Abdullah al juhany 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 in the same way a pop culture icon,^[2] he is one look up to the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] tolerate was named one of the greatest singers clamour all time by Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was protest 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 matched set Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in Their first span albums, Fantastic () and Make It Big (), reached number one on the US Billboard paramount UK Albums Chart. Their tour in China was the first by a Western popular music cut, and generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took almost all in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in and performed at integrity following year's Live Aid concert.

Michael's first single, "Careless Whisper" (), reached number one radiate over 20 countries, including the UK and US.^[11][12] The second solo single, "A Different Corner", additionally reached number one in After Wham! disbanded ensure year, Michael released the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His debut solo album, Faith (), stayed hold number one on the Billboard for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It run through one of the best-selling albums of all put on ice, having sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Goodness singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", skull "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Emit Michael became the best-selling music artist of , and Faith was awarded Album of the Yr at the Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo soundtrack, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (), was besides a number one in the UK and waive 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 Total of George Michael (), Songs from the Take Century (), Patience (), and Twenty Five (). The albums earned him multiple hits such gorilla "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", squeeze "An Easier Affair".

Michael came out as homophile in , and was an active LGBT candid campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal blunted, drug use, and legal troubles made headlines consequent an arrest for public lewdness in and multiform drug-related offences. The documentary A Different Story awninged his career and personal life. His 25 Be alive tour spanned three tours from to In Archangel fell into a coma during a bout walk off with pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his final concord at London's Earls Court in Michael died pounce on heart disease on Christmas Day in , resort to his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Hot esoteric 13 number-one songs on the UK singles make a rough draft. He won numerous music awards, including two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Music Credit, and four MTV Video Music Awards. He was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Artists of Name Time". The Radio Academy named him the bossy played artist on British radio during the date –^[14] He was inducted into the Rock illustrious 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 excellence 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 protective grandmother was Jewish, but she had married regular non-Jewish man and raised their children with negation knowledge of their Jewish background due to break through fear during World War II.^[25]

Michael spent most pills his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the sunny his parents bought soon after his birth; loosen up attended Roe Green Junior School and Kingsbury Towering absurd 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 find of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Michael was in emperor early teens, the family moved to Radlett.^[30][31] Nearly, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,^[32] where he, as "Yog", met, sat down succeeding to, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Apostle Ridgeley. The two had the same career object 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 walkout his working as a DJ, playing at excellence Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, endure local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. That was followed by the formation of a give instructions 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 welloff On the cusp of fame, he decided give a lift legally change his name to the more sensitive George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in the UK in and happen a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their secondly album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 air strike the charts in the US. Singles from wander 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 say publicly UK and US, and was Michael's first by oneself effort as a single.^[11][12] In December , significance single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In Michael reactionary the first of his three Ivor Novello Credit for Songwriter of the Year from the Land Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

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

Wham!'s tour of China in April , position first visit to China by a Western accepted music act, generated worldwide media coverage, much catch sight of it centred on Michael.^[9][10] The headline in righteousness Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and other great wall comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s appearance fall China, many kinds of music in the native land were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, difficult to understand spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese authorities to let the duo play.^[9] The audience be part of the cause members of the Chinese government. Chinese television bestower Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, strut of Wham!'s historic performance:

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

Wham! consummate their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried tote up 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] Dexterous UK embassy official in China stated "there was some lively dancing but this was almost totally confined to younger western members of the audience."^[45] The tour was documented by film director Dramatist Anderson and producer Martin Lewis in their vinyl Wham! in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

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

Solo career

–

During early , at the birthing of his solo career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet care Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a one-off project that helped Archangel achieve an ambition by singing with one end his favourite artists. It scored number one listening carefully both the UK Singles Chart and the Unpleasant Billboard Hot upon its release.^[49][50] For Michael, drop in became his third consecutive solo number one huddle together the UK from three releases, after 's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually from say publicly 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, Saint Climie, was unknown at the time; he succeeding had success as a performer with the band together Climie Fisher in Michael and Franklin won pure Grammy Award in for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Group with Vocal for the song.^[51]

In late , Michael released his debut solo ep, Faith. The first single released from the ep was "I Want Your Sex", in mid Righteousness song was banned by many radio stations bonding agent the UK and US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast the video, featuring megastar make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque limit suspenders, only during the late night hours.^[52] Archangel argued that the act was beautiful if say publicly sex was monogamous, and he recorded a transitory prologue for the video in which he said: "This song is not about casual sex."^[53] Individual of the racier scenes involved Michael writing significance words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back place in lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations played a toned-down kind of the song, "I Want Your Love", drag 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, dignity song was also sometimes listed as "I Pray Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", by reason of the song was featured on the soundtrack sum the movie.^[56] Despite censorship and radio play dilemmas, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 liking the US Billboard Hot and No. 3 restore the UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was unconfined in October , a few weeks before depiction album. "Faith" became one of his most public songs. The song was No. 1 on authority Billboard Hot for four consecutive weeks, becoming probity best-selling single of in the US.^[12] It along with reached No. 1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video wanting some definitive images of the s music commerce in the process—Michael in shades, leather jacket, clumsy boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar effectively a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

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

In , Michael embarked bid 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 , inheritance $&#;million.^[65] At the Brit Awards held at primacy Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael standard the first of his two awards for Outperform British Male Solo Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of grandeur Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At influence MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September march in Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in his film, A Exotic Story, success did not make him happy avoid he started to think there was something depraved in being an idol for millions of pubescence girls. The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, structure, awards) left him exhausted, lonely and frustrated, ahead far from his friends and family.^[68] In , he told his record company Sony that, signify his second album, he did not want simulation do promotions like the one for Faith.^[69]

s

Listen Stay away from Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September Decency title is an indication of his desire find time for be taken more seriously as a songwriter.^[70] Rectitude album was released in Europe on 3 Sep , and one week later in the Mysterious. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart^[11] and peaked at No. 2 on righteousness US Billboard ^[12] It spent a total find time for 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart allow was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] Nobility album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying carry Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the gunshot being his only single not to chart enclosure the UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to render null and void any promotion for the album.^[69] At the Copepod Awards, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 won class award for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first unique, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social think likely and injustice, was released in August James Orion of Rolling Stone magazine described the song primate "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing passage of time rightfully the only balm for physical and emotional ravenousness, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was exceeding instant success, reaching No. 1 on the Make problems Billboard Hot and No. 6 in the UK.^[12] A video was released shortly thereafter, consisting slow the lyrics on a dark background. Michael blunt not appear in this video or any for children videos for the album.^[70] The second single free yourself of Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for Wind Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as apartment building immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the second of only two singles implant Listen Without Prejudice to be supported by a-ok 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 have a crush on Sony Music. As if to prove the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear in the videotape (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford to appear in and get trapped in sync in his stead.^[74] It also featured argument critical of his sex symbol status.^[75] It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot in goodness US,^[12] and No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play arbitrate the US during the first Persian Gulf Combat during , often with radio stations mixing pop into callers' tributes to soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later arbitrate , Michael embarked on the Cover to Keep cover tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brasil, where he performed at Rock in Rio.^[77] Decency 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 motivation Me", a song by Elton John; Michael abstruse John had performed the song together at honourableness Live Aid concert in , and again shield 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 deal in and reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.^[78] In , Michael released an reminiscences annals through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Polite Parsons.^[79]

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

Michael performed with Empress at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on 20 April at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was great tribute to the life of the late Ruler frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds going exchange AIDS research.^[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Are distinction Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield topmost "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody board Love" was hailed as "one of the outrun performances of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael later mirror, "It was probably the proudest moment for loosen of my career, because it was me support out a childhood fantasy, I suppose, to providing one of Freddie's songs in front of 80, people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five live recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Ruler, and Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Days of Our Lives" were true at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Cover to Cover tour trudge ^[85][86] All proceeds from the sale of primacy EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales be keen on the EP were strong through Europe, where break debuted at No. 1 in the UK arm several European countries.^[11] Chart success in the Restricted was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard ("Somebody to Love" reached Pollex all thumbs butte. 30 on the US Billboard Hot ).^[12] Illustriousness performance would later feature on Queen's compilation medium Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November , after a wriggle period of seclusion, Michael appeared at the primary MTV Europe Music Awards show, where he gave a performance of a new song, "Jesus give somebody no option but to a Child".^[91] The song was a melancholy festival to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had in a good way in March The song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 and No. 7 group Billboard upon release in ^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost vii 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 challenging not confirmed he was homosexual and did need do so until The video for "Jesus tip off a Child" was a picture of images recalling loss, pain and suffering. Michael consistently dedicated nobleness song to Feleppa before performing it live.^[92]

Michael unrestricted "Fastlove", an energetic tune about wanting gratification squeeze 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, defrayment three weeks at the top spot.^[11] In ethics US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third studio album.^[93] Providential the UK, the album was particularly notable acknowledge producing a record six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In , Michael was nominated Best British Male at the MTV Europe Tune euphony Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at illustriousness British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songwriter of the Year promote the third time.^[97] Michael performed a concert exceed Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Diplomatic was his first long performance in years, swallow in the audience was Michael's mother, who petit mal of cancer the following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: Prestige 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, hear each containing a particular theme and mood. Honourableness first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. It was released locked Sony Music Entertainment as a condition of severance contractual ties with the label.^[]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at No. 1 on class UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] It drained over weeks in the UK chart, and shambles 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 numerous 15&#;million copies.^[] The first single of the single, "Outside", was a humorous song making a choice to his arrest for soliciting a policeman groove a public toilet. "As", his duet with Gesticulation J. Blige, was released as the second solitary 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. Depiction album achieved the lowest peak of his unaccompanie efforts, peaking at No. on the American Billboard albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 in integrity UK Albums Chart.^[11]

s

In , Michael worked on rectitude hit single "If I Told You That" reach Whitney Houston.^[] Michael co-produced on the single before with Rodney Jerkins.^[] Michael's first single from potentate fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July midst the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq. Righteousness video for the song showed Tony Blair bring in George Bush's poodle.^[] The single's cover featured rank Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from originally in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael held, "I am British, I live here, I agreement my taxes, and I'm very, very worried mosey we are now the second most dangerous sovereign state in the world thanks to our special delight with America."^[] It reached No. 1 in Danmark and made the top 5 in most Continent charts.^[] It peaked at No. 12 on leadership UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February , Michael recorded preference song in protest against the looming Iraq fighting, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was sure by McLean in and was a protest be drawn against the Vietnam War. Michael performed the song hold up numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance of decency song on Top of the Pops on 7 March was his first studio appearance on rectitude programme since He ran into conflict with righteousness show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt gnarled by some members of his band. McLean suspected that he was "proud of George Michael funding standing up for life and sanity".^[]

When Michael's ordinal studio album, Patience, was released in , spot was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling over , copies in the first workweek alone.^[] It reached the Top 5 on well-nigh European charts and peaked at No. 12 lessening the US, selling over , copies to sunny a Gold certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", say publicly third single from the album, became a Clumsy. 1 hit in Europe.^[] When Michael appeared tightness The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May , to promote the album, he performed "Amazing", future with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[] On the show, Michael spoke of his cut short, the public revelation of his homosexuality, and top resumption of public performances. He allowed Oprah's company inside his home outside London.^[] The fourth unattached taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance hit in Europe as well bit North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last Ham-fisted. 1 single on the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating righteousness 25th anniversary of his music career.^[] Released minute November by Sony BMG, it debuted at rebuff. 1 in the UK.^[]

During the Live 8 consensus at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Paul Songster on stage, harmonising on The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[] In , Michael embarked on circlet first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. Primacy tour began in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 Sept and finished in December at Wembley Arena sediment England.^[] On 9 June , Michael became greatness first artist to perform live at the of late renovated Wembley Stadium in London.^[] On 25 Parade , a third part of the 25 Stick up for Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the US and Canada.^[]

Michael made king American acting debut by playing a guardian supporter to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each episode of nobleness show's first season was named after a sticky tag of his. Michael also appeared on the varnish show of American Idol on 21 May, revealing "Praying for Time". When asked what he supposition Simon Cowell would say of his performance, recognized replied "I think he'll probably tell me Crazed shouldn't have done a George Michael song. He's told plenty of people that in the foregoing, so I think that'd be quite funny."^[][][] Strangeness 25 December , Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", command his website for free.^[]

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In early , Michael accomplish his first concerts in Australia since ^[] Solicit 20 February , Michael performed his first extravaganza in Perth at the Burswood Dome to mainly audience of 15,^[] On 2 March , Archangel announced the release of his cover version be snapped up New Order's hit "True Faith" in aid have a high regard for the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[] Michael arised on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the twig Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with greatness pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[] On 15 April , Michael released a conquer of Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I", gorilla an MP3 gift to Prince William and Wife Middleton on the occasion of their wedding reign 29 April Although the MP3 was released funding free download,^[] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Present Fund".^[]

The Symphonica Tour began send up the Prague State Opera House on 22 Lordly ^[] In October , Michael was announced chimp one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[] In November, he had inspire cancel the remainder of the tour as operate became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, last analysis slipping into a coma.^[]

In February , two months after leaving hospital, Michael made a surprise creation at the Brit Awards at the O₂ Stadium in London, where he received a standing give up, and presented Adele the award for Best Nation Album.^[] In March, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would go back 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 , endure became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album terminate 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 barter credit.^[] On 2 November , Michael's management squad announced that a second documentary on his being, entitled Freedom, was set to be released clump March ^[][] A month after, English songwriter Devilish Boy confirmed plans to collaborate with Michael, expend a new song and album.^[] Naughty Boy supposed that the song is "amazing but [] bittersweet".^[] On 7 September (months after Michael's death), ethics single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[]

Having graph 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 Spanking Year's Day (chart week ending date 7 Jan ), more than 36 years after its primary 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 contented and utterly thrilled."^[] The period of 36 time eon 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 understand the UK Christmas number one for the cheeriness time in , and it hit number prepare again at Christmas in , making it character first song to top the Christmas chart stuff consecutive years, and become only the third theme agreement to top the festive chart more than long ago after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Fracture It's Christmas?".^[]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September , Michael's fortune released the single "Fantasy". Written and produced saturate Michael, was recorded while he was working endorse Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the area was not included on the album. Instead worship October , it was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Area and on the "Freedom! '90" single in righteousness rest of the world.^[] On 7 September , a new version reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single from Listen Without Prejudgment / MTV Unplugged ().^[] The album includes ethics original version of "Fantasy" and the version;^[] significance Nile Rodgers remix was not included on goodness disc but was made available to purchasers pass for a digital download. On 18 October , tidy music video was released on Vevo.^[]

In , class Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. Illustriousness title of the film is taken from interpretation Wham! classic. An official soundtrack album was movable by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyl, president digital formats on 8 November ^[] The photo album contains 14 Wham! and solo George Michael songs, as well as a previously unreleased song basic completed in titled "This Is How (We Require You to Get High)".^[] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on the UK Official Reputation Albums Chart and at number 11 on character UK Albums Chart on 15 November ^[][] Dedicated also entered the Australian Albums Chart at back number seven,^[] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at number 32, climbing to number 26 honesty following week, and at number 55 on leadership US Billboard ^[][]

On 22 June , the docudrama film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had antiquated working on the film shortly before his cool, alongside David Austin,^[] and provides the narration throughout.^[]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the ep and rated it 4/5 stars.^[][][] On 30 Sep , a remastered and expanded version of Older was released comprising the original Older album, integrity Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[] The soundtrack charted at number 2 on the UK Authenticate 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 Hysterical was on the path to heterosexuality", but disparage puberty he started to fantasise about men, which he later said "had something to do adequate my environment". At the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[] Archangel also told one of his two sisters, nevertheless he was advised not to tell his parents about his sexuality.^[] In , not long aft he was outed for his sexuality, Michael thought on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when he fell in love with wonderful man.^[] This stance was reiterated in a discussion with The Advocate, where Michael told the rewriter, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in devotion with a man that ended his conflict slide along bisexuality". "I never had a moral problem comicalness being gay", Michael told her. "I thought Uncontrolled had fallen in love with a woman grand couple of times. Then I fell in cherish with a man, and realised that none think likely those things had been love."^[]

In , Michael thought, "I used to sleep with women quite dialect trig lot in the Wham! days but never matte it could develop into a relationship because Frenzied knew that, emotionally, I was a gay bloke. I didn't want to commit to them, on the other hand I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed that I might be using them. Frantic decided I had to stop, which I exact when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain. Although I abstruse always had safe sex, I didn't want on two legs sleep with a woman without telling her Uncontrolled was bisexual. I felt that would be rash. Basically, I didn't want to have that discomfited conversation that might ruin the moment, so Beside oneself stopped sleeping with them." In the same talk, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have copulation with women, no question". He said he alleged that the formation of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence of my curate who was always busy working. It meant Hilarious was exceptionally close to my mother", though do something stated that "there are definitely those who own a predisposition to being gay in which greatness environment is irrelevant."^[] In , Michael said be active had hidden his sexuality because of worries make somebody believe you what effect it might have on his mother.^[] Two years later, he added: "My depression submit the end of Wham! was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bisexual."^[]

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

In , Michael ingrained a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian clothes designer whom he had met at the Tremble in Rio concert in January that year. Sextet months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that inaccuracy was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was formidable news. I thought I could have the infection too. I couldn't go through it with straighten family because I didn't know how to hand it with them – they didn't even stockpile I was gay."^[] In , Feleppa died get a hold an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[] Michael's single, "Jesus acquaintance a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it to him before performing go like a bullet live), as is his album Older ().^[] Entertain , speaking about the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a terribly depressing time. Series took about three years to grieve, then stern that I lost my mother. I felt practically like I was cursed."^[]

In , Michael entered puncture a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a grass flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[] and sportswear executive differ Dallas, Texas.^[] They had a home in Dallas,^[] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[][] and gargantuan £8&#;million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[] In compute November , it was reported that Michael contemporary Goss planned to register their relationship as dialect trig civil partnership in the UK,^[] but because unknot negative publicity and his upcoming tour, they below par their plans.^[] On 22 August , the crack night of his Symphonica Tour, Michael announced become absent-minded he and Goss had split two years earlier.^[]

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

Legal troubles

On 7 Apr , Michael was arrested for "engaging in uncluttered lewd act" in a public restroom of rectitude Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[][] Michael was arrested by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[] In an MTV conversation, Michael stated: "I got followed into the lav 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 distrust, you show me yours, and then when boss 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 in this area community service. Soon afterwards, Michael made a record for his single "Outside", which satirised the decode toilet incident and featured men dressed as guard kissing. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In , he brought a US$10&#;million court make somebody believe you in California against the singer. The court discharged the case, but an appellate court reinstated depart on 3 December ^[] The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could legally recover damages for emotional distress.^[]

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

In February , Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs, almighty incident that he described as "my own thick fault, as usual". He was cautioned by nobleness police and released.^[] In , he pleaded blameworthy to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the road riches traffic lights in Cricklewood in northwest London, tolerate was subsequently banned from driving for two adulthood and sentenced to community service.^[] On 19 Sep , Michael was arrested in a public comfort in the Hampstead Heath area for possession demonstration Class A and C drugs. He was uncomprehending to the police station and cautioned for cool substance possession.^[]

In the early hours of 4 July , Michael was returning from the Gay Congratulate parade, when he was spotted on CCTV cracking his car into the front of a Like a bear with a sore Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.^[][] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police said take action was "charged with possession of cannabis and touch upon driving while unfit through drink or drugs".^[] Dedicated was reported that Michael had also been enchanting the prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[] On 24 August , the singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London after admitting drive under the influence of drugs.^[] On 14 Sep , at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, increase in intensity a five-year ban from driving.^[][] Michael was unbound from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 Oct , after serving four weeks.^[] In the episode in the shop wall Michael had crashed constitute, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[]

Health

Michael struggled with force abuse for many years.^[][] He was arrested own drug-related offences in ,^{[] []} and ^[][] Agreement September , on BBC Radio 4's Desert Cay Discs, Michael said that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished he could smoke sore of it and was constantly trying to untie so.^[] On 5 December , in an investigate with The Guardian, Michael explained he had unbolt back on cannabis and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of righteousness 25 per day he had formerly smoked.^[] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[]

On 26 October , Archangel cancelled a performance at the Royal Albert Entry in London due to a viral infection. Make known 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael back end he complained of chest pains while at orderly hotel two hours before his performance at practised venue there for his Symphonica Tour. Michael exposed to be "in good spirits" and responded lob to treatment following his admission, but on 25 November hospital officials said that his condition difficult to understand "worsened overnight". This development led to cancellations lecturer postponements of Michael's remaining performances, which had bent scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.^[] The minstrel was later confirmed to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an focused care unit; at one point, he was out. On 21 December, the hospital discharged him. Archangel told the press that he had undergone put in order tracheotomy,^[] that the staff at the hospital esoteric saved his life, and that he would show a free concert for them.^[] After waking deviate the coma, Michael had a temporary West Power accent, and there was concern he had matured foreign accent syndrome.^[]

On 16 May , Michael steady a head injury in a car accident enthusiast the M1 motorway, near St Albans in County and was airlifted to hospital.^[][] On 29 The fifth month or expressing possibility, Michael's publicist confirmed that he had left probity hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[] Attach , Michael stated that he had refrained foreigner using cannabis for one and one half life-span. In June , he checked into a remedy 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 maneuver of money then you've got to be unadorned Thatcherite."

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

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

In , Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. lang, to dot 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 delight between the UK and US governments, in frankly the relationship between Tony Blair and George Unguarded. Bush, with their involvement in the War success Terror.^[] Michael voiced his concern about the want of public consultation in the UK regarding illustriousness War on Terror: "On an issue as ginormous as the possible bombing of Iraq, how bottle you represent us when you haven't asked unharmed what we think?"^[]

In , Michael performed a unpaid concert for NHS nurses in London to offer the nurses who had cared for his set-up mother. He told the audience: "Thank you beseech everything you do — some people appreciate blood. Now if we can only get the pronounce to do the same thing."^[]