George Michael
1963 – 2016
Important Dates in the Life and Career of George Michael
Last Christmas 4K Video Released
As part of the 35th anniversary of Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” a new 4K video version premiered on YouTube on December 13, 2019. A chat with fans followed, with the team managing the George Michael social media account together with Andrew Ridgeley, Shirlie Kemp, Pepsi DeMacque and director Andy Morahan.
Release of the Last Christmas Movie
One of the most anticipated movies in fall 2019 was the rom-com “Last Christmas”, which features the music of George Michael and Wham!, including the holiday classic of the film’s title. Starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, and co-written by Emma Thompson, the movie features 15 songs from George Michael and Wham! including the previously unreleased track “This Is How (We Want You To Get High).” The movie earned more than $111 million worldwide.
Release of ‘This Is How (We Want You To Get High)’
George Michael’s first posthumous single, “This Is How (We Want You to Get High),” was released on November 6, 2019 nearly three years following the singer’s death. The track, which was co-written and co-produced by Michael and collaborator James Jackman, was featured in the Paul Feig’s movie “Last Christmas.” The song was first written in 2012 and later recorded at London’s Air Studios, with finishing touches done in 2015 during Michael’s final recording sessions. A lyric video was released to support the song.
Re-release of ‘Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1’
Posthumous re-release of the ‘Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 album on October 20th, a day before George Michael: Freedom documentary premiered on Showtime. The re-issued album is available both as a 2CD and deluxe 3CD/DVD set — and packaged with 1996 live set MTV Unplugged, as well as B-sides and other rarities. It peaked at number 1 in the UK charts for a week on October 27, 2017,
Release of ‘December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas)’
George released “December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas)” as a free download on his official website. It was re-released commercially the following year on 14 December 2009, with physical copies selling out in just one day, following a live performance of the song on the final of the 2009 series of The X Factor UK.
Live 8 Concert
George Michael performed at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park in London, July 2, 2005, including a duet with Sir Paul McCartney. A galaxy of rock and roll stars graced stages across the globe for what is being billed as the greatest music show ever, in a bid to put pressure on leaders of the Group of Eight major industrialized nations meeting to do more to alleviate poverty, particularly in Africa.
Purchase of the John Lennon Piano
George Michael paid £1.45m for the Steinway piano on which John Lennon wrote ‘Imagine’. George said, “I know that when my fingers touch the keys of that Steinway, I will feel truly blessed. And parting with my money has never been much of a problem, just ask my accountant.” The singer outbid Robbie Williams and The Oasis brothers.
Release of the ‘Songs From The Last Century’ Album
Songs From The Last Century, George’s fourth solo album, is released. A collection of covers and jazz standards, it hits #2 on the UK charts. It is his only album of cover versions, such as old jazz standards and interpretations of popular songs such as “Roxanne” (originally by The Police) and “Miss Sarajevo” (originally by U2 and Brian Eno with Luciano Pavarotti).
Duet with Mary J Blige
UK release of George’s duet with Mary J Blige, a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “As,” which originally appeared on his 1976 classic album, “Songs in the Key of Life.” While the song is a top five hit in the UK — it peaked at #4 on March 13, 1999 — it is not given a US release. The track was pulled at the last minute from the U.S. version of George’s “Ladies and Gentlemen – The Best Of George Michael” by Blige’s record label, even though it appears on the various international versions of Michael’s greatest hits album.
Release of “Outside”
Release of “Outside”, the first single from the greatest hits collection Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael. It reaches #2 on the UK charts. This song, which Michael wrote after his arrest for cruising in an L.A. park, cheekily celebrated al fresco action, accompanied by a controversial video! He talked about his goal for the video: “When I made the ‘Outside’ video I knew I was helping a whole generation of 15-year-olds who are cruising and dying of shame about it.”
Recording of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’
George participated in the recording of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, an all-star charity recording that included Bono, Bob Geldof, Sting, Boy George, and many others. The song raised £8 million to fight the famine in Ethiopia, and it became that year’s Christmas #1 edging out “Last Christmas” from the top spot.