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Biography for George Michael

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) (born 25 Jun. 1963 (47 years ago)), best known as George Michael, is a two-time Grammy Award winning, English singer-songwriter, who has had a career as frontman of the duo Wham! as well as a soul-influenced, solo popular music musician. According to britishhitsongwriters.com he is the fortieth most successful songwriter in UK singles chart history based on weeks that his compositions have spent on the chart.

He has sold over 100 million records worldwide as of 2008 (2 years ago), encompassing 12 British #1 singles, 7 British #1 albums, 10 US #1 singles, and 2 US #1 albums. His 1987 (23 years ago) debut solo album, Faith has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

All four of his solo studio albums have scored #1 on the UK charts and have become great international successes.

Early life

Michael was born Georgios-Kyriacos Panayiotou in Bushey, Hertfordshire. His father was Kyriacos Panayiotou, a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who moved to England in the 1950 (60 years ago) and changed his name to Jack Panos. Michael's mother, Lesley Angold Harrison, was an English dancer who died from cancer in 1997 (13 years ago). His maternal grandmother was Jewish. Michael spent the majority of his childhood in North London, a typical place for Greek Cypriot in the 1980s, living in the home his parents bought soon after his birth. During his early teens, the family moved to Radlett and Michael attended Bushey Meads School.

Michael met Andrew Ridgeley at Bushey Meads School when Ridgeley volunteered to tutor Michael. The two both had the same career ambition of being musicians.

He began his career by forming a short-lived ska band called The Executive with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Andrew Leaver, and David Mortimer (aka David Austin).

Sexuality

Michael was initially private about being gay; nonetheless, his sexual orientation was already well known among some music business people during his Wham! career, while his public image (wallpaper) was still a heterosexual one.

Michael later established a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, whom he had met at the 1991 (19 years ago) concert Rock in Rio. Feleppa died of an AIDS-related brain hemorrhage in 1993 (17 years ago). Michael's single "Jesus to a Child" is a tribute to Feleppa (he consistently dedicates it to him before performing it live), as is his 1996 (14 years ago) album Older.

In a 2007 (3 years ago) interview, Michael said that he kept his homosexuality secret due to worries over the effect it would have on his mother.

Drugs

On 26 Feb. 2006 (4 years ago), Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs, an incident that he described as "my own stupid fault, as usual." He was cautioned by the police and released.[citations needed]

On 15 May 2006 (4 years ago), Michael was found slumped over the wheel of his Range Rover, photographed apparently sleeping at traffic lights in London. He awoke after someone knocked on his window for five minutes, and was "sweating heavily and had his iPod on". He drove away weaving, and then hit a traffic bollard. Later the same month, he was questioned by police after colliding with three cars in the street in which he lives.[citations needed]

In the early hours of 1 Oct. 2006 (4 years ago), Michael was found unconscious in his Mercedes-Benz S-Class car, causing an obstruction at the junction of Cricklewood Lane with Hendon Way, in northwest London. Police found Michael slumped in his seat in a semi-conscious state. He was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead for checks, and was then booked at Colindale police station. He was later cautioned by police for possession of cannabis, and was released on bail pending further inquiries on his fitness to drive.[citations needed] He pled guilty on 8 May 2007 (3 years ago) to driving while unfit through drugs. He was banned from driving for two years, and sentenced to community service again. During Sep. 2007 (3 years ago), on Desert Island Discs, he said that his cannabis use was a problem — he wished he could smoke less of it and was constantly trying to do so.

Michael's long term partner Kenny Goss has also been treated for dependence on prescription sleeping medication, registering with an Arizona-based clinic for two months in Jun. 2004 (6 years ago) after encouragement from Michael.[citations needed]

On 19 Sep. 2008 (2 years ago), Michael was arrested in a public toilet in the Hampstead Heath area of London for possession of Class A and C drugs. He was taken to the police station and cautioned for controlled substance possession.

Politics

During his years with Wham!, George Michael was very critical of Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government and its cruise missile alliance with the United States. Michael said that he felt bad, since through his taxes he was paying for these weapons, yet was obliged not to evade his tax obligations to his home country. Michael also wrote "Shoot the Dog", a song critical about the friendly relationship between the US and UK governments and their involvement in the Iraq War.

During 2000 (10 years ago), George Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, the Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. lang, to perform in Washington, D.C. as part of 'Equality Rocks' - a concert to benefit the Human Rights Campaign.

During 2007 (3 years ago), he toured the United States with the £1.45 million piano that John Lennon used to write "Imagine".

He devoted his concert in Sofia, Bulgaria from his "Twenty Five Tour" to the Bulgarian nurses prosecuted in the HIV trial in Libya.

Studio albums

1987: Faith
1990: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1
1996: Older
1999: Songs from the Last Century
2004: Patience

UK number one singles (12)

1984: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (Wham!)
1984: "Careless Whisper"
1984: "Freedom" (Wham!)
1984: "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (Band Aid)
1985: "I'm Your Man" (Wham!)
1986: "The Edge of Heaven" (Wham!)
1986: "A Different Corner"
1987: "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with Aretha Franklin)
1991: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (with Elton John)
1993: Five Live EP (with Queen and Lisa Stansfield)
1995: "Jesus to a Child"
1996: "Fastlove"

Source: en.wikipedia.org

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Linked to George Michael

• Female Celebrities / Christy Turlington
• Female Celebrities / Dita Von Teese
• Female Celebrities / Geri Halliwell
• Female Celebrities / Heather Graham
• Female Celebrities / Sophie Ellis Bextor

Songs by George Michael

• George Michael - A Different Corner
• George Michael - Careless Whisper
• George Michael - Faith
• George Michael - Father Figure
• George Michael - I Can't Make You Love Me
• George Michael - I Want Your Sex
• George Michael - One More Try
• George Michael - The Long and Winding Road (Live)
• George Michael - Tonight
• George Michael - You Have Been Loved

Latest news about George Michael

George Michael Rules Out Wham! Reunion Starpulse Entertainment News - 66 days ago
George Michael is adamant he will never re-team with his Wham! band mate Andrew Ridgeley - because he is too old to relive their heyday.[...] Read more!

George Michael, 'Sports Machine' Host, Dies at 70 American Superstar Magazine - 80 days ago
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — George Michael, a longtime sportscaster best known for his nationally syndicated program The George Michael Sports Machine, died early Thursday in Washington. He was 70. Michael's death was announced by Washington's NBC4, where he served as a sports director for 27 years. read more

Tracking Santa, David Goldman, and Late Sportscaster George Michael Popeater - 80 days ago
What's on your Google radar? Santa, mostly. You can now chart his progress across the skies with NORAD's Santa Tracker. You're also checking out David Goldman and reunited son Sean. They're currently somewhere in the sky as well, if not already on ... Read more Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

George Michael Defends Cruising For Sex Starpulse Entertainment News - 97 days ago
George Michael has defended his decision to cruise public toilets for gay sex - insisting it's better than approaching potential partners in a bar.[...] Read more!

George Michael Finds Nothing Wrong With Occasional Use Of Crack, Cruising For Sex Starpulse Entertainment News - 99 days ago
Singer George Michael is amused critics brand him "tragic" - insisting he sees nothing wrong with smoking crack cocaine and cruising public toilets for gay sex.[...] Read more!

Fans Remember Boyzone Star By Giving To Charity Look To The Stars - 147 days ago
Written by Tim Saunders Fans of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who died last week, have donated over $15,000 to a British children’s charity in his memory. ?Gately was a Goodwill Ambassador for Caudwell Children, a charity that focuses on donations to special children for medical treatment, therapy, specialized equipment, and dying wish holidays. Gately’s husband Andrew Cowles had requested that in lieu of flowers, fans could donate to his favourite charity. ? “It’s an amazing gesture for the charity and it sums up Stephen — he always thought of others first,” said charity spokesperson Trudi Beswick. “We’re already up to an amazing amount and hopefully we can buy wheelchairs and equipment and therapy for kids. It’ll be a lovely memory for everybody to remember him by. He was a fantastic goodwill ambassador for us. We really want to give feedback to everyone — to everyone that’s supported us, to Andrew, the family and everyone in Boyzone and thank them by showing them the children we’ve helped in a couple of months time.” Gately’s funeral was attended by bandmates Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch, as well as many others. Messages of support were read out from George Michael, David and Victoria Beckham, Take That, U2 and Colin Farrell. Gately was also an ambassador for British charity Missing People. Related past articles The Stars On Climate Change - What Do They Think? Orlando Bloom Becomes UNICEF Ambassador Charity Mourns Death Of Boyzone Singer Bono And Friends Rock Carnegie Hall For Charity Colin Farrell To Attend Charity Evening With The Stars Want to write for us, or help with our research? Find out more about contributing. Copyright © 2009 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your news reader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright, and we would be grateful if you would contact us.

Watch Nancy Grace Attacks Jon Gosselin On TV and Other News Anything Hollywood - 159 days ago
Watch: Nancy Grace attacks Jon Gosselin on TV  Hotel owner makes workers change Spanish names Barack Obama and T-Pain’s presidential speech duet Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom buy a Tiger! George Michael and Kenny Goss split after 13 years Backstreet Boys Brian Littrell have Swine Flu Levi Johnston’s Pistachios Ad (Video) Adopting Monkeys instead of Kids?

George Michael denies split rumours Buzz Patrol - 159 days ago
George Michael has hit back at claims his boyfriend of 13 years Kenny Goss has dumped him after growing tired of the former Wham singer’s promiscuous behaviour and heavy drug use. The singer branded the split rumours as ‘a complete fabrication’. George’s mouthpiece said: “There is no truth in the matter at all. Kenny has been away [...]

Morning Links - Letterman Apologizes to His Wife PopSugar - 159 days ago
David Letterman apologizes to his wife and staff about his indiscretions - BuzzSugar Roman Polanski's request for bail was denied by the Swiss - TrèsSugar Nicole Richie seeks medical treatment after being rear-ended by a paparazzi - ICYDK Brooke Shields was involved in a very minor plane crash but is doing fine - TMZ George Michael splits with his partner of 13 years - Celebitchy Madonna wins her court case over her stolen wedding photos - Popeater Justin Timberlake and Rihanna apparently have amazing chemistry while JT and Biel remain friends - Fox411 Naomi Watts is the world's most profitable actress - I'm Not Obsessed More details about Letterman's affair with his extortionist's girlfriend have been revealed through her diary - Wonderwall Backstreet Boy Brian has the swine flu - Lifeline Live

George Michael's Rep Denies Split Rumors Starpulse Entertainment News - 159 days ago
George Michael has lashed out at reports he has split from his partner of 13 years, Kenny Goss - insisting the pair is still very much an item.[...] Read more!

George Michael Splits With His Lover Starpulse Entertainment News - 160 days ago
George Michael has reportedly split with his partner Kenny Goss after 13 years. Goss is said to have walked out on the singer at Christmas, just three months after the Michael was arrested in a toilet[...] Read more!

George Clooney Getting Serious With New Girl Hollyscoop - 187 days ago
George Michael may be getting serious with his latest lady friend Elisabetta Canalis! The two have been getting cozy for the past month in Lake Como, Italy. According to People, the local media has been treating the couple like the ...

Morning Links - Brad Pitt Not Joining Sherlock Holmes Movie PopSugar - 209 days ago
Despite rumors, Brad Pitt will not be a last minute addition to the Sherlock Holmes cast after Guy Ritchie was unsatisfied with the first round of edits - Us Weekly District 9 tops the box office, with GI Joe in second place and The Time Traveler's Wife in third - BuzzSugar Lily Allen cries on stage over her back pain - PopSugarUK The Office's Amy Ryan is pregnant - lilsugar Mary J. Blige is the next American Idol guest judge - Lifeline Live Michael Phelps had a beer before his car accident - TMZ Alyssa Milano gets married to CAA agent David Bugliari in New Jersey - Celebitchy Did Tony Romo dump Jessica Simpson because she partied too much? - Fox Pop Tarts George Michael gets arrested on suspicion of DUI; he claims he was sober - Wonderwall Zac and Vanessa clear up engagement rumors yet again - I'm Not Obsessed

George Michael Arrested, Released After Collision Latest News on omg! - 210 days ago
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- George Michael was arrested after a car accident early Friday in Berkshire, England, the BBC News reported.It was the latest run-in with the law for the singing star, who was reportedly held on suspicion of driving under the influence but released without charge several hours later.

George Michael: "Stone Cold Sober" During Car Crash E! Online (UK) - 210 days ago
Maybe George Michael learned his lesson after all? After his car smash up and subsequent arrest on Friday, the former pop star is speaking out about any question of his sobriety during...

George Michael arrested, maybe DUI Celeb Pulp - 211 days ago
British singer George Michael was arrested Friday after being involved in a car accident in Berkshire, England. The singer’s silver Landrover colided with another truck just after midnight and the police were called to the scene. Michael was held under suspicion of being under the influence. Hmmm......... Now, dont get us wrong, we love George Michael, but [...]

George Michael says he was sober during crash msnbc.com: Celebrities - 211 days ago
George Michael has been questioned by police after his car was involved in a late-night crash near London.

George Michael says he was sober during car crash (AP) Yahoo! News: Entertainment News - 211 days ago
AP - George Michael has been questioned by police after his car was involved in a late-night crash near London.

George Michael Arrested After Car Accident Hollyscoop - 211 days ago
The mess that is George Michael was arrested after he got into a car accident near London early Friday. The police took him in for questioning after his Range Rover collided with the heavy goods vehicle in Berkshire, England. They ...

George Michael Arrested Following Auto Accident Starpulse Entertainment News - 212 days ago
George Michael was arrested on Friday after he was involved in a car crash with a truck - just two months after he got his license back following a two-year driving ban.[...] Read more!