George Michael (1963–2016,) born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was an English singer-songwriter and record producer, regarded as one of his generation’s most influential pop artists. His soulful vocals and introspective lyrics shaped 1980s music and beyond.
Born in London to Greek-Cypriot and English parents, Michael attended Bushey Meads School in Hertfordshire, where he met Andrew Ridgeley, his future Wham! bandmate. They bonded over music, forming short-lived bands before launching Wham! in 1981. Their albums Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984) produced global hits like Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Careless Whisper. His solo début, Faith (1987,) won a Grammy for Album of the Year and sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Later albums, including Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990,) Older (1996,) and Patience (2004,) cemented his legacy as a masterful songwriter.
Despite success, Michael faced personal struggles. Arrested in 1998 for public lewdness, he subsequently came out as gay. He battled substance abuse, with multiple arrests for drug possession and impaired driving.
Biographies include James Gavin’s George Michael: A Life (2022,) exploring his fame, struggles, and impact. Tony Parsons’s Bare (1991) candidly recounts his Wham! years and solo career. Robert Steele’s Careless Whispers (2017) examines his artistry and controversies.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George Michael
You’ll never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart.
—George Michael
Topics: Self-Discovery
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