Finally old enough to be your father figure
George Michael has enjoyed a hell of a year.
His public persona was rehabilitated via constantly clever cameos on TV's "Eli Stone." His new CD "Twenty Five" -- celebrating his 25 years in the music biz -- is selling well. He made a guest appearance on the "American Idol" finale, singing "Praying For Time." And his first tour of the U.S. in approximately 300 years finally kicked off last week in California. (He stops in Tampa Bay on Aug. 2.)
So what is left for George to wish for when blowing out the candles today for his 45th birthday? (Maybe a better plastic surgeon? More reasonable rates on legal insurance? A 24-hour bail bondsman located near the London's McDonalds drive-through?)
I'd say George Michael is one of the biggest feel-good stories of 2008 -- for an 80s star or anybody really.
[AP photo]
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I don't need to tell you how much I love George Michael. I do have to whine a little that his concert tickets are so blasted expensive. This single momma won't be seeing him live. But I'll sit out on my deck baking in the sunlight; basking in his tunes.
Posted by: Marissa | June 25, 2008 at 12:17 PM
George is only 45? No way is he only four years older than I am. I was only a Junior in high school when "Make It Big" was a hit for Wham.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 25, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I'd nearly forgotten how much I love, "One More Try".
Posted by: Rosa | June 25, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Uh, Faith isn't Faith. It's the Bangles lol
Posted by: Marissa | June 25, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Every year around this time I get hit in the face with the realization that I am actually a couple of weeks older than George Michael.
Sigh.
Anyway, here's my favorite GM story of the past year (I got a lot of mileage out of this on on my show). I reworded this a little for comedic impact, but it's pretty much exactly as I read it in the wire reports:
"London tabloids are reporting that George Michael was arrested while having anonymous sex with a overweight, unemployed truck driver in a public park. Michael insists the reports aren't true, and in a statement released by his publicist is quoted as saying..."
"He wasn't overweight!"
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | June 25, 2008 at 02:25 PM
As Ryan Seacrest once said: "Girls can come & go, but a bromance can last forever." Happy Birthday Bro!
Posted by: joe | June 25, 2008 at 02:54 PM
"Freedom" needs to be on the list. Just for the sight of Linda Evangelista and the other supermodels. *grin*
Posted by: Michelle | June 25, 2008 at 03:46 PM
I couldn't find Freedom or Faith. Go figure.
Posted by: | June 25, 2008 at 03:50 PM
I have always liked his duet version of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with Sir Elton.
Posted by: I Was A Teenage Duranie | June 25, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I can't now look at George Michael without David Spade's I-should've-known-he-was-gay take on Wake Me Up popping into my head. I'd quote it here, but the censors would have to take it down anyway!
Anyway, I think George's best work came in the 90s. I mean that seriously, not in a wink*wink, know-what-I-mean sort of way.
I like the guy's music. I even sang a sincere karoake of Kissing A Fool in a bar once -- people actually cheered. (I don't know if it was good or they were glad it was over.)
Posted by: Rick in Scottsdale | June 25, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Love George! Faith is definitely high on my list of Top 80s albums. I never understood why the record companies stopped trying to promote him here. It's been one or two years since Twenty Five was actually released. It's was really the show Eli Stone that brought him back into the spotlight in America. Face it guys, the states are behind the times.
Posted by: 80sfan | June 25, 2008 at 09:37 PM
What about Praying for Time. What an ammazing song.
Posted by: Emily | June 25, 2008 at 11:14 PM
I forgot to say...when I lived in the UK we were 20 minutes away from a place called Bushey in Hertfordshire, which is where George and and Andrew went to school at Bushey High!
Posted by: Emily | June 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM
I can't say how much I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE George Michael. He is definitely prominent on my iPod. Whether he is with Wham! or solo, Michael is fantastic. My all time favorite song is "Careless Whisper" and I can name that tune in 2 notes! ;) My favorite solo song I think would be Freedom. It is good to see George coming around again. Feel good is exactly right.
Posted by: sjdrj | June 26, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Faith was one of the two 80s albums seized by my otherwise clueless parents after they read irate reports in the newspaper.
Posted by: Andrea | June 26, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Who is singing 'Careless Whisper' in the imeem link? It certainly ain't GM. Steve, where's the quality control?
Posted by: jim | June 27, 2008 at 03:35 PM