George Michael, a popular English singer and songwriter, died on December 25 at the age of just 53. One of the most successful and best-selling British artists, George Michael is best known for his work in the 1980s and 1990s including his hit singles such as “Last Christmas”. To pay tribute to this pop icon, we decided to compile this post with some little-known facts about him. If you are one of millions of George Michael fans, check out these 25 Things You Might Not Know About George Michael.
10
George Michael´s original name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. He was named after his father, Kyriacos Panayiotou, a Greek Cypriot restaurateur.
Source: wikipedia.org, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George-Michael-Impersonator.jpg (CC)
9
Before Michael became a professional musician, he busked on the London Underground, performing songs such as “’39” by Queen.
Source: wikipedia.org, image: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=8609&picture=george-michael (CC)
8
In 1985, Wham! was the first Western pop group to tour in China, with a final concert held at the Workers’ Gymnasium in Beijing. The tour was documented in the film “Foreign Skies: Wham! In China”.
Source: needsomefun.net, image: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/asia/article4406455.ece (fair-use)
7
George Michael sung duets with several other music icons such as Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Rory Bourke, Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston.
Source: imdb.com, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elton_John_in_Norway_1.jpg (CC)
6
Michael sold more than 100 million records worldwide, which makes him one of the best-selling British artists of all time.
Source: wikipedia.org, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Michael_at_Antwerp_(BRAVO).jpg (CC)
5
A huge Beatles fan, George Michael bought the Steinway Model Z upright piano used by John Lennon for £1.7 million ($2 million) and sent it to the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool in 2000.
Source: worldlifestyle.com, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beatles_ad_1965.JPG (CC)
4
George Michael died in the same year (2016) as pop icons Prince and David Bowie.
Source: wikipedia.org, image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomronworldwide/23953051439 (CC)
3
His music video “Freedom” (1989) featured supermodels such as Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Tatjana Patitz. It was directed by David Fincher.
Source: imdb.com, image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naomi_Campbell (CC)
2
Michael, who revealed he was gay in a CCN interview in 1998, was an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser.
Source: mtv.com, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Michael_Symphonica_(10).jpg (CC)
1
His wedding gift to Prince William and Kate Middleton was a cover of Stevie Wonder’s 1972 song “You and I”, which was released in April 2011.
Source: needsomefun.net, image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kate_and_William,_Canada_Day,_2011,_Ottawa,_Ontario,_Canada.jpg (CC)
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