George Michael
George Michael
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Overview

George Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was a renowned English singer-songwriter and record producer. He is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, known for his creative force in songwriting, vocal performance, and visual presentation. Here is a timeline of his significant life events and milestones:
Main Milestones
Birth
25 June 1963
George Michael was born as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in East Finchley, Middlesex. This marked the beginning of a life that would become synonymous with pop music and cultural iconography.
Formation of Wham!
1981
George Michael formed the pop duo Wham with his school friend Andrew Ridgeley. This partnership would launch his career and bring him international fame with hits like 'Young Guns (Go for It)' and 'Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do)'.
Release of Wham!'s Debut Album 'Fantastic'
1983
Wham!'s debut album 'Fantastic' was released, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart. The album included the hit single 'Club Tropicana', which was accompanied by a memorable music video shot in Ibiza.
Release of 'Make It Big' and 'Careless Whisper'
1984
Wham!'s second album 'Make It Big' was released, achieving number one status on both the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart. This year also saw the release of 'Careless Whisper', George Michael's first solo single, which reached number one in nearly 25 countries.
Wham!'s Tour in China and Live Aid Performance
1985
Wham became the first Western pop act to tour China, generating significant global media attention. George Michael also performed at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium, singing 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' with Elton John.
Release of Solo Album 'Faith'
1987
After Wham disbanded, George Michael released his debut solo album 'Faith', which stayed at number one on the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. The album sold over 25 million copies worldwide and included hits like 'Faith', 'Father Figure', and 'Monkey'.
Release of 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1'
1990
George Michael released his second solo album 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1', which included the number one singles 'Praying for Time' and the worldwide hit 'Freedom '90'. This album further solidified his status as a solo artist.
Coming Out and LGBT Rights Advocacy
1998
George Michael publicly came out as gay and became an active advocate for LGBT rights and an HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. This period also saw him facing personal and legal challenges, including an arrest for public lewdness and multiple drug-related offenses.
25 Live Tour
2006-2010
George Michael embarked on his 25 Live tour, a massive worldwide undertaking that spanned five years. This tour marked his return to live performances after a 15-year hiatus.
Death
25 December 2016
George Michael was found dead in his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, at the age of 53. A coroner's report later attributed his death to natural causes related to heart disease.
Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
2023
George Michael was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to music and his enduring legacy.