Editing George Michael (section)

===2010s===
[[File:George Michael (2011).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Michael at the [[Royal Opera House]] in 2011]]
In early 2010, Michael performed his first concerts in Australia since 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgemichael.com/index.php?module=news&news_item_id=215 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128143845/http://georgemichael.com/index.php?module=news&news_item_id=215 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 November 2009 |title=2010 Australian Tour Announcement |publisher=GeorgeMichael.com |date=24 November 2009 |access-date=24 November 2009 }}</ref> On 20 February 2010, Michael performed his first show in [[Perth]] at the [[Burswood Dome]] to an audience of 15,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/george-michael-on-australian-stage/story-e6frf96f-1225832582934|title=George Michael on Australian stage|work=Herald Sun|date=21 February 2010|access-date=22 February 2010|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927183630/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/george-michael-on-australian-stage/news-story/318a96664dbc59a508b0db5658a5678d?nk=54567d1e350491230fea6edd93b36ed3-1601231790|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 March 2011, Michael announced the release of his cover version of [[New Order (band)|New Order]]'s 1987 hit "[[True Faith (song)|True Faith]]" in aid of the UK charity telethon [[Comic Relief]].<ref>[https://www.nme.com/news/george-michael/55243 George Michael covers New Order's 'True Faith' for Comic Relief] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313064254/http://www.nme.com/news/george-michael/55243 |date=13 March 2015 }} ''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>{{cite news|title=George Michael in 'first' Carpool Karaoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-38435578|publisher=BBC|date=26 December 2016|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-date=29 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229090320/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-38435578|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 April 2011, Michael released a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1972 song, "[[You and I (We Can Conquer the World)|You and I]]", as an MP3 gift to [[Prince William]] and [[Catherine Middleton]] on the occasion of [[Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton|their wedding on 29 April 2011]]. Although the MP3 was released for free download,<ref name="gift">[http://www.georgemichael.com/news/news_items.aspx?PostId=323130 George Covers Stevie Wonder for Will & Kate] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902135521/http://www.georgemichael.com/news/news_items.aspx?PostId=323130 |date=2 September 2011 }} 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>{{cite news |first=Jane |last=Fazackarley |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/305692 |title=George Michael releases Royal Wedding song |work=[[Digital Spy]] |date=16 April 2011 |access-date=10 January 2017 |archive-date=13 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113015915/http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/305692 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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The [[Symphonica Tour]] began at the [[Prague State Opera]] House on 22 August 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/first-night-george-michael--symphonica-tour-state-opera-house-prague-2342293.html|title=First Night: George Michael – Symphonica Tour, State Opera House, Prague|work=The Independent|location=London|date=23 August 2011|access-date=23 August 2011|first=Ben|last=Walsh|archive-date=1 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201092644/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/first-night-george-michael--symphonica-tour-state-opera-house-prague-2342293.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2011, Michael was announced as one of the final nominees for the [[Songwriter's Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://songhall.org/news/entry/1281|title=Songwriters Hall of Fame 2012 Nominees For Induction Announced|date=18 October 2011|access-date=18 October 2011|publisher=Songwriters Hall of Fame|archive-date=18 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018184025/http://songhall.org/news/entry/1281|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://viennatimes.at/news/General_News/2011-11-25/27779/George_Michael%27s_condition_worsened_overnight_say_doctors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127202805/http://viennatimes.at/news/General_News/2011-11-25/27779/George_Michael%27s_condition_worsened_overnight_say_doctors |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 November 2011 |title=George Michael's condition worsened overnight say doctors |work=Vienna Times |access-date=31 December 2011 }}</ref>

In February 2012, two months after leaving hospital, Michael made a surprise appearance at the [[2012 Brit Awards]] at [[The O2 Arena|the O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] in London, where he received a standing ovation, and presented [[Adele]] the award for Best British Album.<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/standard-pictures/the-brit-awards-2012-7446728.html?action=gallery&ino=2 "2012 BRIT Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005200634/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/standard-pictures/the-brit-awards-2012-7446728.html?action=gallery&ino=2 |date=5 October 2018 }}. ''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>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/george-michael-has-rescheduled-the-tour-dates-767216|title=George Michael reschedules cancelled tour dates after beating pneumonia|first=Jo|last=Usmar|date=20 March 2012|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195309/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/george-michael-has-rescheduled-the-tour-dates-767216|url-status=live}}</ref> The final concert of the tour—which was also the final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court]] on 17 October 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Flashback: George Michael Plays Final Encore at Last Concert|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/watch-george-michael-play-final-encore-at-last-concert-w457757|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=21 March 2018|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193039/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/watch-george-michael-play-final-encore-at-last-concert-w457757|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[Symphonica (George Michael album)|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>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26706230 |title=George Michael beats Kylie to top album chart |date=23 February 2014 |publisher=BBC |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029035559/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26706230 |url-status=live }}</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">: {{cite web|work=[[Instagram]]|title=George Michael on Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BMUccRPg4Ow/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BMUccRPg4Ow |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-access=subscription|access-date=22 January 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/george-michael-dead-new-album-film_uk_5860f47de4b0f24da6e7b2c6 "George Michael Dead: Star Had Promised Comeback Album For 2017, And Film 'Freedom' About Sony Court Battle"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227130618/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/george-michael-dead-new-album-film_uk_5860f47de4b0f24da6e7b2c6 |date=27 December 2016 }}. ''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">{{cite web|work=NME|title=George Michael planned to release new album in 2017|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/george-michael-new-album-2017-1924178|access-date=22 January 2017|date=26 December 2016|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202091735/http://www.nme.com/news/music/george-michael-new-album-2017-1924178|url-status=live}}</ref> Naughty Boy claimed that the song is "amazing but [...] bittersweet".<ref name="naughtyboy2">{{cite web|work=BBC Newsbeat|title=Naughty Boy 'won't rule out' releasing his George Michael collaboration|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38682665/naughty-boy-wont-rule-out-releasing-his-george-michael-collaboration|access-date=28 February 2017|date=19 January 2017|archive-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213024359/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38682665/naughty-boy-wont-rule-out-releasing-his-george-michael-collaboration|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 September 2017 (months after Michael's death), the single "[[Fantasy (George Michael song)|Fantasy]]", featuring [[Nile Rodgers]], was released.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/07/george-michael-new-single-fantasy-nile-rodgers|title=George Michael's new single Fantasy – a rework full of sex, funk and fabulousness|first=Ben|last=Beaumont-Thomas|date=7 September 2017|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=10 October 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010031441/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/07/george-michael-new-single-fantasy-nile-rodgers|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=1 January 2021 |title=Last Christmas by Wham! reaches No 1 for first time after 36 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/01/last-christmas-by-wham-reaches-no-1-for-first-time-after-36-years |website=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=6 January 2021 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101211212/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/01/last-christmas-by-wham-reaches-no-1-for-first-time-after-36-years |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news |title=Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill is Official Charts Number 1 Single: Singer becomes 3 x Official Charts Record Breaker with Stranger Things success |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kate-bushs-running-up-that-hill-is-official-charts-number-1-single-singer-becomes-3-x-official-charts-record-breaker-with-stranger-things-success__36605/ |access-date=17 June 2022 |publisher=Official Charts Company |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617193926/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kate-bushs-running-up-that-hill-is-official-charts-number-1-single-singer-becomes-3-x-official-charts-record-breaker-with-stranger-things-success__36605/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Last Christmas" would become the [[List of UK singles chart Christmas number ones|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>{{cite news |title=Wham! are Christmas number one for a second time |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dp6y31qppo |access-date=20 December 2024 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>