George Michael Singer Date of Birth: 25.06.1963 Country: USA

1. Early Life
2. Early Musical Interests
3. Formation of Wham!
4. Success with Wham!
5. Solo Career
6. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life

George Michael, whose real name was Georgios (Yorgis) Kyriakos Panayiotou, was born on June 25, 1963, in London. He was the youngest child in a large family, with his father Jack Panos, a Cypriot restaurateur, and his mother Leslie Angold, an English dancer.

Early Musical Interests

From a young age, George, or "Yog" as he was called in his family, had weak eyesight and a very shy personality. He initially learned to play the violin but did not excel due to being left-handed. He later developed a passion for music, particularly influenced by the band Queen and Elton John.

Formation of Wham!

A pivotal moment in George's character and future biography was his family's move and his enrollment in Bushy Meads School. He became classmates with Andrew Ridgeley, the son of an Egyptian immigrant who shared his love for music. George changed his appearance, became more athletic, and together with Andrew, they started giving impromptu street performances and playing in the subway.

In 1979, Ridgeley formed the band "Executive," which included George, performing under the name "Michael Jones," along with Andrew's brother and two other classmates. The band did not last long, and in 1981, George and Andrew announced the formation of the duo "Wham!". Ridgeley, responsible for the group's image, created the persona of wealthy heartthrobs enjoying life.

Success with Wham!

Wham!'s first single, "Wham Rap!" (1982), and its accompanying video gained significant attention but was removed from rotation due to explicit language. The duo's subsequent songs, such as "Club Tropicana" and "Enjoy What You Do," became hits, and their debut album, "Fantastic," topped the charts. Their second album, "Make It Big" (1984), went platinum, with the hit single "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" reaching number one in the UK, Australia, and the US.

In 1984, Wham! reached the peak of their popularity with the release of the solo performance by George called "Careless Whisper." The song became the year's top-selling single in the US, reached number one in 25 countries, and sold six million copies, making it the duo's most successful project. Wham! continued to release successful singles like "Freedom" and "Last Christmas," but their popularity declined, and Duran Duran emerged as the new leaders in the music industry.

Solo Career

In 1986, George released the award-winning duet "I Knew You Were Waiting" with Aretha Franklin. The following year, his first solo album, "Faith," sold 25 million copies and produced five chart-topping hits. However, the single "I Want Your Sex" faced controversy and was removed from rotation due to its explicit title.

Despite some setbacks, George's 1988 world tour was a triumph. His next album, "Listen Without Prejudice" (1990), received a lukewarm response, leading to a legal battle between George and Sony. Rumors about his sexual orientation intensified during this time. George struggled with his own identity, fearing disappointing his mother, whose brother was gay and died by suicide.

In 1991, George dedicated the song "Jesus to a Child" to his late friend, Anselmo Feleppa, who died from AIDS. The song was included in his album "Older," which sold over 15 million copies. In 1996, George began a relationship with athlete Kenny Goss. However, scandal erupted in 1998 when George was arrested for engaging in a lewd act in a public restroom. This incident negatively impacted his popularity.

Later Years and Legacy

George continued to release albums, including "Patience" (2004), which featured the successful anti-war song "Shoot the Dog." He faced more legal troubles and had ongoing battles with drug addiction. In 2011, he embarked on a European tour but was hospitalized with pneumonia in Vienna. Following his recovery, he remained out of the public eye due to his ongoing struggles with addiction.

On December 25, 2016, George Michael passed away at his home in Oxfordshire, England, at the age of 53, due to heart failure. His death marked the end of an era for British pop music, and he left behind a legacy as one of the most influential and successful musicians of his generation.