Ailidh mackay biography of george michael

Symphonica was released on 17 Marchand became Michael's seventh solo No. The album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last production credit. On 7 SeptemberMichael's estate released the single " Fantasy ". However, the track was not included on the album. On 18 Octobera music video was released on Vevo. Inthe Emma Thompson -written film Last Christmas was released.

The title of the film is taken from the Wham! An official soundtrack album was released by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyland digital formats on 8 November On 22 Junethe documentary film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had been working on the film shortly before his death, alongside David Austin[ ] and provides the narration throughout.

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. Then I fell in love with a man, and realised that none of those things had been love.

InMichael said, "I used to sleep with women quite a lot in the Wham! I didn't want to commit to them, but I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed that I might be using them. Although I had always had safe sexI 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.

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. During the late s, 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.

InMichael 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 ailidh mackay biography of george michael because I didn't ailidh mackay biography of george michael how to share it with them — they didn't even know I was gay.

It took about three years to grieve, then after that I lost my mother. I felt almost like I was cursed. InMichael entered into a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight attendant, cheerleading coach, [ ] and sportswear executive from DallasTexas. Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his April arrest for public lewdness.

Soon afterwards, Michael made a video for his single " Outside ", which satirised the public toilet incident and featured men dressed as policemen kissing. The court dismissed the case, but an appellate court reinstated it on 3 December On 23 JulyMichael was again accused of engaging in anonymous public sexthis time at London's Hampstead Heath. In FebruaryMichael was arrested for possession of Class C drugsan incident that he described as "my own stupid fault, as usual".

He was cautioned by the police and released. He was taken to the police station and cautioned for controlled substance possession. In the early hours of 4 JulyMichael 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.

Michael struggled with substance abuse for many years. 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 performances, which had been scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom. On 21 December, the hospital discharged him. Michael told the press that he had undergone a tracheotomy[ ] that the staff at the hospital had saved his life, and that he would perform a free concert for them.

On 16 MayMichael sustained a head injury in a car accident on the M1 motorwaynear St Albans in Hertfordshire and was airlifted to hospital. In Junehe checked into a drug rehabilitation facility in Switzerland. Michael's father was a communist. Bushwith their involvement in the War on Terror. InMichael 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. Kennedy had been shot. 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. From until his death, Michael was a patron of the Swan Lifeline charity.

At the time he had moved to his home in Highgate, he had swans in the river at the end of his garden. A neighbour, who was involved with the charity, asked him if he would be interested, and he immediately agreed. 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"[ ] [ ] the Terrence Higgins Trustand Macmillan Cancer Support.

The woman gave birth to a girl in 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".

In the early hours of Christmas DayMichael died in bed at his home in Goring-on-Thamesat the age of He was found by his partner, Fadi Fawaz. Owing to the delay in determining the cause of death, Michael's funeral was held on 29 March In a private ceremony, he was buried at Highgate Cemetery in north London, on one side of his mother's grave.

In the summer ofa 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. The proceeds were donated to various philanthropic organisations Michael gave to while he was alive.

It did not include bequests to either Fawaz or to his former partner, Kenny Goss. Infollowing legal proceedings, the trustees of Michael's estate entered into a financial settlement with Goss. 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. InMichael was commemorated with a mural in his native borough of Brent. At the time of his death, Michael was estimated to have sold between million and million records worldwide. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read View source View history.

Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikinews Wikiquote Wikidata item. English singer-songwriter — For other people named George Michael, see George Michael disambiguation. Michael performing in Houston East FinchleyMiddlesexEngland. Goring-on-ThamesEngland. Boogie Box High. George Michael's voice.

Musical artist. Main article: Wham! Michael at the closing ceremony of the London Summer Olympics. LED lights during Michael's performance of his single " Freedom! Sexuality and relationships. Main article: List of awards and nominations received by George Michael. Discography and record sales. Main article: George Michael discography.

See also: Wham! See also: List of George Michael live performances. Desert Island Discs. BBC Radio 4. Archived from the original on 27 February Retrieved 18 January Archived from the original on 23 October Retrieved 3 March Sky News. Archived from the original on 26 December Retrieved 27 December Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 August Retrieved 3 August Gale Research, Incorporated.

As a solo artist George Michael has been hailed as a leading creative force in popular songwriting. With fame approaching, Michael decided to change his name from the intimidating Georgios Panayiotou to the more accessible George Michael. Smooth Radio. Retrieved 5 July Archived from the original on 26 October Retrieved 6 July Archived from the original on 19 August Retrieved 10 April Chicago Tribune.

Archived from the original on 12 April Retrieved 12 April The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 April Archived from the original on 9 June Retrieved 14 June Retrieved 17 February The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 5 May Retrieved 3 May Twentyfive Live LLP. Archived from the original on 13 September He was in a long-term relationship with American businessman Kenny Goss for 13 years, which ended in Their relationship was often in the spotlight, and Michael spoke openly about the impact Goss had on his life and artistry.

Following his split from Goss, Michael began a relationship with celebrity hairstylist Fadi Fawaz, a connection that became increasingly public. This relationship persisted until Michael's untimely death in Despite the media attention surrounding his romantic life, Michael was known for his desire to maintain privacy. His relationships often sparked discussions about his identity, particularly after he publicly came out as gay in This announcement followed a high-profile incident that thrust him into the spotlight for reasons beyond his music.

Over the course of his career, he generated substantial income from album sales, concert tours, and royalties from his extensive catalog of hit songs. His debut solo album, "Faith", was a massive success, selling over 25 million copies globally and solidifying Michael as a household name. Additionally, the late s and s proved lucrative for him as he continued to release chart-topping singles and albums, consistently attracting large audiences for his live performances.

Throughout his career, Michael not only accumulated wealth but also demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy. His altruism went beyond monetary contributions; he often personally engaged with those less fortunate, reflecting his values and dedication to making a difference. It was written and December 4, Wham! May 14, Wham!

Make It Big was another huge success, hitting number one in The song, written by George Michael and April The dispute never went to trial. In the end Wham! December By the end of Wham! July 23, Club Tropicana was released as a single. A video directed by Duncan Gibbins was made at Pikes July 9, Wham! November 4, Wham! The impact of Wham!

George attended Bushey Meads School, a secondary Read More. April 10, George came out to the general public. June 18, Wham! May 31, Wham! July 13, Wham! May 2, Bad Boys — Wham! June 16, Wham! Enjoy What You Do was released. March 24, Wham! Funzionale Funzionale Sempre attivo L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono strettamente necessari al fine legittimo di consentire l'uso di un servizio specifico esplicitamente richiesto dall'abbonato o dall'utente, o al solo scopo di effettuare la trasmissione di una comunicazione su una rete di comunicazione elettronica.

Despite some setbacks, George's world tour was a triumph. His next album, "Listen Without Prejudice"received a lukewarm response, leading to a legal battle between George and Sony.

Ailidh mackay biography of george michael

Rumors about his sexual orientation intensified during this time. George struggled with his own identity, fearing disappointing his mother, whose brother was gay and died by suicide. The song was included in his album "Older," which sold over 15 million copies. InGeorge began a relationship with athlete Kenny Goss. However, scandal erupted in when George was arrested for engaging in a lewd act in a public restroom.

This incident negatively impacted his popularity.