George Michael
1963 – 2016
Important Dates in the Life and Career of George Michael
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.
Christie’s Auction of George Michael Art Collection
The George Michael Collection sells for £11,328,125 — including £9,264,000 in a memorable Evening Auction at Christie’s in London — with proceeds going to extend the singer’s extraordinary philanthropic legacy
Red Line Interview (Part 1)
In his last ever interview, George Michael gives Kirsty Young a frank first-hand account of the incredible success and devastating loss he’s faced across both his life and career.
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,
George Michael’s Funeral
George Michael’s funeral was finally held over three months after he died. He was buried at the Highgate Cemetery near his mother.
Death of George Michael
George Michael died on December 25m 2016. He was 53.
Release of the ‘Symphonica’ Album
Symphonica is the only live album of George Michael, which is a collection of 10 covers and 7 original songs. His vocals were recorded during his 2011/12 orchestral Symphonica Tour while the string arrangements were recorded in a studio.
Palais Garnier Opera Performance
George Michael made pop history as the first pop star to perform at the historic Palais Garnier Opera house in Paris. He also used that concert to raise money for AIDS charity Sidaction.
Royal Wedding Gift
In celebration of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding, George released a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “You And I” as a gift for the royal couple. He offered the song as a free download, while urging fans to donate to the royal charities.
Last Australian Tour
First night of George’s 3- date Australian tour starting in Perth, his first performance in the country since the Faith tour in 1988. Other stops included Sydney (26 February 2010) and Melbourne (3 March 2010)
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.
George Michael became the first artist to appear at the new Wembley Stadium
George Michael was the first pop artist to play a concert at the newly Wembley Stadium as part of 25 Live stadium tour. He played several key gigs at the old stadium, including Live Aid in 1985 and Wham’s farewell concert in 1986 with ex- bandmate Andrew Ridgeley.
“Twenty Five” Album Released
Twenty Five is a greatest hits album by George Michael, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his music career. It was released on 13 November 2006 by Sony BMG.
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.
Interview with Oprah Winfrey
George Michael sat down with Oprah Winfrey on her show to promote his album Patience. This is a classic interview that perfectly summed up George’s legacy.
Release of the Album ‘Patience’
Patience is the fifth studio album of George Michael. Released on 18 March 2004, it was his first album composed of original material since 1996, and his first for Sony Music since 1990’s Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1.
‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ Show
George Michael appeared on the show ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” that aired on December 27, 2003. He paired up with Ronan Keating and won £32,000, after having their original £64,000 winnings halved by missing the £125,000 question.
Release of Charity Compilation Album ‘Hope’
In 2003, George Michael contributed the song “The Grave” to the album “Hope” released by the War Child charity in conjunction with Daily Mirror to raise funds and awareness for victims of the Iraq war.
Brit Awards Performance with Ms. Dynamite
George Michael performed with Ms. Dynamite a reworked version of his hit “Faith” at the Brit Awards to protest about war with Iraq, where both George and Ms. Dynamite altered their own parts of the lyrics.
Luciano Pavarotti’s Charity Concert
George Michael joined Luciano Pavarotti during the tenor’s famed “Pavarotti and Friends” concert held on June 6, 2000, at Parco Novi Sad in Pavarotti’s hometown of Modena, Italy.
Headlining the Equality Rocks Concert
George Michael performed at the Equality Rocks concert, a benefit concert to raise awareness of prejudice and human rights. It was held on April 29, 2000, at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, DC, USA.
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).
Stonewall Equality Show Performance
On 28 November 1999, Michael performed at the 7th Stonewall Equality Show at the Royal Albert Hall. It was an annual event organized by Stonewall, the largest British charity for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality.
The Concert for Linda: A Tribute to Linda McCartney
George Michael performed at “The Concert for Linda,” a benefit tribute to Linda McCartney, wife of Paul McCartney. The concert was held before some 5,000 fans at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 10 April 1999, almost a year after Linda died from breast cancer.
Release of ‘Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael’
The double-disc collection Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael is released — a greatest hits album, containing a compilation of his songs spanning over a decade (1984 to 1998). It debuts at #1 in the UK.
George Michael Came Out as Gay in an Interview with CNN
This is the landmark 1998 interview with CNN’s Jim Moret, where George Michael came out as gay, three days after being arrested for lewd conduct in Los Angeles. In the late 80s and most of the 1990s, George kept his sexuality a secret for many years.
Los Angeles Public Washroom Arrest
George Michael was arrested in a public washroom in the Beverly Hills park in what he called a “subconscious act of deliberation.”
Ivor Novello Songwriter of the Year Award
At the 42nd Ivor Novello Awards, George Michael won two awards: Songwriter of the Year; and Most Performed Work for his song ‘Fastlove’
‘Spinning the Wheel’ Single Release
‘Spinning the Wheel’ was the 3rd single from Older released in the UK on 19 August 1996. The song peaked at #2 in the UK Singles (Official Charts).
Release of “Older”
Older, George’s first album in nearly six years, was released on Virgin/DreamWorks. It debuted at #1 in the UK and was the source of six top ten singles.
Release of ‘Fastlove’
“Fastlove”, the second single drawn from Older, was released.
Performance at the Concert of Hope
On 1st December 1993 on World AIDS Day, George Michael played a benefit concert in front of the late Diana, Princess of Wales at London’s Wembley Arena. Princess Diana was Britain’s Patron of the National AIDS Trust, and the Concert of Hope was televised worldwide.
George Files Lawsuit Against Sony
George files suit against Sony Music in a bid to be released from his contract with the label, claiming he had little control over his work, with the company treating him as “no more than a piece of software”. The suit was resolved in Sony’s favor in 1994.
Release of Red Hot + Dance Album
The album Red, Hot + Dance is a charity fundraising to raise funds for AIDS research and awareness. George Michael donated three songs to the album, namely Too Funky, Happy and Do You Really Want to Know. Other contributors to the album include Madonna, Seal and PM Dawn.
George Michael Announced He Would Donate Royalties to AIDS groups
George Michael announced he would donate part of the proceeds from his upcoming duet with Elton John “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down” to charity.
Cover to Cover Tour
Launch of the Cover to Cover tour, which visited five countries over 30 shows and ended on 31 October 1991 . The setlist was largely made up of covers of some of George’s favorite songs like “Desperado,” “Living for the City,” “What a Fool Believes” and “Every Breath You Take.”
Release of Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 Album
George Michael releases his second solo album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Looking to avoid the pitfalls that overwhelmed him after his debut Faith, Michael refuses to tour in support of the album and won’t appear in the music videos.
Release of ‘Praying for Time’
Release of “Praying For Time”, the lead single from Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. It tops the charts in the US and hits #6 in the UK.
Silver Clef Award
George Michael received the Silver Clef Award, an annual UK music awards.
‘Faith’ Won Grammy’s Album of the Year
George’s debut solo album ‘Faith‘ won the Album of the Year at the 31st Grammy Awards. He beat out Sting, Steve Winwood, Bobby McFerrin, and ‘Tracy Chapman. He was also nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Father Figure”
Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert
George Michael performed in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert on 11 June 1988 at the Wembley Stadium in London, along with 82 other artists.
‘One More Try’ #1 in the U.S.
‘One More Try’, the fourth single from the album Faith, reaches #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. The song spent 3 weeks at no. 1 and a total of 18 weeks in the top 100 in the US charts.
Duet with Aretha Franklin Won a Grammy Award
Aretha Franklin and George Michael won the Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for the song “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me).”
Won Best British Male at the Brit Awards
George Michael won the British Male Solo Artist Award at the 1988 Brit Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Release of First Solo Album, Faith
George Michael releases his first solo album, Faith. Packed with hits (“I Want Your Sex,” “Father Figure,” the title track), it goes to #1 in both the UK and US, and wins the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1989.
Release of ‘I Want Your Sex’
on June 1, 1987, Michael released “I Want Your Sex,” the lead-off single from his forthcoming solo album, Faith.
Stand By Me: AIDS Day Benefit Live
George Michael performed at the Stand By Me AIDS Day Benefit Concert on April 1, 1987 at the Wembley Arena in London. Dubbed “The Party,” the all-star benefit concert was organized to fight AIDS.
‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)’ Hits #1 in UK
George Michael’s duet with Aretha Franklin ‘I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)’ became the #1 single in the UK charts. It held the top spot for two weeks. The song was Franklin’s first and only UK number-one hit.
Wham! Farewell Concert, The Final at Wembley Arena
The Final was the farewell concert by English musical duo Wham!. It was held at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 June 1986. A total of 72,000 people attended the event, which included support artists and special guests, such as Elton John. Read George and Andrew’s farewell letters to fans
George Michael Announced the Break-Up of Wham!
George Michael was a guest on the talk show Aspel & Company and announced that Wham! were to break-up and were to perform one last show.
Live Aid at Wembley Arena
George Michael performed at Live Aid at Wembley Arena, together with U2, Paul McCartney, Bob Geldof, Queen, among others. During the concert, George joined Elton John to perform ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”
“Motown Returns to Apollo” Special
George performed alongside 60 entertainers for the grand reopening and 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. The show was taped on May 4, 1985, and aired as a 3-hour television special on the NBC network on May 19.
Wham! in China
Wham! became the first Western pop group to perform live in China when they played at the Workers’ Gymnasium in Beijing in front of 15,000 people.
‘Careless Whisper’ #1 in Billboard Chart
‘Careless Whisper’ peaked at number 1 in the US Billboard chart. The song spent 3 weeks in the top spot for a total of 22 weeks in the Hot 100 chart.
Miner’s Strike Benefit Gala
Wham! performed at the Royal Festival Hall to benefit the miners’ strike, together with The Young Ones and Mike Harding
‘Club Tropicana’ Single
“Club Tropicana” is released as a single. It hits #8 on the UK charts.
‘Fantastic’ Album
Fantastic, Wham!’s debut album, is released. It hits #1 on the UK albums chart.
‘Bad Boys’ Single
The “Bad Boys” single is released. It climbs to #2 in the UK chart.
Top of the Pops
Wham! appears on the long-running program Top of The Pops for the first time, performing “Young Guns (Go For It)”.
Young Guns
Wham!’s second single, “Young Guns (Go For It)” is released. It reaches #3 in the charts.
Wham! Rap
Wham!’s first single, “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)” is released. It eventually peaks at #8 on the UK singles chart.
George’s Childhood
George attends Bushey Meads School, where he meets future band mate Andrew Ridgely
Birthday
Georgios Kyriakos Panayiotou is born in East Finchley, London
