George Michael Biography
Although he began his musical career in 1980 as half of what some consider the lightweight pop outfit of Wham!, as a solo artist George Michael has been hailed as a leading creative force in popular songwriting and even mentioned as an heir to songwriting giants Paul McCartney and Elton John. Faith, his 1988 album, rose to number one on the Billboard pop chart and sold 15 million copies. Though 1990’s Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. I was not as lucrative for Michael as Faith had been, it was nonetheless applauded by critics as an important and accomplished work. A contract dispute with the Sony record label led to periods of up to eight years during which Michael did not release albums of original work, but he reconciled with Sony in 2003 to release the chart topping Patience in Europe in 2004.
Michael was born Georgios Kyriakou Panayiotou in London on June 25, 1963. The son of a Greek Cypriot restaurateur, Michael was the youngest of three siblings. As a boy he dreamed of becoming a pilot; he was disappointed to find, however, that his myopia and color blindness would make that pursuit impossible. After receiving a tape recorder as a gift on his seventh birthday and unearthing some old Motown records and a phonograph, Michael hatched a new dream: He would become a recording artist. "I literally never entertained any other thought in my entire childhood and adolescence after that," Michael told Rolling Stone’s Steve Pond.
In his early adolescence the restaurant that Michael’s father owned became successful enough for the family to move to the affluent suburb of Bushey. While in school there Michael met Andrew Ridgeley, who would later become his partner in Wham! Ridgeley was popular, attractive, and stylish. At the time, Michael was shy and overweight. Though it seemed unlikely, the two became friends as they discovered a shared interest in pop music. The duo began recording songs together on Michael’s tape recorder.
Michael was born Georgios Kyriakou Panayiotou in London on June 25, 1963. The son of a Greek Cypriot restaurateur, Michael was the youngest of three siblings. As a boy he dreamed of becoming a pilot; he was disappointed to find, however, that his myopia and color blindness would make that pursuit impossible. After receiving a tape recorder as a gift on his seventh birthday and unearthing some old Motown records and a phonograph, Michael hatched a new dream: He would become a recording artist. "I literally never entertained any other thought in my entire childhood and adolescence after that," Michael told Rolling Stone’s Steve Pond.
In his early adolescence the restaurant that Michael’s father owned became successful enough for the family to move to the affluent suburb of Bushey. While in school there Michael met Andrew Ridgeley, who would later become his partner in Wham! Ridgeley was popular, attractive, and stylish. At the time, Michael was shy and overweight. Though it seemed unlikely, the two became friends as they discovered a shared interest in pop music. The duo began recording songs together on Michael’s tape recorder.
Profile
Born Georgios Kyriakou Panayiotou on June 25, 1963, in London, England; son of Jack (a restauranteur) and Lesley Panayiotou.
Contact Information
Website: http://www.aegean.net
Back
Top