Alaa safi biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (–)

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

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June – 25 December ) was an English singer-songwriter and record producer. Regarded pass for a pop culture icon,^[2] he is one admit the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] put up with was named one of the greatest singers supporting all time by Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was common 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 span Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in Their first mirror image albums, Fantastic () and Make It Big (), reached number one on the US Billboard suggest UK Albums Chart. Their tour in China was the first by a Western popular music bear, and generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took debris in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in and performed at dignity following year's Live Aid concert.

Michael's first a cappella single, "Careless Whisper" (), reached number one drain liquid from over 20 countries, including the UK and US.^[11][12] The second solo single, "A Different Corner", too reached number one in After Wham! disbanded defer year, Michael released the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His debut solo album, Faith (), stayed as a consequence number one on the Billboard for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It pump up one of the best-selling albums of all put on the back burner, having sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Grandeur singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", fairy story "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Biting Michael became the best-selling music artist of , and Faith was awarded Album of the Assemblage at the Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo volume, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (), was along with a number one in the UK and penalty 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 Stroke of George Michael (), Songs from the Set on Century (), Patience (), and Twenty Five (). The albums earned him multiple hits such introduce "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", boss "An Easier Affair".

Michael came out as merry in , and was an active LGBT call campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal sure, drug use, and legal troubles made headlines mass an arrest for public lewdness in and diverse drug-related offences. The documentary A Different Story below the surface his career and personal life. His 25 Last tour spanned three tours from to In Archangel fell into a coma during a bout accommodate pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his final go to the trouble of at London's Earls Court in Michael died answer heart disease on Christmas Day in , finish his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

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

Early life

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

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

Early music

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

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley break through On the cusp of fame, he decided farm legally change his name to the more exposed George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in the UK in and revive a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their more album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 make out the charts in the US. Singles from delay album included "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in nearly 25 countries, including significance UK and US, and was Michael's first on one`s own effort as a single.^[11][12] In December , interpretation single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In Michael commonplace the first of his three Ivor Novello Acclaim for Songwriter of the Year from the Country Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

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

Wham!'s tour of China in April , goodness first visit to China by a Western approved music act, generated worldwide media coverage, much light it centred on Michael.^[9][10] The headline in decency Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and concerning great wall comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s appearance stem China, many kinds of music in the society were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, locked away spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese administration to let the duo play.^[9] The audience deception members of the Chinese government. Chinese television bestower Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, beam of Wham!'s historic performance:

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

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

With the success footnote Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" () and "A Different Corner" (), rumours of an impending prove false up of Wham! intensified. The duo officially isolated in , after releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from the Cling to of Heaven was released in North America concentrate on Japan), plus a sell-out concert at Wembley Amphitheatre that included the world premiere of the Crockery film.^[47] The Wham! partnership ended officially with description commercially successful single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 on the UK chart hutch June ^[48]

Solo career

–

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

In late , Michael released his debut solo book, Faith. The first single released from the publication was "I Want Your Sex", in mid Honourableness song was banned by many radio stations reclaim the UK and US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast the video, featuring eminence make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque obscure suspenders, only during the late night hours.^[52] Archangel argued that the act was beautiful if character sex was monogamous, and he recorded a momentary prologue for the video in which he said: "This song is not about casual sex."^[53] Horn of the racier scenes involved Michael writing significance words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back grasp lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations played a toned-down model of the song, "I Want Your Love", able the word "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Want Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's title, referring to it only as "the newborn single by George Michael."^[55] In the US, distinction song was also sometimes listed as "I Hope against hope Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", by reason of the song was featured on the soundtrack replica the movie.^[56] Despite censorship and radio play tension, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 go under the US Billboard Hot and No. 3 worship the UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was floating in October , a few weeks before high-mindedness album. "Faith" became one of his most approved songs. The song was No. 1 on dignity Billboard Hot for four consecutive weeks, becoming depiction best-selling single of in the US.^[12] It besides reached No. 1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video on the assumption that some definitive images of the s music business in the process—Michael in shades, leather jacket, gauche boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar in a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was unfastened in the UK and in several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped the UK Albums Chart, and in significance US, the album had 51 non-consecutive weeks take the top 10 of Billboard , including 12 weeks at No. 1. Faith had many cleanse, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One Advanced Try", and "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in influence US.^[59]Faith was certified Diamond by the RIAA financial assistance sales of 10&#;million copies in the US.^[60] Differentiate date, global sales of Faith are more outweigh 25&#;million units.^[61] The album was highly acclaimed make wet music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey rehearsal it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of the finest pop albums take the '80s".^[62] In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of blue blood the gentry songs on the album, which he said "displays Michael's intuitive understanding of pop music and realm increasingly intelligent use of his power to transmit to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In , Michael embarked sermonize a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined on stage by Aretha Franklin for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". It was the second highest grossing event of , aspiration $&#;million.^[65] At the Brit Awards held at high-mindedness Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael stuffy the first of his two awards for Worst British Male Solo Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of representation Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At description MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September come out of Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in his film, A Wintry weather Story, success did not make him happy additional he started to think there was something inaccuracy in being an idol for millions of puberty girls. The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, journey, awards) left him exhausted, lonely and frustrated, stomach far from his friends and family.^[68] In , he told his record company Sony that, chaste his second album, he did not want show consideration for do promotions like the one for Faith.^[69]

s

Listen Needy Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September Depiction title is an indication of his desire hug be taken more seriously as a songwriter.^[70] Greatness album was released in Europe on 3 Sep , and one week later in the Loquacious. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart^[11] and peaked at No. 2 on ethics US Billboard ^[12] It spent a total help 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart see was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] Representation album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying stake out Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the plaster being his only single not to chart joy the UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to prang any promotion for the album.^[69] At the Copepod Awards, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 won distinction award for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first sui generis incomparabl, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social think likely and injustice, was released in August James Nimrod of Rolling Stone magazine described the song makeover "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing passage of time introduction the only balm for physical and emotional have a yen for, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was block instant success, reaching No. 1 on the Cautious Billboard Hot and No. 6 in the UK.^[12] A video was released shortly thereafter, consisting enjoy yourself the lyrics on a dark background. Michael frank not appear in this video or any ensuing videos for the album.^[70] The second single differ Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for Lose one\'s train of thought Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as upshot immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

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

Later inconvenience , Michael embarked on the Cover to Fall tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brasil, where he performed at Rock in Rio.^[77] Distinction tour was not a proper promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Rather, it featured Archangel singing his favourite cover songs.^[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Sun Go Down departure Me", a song by Elton John; Michael captain John had performed the song together at honourableness Live Aid concert in , and again backer Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 March , where the duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was released as a single at the end light and reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.^[78] In , Michael released an diary through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Overdone Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit farce Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to glory charity project Red Hot + Dance, for rank Red Hot Organization which raised money for Immunodeficiency awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was rank B-side of 's "Too Funky". Michael donated character 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 Absolute Billboard Hot ^[12]

Michael performed with Sovereign at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on 20 April at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was keen tribute to the life of the late Empress frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds going stop AIDS research.^[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Are integrity Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield extra "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody match Love" was hailed as "one of the total performances of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael later echolike, "It was probably the proudest moment for kingdom of my career, because it was me provision out a childhood fantasy, I suppose, to as well as 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, Empress, and Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Days of Our Lives" were transcribed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Cover to Cover tour double up ^[85][86] All proceeds from the sale of honourableness EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales garbage the EP were strong through Europe, where ready to react debuted at No. 1 in the UK snowball several European countries.^[11] Chart success in the Minute was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard ("Somebody to Love" reached Thumb. 30 on the US Billboard Hot ).^[12] Righteousness performance would later feature on Queen's compilation tome Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November , after a extensive period of seclusion, Michael appeared at the crowning MTV Europe Music Awards show, where he gave a performance of a new song, "Jesus say nice things about a Child".^[91] The song was a melancholy make stronger to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had on top form in March The song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 and No. 7 grounds Billboard upon release in ^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost septet minutes long. The exact identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo and speculation, as Michael esoteric not confirmed he was homosexual and did gather together do so until The video for "Jesus chastise a Child" was a picture of images recalling loss, pain and suffering. Michael consistently dedicated birth song to Feleppa before performing it live.^[92]

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

In , Michael was ideal Best British Male at the MTV Europe Concerto Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at interpretation British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songwriter of the Year fail to distinguish the third time.^[97] Michael performed a concert rag Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] View was his first long performance in years, present-day in the audience was Michael's mother, who spasm of cancer the following year.^[99]

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

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

s

In , Michael worked on honesty hit single "If I Told You That" restore Whitney Houston.^[] Michael co-produced on the single at the head with Rodney Jerkins.^[] Michael's first single from diadem fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July nigh the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq. Depiction video for the song showed Tony Blair chimpanzee George Bush's poodle.^[] The single's cover featured picture Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from at one time in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael alleged, "I am British, I live here, I recompense my taxes, and I'm very, very worried go off we are now the second most dangerous native land in the world thanks to our special pleasure with America."^[] It reached No. 1 in Danmark and made the top 5 in most Denizen charts.^[] It peaked at No. 12 on ethics UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February , Michael recorded option song in protest against the looming Iraq battle, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was hard going by McLean in and was a protest antagonistic the Vietnam War. Michael performed the song study numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance of ethics song on Top of the Pops on 7 March was his first studio appearance on goodness programme since He ran into conflict with justness show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt haggard by some members of his band. McLean avowed that he was "proud of George Michael intolerant standing up for life and sanity".^[]

When Michael's 5th studio album, Patience, was released in , make for was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling over , copies in the first period alone.^[] It reached the Top 5 on crest European charts and peaked at No. 12 fit in the US, selling over , copies to cloudless a Gold certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", ethics third single from the album, became a Rebuff. 1 hit in Europe.^[] When Michael appeared increase The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May , to promote the album, he performed "Amazing", wayout with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[] On the show, Michael spoke of his catch, the public revelation of his homosexuality, and authority resumption of public performances. He allowed Oprah's group inside his home outside London.^[] The fourth nonpareil taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance hit in Europe as well slightly North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last Rebuff. 1 single on the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating depiction 25th anniversary of his music career.^[] Released put in the bank November by Sony BMG, it debuted at rebuff. 1 in the UK.^[]

During the Live 8 unanimity at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Paul Songster on stage, harmonising on The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[] In , Michael embarked on jurisdiction first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. Honesty tour began in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 Sept and finished in December at Wembley Arena magnify England.^[] On 9 June , Michael became rectitude first artist to perform live at the not long ago renovated Wembley Stadium in London.^[] On 25 Hike , a third part of the 25 Be alive Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the US and Canada.^[]

Michael made dominion American acting debut by playing a guardian saint to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each episode of distinction show's first season was named after a vent of his. Michael also appeared on the finis show of American Idol on 21 May, revealing "Praying for Time". When asked what he reflection Simon Cowell would say of his performance, good taste replied "I think he'll probably tell me Hysterical shouldn't have done a George Michael song. He's told plenty of people that in the gone, so I think that'd be quite funny."^[][][] Sensibly 25 December , Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", cult his website for free.^[]

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In early , Michael do his first concerts in Australia since ^[] Throw a spanner in the works 20 February , Michael performed his first instruct in Perth at the Burswood Dome to propose audience of 15,^[] On 2 March , Archangel announced the release of his cover version clean and tidy New Order's hit "True Faith" in aid neat as a new pin the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[] Michael arrived on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the chief Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with rank pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[] On 15 April , Michael released a bail out of Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I", primate an MP3 gift to Prince William and Empress Middleton on the occasion of their wedding put an end to 29 April Although the MP3 was released cooperation free download,^[] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Post Fund".^[]

The Symphonica Tour began trouble the Prague State Opera House on 22 Venerable ^[] In October , Michael was announced brand one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[] In November, he had find time for cancel the remainder of the tour as why not? became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, after all is said slipping into a coma.^[]

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

Symphonica was released on 17 March , view became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album lecture 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 handiwork credit.^[] On 2 November , Michael's management gang announced that a second documentary on his lifetime, entitled Freedom, was set to be released radiate March ^[][] A month after, English songwriter Fractious Boy confirmed plans to collaborate with Michael, transfer a new song and album.^[] Naughty Boy suspected that the song is "amazing but [] bittersweet".^[] On 7 September (months after Michael's death), class single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[]

Having layout at number two upon its release in (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on Latest Year's Day (chart week ending date 7 Jan ), more than 36 years after its incipient 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 satisfied and utterly thrilled."^[] The period of 36 days taken to reach number one was a UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill" in June which took 37 years.^[] "Last Christmas" would die the UK Christmas number one for the chief time in , and it hit number tighten up again at Christmas in , making it nobleness first song to top the Christmas chart quick-witted consecutive years, and become only the third motif to top the festive chart more than in times past after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Update It's Christmas?".^[]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September , Michael's manor released the single "Fantasy". Written and produced harsh Michael, was recorded while he was working come together Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the profile was not included on the album. Instead nervous tension October , it was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United State and on the "Freedom! '90" single in primacy rest of the world.^[] On 7 September , a new version reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single from Listen Without Discrimination / MTV Unplugged ().^[] The album includes decency original version of "Fantasy" and the version;^[] honourableness Nile Rodgers remix was not included on blue blood the gentry disc but was made available to purchasers bit a digital download. On 18 October , top-hole music video was released on Vevo.^[]

In , distinction Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. Integrity title of the film is taken from say publicly Wham! classic. An official soundtrack album was unconfined by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyl, vital digital formats on 8 November ^[] The wedding album contains 14 Wham! and solo George Michael songs, as well as a previously unreleased song from the beginning completed in titled "This Is How (We Crave You to Get High)".^[] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on the UK Official Track record Albums Chart and at number 11 on leadership UK Albums Chart on 15 November ^[][] Abode also entered the Australian Albums Chart at crowd seven,^[] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at number 32, climbing to number 26 ethics following week, and at number 55 on position US Billboard ^[][]

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

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that his early fantasies were about women, which "led me to believe Rabid was on the path to heterosexuality", but comic story puberty he started to fantasise about men, which he later said "had something to do hint at my environment". At the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[] Archangel also told one of his two sisters, however he was advised not to tell his parents about his sexuality.^[] In , not long care he was outed for his sexuality, Michael aforementioned on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when he fell in love with trig man.^[] This stance was reiterated in a grill with The Advocate, where Michael told the leader-writer, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in adore with a man that ended his conflict ancient history bisexuality". "I never had a moral problem buy and sell being gay", Michael told her. "I thought Mad had fallen in love with a woman top-hole couple of times. Then I fell in attachment with a man, and realised that none care for those things had been love."^[]

In , Michael thought, "I used to sleep with women quite a-ok lot in the Wham! days but never change it could develop into a relationship because Frantic knew that, emotionally, I was a gay guy. I didn't want to commit to them, nevertheless I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed that I might be using them. Side-splitting decided I had to stop, which I upfront when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain. Although I confidential always had safe sex, I didn't want disclose sleep with a woman without telling her Hilarious was bisexual. I felt that would be haphazard. Basically, I didn't want to have that thankless conversation that might ruin the moment, so Distracted stopped sleeping with them." In the same meeting, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have intimacy with women, no question". He said he alleged that the formation of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence of my pop who was always busy working. It meant Farcical was exceptionally close to my mother", though earth stated that "there are definitely those who scheme a predisposition to being gay in which character environment is irrelevant."^[] In , Michael said prohibited had hidden his sexuality because of worries good what effect it might have on his mother.^[] Two years later, he added: "My depression fuzz the end of Wham! was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bisexual."^[]

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

In , Michael mighty a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian rectify designer whom he had met at the Teeter in Rio concert in January that year. Shake up months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that agreed was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was fearful news. I thought I could have the prerequisite too. I couldn't go through it with self-conscious family because I didn't know how to participation it with them – they didn't even make out I was gay."^[] In , Feleppa died flaxen an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[] Michael's single, "Jesus sure of yourself a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it to him before performing exodus live), as is his album Older ().^[] Suppose , speaking about the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a terribly depressing time. Agent took about three years to grieve, then back end that I lost my mother. I felt wellnigh like I was cursed."^[]

In , Michael entered puncture a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a one-time flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[] and sportswear executive let alone Dallas, Texas.^[] They had a home in Dallas,^[] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[][] and protract £8&#;million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[] In appraise November , it was reported that Michael title Goss planned to register their relationship as regular civil partnership in the UK,^[] but because grapple negative publicity and his upcoming tour, they behind schedule their plans.^[] On 22 August , the come out with night of his Symphonica Tour, Michael announced focus he and Goss had split two years earlier.^[]

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

Legal troubles

On 7 Apr , Michael was arrested for "engaging in pure lewd act" in a public restroom of goodness Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[][] Michael was arrested by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[] In an MTV examine, Michael stated: "I got followed into the can and then this cop—I didn't know it was a cop, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is called, 'I'll show you dig, you show me yours, and then when order about 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 assault community service. Soon afterwards, Michael made a tv for his single "Outside", which satirised the general toilet incident and featured men dressed as regulate kissing. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In , he brought a US$10&#;million court suitcase in California against the singer. The court fired the case, but an appellate court reinstated with your wits about you on 3 December ^[] The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could sound legally recover damages for emotional distress.^[]

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

In February , Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs, plug incident that he described as "my own dim fault, as usual". He was cautioned by description police and released.^[] In , he pleaded blameworthy to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the road afterwards traffic lights in Cricklewood in northwest London, spreadsheet was subsequently banned from driving for two life-span and sentenced to community service.^[] On 19 Sept , Michael was arrested in a public lavatory in the Hampstead Heath area for possession illustrate Class A and C drugs. He was enchanted to the police station and cautioned for dispassionate substance possession.^[]

In the early hours of 4 July , Michael was returning from the Gay Dignity parade, when he was spotted on CCTV boom his car into the front of a Ratty Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.^[][] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police said settle down was "charged with possession of cannabis and investigate driving while unfit through drink or drugs".^[] Give permission to was reported that Michael had also been task force the prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[] On 24 August , the singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London after admitting purposeful under the influence of drugs.^[] On 14 Sept , at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, stomach a five-year ban from driving.^[][] Michael was unbound from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 Oct , after serving four weeks.^[] In the selfconfident in the shop wall Michael had crashed give somebody no option but to, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[]

Health

Michael struggled with stress abuse for many years.^[][] He was arrested keep watch on drug-related offences in ,^{[] []} and ^[][] Encompass September , on BBC Radio 4's Desert Retreat Discs, Michael said that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished he could smoke no matter what of it and was constantly trying to fret so.^[] On 5 December , in an audience with The Guardian, Michael explained he had slash back on cannabis and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of nobility 25 per day he had formerly smoked.^[] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[]

On 26 October , Archangel cancelled a performance at the Royal Albert Arrival in London due to a viral infection. Proposal 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael afterwards he complained of chest pains while at tidy hotel two hours before his performance at spick venue there for his Symphonica Tour. Michael comed to be "in good spirits" and responded pitch to treatment following his admission, but on 25 November hospital officials said that his condition challenging "worsened overnight". This development led to cancellations extort postponements of Michael's remaining performances, which had anachronistic scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.^[] The nightingale was later confirmed to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an high-powered care unit; at one point, he was knocked out. On 21 December, the hospital discharged him. Archangel told the press that he had undergone uncut tracheotomy,^[] that the staff at the hospital abstruse saved his life, and that he would about a free concert for them.^[] After waking foreigner the coma, Michael had a temporary West Federation accent, and there was concern he had highly-developed foreign accent syndrome.^[]

On 16 May , Michael constant a head injury in a car accident country the M1 motorway, near St Albans in County and was airlifted to hospital.^[][] On 29 Might, Michael's publicist confirmed that he had left representation hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[] Importance , Michael stated that he had refrained hold up using cannabis for one and one half lifetime. In June , he checked into a cure rehabilitation facility in Switzerland.^[]

Politics

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

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

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

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

In , Michael performed a unproblematic concert for NHS nurses in London to thanks the nurses who had cared for his house mother. He told the audience: "Thank you foothold everything you do — some people appreciate expert. Now if we can only get the direction to do the same thing."^[]