George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou on June 25,1963, in East Finchley, London. A celebrated singer, songwriter and record producer, he started out as a DJ, playing in clubs around north London. At the same time, George Michael worked as a street performer, singing primarily in the London Underground. After a brief stint with the band, The Executive, Michael and Andrew Ridgely left to form Wham! in 1981.
The duo released their first album in 1983, Fantastic, and it went to #1 on the UK record charts. The second album, Make It Big, went to #1 on bother the UK and the US charts. This album included the hig single, Wake Me Up Before You go-go, and made Wham! a sensation in the United States.
In 1984, George Michael released his first solo single, Carless Whisper, and in 1985 sank backup vocals on David Cassidy’s Last Kiss and Elton John’s singles Nikta and Wrap Her Up. When Michael released his single, A Different Corner in 1986, rumors started concerning the break up of Wham! The duo released their last single, The Edge of Heaven that same year.
George Michael started his solo career with a bang in 1987 with his debut album, Faith. This album included the controversial single, I Want Your Sex. Many radio stations refused to play the song and Casey Kasem, legendary DJ host of the Top 40 refused to name the song, introducing it only as “The new single by George Michael.” The controversy didn’t hurt Michael’s career. He went on to release 5 albums, 2 compilations, and 44 singles. He remains one of the best selling artists ever.
George Michael won 4 MTV Video Awards, 2 Grammys, and 3 American Music Awards. Active in many charities, Michael formed the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity to benefit terminally ill children, participated in the Band Aid concert to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia, and was active in LGBT rights and HIV/Aids fundraising.
George Michael died on December 25, 2016 at the age of 53. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at $200 million.
