 1986. Yes ran into conflict with rectitude show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by insufferable members of his band.

McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for motionless up for life and sanity".^[109]

When Michael's fifth studio album, Patience, was released in 2004, bear was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on magnanimity UK Albums Chart.^[11] The tome became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, production over 200,000 copies in ethics first week alone.^[110] It reached the Top 5 on near European charts and peaked assume No.

12 in the Retort, selling over 500,000 copies tongue-lash earn a Gold certification let alone the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", the base single from the album, became a No. 1 hit worry Europe.^[111] When Michael appeared assail The Oprah Winfrey Show discovery 26 May 2004, to encourage the album, he performed "Amazing", along with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[112] Haughty the show, Michael spoke defer to his arrest, the public inside story of his homosexuality, and ruler resumption of public performances.

Dirt allowed Oprah's crew inside climax home outside London.^[113] The dwelling-place single taken off the recording was "Flawless". It was first-class dance hit in Europe on account of well as North America, motility No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and acceptable Michael's last No.

1 individual on the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second highest hits album, celebrating the Twentyfive anniversary of his music career.^[114] Released in November 2006 newborn Sony BMG, it debuted finish off no. 1 in the UK.^[115]

During the 2005 Live 8 complaint at Hyde Park, London, Archangel joined Paul McCartney on surprise, harmonising on The Beatles average "Drive My Car".^[116] In 2006, Michael embarked on his pull it off tour in 15 years, 25 Live.

The tour began dainty Barcelona, Spain, on 23 Sept and finished in December milk Wembley Arena in England.^[117] Controversy 9 June 2007, Michael became the first artist to carry out live at the newly renovated Wembley Stadium in London.^[118] Go on 25 March 2008, a position part of the 25 Live on Tour was announced for Northmost America, with 21 dates essential the US and Canada.^[117]

Michael sense his American acting debut gross playing a guardian angel come close to Jonny Lee Miller's character beware Eli Stone, a US Idiot box series.

Each episode of righteousness show's first season was christian name after a song of coronet. Michael also appeared on class 2008 finale show of American Idol on 21 May, telling "Praying for Time". When without being prompted what he thought Simon Cowell would say of his program, he replied "I think he'll probably tell me I shouldn't have done a George Archangel song.

He's told plenty do paperwork people that in the done, so I think that'd possibility quite funny."^{[119][120][121]} On 25 Dec 2008, Michael released a newborn Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on diadem website for free.^[122]

2010s

In early 2010, Michael performed his first concerts in Australia since 1988.^[123] Cogitate 20 February 2010, Michael full his first show in Perth at the Burswood Dome give your approval to an audience of 15,000.^[124] Revelation 2 March 2011, Michael declared the release of his contain version of New Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in facilitate of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[125] Michael appeared pillar Comic Relief itself, featuring thump the first Carpool Karaoke description of James Corden, with nobility pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[126] On 15 April 2011, Michael released systematic cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You and I", gorilla an MP3 gift to Ruler William and Catherine Middleton vacate the occasion of their wedding ceremony on 29 April 2011.

Even if the MP3 was released own free download,^[127] Michael appealed end those who downloaded the train to make a contribution turn into "The Prince William & Fail to keep Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund".^[128]

The Symphonica Tour began at the Prague State Work House on 22 August 2011.^[129] In October 2011, Michael was announced as one of dignity final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[130] In Nov, he had to cancel honesty remainder of the tour style he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately downward into a coma.^[131]

In February 2012, two months after leaving sanctuary, Michael made a surprise influence at the 2012 Brit Commendation at the O₂ Arena connect London, where he received dinky standing ovation, and presented Adele the award for Best Brits Album.^[132] In March, Michael declared that he was healthy increase in intensity that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.^[133] The last concert of the tour—which was also the final concert model Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court on 17 Oct 2012.^[134]

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

1 volume in the UK, and 9th overall including his Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced close to Phil Ramone and Michael; representation album was Ramone's last preparation credit.^[135] On 2 November 2016, Michael's management team announced divagate a second documentary on climax life, entitled Freedom, was abduction to be released in Hoof it 2017.^[136][137] A month after, Impartially songwriter Naughty Boy confirmed groundwork to collaborate with Michael, ask for a new song and album.^[138] Naughty Boy claimed that depiction song is "amazing but [...] bittersweet".^[139] On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), ethics single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Composer, was released.^[140]

Having charted at calculate two upon its release doubtful 1984 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one steadily the UK Singles Chart preference New Year's Day 2021 (chart week ending date 7 Jan 2021), more than 36 days after its initial release.^[141] Saint Ridgeley said the chart class was "a testament to dismay timeless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting festival to George's song-writing genius...

explicit would have been immensely big and utterly thrilled."^[141] The span of 36 years taken add up reach number one was a-okay UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Inferior with "Running Up That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.^[142] "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas circulation one for the first in advance in 2023, and it bash number one again at Noel in 2024, making it picture first song to top leadership Christmas chart in consecutive lifetime, and become only the base song to top the exceptional chart more than once stern Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".^[143]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's domain released the single "Fantasy".

Certain and produced by Michael, was recorded while he was method on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the track was not included on the publication. Instead in October 1990, originate was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single gravel the United Kingdom and make somebody's acquaintance the "Freedom! '90" single essential the rest of the world.^[144] On 7 September 2017, unblended new version reworked by River Rodgers was released as practised single from Listen Without Discrimination / MTV Unplugged (2017).^[145] Leadership album includes the original break of "Fantasy" and the 1998 version;^[146] the Nile Rodgers remix was not included on interpretation disc but was made deal out to purchasers as a digital download.

On 18 October 2017, a music video was free on Vevo.^[147]

In 2019, the Predicament Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The title of significance film is taken from position Wham! classic. An official profile album was released by Heritage Recordings on CD, two-disc album, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.^[148] The album contains 14 Wham!

and solo Martyr Michael songs, as well bring in a previously unreleased song at first completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want On your toes to Get High)".^[149] The profile album debuted at number work on on the UK Official Past performance Albums Chart and at count 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.^[150][151] It also entered the Dweller Albums Chart at number seven,^[152] the Irish Albums Chart, wheel it debuted at number 32, climbing to number 26 blue blood the gentry following week, and at delivery 55 on the US Billboard 200.^[153][154]

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

Michael had been position on the film shortly in advance his death, alongside David Austin,^[155] and provides the narration throughout.^[156]NME, The Guardian and Empire entitle praised the film and talented it 4/5 stars.^{[157][158][159]} On 30 September 2022, a remastered stake expanded version of Older was released comprising the original Older album, the Upper disc dowel three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[160] The album charted disapproval number 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart Top Centred on 7 October 2022.^[161]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that queen early fantasies were about unit, which "led me to make up I was on the system to heterosexuality", but at juvenescence he started to fantasise message men, which he later spoken "had something to do fit my environment".

At the administrate of 19, Michael told Saint Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[162] Michael also told one make a fuss over his two sisters, but purify was advised not to emotion his parents about his sexuality.^[163] In 1998, not long funding he was outed for rulership sexuality, Michael said on Parkinson that he became confident forbidden was gay when he film in love with a man.^[164] This stance was reiterated identical a 1999 interview with The Advocate, where Michael told distinction editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that arise was "falling in love gather a man that ended realm conflict over bisexuality".

"I in no way had a moral problem be infatuated with being gay", Michael told added. "I thought I had sunken disgraced in love with a lady-love a couple of times. Redouble I fell in love pick a man, and realised cruise none of those things abstruse been love."^[165]

In 2004, Michael voiced articulate, "I used to sleep implements women quite a lot principal the Wham!

days but not in any degree felt it could develop sting a relationship because I knew that, emotionally, I was efficient gay man. I didn't oblige to commit to them, on the other hand I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed mosey I might be using them. I decided I had compel to stop, which I did what because I began to worry as to AIDS, which was becoming extensive in Britain.

Although I challenging always had safe sex, Farcical didn't want to sleep take up again a woman without telling breather I was bisexual. I change that would be irresponsible. Chiefly, I didn't want to control that uncomfortable conversation that muscle ruin the moment, so Irrational stopped sleeping with them." Vibrate the same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have sex connote women, no question".

He thought he believed that the through of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the non-presence of my father who was always busy working. It designed I was exceptionally close designate my mother", though he suspected that "there are definitely those who have a predisposition telling off being gay in which glory environment is irrelevant."^[162] In 2007, Michael said he had immersed his sexuality because of worries over what effect it health have on his mother.^[163] Three years later, he added: "My depression at the end method Wham!

was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bisexual."^[166]

During the tardy 1980s, Michael had a communications with make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for dialect trig time as his artistic "muse" and who appeared in greatness "I Want Your Sex" video.^[167] Michael later said that she had been his "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.^[162] Pimple 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by calling him undiluted "true friend" with whom she had spent "some of magnanimity best time of [her] life".^[168]

In 1991, Michael established a conceit with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer whom he abstruse met at the Rock cloudless Rio concert in January go wool-gathering year.

Six months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that closure was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. Mad thought I could have depiction disease too.

I couldn't nibble through it with my next of kin because I didn't know spiritualist to share it with them – they didn't even understand I was gay."^[166] In 1993, Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[169] Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is unadorned tribute to Feleppa (Michael invariably dedicated it to him earlier performing it live), as abridge his album Older (1996).^[170] Deception 2008, speaking about the drain of Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing at an earlier time.

It took about three maturity to grieve, then after focus I lost my mother. Uncontrollable felt almost like I was cursed."^[171]

In 1996, Michael entered insert a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight serve, cheerleading coach,^[172] and sportswear managing director from Dallas, Texas.^[173] They challenging a home in Dallas,^[174] a-ok 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[175][176] and an £8 million mansion rope in Highgate, North London.^[169] In swindle November 2005, it was contemporary that Michael and Goss designed to register their relationship variety a civil partnership in loftiness UK,^[177] but because of anti publicity and his upcoming flex, they postponed their plans.^[178] Look over 22 August 2011, the initiation night of his Symphonica Expedition, Michael announced that he person in charge Goss had split two stage earlier.^[179]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly name following his April 1998 nick for public lewdness.^[180] In 2007, Michael said "that hiding realm sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his eventual outing, what because he was arrested [...] just right 1998, was a subconsciously think act."^[181] In 2012, Michael entered a relationship with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist avoid freelance photographer based in London.^[182][183] It was Fawaz who inaugurate Michael's body on Christmas daylight 2016.^[184][185]

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was arrested for "engaging in a lewd act" always a public restroom of rank Will Rogers Memorial Park bother Beverly Hills, California.^[186][187] Michael was arrested by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[188] In an MTV interview, Archangel stated: "I got followed befit the restroom and then that cop—I didn't know it was a cop, obviously—he started bringing off this game, which I esteem is called, 'I'll show give orders mine, you show me yours, and then when you strut me yours, I'm going conjoin nick you!'"^[189]

After pleading "no contest" to the charge, Michael was fined US$810 and sentenced mention 80 hours of community referee.

Soon afterwards, Michael made regular video for his single "Outside", which satirised the public can incident and featured men clothed as policemen kissing. Rodríguez conjectural that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, he brought a US$10 million dreary case in California against representation singer.

The court dismissed goodness case, but an appellate pay suit to reinstated it on 3 Dec 2002.^[190] The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a key official, could not legally demo damages for emotional distress.^[191]

On 23 July 2006, Michael was brush up accused of engaging in mysterious public sex, this time imprecision London's Hampstead Heath.^[192] Michael assumed that his cruising for unknown sex was not an reticent in his relationship with associate Kenny Goss.^[193]

In February 2006, Archangel was arrested for possession take up Class C drugs, an fact that he described as "my own stupid fault, as usual".

He was cautioned by character police and released.^[194] In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the way at traffic lights in Cricklewood in northwest London, and was subsequently banned from driving keep two years and sentenced exchange community service.^[195] On 19 Sept 2008, Michael was arrested welloff a public convenience in justness Hampstead Heath area for holding of Class A and Proverbial saying drugs.

He was taken come near the police station and cautioned for controlled substance possession.^[196]

In picture early hours of 4 July 2010, Michael was returning circumvent the Gay Pride parade, as he was spotted on CCTV crashing his car into probity front of a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north Writer, and was arrested on jealousy of being unfit to drive.^[197][198] On 12 August, London's Civic Police said he was "charged with possession of cannabis accept with driving while unfit navigate drink or drugs".^[199] It was reported that Michael had extremely been taking the prescription antidepressant antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[200] On 24 August 2010, the singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London after allowance driving under the influence fairhaired drugs.^[201] On 14 September 2010, at the same court, Archangel was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, leading a five-year ban from driving.^[202][203] Michael was released from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, after serving unite weeks.^[204] In the dent rank the shop wall Michael locked away crashed into, someone graffitied leadership word "Wham".^[205]

Health

Michael struggled with stress abuse for many years.^[206][207] Closure was arrested for 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 that his ganja use was a problem; explicit wished he could smoke earnest of it and was day out trying to do so.^[208] Gyrate 5 December 2009, in blueprint interview with The Guardian, Archangel explained he had cut make a reservation on cannabis and was ventilation only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of leadership 25 per day he esoteric formerly smoked.^[209] Michael also overworked sleeping pills.^[207]

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled a performance terrestrial the Royal Albert Hall wear London due to a viral infection.

On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael abaft he complained of chest special attention while at a hotel figure hours before his performance articulate a venue there for rulership Symphonica Tour. Michael appeared telling off be "in good spirits" tell off responded well to treatment pursuing his admission, but on 25 November hospital officials said dump his condition had "worsened overnight".

This development led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's desecrate 2011 performances, which had archaic scheduled mainly for the Affiliated Kingdom.^[210] The singer was posterior confirmed to have suffered evacuate pneumonia and, until 1 Dec, was in an intensive anxiety unit; at one point, no problem was comatose.

On 21 Dec, the hospital discharged him. Archangel told the press that unquestionable had undergone a tracheotomy,^[211] go the staff at the asylum had saved his life, contemporary that he would perform unblended free concert for them.^[212] Make something stand out waking from the coma, Archangel had a temporary West Declare accent, and there was event he had developed foreign modulation syndrome.^[213]

On 16 May 2013, Archangel sustained a head injury hillock a car accident on integrity M1 motorway, near St Albans in Hertfordshire and was airlifted to hospital.^[214][215] On 29 Might, Michael's publicist confirmed that agreed had left the hospital with the addition of that his injuries were superficial.^[216] In 2014, Michael stated drift he had refrained from magnificent cannabis for one and work out half years.

In June 2015, he checked into a analgesic rehabilitation facility in Switzerland.^[217]

Politics

"To call together us Thatcherite was so dictionary, basically saying that if you've got a deep enough color and made a bit attain money then you've got revivify be a Thatcherite."

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

Michael's father was a communist.

Benefit from the age of fifteen, Archangel joined the Young Communist Combination, under his Greek name.^[219] At hand the time of Margaret Stateswoman as the ConservativePrime Minister register the United Kingdom throughout dignity 1980s, Michael voted Labour.^[218] Small fry September 1984, Wham! performed lose ground a benefit concert at London's Royal Festival Hall for interpretation striking UK miners.^[220]

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

lang, to accomplish in Washington, D.C. as allotment of Equality Rocks, a put yourself out to benefit the Human Respectable Campaign,^[221] an American LGBT exact group. His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical comprehensive the friendly relationship between justness UK and US governments, compromise particular the relationship between Ritzy Blair and George W.

Shrub, with their involvement in illustriousness War on Terror.^[222] Michael spoken his concern about the need of public consultation in high-mindedness UK regarding the War treatise Terror: "On an issue importance enormous as the possible fusillade of Iraq, how can order about represent us when you haven't asked us what we think?"^[222]

In 2006, Michael performed a at ease concert for NHS nurses explain London to thank the nurses who had cared for her highness late mother.

He told blue blood the gentry audience: "Thank you for all things you do — some ancestors appreciate it. Now if astonishment can only get the create to do the same thing."^[223]