So… 2016 claimed ANOTHER celebrity scalp. In the early hours of Boxing Day news spread that Pop superstar, George Michael had passed away. Now, I’m an avid lover of Pop music so when Bowie died last year, I was sad. When Prince passed I was really sad but George Michael passing really hurts. When I was 7 years old and visiting relatives in Ireland with my family, My Mum took my Brother & I into town and said she would buy us a cassette tape of our choosing (Yes, a cassette tape. This was a while ago). My brother selected the debut album from conservative, flavour of the month popsters, ‘Johnny Hates Jazz’ (remember them? Yeah, few do) and I chose ‘Faith’ by George. I was drawn to it after liking his first band Wham! and loving the lead single, ‘Faith’ which my Mother also enjoyed.
Little did Mum or I know that ‘Faith’ was in reality, a Funky, Hyper sexual collection of songs story charting a young man’s coming to terms with his growing fame, his new journey as a solo artist, his sexuality and just growing up. In other words, It’s a Brave, beautiful, honest and truly personal album but all 7 yr. old me heard was great beats, that wonderful Soulful voice, the word SEX heaps and I loved that I felt so naughty listening to it. I’ve been on ‘Team George’ ever since.
George was original, Brave, strong, talented beyond measure, wildly generous, charitable & unflinchingly himself as he stood firm & proud in the face of prejudice throughout his life and career. He proved you can remain a nice guy and still get ahead. George Michael will be remembered as much for being a great man as he will be as a great artist.
I for one, will really miss him dearly but songs like this one will keep his name on our lips for decades to come.