George Michael, The #55 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Three

 

(Continued From Part Two)

After those two singles, Michael released the album Older, his first in six years and third in the 10 years since he began his solo career.  Further singles from the album were far more successful in the U.K., where Michael achieved six Top 3 hits.  The album did manage to reach Platinum status in the U.S.

 "Spinning The Wheel" reached #2 in the   U.K.

 

  

"Star People '97" gave him a third smash in the U.K. from the album. Older climbed to #1 on Album charts throughout the world, with the only exceptions being #2 in Ireland and Switzerland, #3 in West Germany and #6 in the U.S.

 "Older" hit #3 in his native country.

 

"I Can't Make You Love Me", which Bonnie Raitt first enjoyed a hit with, was covered and was part of a double A-sided hit.

 

"You Have Been Loved"/"The Strangest Thing '97" also landed at #2 in the U.K.

 Although public questioning of Michael's sexual orientation persisted throughout his career, he was arrested on April 7, 1998 in Beverly Hills, California for "engaging in a lewd act" in a public restroom.  Michael said that it wasn't the way he wanted to make an announcement, but later said that "hiding his sexuality made him feel fradulent".  

George released the compilation Ladies & Gentlemen:  The Best of George Michael on two CD's.  The album, which fulfilled a remaining obligation with Sony, became a #1 album of eight weeks in the U.K. and has sold over nine million copies worldwide.  

Two new songs gave Michael his 18th and 19th Top 10 songs in the U.K. "Outside" is George's public response to his arrest.

 

"Outside" and "As", the latter a duet with Mary J. Blige and a remake of the incredible song by Stevie Wonder, both hit the Top 5 in the U.K.

 

The next year, Michael released an album of covers called Songs from the Last Century, which was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the Grammy Awards.  In 2000, George recorded "If I Told You That" with Whitney Houston, a #9 hit in the U.K.

Michael patched up differences with Sony and re-signed with the label in 2003, with the album Patience hitting stores the next year.  The album went to #1 in the U.K. and became one of the fastest-selling albums there.  The album also attained Gold status in the U.S. and has sold over seven million copies around the world.

"Freeek!" became a big hit, going to #1 in Denmark, Italy, Portugal and Spain and reaching the Top 10 in the U.K. and Australia.

The single "Shoot The Dog" was critical of U.S. President George W. Bush and U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair for their roles in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.  The song charted in the Top 15 in most European countries.

 

"Amazing" is a song Michael wrote about his partner Kenny Goss, whom he was with for over a decade.

 

Both "Amazing" and "Flawless (Go To The City)" reached the Top 10 in the U.K.

In 2004, the Radio Academy announced that Michael was the most-played artist on British radio from 1984 to 2004.  

Michael released the compilation album Twenty Five in 2006, marking his 25 years in the music business.  It contains songs both from his solo career and from his work with Wham!  Michael toured the United States for the first time since 1989 and performed before 1.3 million fans around the world.  But George has not enjoyed any further worldwide Top 10 hits.

In 2008, Billboard ranked Michael #40 on its Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists list.  Michael made his American acting debut on the television series Eli Stone.

Michael followed with his first concerts in Australia since 1989, and released the album Symphonica in 2014.

On December 25, 2016, Michael died in bed at this home in Goring-on-Thames at the age of 53.  His partner, Fadi Fawaz, found his body.  The coroner ruled that George's death was due to dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver.  His funeral was March 29, 2017.

An incredible 15 of 17 Michael singles reached the Top 10, making him one of the most consistent artists ever.  Six songs went to #1.  

Michael has won two Grammy Awards among eight nominations, three American Music Awards from five nominations and three MTV Video Music Awards from nine nominations.

Michael has sold over 80 million records worldwide.