The artist - George Michael

Background - Talented other half of former '80's pop duo Wham!. Achieved stardom with songs like "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", "Careless Whisper", "Last Christmas", "A Different Corner", "The Edge Of Heaven" and "I'm Your Man".

George also managed to successfully collaborate with a variety of other artists, including Elton John ("Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", "Wrap Her Up" and "Nikita"); Deon Estus ("Heaven Help Me"), Lisa Moorish ("I'm Your Man '96"); Aretha Franklin ("I Knew You Were Waiting"); and Whitney Houston ("If I Told You That"); among others.

Despite a career plagued by litigation and a retreat from the limelight, George Michael has remained a respected and talented artist. He has moved with the times and continues to turn out quality ballads & killer pop songs.

His big solo debut came in 1984 with the release of "Careless Whisper", a song George wrote along with Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley when they were just 17 years old!!

It went on to be a number 1 hit worldwide. His next attempt came in '86 with the sombre and lovely "A Different Corner". George proved that he was not just capable of writing up-tempo, feel-good pop songs - he had something deeper to say.

Wham! decided to split in the summer of '86. A year later, George popped back with the release of his solo album, Faith. Not even George was prepared for the success or hysteria that would come with it. He had experienced fame with Andrew, but now he was alone.

The world over George was considered 'the latest HOT thing'! Success followed him everywhere. He embarked on a world tour which tired him to the point of exhaustion.

He vowed never to tour on such a scale again.

In 1990, George released his much-anticipated follow-up, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I. Although not the commercial success that Faith was, LWPV.I was filled with mature songs - songs for the heart rather than the feet.

Around this time, George began to grow unhappy with his record company (Sony Music). He decided not to appear in videos and be featured in any kind of promotion for the album. In short, he wanted his music to do the talking.

Sony didn't get it.

His court case lasted until 1995, during which time George hardly recorded. Everyone was asking "Where is he?".

Come 1996, George would reappear.

Signed to Virgin/Dreamworks, George releases Older; yet again a mature and beautiful collection of songs. Preceded by the hit ballad "Jesus To A Child", Older symbolised the 'return of George Michael' to many.

Although the album was a tremendous hit in Europe, it did not fair well in the US. According to George, he could care less. After the success of Faith, he proved he could make it in America. But then things went wrong with Sony and he did not feel fame and fortune were as important as being true to himself, and his art.

1998- George is arrested in Will Rogers Memorial Park for indecent exposure. In addition, he publicly came out with the truth about his sexuality.

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael is released worldwide. A much anticipated compilation is finally a reality. Once again, George tops the album and singles charts across Europe and most of the world. Featuring all-time GM classics, as well as 3 newly recorded tracks like the smash hit "Outside", "As" with Mary J. Blige, and "A Moment With You", Ladies & Gentlemen... showed that no matter what comes his way, George always seems to bounce back with style and success (in some form or other).

2002- Signals the first single from what will eventually become George's next full album since 1996's Older. "Freeek" sounds unlike a typical GM single. One of the reasons it (perhaps) did not fair too well. The accompanying video also failed to gain much play as it contained some very risqué footage.

According to reports, George's new album's release is postponed until later in the year.
It is said, however, to be more 'up' than his previous 2 solo albums.

2002-2003- George's releases another single, "Shoot The Dog". The song is inspired by George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Saddam Hussein and the problems in the Middle East, as well as the events of September 11th in New York.

The accompanying video portrays Tony Blair as Bush's 'poodle'. It causes a fair amount of controversy and, yet again, fails to get much airplay. George is decidedly disappointed that people did not get the humour in it, but is satisfied that it got them thinking about the issues at least.

2003- The US war with Iraq begins, and George speaks publicly against it, using his priviledged position to voice the opinions of many Brits and others worldwide.

He also records an exclusive version of Don McClean's song "The Grave", in protest of the war.

His new album is still pending, though reports say we can look forward to a November/December 2003 release. Let's see...

Sooo?

You'll be quizzed soon.

If the teacher had been Fhunkin, I might have considered staying after school.

But GEORGE MICHAEL? He is a disappointing artist. So much talent gone to waste.

He has to Much Talented to have Faded so Soon IMHO.

Gooey Said:

Believe me: "There are things, that you don't want to learn"

Let's not forget 1991's Too Funky!

That was an awesome song and video!

Fhunkin said:

But the Force is with me!

Wanna bet?

Great summary of George's career,but I think you forgot to mention that he recorded an album of standards in 1999.It's called 'Songs From the Last Century'.


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[This message was edited Thu Mar 27 4:41:26 PST 2003 by DavidEye]

Gooey Said:

We bet so much, we'll never get to talking You're aloud to investigate on your own risk !

george is the man!!

but he needs to stop bull*hittin and put out some good music again.

that Freek nonsense sucked. you aint madonna man, leave the freaky videos to the masters

& shoot the dog?...come on!!!


he absolutely rocked that cover of "roxanne"...

it aint over for george either

You dont have to tell me this, I already know it!!

Enough with the singles already, put out an album. He should have put the "I Want Your Sex" pt. 1 on the greatest hits instead of pt. 2 ("brass in love").

I love George Michael

George and Prince both get the 'where are they now' award.

I was at work yesterday and Kiss came on the radio, my co-worker said, 'does that cat even make music anymore?'

my heart sank

DavidEye said:

I wasn't feeling that Set.

Fhunkin said:

I just looove your typo's.
I am not loud!
Unles horribly drunk.

Am I allowed to say this?