HomoQuotable - George Michael

"For some strange reason, my gay life didn't get easier when I came out. Quite the opposite happened, really. The press seemed to take some delight that I previously had a 'straight audience,' and set about trying to destroy that. And I think some men were frustrated that their girlfriends wouldn't let go of the idea that George Michael just hadn't found the 'right girl' [yet]. Which is still what a lot of my extended family still think!" - George Michael, speaking to the BBC. Michael came out in 1998 after being busted for public sex in a Los Angeles park.

He adds that he won't ever judge someone for not coming out: "Because it's about family. In the years when HIV was a killer, any parent of an openly gay person was terrified. I knew my mother well enough that she would spend everyday praying that I didn't come across that virus. She'd have worried like that."

Michael's live album recorded in 2011, Symphonica, was released this week to generally positive reviews. He tells the BBC that for his next release, he would "like to do something for the gay community. Possibly a dance album." (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

Postmodern Jukebox - Careless Whisper

With gay nine-time Grammy nominee Dave Koz on sax.

George Michael - Let Her Down Easy

Via press release:

Produced by George Michael and the late, legendary Phil Ramone, "Let Her Down Easy" is taken from George’s forthcoming album, Symphonica which will also be released on March 18, 2014 from Island Def Jam. The single will be accompanied by a video directed by Vaughan Arnell, one of Britain’s foremost and most innovative music video directors, whose credits include George’s iconic video for "Outside" in 1998, plus videos for Robbie Williams, The Spice Girls and One Direction amongst others.

The track is a cover of Terence Trent D'Arby's 1993 original.

Gayest Closing Ceremony EVAH

Pet Shop Boys, George Michael, openly bisexual Jessie J, and a full stadium singalong with Freddie Mercury on center-stage screens. I don't think we could have asked for much more.

George Michael - White Light

I missed this a couple of days ago, but here's George Michael's reflection on his recent brush with death.

(Tipped by JMG reader Don)

#1 Twenty Years Ago Today

The only gay-gay duet #1 hit in history?

George Michael: I Nearly Died

George Michael To Be Home For Xmas

All those loving Christian prayers for God to smite sodomite George Michael didn't work, as the pop star is set to be released from his Vienna hospital and "should be home by Christmas."

Within the next few days the ­superstar singer is set to be ­discharged from the hospital in Austria where he has been treated for the past month. And he will head straight for his London home in time to enjoy Christmas Day there. Medics initially feared the Careless Whisper singer would need to stay in ­hospital for months. George’s ­boyfriend Fadi Fawaz has been at the star’s bedside throughout his ­ordeal. He revealed that the singer, who had hits such as Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go with Wham! before going solo, has been given the all-clear to leave. Writing on Twitter, Fadi, 38, said: “Christmas at home. I cannot stop smiling today, the best day ever. He is getting better and better. Nothing to worry about, happy days.”

George Michael "Steadily Improving"

George Michael's Austrian team of doctors have issued a statement saying that the pop star's condition has improved. They also continued to bat down rumors that his hospitalization is HIV-related.

Professors Gottfried Locker and Christoph Zielinski said: "The latest development in Mr Michael's case, which has evolved from a severe pneumococcal infection, necessitated intensive care due to its severity and extension. "We are happy to announce that Mr Michael is improving steadily with an impressive regression of pneumonic symptoms and follows a steady rate of improvement as hoped." The doctors also confirmed that despite recent media speculation, the singer is not suffering from any other health issues.

Bedside Vigil For George Michael's Family

While spokespersons continue to downplay the severity of his condition, the family of George Michael has flown to Austria for what the Telegraph describes as a "bedside vigil."

The singer, who is being treated in hospital in Vienna, Austria, is said to be responding to treatment and "slowly improving". He had been joined by his 75-year-old father Kyriacos Panayiotou, who is known as Jack Panos, as well as sisters Melanie, 49 and Yioda, 53. His former boyfriend, art dealer Kenny Goss, is also due to join the group in the Austrian capital shortly. The 48-year-old star’s boyfriend, hair stylist Fadi Fawaz, has kept a bedside vigil since the singer fell ill on Monday of last week. Fawaz, 38, reportedly appeared tired and drawn as he left the hospital over the weekend. He was accompanied by two women, believed to be Michael’s sisters, one of whom held her head in her hands waiting in the hospital lobby.

Christian activists on Twitter continue to gleefully report on Michael's condition. Some are openly praying for his "death from AIDS." No reliable report has ever been issued on Michael's HIV status.

George Michael Hospitalized

George Michael is reportedly worsening after being admitted on Monday to an Austrian hospital for the treatment of pneumonia. His management has announced the cancellation of the remaining dates on his world tour. Via yesterday's Vienna Times:

He is currently in intensive care on the 13th floor of the red tower as a result of heart problems believed to be caused by the shortage of oxygen caused by his pneumonia. On Thursday afternoon he was fitted into a special full-body bed designed to keep all the pressure off his lungs and to help them to function - so far without any sign of improvement. Head doctor from the nearby Otto Wagner Hospital, Norbert Vetter, said that the reason a person with a lung problem was being treated in the cardiac unit probably lay in the fact that if there was a lung problem - and not enough oxygen being taken into the body - then that could affect the heart especially if the heart had already been damaged in some way. He added in the worst case the heart could cease to function.

Business Week quotes one of the singer's doctors as saying he has "severe community acquired pneumonia." Michael's spokesman confirmed his condition as "bad." Some tabloids are already rushing out with AIDS rumors and commenters on anti-gay sites like Free Republic are saying exactly the sort of things you'd expect from loving Christians.

UPDATE: Pink News reports that Michael's team is denying the Vienna Times report about his heart.

The star’s spokeswoman said in a statement: “George Michael is ill with pneumonia and any other speculation regarding his illness is unfounded and untrue. “He is receiving excellent medical care, he is responding to treatment and slowly improving”. A source told the Daily Mail: “George has woken up and he’s in good spirits. Doctors are very pleased with him, and he’s making progress.” “He’s been in terrible pain. He’s had a dreadful chest infection, but he’s been in good care. He’s in very capable hands”.

George Michael - True Faith

I posted the audio of this last week, here's the trippy production video. It's been pointed out that this isn't actually auto-tuned, he uses a vocoder, which is not to be confused with the Talk Box.

George Michael - True Faith

I like George Michael. I like New Order. I do not like this.

(Via - Pop In Stereo)

George Michael Gets Scruffy

An Australian newspaper is breathlessly reporting that George Michael is spending his downtime in Sydney by cruising men on the iPhone app Scruff. And that's apparently news because he usually works it on Grindr.

Now a fixture on the Northern Beaches after arriving in town for New Year, the on-the-prowl performer has apparently joined Scruff, a new iPhone application marketed to "bears, furred, inked, uniformed, jocks, geeks and more". According to the app's description: "Meet hundreds of thousands of scruffy gay guys in your neighbourhood." The profile said to be Michael's is operating under the screen name "Sydney rocks". Like Grindr, which the swinging singer used during his extended Aussie jaunt last year, Scruff is location-based, using the iPhone's built-in GPS to instantly "connect" with other users in the same area.

And right now half of you are searching your iPhone for "Sydney Rocks."

UPDATE: The Perth Now says "huh uh," that's an impostor. So now two newspapers are finding this newsworthy.

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of Fly Life Inc, today's Swag Tuesday booty is Faith Remastered, a special new deluxe remixed double CD of the classic 1987 George Michael album. Faith Remastered will be available on the artist's website beginning February 1st.

Of the many events that truly define the evolution of global pop at the end of the 20th century, the release of George Michael’s debut solo album, Faith, in November 1987, occupies a special place in music history. Spending 87 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart (including 12 weeks at #1 in 1988), a rare RIAA diamond certification (for U.S. sales in excess of 10 million units, the biggest selling album of 1988, by far), and the Grammy Award as Album Of The Year – are just the tip of the Faith iceberg. Added to it are the album’s six top-charted singles: “I Want Your Sex,” “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try,”“Monkey” and “Kissing A Fool..” Together, they maintained George Michael’s presence on the Hot 100 for a cumulative 85+ weeks, from 1987 to 1989. Written, produced and arranged entirely by George, Faith was a singular achievement that placed him at a level of royal stardom in the ’80s alongside Michael Jackson, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Madonna.

We have five copies of Faith Remastered to give away. Enter to win by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave your email address in the text of your comment. Entries close at midnight on Thursday, west coast time. Publicists: If you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.

JMG BONUS: If you purchase Faith Remastered in advance of the February 1st release date, you'll receive an immediate free download of the Freemasons' remix of I Want Your Sex.

Two Months Jail For George Michael

George Michael has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail for driving under the influence of GHB on his way home from London Pride in July. Michael had passed out at the wheel and crashed into a photography shop. No one was injured. Last month he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possession of marijuana.

BRITAIN: George Michael Pleads Guilty To DUI, Faces Possible Jail Time

George Michael pleaded guilty today to driving under the influence of GHB after attending London Pride on July 4th. He now faces possible jail time.

In a 15-minute appearance at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, Michael admitted driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cannabis following the July 4 crash, where police say they found him "spaced out" and with dilated pupils. Judge Robin McPhee banned the hitmaker behind "Faith" and "Father Figure" from driving for six months, and sternly warned he could face a prison sentence. "It is a serious matter. Your driving was extremely poor and there was an accident," McPhee said, adding that Michael has already had one conviction. Three years ago, Michael was found slumped over the wheel of his car, which was blocking an intersection. Michael, 47, whose real name is Georgios Panayiotou, spoke only to enter his pleas and confirm his identity. The former Wham! lead singer needed help from police to get through a swarm of photographers and cameramen as he arrived at the court.

Michael was found guilty of similar charges in 2007.

George Michael Arrested Again

George Michael was arrested early Sunday morning after he crashed his car into a photo shop outside London. He is thought to have been on his way home from London Pride.

He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive, taken to a nearby police station and released on bail to return next month. Police confirmed they were called to the shop at 3.45am on Sunday following reports of a collision. Michael is said to have climbed out of his car after the crash and waited for police to arrive. A police spokesperson said: "A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive." He was reportedly not breathalysed because he said he had not been drinking. According to the Daily Mirror, he was tested for drugs but none were recovered.

Michael has several previous arrests for DUI, cottaging, and possession of crack cocaine.

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of Fly Life Inc, today's Swag Tuesday prize is George Michael: Live In London, a new 26-song double-DVD greatest hits package captured live during his 25 Live concert tour. This release is available today via retailers and online worldwide.

'Live In London' features tracks from George's historic career including 'Careless Whisper,' 'Freedom,' 'Faith,' 'Everything She Wants' and 'Amazing.' A special behind the scenes bonus documentary, 'I'd Know him a Mile Off,' offers a glimpse behind the magic of these sold out shows even shadowing the man himself before and after his performances on stage. 'Live in London' will be available worldwide in two formats, double disc DVD and a single Blu-Ray disc. When George first announced his 25 Live Tour tickets were snapped up in minutes. The critically acclaimed tour saw George perform in front of over 2 million people worldwide with a 49 date 25 Live Arena Tour and a 30 date 25 Live Stadium Tour. In Summer 2008 Michael took his 25 Live Tour to arenas across North America touring North America for the first time in 20 years. In London alone, 350,000 people collectively watched him performing in Earls Court, Wembley Arena, The Roundhouse and the newly renovated Wembley Stadium, where he made musical history as the first artist to perform at the momentous venue in June 2007. His exceptional performances in the UK, Europe and North America received unprecedented praise from both critics and fans across the globe.

We have five copies of George Michael: Live In London for giveaway. Enter to win your copy by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave your email in the text of your comment. The contest ends at midnight on Thursday, west coast time. Publicists: If you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.

HomoQuotable - George Michael

"People want to see me as tragic with all the [casual sex] and drug-taking... those things are not what most people aspire to, and I think it removes people's envy to see your weaknesses. I don't even see them as weaknesses any more. It's just who I am. Elton will not be happy until I bang on his door in the middle of the night saying, 'Please, please, help me, Elton. Take me to rehab.' It's not going to happen.

"The handful of times a year it's bloody warm enough, I'll do it [go cruising]. I'll do it on a nice summer evening. Quite often there are campfires up there. It's a much nicer place to get some quick and honest sex than standing in a bar; E'd off your tits shouting at somebody and hoping they want the same thing as you do in bed." - George Michael, telling the UK Guardian about his drug and cruising habits.