Public policy pdf
George Michael
Singer Date of Birth: Country: USA |
Content:
- Early Life
- Early Musical Interests
- Formation of Wham!
- Success with Wham!
- Solo Career
- Later Years and Legacy
Early Life
George Michael, whose real name was Georgios (Yorgis) Kyriakos Panayiotou, was born on June 25, , 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.
Nawaratt biography of george michael wikipedia Digital Spy. In , Michael established a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer whom he had met at the Rock in Rio concert in January that year. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 AprilHe 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 , 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 , 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!" (), and its accompanying video gained significant attention but was removed from rotation due to explicit language.
Archived from the original on 26 October George Michael was known not only for his remarkable musical talent but also for his significant philanthropic endeavors. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried to get the crowd to clap along to "Club Tropicana", but "they hadn't a clue — they thought he wanted applause and politely gave it", before adding that some Chinese did eventually "get the hang of clapping on the beat. Archived from the original on 12 AprilThe 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" (), went platinum, with the hit single "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" reaching number one in the UK, Australia, and the US.
In , 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 , George released the award-winning duet "I Knew You Were Waiting" with Aretha Franklin.
Nawaratt biography of george michael This friendship eventually blossomed into a musical partnership, resulting in the formation of the band Wham! PR Newswire. In August of that year, the singer-songwriter began performing as part of his Symphonica Tour, which ended early after Michael fell ill with pneumonia a few months into the series. Famous British People.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 world tour was a triumph. His next album, "Listen Without Prejudice" (), received a lukewarm response, leading to a legal battle between George and Sony.
Rumors about his sexual orientation intensified during this time.
Finally free from his contract with Sony, Michael released the album Older in In the end, he left an indelible impact on music and society, remembered for both his artistry and his compassion for others. That band only played a few gigs before it fell apart, but Michael and Ridgeley soon found success. Archived from the original on 18 OctoberGeorge struggled with his own identity, fearing disappointing his mother, whose brother was gay and died by suicide.
In , 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 , George began a relationship with athlete Kenny Goss.
However, scandal erupted in 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" (), which featured the successful anti-war song "Shoot the Dog." He faced more legal troubles and had ongoing battles with drug addiction. In , 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, , 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.