RIP George Michael
 
When I found out last night that George Michael had passed away , I had a very large lump in my throat that lasted for a few hours. A clogged non working nose , and a case of misty eyes combined with blurred vision  .
 
The only thing that may have helped me to feel OK about his passing was,
"The Powers That Be " upstairs At The Pearly Gates  may have wanted to give all the residents of that Realm & Utopia the gift of excellent music this Christmas . 
 
 
Having said that , normally I stay away from the RIP threads since I'm still here trying to work things out ..if I can

I have found that it is only natural for me to start wondering too myself about when my own life is gonna have it's time to check out ticket called in ....
 
Kenny
 

I didn't think that much of him until I saw him sing 'Somebody To Love' at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert with Queen.  Completely blew me away how good he was.  RIP dude.

 
2016 - The year that punched everyone in the face.
 
Always loved this one...
 

ston
I didn't think that much of him until I saw him sing 'Somebody To Love' at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert with Queen.  Completely blew me away how good he was.  RIP dude.

...

Always thought that he would be great in that band, if they wanted to continue ... and it was that performance that showed it.

 
According to most of the reports that have started to emerge, he was a very generous guy both with his money and his time. And he always insisted on receiving no publicity for his acts of kindness. Good for him, and what a refreshing change to the run-of-the-mill fame-hungry so-called celebrities we see so many of in this day and age.
 
When I think of George Michael, especially in the music videos he did with Wham, I always see a man effectively born a generation too early having to desperately project a false image of a heterosexual man. What does it say about society back then (and sadly about some societies today around the world) where a person has to go out of their way to hide or disguise who they really are.
 
Good on you George.

I've always admired him, although some of his music connected and some didn't. After coming out, he seemed to own his s**t, with a great sense of humour. The album he released after getting arrested in the toilet, and his appearance on Extras, were quite telling.. The charity was a surprise.

And even old goths were in his fan club: https://youtu.be/wGAs5JynWS8

SteveStrummerUK
 
According to most of the reports that have started to emerge, he was a very generous guy both with his money and his time. And he always insisted on receiving no publicity for his acts of kindness. Good for him, and what a refreshing change to the run-of-the-mill fame-hungry so-called celebrities we see so many of in this day and age.
 
 
Good on you George.

I went to his concert at the new Wembley stadium which IIRC was the first one ever held there. The tickets with £100 face value (ie good ones) were free as he gave them away to healthcare professionals as a thank you for the work they do in caring for others.
 
A friend of mine also used to do the decorating and maintenance of his London home. He never met him as the work was always scheduled by his PA to be done while he was away so he didn't have to live with the mess (who wouldn't do that if they could?) but he was always very generously paid for the work he did.

I have been listening and revisiting some of his music since his passing .
One things for sure (to me at least ) ...
His songs and production values have stood the test of time ...
I can learn a lot from his music by trying to emulate and copy / learn some of what his mix's have in them
 
Kenny
 

SteveStrummerUK
 
When I think of George Michael, especially in the music videos he did with Wham, I always see a man effectively born a generation too early having to desperately project a false image of a heterosexual man. What does it say about society back then (and sadly about some societies today around the world) where a person has to go out of their way to hide or disguise who they really are.
 
Good on you George.

Indeed.


I often find myself telling younger friends how it was growing up as a (very immature) metalhead in the 80's. Pop artists with their keyboards, drum machines and their choreographies were dismissed as "pussies" and often presumed gay. Theirs was a music for girls and effeminate boys. 
 
Wham was obviously one of those bands - as were many bands which would later become favorites of mine, such as Depeche Mode. Any guy my age listening to Wham or the Smiths would have been in for a tough time. 
 
 
(Meanwhile, none of us virile wannabe-vikings suspected Rob Halford).
 
Obviously, once you grow up a bit and outgrow peer pressure and stereotypes, you start to appreciate the amazing talent of George Michael. 
 
 
 
 

Rain

SteveStrummerUK
 
When I think of George Michael, especially in the music videos he did with Wham, I always see a man effectively born a generation too early having to desperately project a false image of a heterosexual man. What does it say about society back then (and sadly about some societies today around the world) where a person has to go out of their way to hide or disguise who they really are.
 
Good on you George.

Indeed.


I often find myself telling younger friends how it was growing up as a (very immature) metalhead in the 80's. Pop artists with their keyboards, drum machines and their choreographies were dismissed as "pussies" and often presumed gay. Theirs was a music for girls and effeminate boys. 
 
Wham was obviously one of those bands - as were many bands which would later become favorites of mine, such as Depeche Mode. Any guy my age listening to Wham or the Smiths would have been in for a tough time. 
 
 
(Meanwhile, none of us virile wannabe-vikings suspected Rob Halford).
 
Obviously, once you grow up a bit and outgrow peer pressure and stereotypes, you start to appreciate the amazing talent of George Michael. 
 
 
 
 

 
Same with Elton John.  I was well into my 20s before I dared proclaim my appreciation for his musical genius.