George Michael (1963

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"MTV News Interview on Fame in America" — 2004

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Biography

George Michael was an English singer-songwriter and record producer. Regarded as a pop culture icon, he is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. Michael was known as a creative force in songwriting, vocal performance, and visual presentation. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. The Radio Academy named him the most played artist on British radio during the period 1984–2004.

Timeline

The story of George Michael, told in moments.

1963 Birth

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in East Finchley, London. His father, a Greek Cypriot immigrant, ran a restaurant. George met Andrew Ridgeley at Bushey Meads School. They started performing together at 12.

Greek Cypriot immigrant father running a restaurant. Was music rebellion? Meeting Andrew Ridgeley at twelve. Did you know it was the start?

1984 Event

"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" hits No. 1 in the U.S. and U.K. for Wham! He's 21. "Careless Whisper" follows as a solo release. He wrote the melody on a bus at 17. It sells six million copies worldwide.

Writing 'Careless Whisper' on a bus at seventeen. Did the melody arrive whole? Six million copies. Did the solo hit overshadow Wham!?

1987 Event

Faith is released. The title track, "Father Figure," "One More Try," and "Monkey" all hit No. 1. The album sells 25 million copies. He grows stubble, wears a leather jacket, and carries a different image from the Wham! years.

Stubble, leather jacket. Was killing the Wham! image deliberate? 25 million copies of Faith. Did that silence doubters?

1998 Event

Arrested by an undercover officer in a Beverly Hills public restroom. He goes on CNN and comes out publicly. Then writes "Outside," a single that makes fun of the whole incident. It goes to No. 2 in the U.K.

Arrested, then going on CNN to come out. Did you feel liberated? Writing 'Outside' to mock the whole incident. Was humor your armor?

2016 Death

Found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames on Christmas Day. He was 53. The coroner rules dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver. After his death, stories emerge of millions in anonymous charitable donations he'd kept secret for decades.

Millions in secret charitable donations. Why keep them hidden? Dying on Christmas Day. Does the timing feel cruel?

In Their Own Words (6)

Are you gay? No? Then fuck off! This is my culture!

On the occasion of being confronted by a paparazzo when cruising on Hampstead Heath (2006), reported in Richard Smith and Steve Pafford, 'George Talks: His Frankest Interview Ever', Gay Times (July 2007), 2006

I have to be honest here, I'm not really interested in selling records to people who are homophobic. I don't need the approval of people who don't approve of me.

Interview with Oprah Winfrey (2004), reported in Luke Henriques Gomes, "George Michael: from tortured star to pop icon", The New Daily (December 26, 2016)., 2004

I spent the first half of my career being accused of being gay when I hadn't had anything like a gay relationship. So I spent my years growing up being told what my sexuality was really— which was kind of confusing.

CNN Interview (April 1998), reported in Kara Fox, "1998: George Michael comes out in CNN interview", CNN (December 26, 2016)., 1998

I guess somewhere along the way He must have let us all out to play Turned his back, and all God's children Crept out the back door

Praying for Time, 1990

I've had enough of danger And people on the streets I'm looking out for angels Just trying to find some peace Now I think it's time That you let me know So if you love me Say you love me But if you don't just let me go...

One More Try, 1987