FAREWELL TO GEORGE MICHAEL

The ex Wham singer   passed away on Christmas Day, at just 53. We pay tribute to him and his long career marked by 100 million records in 40 years.

George Michael, whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou born in London in 1963. He became famous when,  with his schoolmate,  Andrew Ridgeley, formed a  band, The Wham, that has now become a cult from 80s.  The band lasted only five years, after which George Michael began a long solo career which led him to sell over 100 million records all over the world.

Among his most famous songs we remember Last Christmas (1986) which may seem a farewell soundtrack for the singer who died right on Christmas Day. And then Young Guns, Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go-go, Careless Whispers, I Want Your Sex, Freedom.

                         

The last years were spent almost in anonymity: in 2012  his last tour was staged (Symphonica Tour) and he participated in the closing ceremony of London Olympics.

His life hasn’t been marked only by great successes but also by ups and downs linked to problems with drugs, alcohol and smoking that also brought him to the courts and even to prison.

We remember one of his best duets with Elton John at Live Aid at the Wembley Stadium in London in 1985. Together they sang "Don’t let the sun go down on me" which was considered one of the best performances of the event.

                         

The death of George Michael continues the long list of the black year of music, 2016, when we had to say good-bye, among the others, to David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen and Glenn Frey.

 

Matteo