George Michael was a singer, composer, and record producer from the United Kingdom. George Michael rose to international prominence in the 1980s as a member of the musical duet Wham! and later enjoyed enormous success as a solo artist. His deep voice, appealing pop compositions, and engaging lyrics have earned him acclaim. George Michael's big singles and albums include "Careless Whisper," "Faith," "Freedom! '90," and "Father Figure." His songs frequently incorporated elements of pop, R&B, soul, and dance. George Michael's strong vocals and compassionate words captivated audiences all around the world. George Michael was well noted for his generosity and activism. He was an outspoken supporter of several charity causes, including AIDS research, children's organizations, and LGBTQ+ rights. He was honest about his sexuality and rose to prominence in the LGBTQ+ community. In this article, we will learn about George Michael’s bio, career, early life, net worth, relationship, reason for death, and many more.
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Early life of George Michael
George Michael was born on June 25, 1963, in East Finchley, London, England, as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. He was the child of English dancer Lesley Angold and Greek Cypriot restaurateur Kyriacos Panayiotou. Melanie and Yioda were George Michael's sisters. George Michael exhibited an early interest in music as a child. He went to Kingsbury High School in London, where he met Andrew Ridgeley, a future Wham! bandmate. They became good friends and began producing music together.
George Michael's family fostered his musical aspirations during his childhood, and he played in neighborhood bands and school talent events. He sang and played a variety of instruments, including guitar, keyboards, and drums.
After finishing his schooling, George Michael concentrated on his music career, eventually becoming a successful solo performer. Despite these difficulties, George Michael's ability, passion, and perseverance propelled him to become one of the most renowned and influential artists of his age.
Career of George Michael
George Michael's career with the musical duo Wham! was extremely successful and contributed greatly to his total renown. Wham! was founded in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley when they were still minors. They began by performing in bars and small venues, eventually gaining a fan base. Wham! sprang to prominence with their breakthrough single "Wham Rap! Young Guns (Go for It!) and Bad Boys were the songs that came after "Enjoy What You Do" in 1982. These songs perfectly captured the band's upbeat youth and contagious pop vibe. Wham! reached international fame in 1984 with their album "Make It Big," which featured the legendary singles "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and "Careless Whisper." Several nations' charts were topped by the album.
Wham! continued to chart with hit singles such as "Freedom," "Everything She Wants," and "The Edge of Heaven." Their music was recognized for its catchy choruses, contagious melodies, and energetic manner, which reflected the 1980s attitude. Wham! was known for their dynamic and vibrant live performances. They went on major concert tours, such as "The Big Tour" in 1985, which brought them throughout the world and cemented their position as pop sensations. Wham! became synonymous with 1980s lively pop culture. They were noted for their trendy appearance, vibrant music videos, and lively dance routines that captured the spirit of the day. Wham! announced their breakup in 1986, and they staged their farewell concert at Wembley Stadium that year. The breakup gave George Michael the opportunity to pursue a successful solo career.
- Solo Career of George Michael
Following the dissolution of Wham! in 1986, George Michael went on a tremendously successful solo career that cemented his legacy as a music star. "Faith," George Michael's debut solo album, was released in 1987. The record was a huge hit, peaking at number one in various countries. It included popular tracks such as "Faith," "Father Figure," and "Careless Whisper," which showcased his deep vocals and compositional abilities. George Michael continuously delivered successful albums and chart-topping songs throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. His ability to explore a variety of musical styles was evident on albums like "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" (1990), "Older" (1996), and "Patience" (2004).
Through his songs, George Michael used his platform to highlight social and political concerns. Songs such as "Praying for Time" (1990), "Jesus to a Child" (1996), and "Outside" (1998) addressed issues of societal injustice, personal struggle, and sexual liberation. Throughout his career, George Michael teamed with a number of performers, creating unforgettable duets. Collaborations with Elton John include "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and "As" with Mary J. Blige.
- Philanthropy
George Michael was well-known for his humanitarian efforts and devotion to a variety of charity projects. George Michael was a well-known champion for HIV/AIDS education and support. He actively supported organizations such as the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK's largest HIV charity. The proceeds from his hit "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" were donated to the foundation. George Michael took part in a number of charity singles and events to raise cash for a variety of organizations. One of the most noteworthy instances is the 1984 Band-Aid charity track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in which he teamed with other musicians to collect funds for Ethiopian famine relief.
George Michael backed organizations concerned with the well-being and health of children. He donated the revenues from his "White Light" single to The Sun's 'Helping Hand' fundraiser, which aids children in need. George Michael was an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights who utilized his position to promote awareness and help the community. His song "Outside" was inspired by his own experiences and has now become an anthem for LGBTQ+ people. George Michael helped in humanitarian assistance activities, notably those in the aftermath of natural catastrophes. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, he donated the proceeds from his song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to relief efforts.
- Recognition and Awards of George Michael
Throughout his career, George Michael garnered various honors and honors in acknowledgment of his musical skill and services to the business. He received the following noteworthy awards and prizes:
- When Aretha Franklin and George Michael sang "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" in 1988, they won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and in 1989, "Faith" won Album of the Year.
- George Michael won several Brit Awards over his career, including those for Outstanding Contribution to Music, Best British Album, and Best British Male Solo Artist.
- Numerous MTV Video Music Awards went to George Michael, including Video of the Year for "Freedom! '90" and Best Direction for "Father Figure."
- He was named Songwriter of the Year and International Hit of the Year by the Ivor Novello Awards, which celebrate excellence in British song composition.
- Michael received the Classic Songwriter Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Q Awards.
- George Michael was elected into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2017.
- George Michael was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2004 for his services to music and charity activity.
- Legal and drug issues of George Michael
George Michael was arrested for drug possession in 2006 after being discovered slumped over the wheel of his automobile in London. He was accused of having Class C substances in his possession, especially cannabis, and GHB. He pled guilty and received community service as well as a two-year driving suspension. He was arrested and admonished for narcotics possession again in 2008. George Michael was arrested for lewd behavior in a public lavatory in Beverly Hills, California, in 1998. This incident sparked a high-profile judicial lawsuit and a lot of media attention. He pled not guilty and was fined and sentenced to community service.
After ramming his car into a shop in London in 2010, George Michael was detained for driving under the influence. He pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to eight weeks in jail as well as a five-year driving suspension.
- Death of George Michael
George Michael died at the age of 53 on December 25, 2016. Fadi Fawaz, his companion, found George dying on his own bed at his house in London in the morning of Christmas. He died naturally as a result of Heart disease and a fatty liver. Fans around the world were shocked and saddened by his passing since he was one of the most accomplished and adored musicians of his generation.
- Posthumous releases
Following George Michael's death, many posthumous releases were released to memorialize his musical legacy. "Fantasy" (with Nile Rodgers): This was George Michael's first posthumous record, published in 2017. It was a remastered version of a previously unseen 1990 tune. "Listen Without Prejudice/MTV Unplugged": In addition to a live CD of his 1996 MTV Unplugged performance, George Michael's 1990 album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" was reissued in 2017. "Last Christmas" soundtrack: In 2019, a film titled "Last Christmas" was released that was inspired by George Michael's music. Various George Michael and Wham! songs appear on the soundtrack.
The 2019 track "This is How (we want you to get high)" was used in the movie "Last Christmas." It was George Michael's final original recording to be made and released before his death. The documentary film Freedom Uncut was made available on June 22, 2022. Together with David Austin, Michael had been working on the movie just before he passed away, and he narrates the entire thing. The original Older album, the Upper disc, and three additional CDs with remixes and live recordings of Older-era songs were all included in the remixed and extended edition of Older that was published on September 30, 2022.
Relationship of George Michael
Throughout his life, George Michael was in several different partnerships. In the early 1990s, George Michael was dating Brazilian fashion designer Anselmo Feleppa. They fell in love after meeting in 1991. Tragically, AIDS-related complications caused Feleppa's death in 1993. George Michael was greatly impacted by this loss, which had an impact on his subsequent songs. George Michael began a committed connection with American art dealer Kenny Goss following the passing of Anselmo Feleppa. From 1996 through 2009, they shared a devoted relationship. The couple separated in 2011, although they remained good friends. George Michael dated a hairdresser named Fadi Fawaz in the latter years of his life. Their relationship began in 2012, and they remained together till George Michael's passing.
George Michael finally came out as gay
Longtime Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley claims that Michael's choice to conceal his sexual orientation until finally coming out on live TV in 1998 did more harm than good for the "Faith" singer. According to Ridgeley, it is "fairly unarguable," she said in an interview with People that was released on Wednesday, July 5. He stressed that it came at a personal cost, something I don't believe he ever fully accepted. Fear of "how his father would react, along with the press and the label," Ridgeley claimed, was the driving force behind Michael's choice to postpone his coming out. He was full of ifs and buts, but the truth is that he suffered personally as a result of the decision to keep his sexual orientation a secret.
George Michael publicly came out as gay in 1998. Prior to this, his sexuality had been a subject of speculation and rumor. In an interview with CNN, he stated, "I don't feel any shame... I feel stupid and I feel reckless and weak for having allowed my sexuality to be exposed this way, but I don't feel any shame whatsoever." His announcement was seen as a significant moment for LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in the music industry.
Net worth of George Michael
George Michael, an English musician, record producer, composer, and philanthropist, passed away with a fortune of $200 million. As a member of the musical duet Wham!, he gained notoriety in the 1980s before pursuing a solo career.
George Michael did not use social media during his lifetime because he wished to keep his privacy. However, after his death, his estate has controlled his official social media sites, which are used to give information and memorialize his legacy. Some of the official accounts include:
Biography of George Michael
George Michael was born on June 25, 1963, in East Finchley, London, England, as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. He died on December 25, 2016, at the age of 53 on his own bed at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. He follows Christianity as a religion.
Trivia of George Michael
- Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou was George Michael's birth name.
- George Michael began his musical career as part of the duet Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley.
- As a solo artist, he had a huge success, selling over 100 million albums worldwide.
- His 1987 debut solo album, "Faith," became a global phenomenon and gained him critical praise.
- George Michael's soulful voice, appealing pop melodies, and ability to develop and produce his own songs made him famous.
Starfacts of George Michael
Full name | Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou |
Popular name | George Michael |
Birth date | June 25, 1963 |
Birthplace | London, England |
Death date | December 25, 2016 |
Death Reason | Heart Problem and Fatty Liver |
Death Place | Oxfordshire |
Religion | Christianity |
Ethnicity | White |
Profession | Singer, Composer, and Record producer |
Networth | $200 million |
Social media |
FAQ's of George Michael
When was George Michael born?
George Michael was born on June 25, 1963, in East Finchley, London, England, as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.
What is George Michael's full name?
George Michael's full name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.
When did George Michael pass away?
At the age of 53, George Michael died away on December 25, 2016 due to heart attack.
What was George Michael's nationality?
He was of Greek Cypriot and English descent.
