George Michael

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer-songwriter and record producer. Regarded as a pop culture icon,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> he is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. Michael was known as a creative force in songwriting,<ref name="Rubiner" /> vocal performance,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and visual presentation.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Michael rose to fame after forming the pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. He took part in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1984 and performed at the following year's Live Aid concert. His debut studio album, Faith (1987), won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and became one of the best-selling albums of all time, having sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Michael then went on to release a series of multimillion-selling albums, including Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990), Older (1996), Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (1998), Songs from the Last Century (1999), Patience (2004), and Twenty Five (2006).

Michael came out as gay in 1998, and was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal life, drug use, and legal troubles made headlines following an arrest for public lewdness in 1998 and multiple drug-related offences. The 2005 documentary A Different Story covered his career and personal life. His 25 Live tour spanned three tours from 2006 to 2008. In 2011 Michael fell into a coma during a bout with pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his final concert at London's Earls Court in 2012. Michael died of heart disease on Christmas Day in 2016, at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael scored 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Hot 100 and 13 number-one songs on the UK singles chart. His most successful singles include "Careless Whisper", "A Different Corner", "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", "Monkey", "Praying for Time", "Freedom! '90", "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", and "An Easier Affair". He won numerous music awards, including two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, and four MTV Video Music Awards. He was listed among Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time and BillboardTemplate:'s Greatest Hot 100 Artists of All Time. The Radio Academy named him the most played artist on British radio during the period 1984–2004.<ref name="auto">"George Michael dominates airwaves" Template:Webarchive. BBC. Retrieved 17 February 2018.</ref> He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.<ref name="rhall23">Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life

George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Template:Langx) on 25 June 1963, in East Finchley. He was the only son and the youngest child of three.<ref>Biography George Michael: The Making of a Superstar Bruce Dessau, London: Sidgwick & Jackson, 1989</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou,<ref name="doc1">Template:Cite AV media</ref> was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, to England in the 1950s.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, 1937–1997),<ref name="BBCM" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was an English dancer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2008, Michael told the Los Angeles Times that his maternal grandmother was Jewish, but she had married a non-Jewish man and raised their children with no knowledge of their Jewish background due to her fear during World War II.<ref name="Powers2015">Template:Cite news</ref>

Michael spent most of his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the home his parents bought soon after his birth; he attended Roe Green Junior School and Kingsbury High School.<ref>"George Michael: the superstar who doesn't take life too seriously" Template:Webarchive. The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2014</ref><ref>Bruce Dessau (1989). "George Michael: the making of a superstar". p. 8. Sidgwick & Jackson</ref> Michael had two sisters: Yioda (born 1958) and Melanie (1960–2019).<ref name=BBCM>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>"George Michael's family in bedside vigil as star battles severe pneumonia" Template:Webarchive. The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 December 2016</ref> On BBC's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that his interest in music followed an injury to his head around the age of eight.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Early music

Template:Anchor While Michael was in his early teens, the family moved to Radlett.<ref name="forunitedkingdomlovers/george-michael">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Negus/suburban-Wham">Template:Cite journal PDF Template:Webarchive Template:Free access</ref> There, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,<ref name="bbc/43783251">Template:Cite news</ref> where he, as "Yog", met, sat down next to, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley. The two had the same career ambition of being musicians.<ref name="doc1"/> Michael busked on the London Underground, performing songs such as "'39" by Queen.<ref>A Night At The Opera Template:Webarchive QueenZone.com. Retrieved 23 January 2013</ref> His involvement in the music business began with his working as a DJ, playing at the Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,<ref name="watfordobserver/5729852">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Gavin/George-Michael">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Ridgeley/Wham-Memoir">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Youngs 2016">Template:Cite web</ref> clubs, and local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. This was followed by the formation of a short-lived ska band called the Executive, with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Gould, and David Mortimer (later known as David Austin).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Wham!

File:Wham! circa 1984-1985 (editing).jpg

Michael (left) and Andrew Ridgeley as Wham!, c. 1984–1985

Michael formed the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981. On the cusp of fame, he decided to legally change his name to the more accessible George Michael.<ref name="Rubiner">Template:Cite book</ref> The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in the UK in 1983 and produced a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their second album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 on the charts in the US. Singles from that album included "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in nearly 25 countries, including the UK and US, and was Michael's first solo effort as a single.<ref name="UKCharts2">"George Michael". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 April 2011. Template:Webarchive</ref><ref name="USCharts2">[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] George Michael Album & Song Chart History] Billboard. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> In December 1984, the single "Last Christmas" was released.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1985 Michael received the first of his three Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of the Year from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.<ref>"The Ivors 1985" Template:Webarchive. The Ivors. Retrieved 8 January 2018</ref>

Michael performed on the original 1984 Band Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the song after Paul Young and Boy George sing their lines.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The song became the UK Christmas number one and Michael also donated the profits from "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with Elton John at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July 1985.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He also contributed background vocals to David Cassidy's 1985 hit "The Last Kiss", as well as Elton John's 1985 successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up". Michael cited Cassidy as a major career influence and interviewed Cassidy for David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Wembley Stadium Twin Towers.jpg

Michael performed at Live Aid at the old Wembley Stadium (exterior pictured) on 13 July 1985, and Wham! played their last concert, The Final, at the same venue on 28 June 1986.

Wham!'s tour of China in April 1985, the first visit to China by a Western popular music act, generated worldwide media coverage, much of it centred on Michael.<ref name="China"/><ref name="Tribune">Template:Cite news</ref> The headline in the Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and another great wall comes down".<ref name="Tribune"/> Before Wham!'s appearance in China, many kinds of music in the country were forbidden.<ref name="China"/> The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, had spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese officials to let the duo play.<ref name="China"/> The audience included members of the Chinese government. Chinese television presenter Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, spoke of Wham!'s historic performance: Template:Blockquote Wham! performed their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried to 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."<ref name="Evans"/> A UK embassy official in China stated "there was some lively dancing but this was almost entirely confined to younger western members of the audience."<ref name="Evans">Template:Cite news</ref> The tour was documented by film director Lindsay Anderson and producer Martin Lewis in their film Wham! in China: Foreign Skies.<ref>Wham! in China – Foreign Skies Movie Reviews Template:Webarchive Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

With the success of Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" (1984) and "A Different Corner" (1986), rumours of an impending break up of Wham! intensified. The duo officially separated in 1986, after releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from the Edge of Heaven was released in North America and Japan), plus a sell-out concert at Wembley Stadium that included the world premiere of the China film.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Wham! partnership ended officially with the commercially successful single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 on the UK chart in June 1986.<ref>Wham! Number Ones Template:Webarchive Number-ones.co.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

Solo career

1987–1989

During early 1987, at the beginning of his solo career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a one-off project that helped Michael achieve an ambition by singing with one of his favourite artists. It scored number one on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 upon its release.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Lucy Ellis, Bryony Sutherland (1998) The complete guide to the music of George Michael & Wham! p. 37. Music Sales Group, 1998</ref> For Michael, it became his third consecutive solo number one in the UK from three releases, after 1984's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually from the Wham! album Make It Big) and 1986's "A Different Corner". The single was also the first Michael had recorded as a solo artist which he had not written himself. The co-writer, Simon Climie, was unknown at the time; he later had success as a performer with the band Climie Fisher in 1988. Michael and Franklin won a Grammy Award in 1988 for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Group with Vocal for the song.<ref>"Aretha Franklin Timeline". The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

In late 1987, Michael released his debut solo album, Faith. The first single released from the album was "I Want Your Sex", in mid-1987. The song was banned by many radio stations in the UK and US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.<ref name="MTV banned">George Michael: I Want Your Sex – Banned Songs – Music Template:Webarchive Virgin Media, 27 January 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> MTV broadcast the video, featuring celebrity make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque and suspenders, only during the late night hours.<ref name="MTV banned"/> Michael argued that the act was beautiful if the sex was monogamous, and he recorded a brief prologue for the video in which he said: "This song is not about casual sex."<ref name="monogamy">Template:Usurped ANT 2301: Human Sexuality & Culture, Gravlee.org; University of Florida. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> One of the racier scenes involved Michael writing the words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back in lipstick.<ref>Video Review Template:Webarchive George Michael – The Box of Fame, 15 January 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Some radio stations played a toned-down version of the song, "I Want Your Love", with the word "love" replacing "sex".<ref name="sex/love">80s Singers: George Michael Total 80s Remix, 22 February 1999. Retrieved 21 April 2011.</ref>

When "I Want Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's title, referring to it only as "the new single by George Michael."<ref name="sex/love"/> In the US, the song was also sometimes listed as "I Want Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", since the song was featured on the soundtrack of the movie.<ref name="Gayicon">George Michael – Gay Icons Template:Webarchive AstaBGay.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Despite censorship and radio play problems, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 in the UK.<ref name="UKCharts2"/><ref>George Michael Biography Template:Webarchive LoveToKnow Music. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The second single, "Faith", was released in October 1987, a few weeks before the album. "Faith" became one of his most popular songs. The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks, becoming the best-selling single of 1988 in the US.<ref name="USCharts2"/> It also reached No. 1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> The video provided some definitive images of the 1980s music industry in the process—Michael in shades, leather jacket, cowboy boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar near a classic-design jukebox.<ref name="telegarpth">McCormick, Neil "George Michael's image will outlast the scandal" Template:Webarchive. The Daily Telegraph (London), 15 September 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

On 30 October, Faith was released in the UK and in several markets worldwide.<ref name="Gayicon"/> Faith topped the UK Albums Chart, and in the US, the album had 51 non-consecutive weeks in the top 10 of Billboard 200, including 12 weeks at No. 1. Faith had many successes, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in the US.<ref>George Michael|80s Singers. Total 80s Remix, 22 February 1999. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Faith was certified Diamond by the RIAA for sales of 10 million copies in the US.<ref>RIAA Certified Diamond Albums Template:Webarchive HBR Production. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> To date, global sales of Faith are more than 25 million units.<ref name="Upcoming yahoo">Template:Cite web</ref> The album was highly acclaimed by music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey describing it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of the finest pop albums of the '80s".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of the songs on the album, which he said "displays Michael's intuitive understanding of pop music and his increasingly intelligent use of his power to communicate to an ever-growing audience."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 1988, Michael embarked on a world tour.<ref>George Michael – Faith Remaster Template:Webarchive antiMusic.com, 12 April 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> 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 1988, earning $17.7 million.<ref>Entries – Monsters of Rock / OU812 Tour The Van Halen Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> At the 1988 Brit Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael received the first of his two awards for Best British Male Solo Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September in Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.<ref>1989 MTV Video Music Awards: Video Vanguard Award Template:Webarchive MTV. Retrieved 7 December 2011</ref> According to Michael in his film, A Different Story, success did not make him happy and he started to think there was something wrong in being an idol for millions of teenage girls. The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, tour, awards) left him exhausted, lonely and frustrated, and far from his friends and family.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1990, he told his record company Sony that, for his second album, he did not want to do promotions like the one for Faith.<ref name="GayiconII">George Michael Template:Webarchive NewMagic949.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

1990s

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September 1990. The title is an indication of his desire to be taken more seriously as a songwriter.<ref name="listenpre">Listen Without Prejudice Template:Webarchive Teen Ink. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The album was released in Europe on 3 September 1990, and one week later in the US. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart<ref name="UKCharts2"/> and peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200.<ref name="USCharts2"/> It spent a total of 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart and was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.<ref name=uk>Template:Cite web</ref> The album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying for Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the latter being his only single not to chart in the UK top 40).<ref name="UKCharts2"/> Michael refused to do any promotion for the album.<ref name="GayiconII"/> At the 1991 Brit Awards, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 won the award for Best British Album.<ref>"George Michael: 50 years in numbers" Template:Webarchive. The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 15 December 2014</ref>

The album's first single, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social ills and injustice, was released in August 1990. James Hunter of Rolling Stone magazine described the song as "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing passage of time as the only balm for physical and emotional hunger, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The song was an instant success, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 in the UK.<ref name="USCharts2"/> A video was released shortly thereafter, consisting of the lyrics on a dark background. Michael did not appear in this video or any subsequent videos for the album.<ref name="listenpre"/> The second single from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for That Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as an immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the second of only two singles from Listen Without Prejudice to be supported by a music video (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").<ref name="Freedom"/> The song alludes to his struggles with his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter to end his recording contract with Sony Music. As if to prove the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear in the video (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford to appear in and lip sync in his stead.<ref name="Freedom">SoulBounce's Class Of 1990: George Michael 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I' Template:Webarchive Soulbounce.com, 29 November 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> It also featured lyrics critical of his sex symbol status.<ref>Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 Entertainment Weekly, 14 September 1990. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US,<ref name="USCharts2"/> and No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play in the US during the first Persian Gulf War during 1991, often with radio stations mixing in callers' tributes to soldiers with the music.<ref name="GayHist">Gay History, Gay Celebrities, Gay Icons – George Michael Template:Webarchive Circa-club.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

In 1991, Michael embarked on the Cover to Cover tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brazil, where he performed at Rock in Rio.<ref name="NYcover">Reviews/Pop; George Michael's Tour, From Motown to Disco Template:Webarchive The New York Times, 28 October 1991. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The tour was not a proper promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Rather, it featured Michael singing his favourite cover songs.<ref name="NYcover"/> Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", a 1974 song by Elton John; Michael and John had performed the song together at the Live Aid concert in 1985, and again for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 March 1991, where the duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was released as a single at the end of 1991 and reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1991, Michael released an autobiography through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

An expected follow-up album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit with Sony.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Instead, Michael donated three songs to the charity project Red Hot + Dance, for the Red Hot Organization which raised money for AIDS awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was the B-side of 1992's "Too Funky". Michael donated the royalties from "Too Funky" to the same cause.<ref>George Michael Gay Life, About.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart<ref name="UKCharts2"/> and No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.<ref name="USCharts2"/>

Template:Quote box Michael performed with Queen at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium.<ref>Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness Template:Webarchive MyGnR.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The concert was a tribute to the life of the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds going to AIDS research.<ref>The Freddie Mercury Tribute: Concert for AIDS Awareness Cineman. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Michael performed "'39", "These Are the Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield and "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody to Love" was hailed as "one of the best performances of the tribute concert".<ref name="Queen's Greatest Hits 3">Queen's Greatest Hits 3 Template:Webarchive h2g2, BBC, 22 March 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref><ref name="Queen Greatest Vol 3">Queen Greatest Vol 3 Template:Webarchive AlbumLinerNotes.com, 17 January 1997. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Michael later reflected, "It was probably the proudest moment for me of my career, because it was me living out a childhood fantasy, I suppose, to sing one of Freddie's songs in front of 80,000 people."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Five Live EP<ref>[[[:Template:AllMusic]] Five Live (George Michael and Queen EP)]. AllMusic.</ref> featured five live recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Queen, and Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Days of Our Lives" were recorded at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Cover to Cover tour in 1991.<ref name="Queen's Greatest Hits 3"/><ref name="Queen Greatest Vol 3"/> All proceeds from the sale of the EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.<ref>5 Live / Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Template:Webarchive Shanes Queen Site. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Sales of the EP were strong through Europe, where it debuted at No. 1 in the UK and several European countries.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> Chart success in the US was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200 ("Somebody to Love" reached No. 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100).<ref name="USCharts2"/> The performance would later feature on Queen's compilation album Greatest Hits III.<ref>[[[:Template:AllMusic]] Queen – Greatest Hits III]. AllMusic. Retrieved 23 September 2021</ref>

During November 1994, after a long period of seclusion, Michael appeared at the first MTV Europe Music Awards show, where he gave a performance of a new song, "Jesus to a Child".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The song was a melancholy tribute to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had died in March 1993. The song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 and No. 7 on Billboard upon release in 1996.<ref name="UKCharts2"/><ref name="USCharts2"/> It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost seven 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 had not confirmed he was homosexual and did not do so until 1998. The video for "Jesus to a Child" was a picture of images recalling loss, pain and suffering. Michael consistently dedicated the song to Feleppa before performing it live.<ref>Part one Chez Nobby, Fortunecity. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

Michael released "Fastlove", an energetic tune about wanting gratification and fulfilment without commitment, in 1996. The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported by a futuristic virtual reality-related video. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks at the top spot.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.<ref name="USCharts2"/> Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third studio album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the UK, the album was particularly notable for producing a record six top three hit singles in a two-year span.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1996, Michael was voted Best British Male at the MTV Europe Music Awards and the Brit Awards;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>The Brit Awards Template:Webarchive everyHit.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> and at the British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songwriter of the Year for the third time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Michael performed a concert at Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.<ref>George Michael on Template:Webarchive TV.com, 20 December 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> It was his first long performance in years, and in the audience was Michael's mother, who died of cancer the following year.<ref>George Michael's Suicidal Thoughts After Mother's Death Template:Webarchive popdirt.com, 10 September 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (1998) was Michael's first solo greatest hits collection. The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are included on the European and Australian release) are separated into two-halves, with each containing a particular theme and mood. The first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. It was released through Sony Music Entertainment as a condition of severing contractual ties with the label.<ref name=BBCNews1>George Michael goes back to Sony Template:Webarchive BBC News, 17 November 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> It spent over 200 weeks in the UK chart, and is the 45th best-selling album ever in the UK.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is certified seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the US, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his homeland, having sold more than 2.8 million copies.<ref name="uk"/> As of 2013, the album had reached worldwide sales of approximately 15 million copies.<ref>Artist: George Michael Hip Online Template:Webarchive</ref> The first single of the album, "Outside", was a humorous song making a reference to his arrest for soliciting a policeman in a public toilet. "As", his duet with Mary J. Blige, was released as the second single in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/>

Released in 1999, Songs from the Last Century is a studio album of cover tracks. The album achieved the lowest peak of his solo efforts, peaking at No. 157 on the American Billboard 200 albums chart<ref name="USCharts2"/> and at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/>

2000s

File:George Michael and Garth Brooks (2000).jpg

Garth Brooks and Michael at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, 29 April 2000

In 2000, Michael worked on the hit single "If I Told You That" with Whitney Houston.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Michael co-produced on the single along with Rodney Jerkins.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Michael's first single from his fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.<ref>George Michael Freeek! Template:Webarchive Top40-charts.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011.</ref> His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July 2002 during the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The video for the song showed Tony Blair as George Bush's poodle.<ref>George Michael's highs and lows Template:Webarchive BBC News, 21 September 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The single's cover featured the Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live here, I pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that we are now the second most dangerous country in the world thanks to our special relationship with America."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It reached No. 1 in Denmark and made the top 5 in most European charts.<ref>George Michael Shoot The Dog Template:Webarchive Top40-charts.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> It peaked at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/>

In February 2003, Michael recorded another song in protest against the looming Iraq war, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was written by McLean in 1971 and was a protest against the Vietnam War. Michael performed the song on numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance of the song on Top of the Pops on 7 March 2003 was his first studio appearance on the programme since 1986. He ran into conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by some members of his band. McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for standing up for life and sanity".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:George Michael at Antwerp (BRAVO).jpg

Michael performing in Antwerp, Belgium, 2006

When Michael's fifth studio album, Patience, was released in 2004, it was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.<ref>Analysis: UK albums and singles market Template:Webarchive Music Week, 29 November 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> It reached the Top 5 on most European charts and peaked at No. 12 in the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a Gold certification from the RIAA.<ref name="USCharts2"/> "Amazing", the third single from the album, became a No. 1 hit in Europe.<ref>George Michael Amazing Template:Webarchive Top40-charts.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> When Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004, to promote the album, he performed "Amazing", along with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the show, Michael spoke of his arrest, the public revelation of his homosexuality, and his resumption of public performances. He allowed Oprah's crew inside his home outside London.<ref>Inside George Michael's Home Template:Webarchive Oprah.com, 1 January 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The fourth single taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance hit in Europe as well as North America, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last No. 1 single on the US Dance chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his music career.<ref>George Michael – Twentyfive CD Album Template:Webarchive CD Universe, 28 November 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Released in November 2006 by Sony BMG, it debuted at no. 1 in the UK.<ref>Number 1 albums of the 2000s Template:Webarchive everyHit.com, 16 March 2000. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

File:George Michael 02 bis.jpg

Michael onstage in Munich, 2006

During the 2005 Live 8 concert at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Paul McCartney on stage, harmonising on The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2006, Michael embarked on his first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. The tour began in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 September and finished in December at Wembley Arena in England.<ref name="25 Tour"/> On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first artist to perform live at the newly renovated Wembley Stadium in London.<ref name="Wembley">"Michael makes history at Wembley" Template:Webarchive. BBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2015</ref> On 25 March 2008, a third part of the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the US and Canada.<ref name="25 Tour">"George Michael plays "final" major shows" Template:Webarchive. The Independent. Monday 25 August 2008</ref>

Michael made his American acting debut by playing a guardian angel to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each episode of the show's first season was named after a song of his. Michael also appeared on the 2008 finale show of American Idol on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he thought Simon Cowell would say of his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell me I shouldn't have done a George Michael song. He's told plenty of people that in the past, so I think that'd be quite funny."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>24 Facts: George Michael Template:Webarchive Channel 24, 14 October 2010</ref><ref>George Michael Reflects on His Own American Idolatry Spinner, 22 May 2008</ref> On 25 December 2008, Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", on his website for free.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010s

File:George Michael (2011).jpg

Michael at the Royal Opera House in 2011

In early 2010, Michael performed his first concerts in Australia since 1988.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first show in Perth at the Burswood Dome to an audience of 15,000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release of his cover version of New Order's 1987 hit "True Faith" in aid of the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.<ref>George Michael covers New Order's 'True Faith' for Comic Relief Template:Webarchive NME, 2 March 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Michael appeared on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the first Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with the pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 15 April 2011, Michael released a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "You and I", as an MP3 gift to Prince William and Catherine Middleton on the occasion of their wedding on 29 April 2011. Although the MP3 was released for free download,<ref name="gift">George Covers Stevie Wonder for Will & Kate Template:Webarchive GeorgeMichael.com, 15 April 2011</ref> Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Template:Multiple image The Symphonica Tour began at the Prague State Opera House on 22 August 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 2011, Michael was announced as one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> In November, he had to cancel the remainder of the tour as he became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, ultimately slipping into a coma.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2012, two months after leaving hospital, Michael made a surprise appearance at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O₂ Arena in London, where he received a standing ovation, and presented Adele the award for Best British Album.<ref>"2012 BRIT Awards" Template:Webarchive. London Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 December 2014</ref> In March, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would resume in autumn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 October 2012.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Symphonica was released on 17 March 2014, and became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album in the UK, and ninth overall including his Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 2 November 2016, Michael's management team announced that a second documentary on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be released in March 2017.<ref name="InstagramFreedomDoc">: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>"George Michael Dead: Star Had Promised Comeback Album For 2017, And Film 'Freedom' About Sony Court Battle" Template:Webarchive. The Huffington Post. Retrieved 27 December 2016</ref> A month after, English songwriter Naughty Boy confirmed plans to collaborate with Michael, for a new song and album.<ref name="naughtyboy1">Template:Cite web</ref> Naughty Boy claimed that the song is "amazing but [...] bittersweet".<ref name="naughtyboy2">Template:Cite web</ref> On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), the single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Having charted at number two upon its release in 1984 (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 New Year's Day 2021 (chart week ending date 7 January 2021), more than 36 years after its initial release.<ref name=Beaumont-Thomas-2021>Template:Cite web</ref> Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its timeless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius... he would have been immensely proud and utterly thrilled."<ref name=Beaumont-Thomas-2021/> The period of 36 years taken to reach number one was a UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill" in June 2022 which took 37 years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "Last Christmas" would become the UK Christmas number one for the first time in 2023, and it hit number one again at Christmas in 2024, making it the first song to top the Christmas chart in consecutive years, and become only the third song to top the festive chart more than once after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Posthumous releases

On 7 September 2017, Michael's estate released the single "Fantasy". Written and produced by Michael, it was recorded while he was working on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the track was not included on the album. Instead in October 1990, it was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Kingdom and on the "Freedom! '90" single in the rest of the world.<ref name="rel">Template:Cite web</ref> On 7 September 2017, a new version reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single from Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged (2017).<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album includes the original version of "Fantasy" and the 1998 version;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Nile Rodgers remix was not included on the disc but was made available to purchasers as a digital download. On 18 October 2017, a music video was released on Vevo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2019, the Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. The title of the film is taken from the Wham! classic. An official soundtrack album was released by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyl, and digital formats on 8 November 2019.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album contains 14 Wham! and solo George Michael songs, as well as a previously unreleased song originally completed in 2015 titled "This Is How (We Want You to Get High)".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The soundtrack album debuted at number one on the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart and at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart on 15 November 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also entered the Australian Albums Chart at number seven,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at number 32, climbing to number 26 the following week, and at number 55 on the US Billboard 200.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

On 22 June 2022, the documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had been working on the film shortly before his death, alongside David Austin,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and provides the narration throughout.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the film and rated it 4/5 stars.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 30 September 2022, a remastered and expanded version of Older was released comprising the original Older album, the Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album charted at number 2 on the UK Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 7 October 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that his early fantasies were about women, which "led me to believe I was on the path to heterosexuality", but at puberty he started to fantasise about men, which he later said "had something to do with my environment". At the age of 19, Michael told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.<ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk">Template:Cite web</ref> Michael also told one of his two sisters, but he was advised not to tell his parents about his sexuality.<ref name="Andrew Johnson"/> In 1998, not long after he was outed for his sexuality, Michael said on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when he fell in love with a man.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> This stance was reiterated in a 1999 interview with The Advocate, where Michael told the editor-in-chief, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in love with a man that ended his conflict over bisexuality". "I never had a moral problem with being gay", Michael told her. "I thought I had fallen in love with a woman a couple of times. Then I fell in love with a man, and realised that none of those things had been love."<ref name="Wieder">Template:Cite book</ref>

In 2004, Michael said, "I used to sleep with women quite a lot in the Wham! days but never felt it could develop into a relationship because I knew that, emotionally, I was a gay man. I didn't want to commit to them, but I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed that I might be using them. I decided I had to stop, which I did when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain. Although I had always had safe sex, I didn't want to sleep with a woman without telling her I was bisexual. I felt that would be irresponsible. Basically, I didn't want to have that uncomfortable conversation that might ruin the moment, so I stopped sleeping with them." In the same interview, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have sex with women, no question". He said he believed that the formation of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence of my father who was always busy working. It meant I was exceptionally close to my mother", though he stated that "there are definitely those who have a predisposition to being gay in which the environment is irrelevant."<ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk"/> In 2007, Michael said he had hidden his sexuality because of worries over what effect it might have on his mother.<ref name="Andrew Johnson">Template:Cite news</ref> Two years later, he added: "My depression at the end of Wham! was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bisexual."<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">Template:Cite news</ref>

During the late 1980s, Michael had a relationship with make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded for a time as his artistic "muse" and who appeared in the "I Want Your Sex" video.<ref>George Michael: Six songs that defined his life Template:Webarchive, BBC, 26 December 2016</ref> Michael later said that she had been his "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.<ref name="gq-magazine.co.uk"/> In 2016, Jeung reacted to Michael's death by calling him a "true friend" with whom she had spent "some of the best time of [her] life".<ref>George Michael's Leading Ladies Share Memories, Photos of '90s Video Heyday Template:Webarchive, Billboard.com, 26 December 2016</ref>

In 1991, Michael established a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer whom he had met at the Rock in Rio concert in January that year. Six months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that he was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was terrifying news. I thought I could have the disease too. I couldn't go through it with my family because I didn't know how to share it with them – they didn't even know I was gay."<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/> In 1993, Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.<ref name="thebiographychannel.co.uk">Template:Cite web</ref> Michael's single, "Jesus to a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it to him before performing it live), as is his album Older (1996).<ref name="Hello">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, speaking about the loss of Feleppa, Michael said: "It was a terribly depressing time. It took about three years to grieve, then after that I lost my mother. I felt almost like I was cursed."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1996, Michael entered into a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight attendant, cheerleading coach,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and sportswear executive from Dallas, Texas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They had a home in Dallas,<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and an £8 million mansion in Highgate, North London.<ref name="thebiographychannel.co.uk"/> In late November 2005, it was reported that Michael and Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil partnership in the UK,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but because of negative publicity and his upcoming tour, they postponed their plans.<ref name=BBC20060726>Template:Cite news</ref> On 22 August 2011, the opening night of his Symphonica Tour, Michael announced that he and Goss had split two years earlier.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his April 1998 arrest for public lewdness.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2007, Michael said "that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his eventual outing, when he was arrested [...] in 1998, was a subconsciously deliberate act."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2012, Michael entered a relationship with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance photographer based in London.<ref name=usmagazine>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=peoplemagazine>Template:Cite news</ref> It was Fawaz who found Michael's body on Christmas morning 2016.<ref name=etmagazine>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=yahoonews>Template:Cite news</ref>

Legal troubles

On 7 April 1998, Michael was arrested for "engaging in a lewd act" in a public restroom of the Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.<ref>Sue McAllister, Pop Singer George Michael Arrested in Restroom of Beverly Hills Park, Los Angeles Times, 9 April 1998</ref><ref>John M. Glionna, Beverly Hills Steps Up Patrols to Stop Cruising, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 1998</ref> Michael was arrested by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In an MTV interview, Michael stated: "I got followed into the restroom 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 mine, you show me yours, and then when you show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"<ref>Rex Wockner George Michael's Tearoom Tale Template:Webarchive Gay Today, 9 November 1998</ref>

File:George Michael in OAKA stadium Athens (3).jpg

Michael performing "Outside" at the Olympic Stadium, Athens in 2007

After pleading "no contest" to the charge, Michael was fined US$810 and sentenced to 80 hours of community service. Soon afterwards, Michael made a video for his single "Outside", which satirised the public toilet incident and featured men dressed as policemen kissing. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In 1999, he brought a US$10 million court case in California against the singer. The court dismissed the case, but an appellate court reinstated it on 3 December 2002.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could not legally recover damages for emotional distress.<ref>"George Bust 'Bad Karma' Says US Cop", Sunday Star, 5 March 2006</ref>

On 23 July 2006, Michael was again accused of engaging in anonymous public sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.<ref>Star to sue over 'cruising' claim Template:Webarchive BBC News, 28 July 2006. Retrieved 28 October 2009</ref> Michael stated that his cruising for anonymous sex was not an issue in his relationship with partner Kenny Goss.<ref>Quote UnQuote. Gay and Lesbian Times, 10 August 2006. Retrieved 28 October 2009</ref>

In February 2006, Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs, an incident that he described as "my own stupid fault, as usual". He was cautioned by the police and released.<ref name=PinkBenjamin2006 >Template:Cite news</ref> In 2007, he pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the road at traffic lights in Cricklewood in northwest London, and was subsequently banned from driving for two years and sentenced to community service.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 19 September 2008, Michael was arrested in a public convenience in the Hampstead Heath area for possession of Class A and C drugs. He was taken to the police station and cautioned for controlled substance possession.<ref name="George Michael arrest over drugs">Template:Cite news</ref>

In the early hours of 4 July 2010, Michael was returning from the Gay Pride parade, when he was spotted on CCTV crashing his car into the front of a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.<ref name="George Michael Arrested">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Paine">Template:Cite magazine</ref> On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police said he was "charged with possession of cannabis and with driving while unfit through drink or drugs".<ref>George Michael Charged With Drug, Driving Offenses Template:Webarchive Billboard, 12 August 2010</ref> It was reported that Michael had also been taking the prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 24 August 2010, the singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London after admitting driving under the influence of drugs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 14 September 2010, at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, and a five-year ban from driving.<ref name="BBC Jailed">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Michael was released from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 October 2010, after serving four weeks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the dent in the shop wall Michael had crashed into, someone wrote the graffito "Wham!".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Health

Michael struggled with substance abuse for many years.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="Guthrie">Template:Cite news</ref> He was arrested for drug-related offences in 2006,<ref name=PinkBenjamin2006/> 2008<ref name="George Michael arrest over drugs"/> and 2010.<ref name="George Michael Arrested"/><ref name="Paine"/> In September 2007, on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished he could smoke less of it and was constantly trying to do so.<ref name="Drug is a problem, Michael admits">Template:Cite news</ref> On 5 December 2009, in an interview with The Guardian, Michael explained he had cut back on cannabis and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of the 25 per day he had formerly smoked.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Michael also abused sleeping pills.<ref name="Guthrie"/>

On 26 October 2011, Michael cancelled a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London due to a viral infection. On 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael after he complained of chest pains while at a hotel two hours before his performance at a venue there for his Symphonica Tour. Michael appeared to be "in good spirits" and responded well to treatment following his admission, but on 25 November hospital officials said that his condition had "worsened overnight". This development led to cancellations and postponements of Michael's remaining 2011 performances, which had been scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The singer was later confirmed to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an intensive care unit; at one point, he was comatose. On 21 December, the hospital discharged him. Michael told the press that he had undergone a tracheotomy,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> that the staff at the hospital had saved his life, and that he would perform a free concert for them.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After waking from the coma, Michael had a temporary West Country English accent, and there was concern he had developed foreign accent syndrome.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

On 16 May 2013, Michael sustained a head injury in a car accident on the M1 motorway, near St Albans in Hertfordshire and was airlifted to hospital.<ref name=bbc_m1>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=reuters_m1>Template:Cite news</ref> On 29 May, Michael's publicist confirmed that he had left the hospital and that his injuries were superficial.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2014, Michael stated that he had refrained from using cannabis for one and one half years. In June 2015, he checked into a drug rehabilitation facility in Switzerland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Politics

Michael's father was a communist. At the age of fifteen, Michael joined the Young Communist League, under his Greek name.<ref name="Rantzen">Template:Cite web</ref> During the time of Margaret Thatcher as the Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom throughout the 1980s, Michael voted Labour.<ref name="Lynskey"/> In September 1984, Wham! performed at a benefit concert at London's Royal Festival Hall for the striking UK miners.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2000, Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. lang, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit the Human Rights Campaign,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> an American LGBT rights group. His 2002 single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly relationship between the UK and US governments, in particular the relationship between Tony Blair and George W. Bush, with their involvement in the War on Terror.<ref name="Blair" /> Michael voiced his concern about the lack of public consultation in the UK regarding the War on Terror: "On an issue as enormous as the possible bombing of Iraq, how can you represent us when you haven't asked us what we think?"<ref name="Blair">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2006, Michael performed a free concert for NHS nurses in London to thank the nurses who had cared for his late mother. He told the audience: "Thank you for everything you do — some people appreciate it. Now if we can only get the government to do the same thing."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2007, Michael sent the £1,450,000 piano that John Lennon used to write "Imagine" around the United States on a "peace tour", displaying at places where notable acts of violence had taken place, such as Dallas' Dealey Plaza, where US President John F. Kennedy had been shot.<ref name="steinway">Template:Cite news</ref> He devoted his 2007 concert in Sofia, from his 25 Live tour to the Bulgarian nurses prosecuted in the HIV trial in Libya.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 17 June 2008, Michael said he was thrilled by California's legalisation of same-sex marriage, calling the move "way overdue".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Philanthropy

In November 1984, Michael joined other British and Irish pop stars of the era to form Band Aid, singing on the charity song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for famine relief in Ethiopia. This single became the UK Christmas number one in December 1984, holding Michael's own song, "Last Christmas" by Wham!, at No. 2.<ref name="guardian nov2012"/> "Do They Know It's Christmas?" sold 3.75 million copies in the UK and became the biggest-selling single in UK chart history, a title it held until 1997 when it was overtaken by Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997", released in tribute to Princess Diana following her death (Michael attended Diana's funeral with Elton John).<ref name="guardian nov2012">Template:Cite news</ref> Michael donated the royalties from "Last Christmas" to Band Aid and subsequently sang with Elton John at Live Aid (the Band Aid charity concert) in 1985.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1986, Michael took part in the Prince's Trust charity concert held at Wembley Arena, performing "Everytime You Go Away" alongside Paul Young.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1988, Michael participated in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium in London together with many other singers (such as Annie Lennox and Sting), performing "Sexual Healing".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

An LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the proceeds from the 1991 single "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" were divided among 10 different charities for children, AIDS and education. He was also a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Michael wore a red ribbon at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in April 1992.<ref>Sander L. Gilman Diseases & diagnoses: the second age of biology p.50. Transaction Publishers, 2010</ref><ref>Sarah E. H. Moore (2008) Ribbon culture: charity, compassion, and public awareness p.74. Palgrave Macmillan,</ref> He was instrumental in bringing the compilation CD Red Hot + Dance to fruition, contributing three original songs, with the album featuring Seal and Madonna among others.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2003, he paired up with Ronan Keating on the UK edition of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and won £32,000, after having their original £64,000 winnings halved by answering the £125,000 question incorrectly.<ref name="Telegraph-50years">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The same year, Michael joined other celebrities to support a campaign to help raise £20 million for terminally ill children run by the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity of which he was a patron. He said: "Loss is such an incredibly difficult thing. I bow down to people who actually have to deal with the loss of a child."<ref name="BBC-charity">Template:Cite news</ref>

File:5 The Grove, Highgate.jpg

5, The Grove, Michael's home in Highgate, north London, is a grade II listed building.<ref name=EngH>Template:National Heritage List for England</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

From 2005 until his death, Michael was a patron of the Swan Lifeline charity. At the time he had moved to his home in Highgate, the river at the end of his garden was occupied by swans. A neighbour, who was involved with the charity, asked him if he would be interested, and he immediately agreed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Following Michael's death, various charities revealed that Michael had privately supported them for many years. Those charities included Childline (to whom he had donated "millions"),<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="Rantzen" /> the Terrence Higgins Trust, and Macmillan Cancer Support.<ref name="Scotsman" /> Michael also donated to individuals: he reportedly called the production team of the quiz show Deal or No Deal after a contestant had revealed that she needed £15,000 to fund IVF treatment and anonymously paid for the treatment.<ref name="Scotsman">Template:Cite web</ref> Michael once tipped a student nurse working as a barmaid £5,000 because she was in debt.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> On 3 January 2017, another woman came forward and (with the permission of Michael's family) revealed he had anonymously paid for her IVF treatment after seeing her talk about her problems conceiving on an episode of This Morning in 2010. The woman gave birth to a girl in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

After his death, it was also revealed that Michael had been anonymously paying for an annual Christmas tree erected where he lived in Highgate, as well as funding the Christmas lights, for the previous decade. He was also the largest funder of Highgate's annual Fair in the Square for those ten years, donating anonymously as "a local resident".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Assets

Between 2006 and 2008, according to reports, Michael earned £48.5 million from the 25 Live tour alone.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> In July 2014, he was reported to have been a celebrity investor in a tax avoidance scheme called Liberty.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to the Sunday Times Rich List 2015 of the wealthiest British musicians, Michael was worth £105 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Death

File:Grave of George Michael in Highgate Cemetery.jpg

Grave of Michael (right) alongside his mother and sister in Highgate Cemetery

In the early hours of Christmas Day 2016, Michael died in bed at his home in Goring-on-Thames, at the age of 53. He was found by his partner, Fadi Fawaz.<ref name=etmagazine/><ref name=yahoonews/><ref name="BBC death">Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2017, a senior coroner in Oxfordshire attributed Michael's death to natural causes due to dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver disease.<ref name=causeofdeath>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Owing to the delay in determining the cause of death, Michael's funeral was held on 29 March 2017. In a private ceremony, he was buried at Highgate Cemetery in north London, on one side of his mother's grave.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His sister Melanie, who died after him three years to the day, is buried on the other side.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Aftermath

File:George Michael memorial garden, Highgate, July 2017 (3).jpg

Unofficial memorial garden outside Michael's home in Highgate, 29 July 2017

In the summer of 2017, a temporary informal memorial garden was created outside Michael's former home in The Grove, Highgate. The site, in a private square that Michael had owned, was tended by fans for approximately eighteen months until it was cleared.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In March 2019, Michael's art collection was auctioned in England for £11.3 million. The proceeds were donated to various philanthropic organisations Michael gave to while he was alive.<ref>"George Michael's art collection sells for £11.3 million at auction" Template:Webarchive. BBC. Retrieved 8 April 2019</ref>

Michael's will left most of his £97 million estate to his sisters, his father and friends. It did not include bequests to either Fawaz or to his former partner, Kenny Goss. In 2021, following legal proceedings, the trustees of Michael's estate entered into a financial settlement with Goss.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Tributes

File:Elton John - Twickenham Stoop - Saturday 3rd June 2017 EltonTwicStoop030617-14 (34287287133).jpg

Elton John performing a tribute to Michael at Twickenham, London, in June 2017

Elton John was among those who paid tribute to Michael, emotionally addressing the audience in Las Vegas on 28 December, "What a singer, what a songwriter. But more than anything as a human being he was one of the kindest, sweetest, most generous people I've ever met."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on 12 February 2017, Adele performed a slow version of "Fastlove" in tribute to Michael.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 22 February, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin performed "A Different Corner" at the 2017 Brit Awards.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In June, Michael's close friend, former Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell, released a charity single, "Angels in Chains", a tribute to him, to raise money for Childline.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2020, Michael was commemorated with a mural in his native borough of Brent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The artwork, which formed part of the Brent Biennial, was commissioned to pay tribute to his contribution to the fields of music and entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Artist Dawn Mellor said it celebrates the singer as a pioneering cultural and LGBTQ+ figure.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2024, the Royal Mint unveiled a collectable coin featuring Michael wearing his trademark sunglasses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Awards and achievements

Template:Main Michael won numerous music awards throughout his 30-year career, including five Brit Awards—winning Best British Male Artist twice, four MTV Video Music Awards, six Ivor Novello Awards, four American Music Awards (including two in the traditionally-black Soul/R&B category<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>), and two Grammy Awards from eight nominations.<ref>George Michael Template:Webarchive Rock on the Net. Retrieved 18 February 2011</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2015, he was ranked 45th in BillboardTemplate:'s list of the "Greatest Hot 100 Artists of All Time".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The Radio Academy stated that Michael was the most frequently played artist on British radio during the period 1984–2004.<ref name="auto"/> In 2019, Michael was named as the greatest artist of all time by Smooth Radio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, Michael was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 3 May 2023, Michael was selected as an inductee to the 2023 class alongside Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, The Spinners, Missy Elliott and Rage Against the Machine.<ref name="GeorgeHall1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="George Hall2">Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2023, Michael was inducted into the Hall, with Andrew Ridgeley as his induction presenter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Discography and record sales

At the time of his death, Michael was estimated to have sold between 100 million and 125 million records worldwide.<ref name="sky1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="prn1">Template:Cite press release</ref> As a solo artist, he is estimated to have sold over 100 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="sky1"/> He is estimated to have sold up to 30 million records with Wham!.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> His debut solo album Faith sold more than 25 million copies.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Template:Main Template:See also Solo discography

• Faith (1987)
• Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990)
• Older (1996)
• Songs from the Last Century (1999)
• Patience (2004)

Wham! discography

• Fantastic (1983)
• Make It Big (1984)
• Music from the Edge of Heaven (1986)

Tours

• The Faith Tour (1988–89)
• Cover to Cover (1991)
• 25 Live (2006–08)
• George Michael Live in Australia (2010)
• Symphonica Tour (2011–12)

See also

• Imagine Piano Peace Project
• List of artists with the most UK singles chart number ones
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of best-selling music artists
• Panayiotou v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd.

External links

• Template:Official website
• Template:IMDb name
• Template:AllMusic
• George Michael lyrics at Music Lyrics
• Template:Discogs artist