Pop star George Michael is abandoning the music business to release his songs online for free instead.
The multi-millionaire singer said he will never make another album for sale in record shops because he does not need the cash and does not enjoy fame.

Fans will be given the option to make donations online in exchange for downloading the tracks, and the proceeds will be given to charity.

He is promoting his latest album, Patience, which he said is his last.

The 40-year-old star made his announcement during an interview with Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1.

Speaking about his decision, he said: "I'm sure it's unprecedented, it's definitely unprecedented for someone who still sells records.

"I've been very well remunerated for my talents over the years so I really don't need the public's money."

He added that he hoped people downloading his music would donate to his favourite charities.

Explaining his decision, the former Wham! frontman said: "It does two things - it takes the pressure off to have a collection of songs every so many years, which is what nearly killed me.

"I'm not pretending I won't be famous any more, but in the modern world if you take yourself out of the financial aspect of things, you're not making anybody any money, you're not losing anybody any money.

"Believe me, I'll be of very little interest to the press in a certain number of years.

"I'll hopefully be a happier man, giving my music and also doing something really positive with my music if people are generous enough to donate to the site. I'll remove myself from all that negativity."


The singer has had a rollercoaster of a career from the heady days as a heart-throb in Wham to his arrest for indecency in a Los Angeles public toilet in 1998.

Since becoming a solo star he has never been far from controversy, including his vilification for his single Shoot the Dog which was accompanied by a video showing Tony Blair as a poodle to George Bush.

His image as a teen heart-throb diminished when he revealed he was gay, but he has since been embraced by an older audience highlighted by the championing of his album Patience by BBC Radio 2.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/h...499534.stm

Does that mean his much trumpeted resigning to SONY was for one album only?

And I shun George Michael. Tit for tat, hun.

VoicesCarry said:

Explaining his decision, the former Wham! frontman said: "It does two things - it takes the pressure off to have a collection of songs every so many years, which is what nearly killed me.

Yeah, 10 songs every 10 years is just an unattainable output.

it says the songs are free on his site but the cd is selling for $13.99.
which one is it?

I think it's cool that he has enough money to make music because he wants to and not because he has to. More power to him.

Looks like someone has been taking a leaf at of JAYZ promotional methods, I love it how stars retire before the release of their albums!

twink69 said:

George is either a PR-savvy hypocrite or an idiot pothead who needs to do some smarter drugs like crack or PCP to clear his mind.

This discussion has already been brought up here:

http://www.prince.org/msg/8/84181

Feel free to discuss it there.