GEORGE MICHAEL

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, 25.6.1963)
George Michael is an English pop singer / songwriter who first rose to fame in the 1980s as one half of the pop duo Wham!

Wham! formed in 1981 and propelled George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley to chart success. The duo's debut album, Fantastic went to number one in the UK. Singles such as 'Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)', 'Bad Boys' and 'Club Tropicana' all became massive hits
The band's second album, Make It Big did just that and sold 6 million copies in the US. George sang on Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas' and the band donated the proceeds from sales of 'Last Christmas / Everything She Wants' to the charity. In 1985, George Michael also sang on Elton John's singles 'Nikita' and 'Wrap Her Up'.

Wham! split in 1986 after releasing a farewell single for their fans, entitled 'Edge of Heaven'.


In 1984, 'Careless Whisper' (taken from a Wham! Album) was released as a solo single for George. This was followed in 1986 with 'A Different Corner', which won George Michael a Grammy Award. In 1987, George recorded a duet with Aretha Franklin. 'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)' reached number one in the UK and US singles charts.
Faith was George Michael's first solo album release, which hit the stores in 1987. 'I Want Your Sex' was the debut single from the album and was banned from a number of stores for its highly sexualized lyrics. The track was featured on the soundtrack to Beverley Hills Cop II. Regardless of censorship efforts, the track charted at number two in the US and three in the UK. The title track from the album was released as the second single and was a huge success, reaching number one in the US and two in the UK. Faith has been awarded a Diamond certification and has sold over 20 million across the globe.
Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1 was released in 1990. George Michael refused to take part in any promotional activities for the album and as a result, no videos were made for the singles from this album. Despite this, 'Praying For Time' still reached number six in the UK and was a number one hit in the United States. The album was denied a number one position in the States but in the UK, he reached the lucrative top spot. In 1992, the album was certified four times platinum and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. The single 'Freedom 90' was supported by a music video but George refused to appear in it. Instead, he drafted in a group of supermodels, including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista to appear in the video and mime the words to the song.
At the end of 1991, George Michael's duet with Elton John on Elton's 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' was released and became a huge success and was the only modern number one single to have been recorded at an outdoor venue (Wembley Arena).
George Michael's intended third album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 2 became the victim of a feud between Michael and his record label, Sony. Michael scrapped the album and the single 'Too Funky' was the final release for Sony before George became embroiled in lengthy proceedings to release himself from his contract.
After a brief break from music, George released the single 'Jesus to a Child' in 1994, the song was a tribute to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had died the previous year. The single went straight to number one in the UK and seven in the US. Its follow-up, 'Fastlove' was also a UK number one. The accompanying album, Older, was Michael's first in six years.
George Michael's greatest hits package, Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael was released in 1998. Songs from the Last Century was released in 1999 and featured a number of re-workings of songs by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Sting.
Patience, released in 2004 was George Michael's first album of original material in eight years. The lead single 'Shoot The Dog' sparked some controversy for its open criticism of the British and US involvement in the war in Iraq.
George's second greatest hits release, Twentyfive, was released in 2006 and was a number one hit in the UK. The 2-CD set contained some songs from the Wham! era as well as three new songs, including a duet with Mutya Buena of Sugababes and a version of 'Heal the Pain', recorded with Sir Paul McCartney. George undertook a 50-date arena tour to promote the album.

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MICHAEL JACKSON

R.I.P....MAGICAL CHILD

Once there was a child and he was free
Deep inside, he felt the laughter
The mirth and play of nature's glee
He was not troubled by thoughts of hereafter
Beauty, love was all he'd see

He knew his power was the power of God
He was so sure, they considered him odd
This power of innocence, of compassion, of light
Threatened the priests and created a fright
In endless ways they sought to dismantle
This mysterious force which they could not handle

In endless ways they tried to destroy
His simple trust, his boundless joy
His invincible armor was a shield of bliss
Nothing could touch it, no venom, no hiss

The child remained in a state of grace
He wasn't confined in time or place
In Technicolor dreams, he frolicked and played
While acting his part, in Eternity he stayed

Soothsayers came and fortunes were told
Some were vehement, others were bold
In denouncing this child, this perplexing creature
With the rest of the world he shared no feature
Is he real? He is so strange
His unpredictable nature knows no range
He puzzles us so, is he straight?
What's his destiny? What's his fate?

And while they whispered and conspired
Through endless rumors to get him tired
To kill his wonder, trample him near
Burn his courage, fuel his fear
The child remained just simple, sincere

All he wanted was the mountain high
Color the clouds, paint the sky
Beyond these boundaries, he wanted to fly
In nature's scheme, never to die
Don't stop this child, he's the father of man
Don't cross his way, he's part of the plan
I am that Child, but so are you
You've just forgotten, just lost the clue

Inside your heart sits a Seer
Between his thoughts, he can hear
A melody simple but wondrously clear
The music of life, so precious, so dear

If you could for one moment know
This spark of creation, this exquisite glow
You would come and dance with me
Kindle this fire so we could see
All the children of the Earth
Weave their magic and give new birth
To a world of freedom with no pain
A world of joy, much more sane

Deep inside, you know it's true
Just find that child, it's hiding in you.

(part 2)
Magical child once felt a twinge
A faint recollection, a memory unhinged
In the colors, the forms, the hue
There seemed a mystery with a subtle clue
Behind the wind, the storm, the gale
Within the shroud, beyond the veil
Hidden from view in a wondrous pattern
There seemed a force that he could not fathom
Its music and cadence were playful and sweet
He danced in bliss to its throbbing beat
He did not mind either cold or heat
On the mountain high was his royal seat

Strangers came and scorned his joy
With ridicule and banter they tried to destroy
What in their minds was a skillful play
With cruel darts they tried to plunder
To suffocate and strangle his innocent wonder
Fighting hard, despite their blunder
Again and again to steal his thunder
Despite their attacks, they could not break
With all their barbs they could not take
God's gift of love, which they could not fake
Not knowing his strength or what he sought to seek
They complained aloud and called him a freak

But the mysterious force just kept its hold
Magical child grew brave and bold
Diving deep into his soul
In exquisite ecstasy he discovered his role
In his Self was infinite scope
This mysterious force was mankind's hope
Piercing through that mask of Being
In that silence beyond all seeing
Was a field with a different story
A field of power, of awesome glory
With other children, if unfurled
Its tidal wave would change the world
Magical child was ready to bow
Sow the seed, pick up the plough
With effortless ease, without a sigh
Without a tear, without a cry
With silent perfection
Under God's direction
To sing together as one race
Stem the tide, transform this place

Magical children, don't worry how
Don't delay, this moment's now

from the book
**DANCING THE DREAM by Michael Jackson**
(published 1992)

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