George Michael a Noted Weed Lover

George Michael, a 'Noted Weed Lover,' Spends AU$40,000 Per Week in Rehab After 30th Anniversary

Independent.ie reported "The star nearly died after suffering from pneumonia in 2011 and in October he cancelled his shows in Australia, saying he was wrong to think he could work through the "major anxiety" that had plagued him since then."

On his website, the 49-year-old singer said, "since last year's illness, I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience.  They recommended complete rest and the type of post traumatic counseling which is available in cases like mine..."

However, Michael "believed (wrongly) that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences that bring me such joy would be therapy enough in itself."

In some ways, Michael believes he was right: "...I was right to believe that the shows would bring me great happiness and that my voice would recover completely.

However, in other ways, he has to admit he was wrong: "I was wrong to think I could work my way through the major anxiety that has plagued me since I left Australia last December."

Perhaps it was Michael's problems with anxiety that led him to turn to weed? MusicFeedscalls him "a noted weed lover." However, Michael's statement makes no reference to what exactly his addiction was, that required rehab.

In 2012, George Michael celebrated his 30th anniversary in the music business, as perIdolator and released a new single to commemorate it, titled "White Light."

George Michael Completes Stint In Health Clinic

George Michael has spent two months in an Australian health clinic to tackle the problems which forced him to cancel a concert tour of the country.
The British pop star had pulled out of a national tour of Australia in 2012 citing “major anxiety” and the need for “post traumatic counselling.” Michael’s cancellation came just two weeks before he was due to open the new Perth Arena – a gig which Elton John would slot into.
Now, Britain’s The Sun newspaper is quoting unnamed sources who claim Michael has completed a two-month stint in Australia’s The Sanctuary, and has now returned  to London.
The former Wham frontman fell seriously ill with pneumonia in 2011, a condition which forced him to be hospitalized in Vienna, Austria. He later told reporters that his health was "touch and go" – that he’d spent some days on the brink of death.

George Michael: Pnuemonia Scare was 'Touch and Go'

In the statement issued last September through the Australian promoter of his planned shows, Paul Dainty, Michael said, “By way of explanation all I can say at this time is that since last year's illness I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience.”
He added that his doctors “recommended complete rest and the type of post traumatic counselling which is available in cases like mine but I'm afraid I believed (wrongly) that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences that bring me such joy would be therapy enough in itself…I was wrong to think I could work my way through the major anxiety that has plagued me since I left Austria last December.”

 

George Michael denies rehab stay confirming

George Michael denies rehab stay confirming he is in ‘great health’

George Michael is in ‘great health’ and no need for rehab (Picture: File)

George Michael says he’s alive and kicking and ‘in great health.’
The Wham! singer’s camp hit back amid rumours he’s secretly been in a rehab centre in Australia for the last two months.
‘George was in Australia but it was a holiday, he goes there every year,’ the 49-year-old’s spokesperson told Metro.
‘He was writing songs for his new album but he is back in London now.’
Rubbishing reports that George was suffering from ‘emotional anxiety, among other issues’ his mouthpiece added: ‘He is in great health.’
It was claimed the White Light singer was allegedly seeking help at an exclusive £27,000-a-week rehab clinic in Bryon Bay.
Last month the star’s spokesperson was forced to deny rumours that George had died after fans commented that his Twitter feed had not been updated since January.
‘There is no truth in the rumour circulating on Twitter about George Michael. George Michael is perfectly fine,’ the statement said.
In 2011 George revealed he thought he was on death’s door after he was taken out by a nasty bout of pneumonia.

George Michael - Manchester Arena

 George Michael - Manchester Arena

Strange what a near-death experience can do for a man. A year ago George Michael was fighting for his life after being struck down with pneumonia.

But now, here he is, looking and sounding at the peak of his powers and resuming his Symphonica Tour to a delirious fan faithful.

"Good evening Manchester, we’re back!" he yells before launching into a swinging cover of My Baby Just Cares For Me.

It’s the only mention we get that he has ever even been away. As the title of the tour suggests, this is a classically-reworked set of his greatest hits and a mix of well-selected covers. The full orchestra provides a spectacular backdrop to the show, and breathes a sparkling new level of seduction to old George classics.

Eighties favourites Father Figure and Different Corner are sensual singalongs while the likes of Cowboys and Angels and Kissing a Fool were made for this sort of symphonic treatment – it’s truly spine-tingling stuff.

It’s super-stylish too, a sleek black circular set, with our Gorgeous George at the heart of it all in sharp black suit and Tom Ford specs.

But while the overall mood is of laidback sophistication, there are also moments of joyous jiggling – on Waiting For That Day and even a finale snapshot of I’m Your Man.

The cover versions are pretty special too though, Rufus Wainwright’s Going To a Town, Police’s Roxanne and Rihanna’s Russian Roulette proving show highlights.

There’s also an airing for "something local" as he introduces his cover of New Order’s True Faith.

Too many magic moments to mention, this tour proves 49-year-old George is back, and boy he means business.

"Don’t tell anyone, but you’re my favourites," he laughs at the encore.

The feeling is quite, quite mutual.

George Michael confirms Olympics comeback gig

George Michael confirms Olympics comeback gig

George Michael will make his stage comeback after his brush with death last year by performing at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics.
Rumors of the star’s involvement in the extravaganza have been rife for weeks, and now he has taken to Twitter.com to officially announce the news.
He writes, “Hey everyone, how are you. Spending most of the next week rehearsing like crazy for the Olympic closing ceremony…
“Obviously a bit nervous not having played for nearly a year, but rehearsals sounding great so far!”
When one follower asked if the show was supposed to be a secret, he replied, “Oh, and, secret? It’s been all over the press for weeks, and I think you all needed to be put out of your misery!”
It will be the first time Michael has performed live in public since he was hospitalized at the end of last year with a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. The illness forced him to pull the plug on a string of concerts.
The Spice Girls are also expected to reunite for the ceremony – the first time they have performed together since 2007.
The closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games takes place on August 12.

 

George Michael Closes Games, Royal Bling: London Weekend

 

London is entering the final lap of Olympic hysteria. For those left without tickets, BT London Live has screens in Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square.

Spectators can grab a drink, have a picnic and watch the last medals get handed out. The free shows include live performances from Ocean Colour Scene, Feeder and the View.
Information: http://www.btlondonlive.com
There’s also a large screen at the House of Nations pop-up venues at King’s Cross Station and the Tower of London. Information: http://www.houseofnations.co.uk/
Those avoiding sport can head for the South Bank, where the Meltdown Festival continues for a second weekend, with the grizzled veteran Lou Reed the star on Friday night. He’s accompanied by his touring band in a show called “From VU to Lulu,” meaning from the Velvet Underground to his Metallica CD.
Information: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk.
Also on the South Bank, the acclaimed “London Road” is at the National Theatre. It’s about the creepy serial killer who murdered five prostitutes in Suffolk six years ago.
The production is based on real-life interviews with the locals, and their verbatim responses -- including the throat clearing and the hemming and hawing -- are set to minimalist music.
Moving moments, such as the prostitutes’ struggle to give up their drug habits, are interspersed with comical ones.
This original blend of musical, documentary and speech is brought to you by Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork. Information: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ or +44-20-7452-3000.

Saturday

The most titled Bond girl in history is putting her diamonds on show.
Queen Elizabeth II is entertaining throngs of visitors at her palace while she’s away on summer holiday. The 2012 exhibition is “Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration” (through Oct. 7) which also marks her 60 years on the throne.
On show are seven of the nine stones made from the largest diamond ever found, the Cullinan Diamond, and Queen Victoria’s tiny crown, only 10 centimeters in diameter yet crammed with 1,187 diamonds.
As you tour the palace on your way to the royal bling, pay attention to the paintings. There’s a magnificent Rubens self- portrait, which he sent to London hoping to impress the future King Charles I. The Rembrandt on the wall is not bad either: It’s “The Shipbuilder and His Wife” (1633), where the man holds a compass while his wife hands him a note.
Information: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk or +44-20-7766-7300.

Saturday Night

John Lydon, who turned down a chance to play Sex Pistols songs at the London Olympics, has been concentrating on his post-punk outfit Public Image Ltd.
The man once known as Johnny Rotten and now recognized for a butter commercial will be reprising the album “Metal Box.”
Expect a lot of sneering, anti-monarchist and anti-just- about-everything rants, along with some ramshackle rock such as “Rise” and “This Is Not a Love Song.”
HMV Forum, 9-17 Highgate Road, NW5 1JY. Telephone: +844-847-2405. http://hmvforum.com/
The Bull & Last is a historic pub on the edges of Hampstead Heath serving seasonal British food. Dogs are welcome, as are humans attending the nearby Forum. Hampers are available, though maybe not entirely appropriate for a Public Image Ltd. concert.
Information: http://www.thebullandlast.co.uk/about_us/ or NW5 1QS.

Sunday

It’s hard to get away from Olympic Rings on every lamp post around London right now. A more original take on the five circles was produced by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The pair made a striking silkscreen of the hoops with a black face superimposed by Basquiat. The work is part of an exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery, 17-19 Davies St., W1 (until Aug. 11). Information: http://bit.ly/KBIMQr.
At the other Gagosian Gallery in London (on Britannia Street), Henry Moore enjoys a posthumous revival.
His colossal bronzes recall the Richard Serra sculptures that the gallery was built to accommodate. Moore’s towering “Large Two Forms” from 1966 is, like Serra’s work, large enough to walk through. And it’s proof that Moore’s late works were stronger.
At the Gagosian Gallery, 6-24 Britannia Street, until Aug. 18. Information: http://www.gagosian.com.

Sunday Night

Franco Manca serves some of the finest pizza in London, and if you’re going to the Olympic Park, you might eat here first. There’s a branch (the third) in Westfield Stratford City mall offering the same quality ingredients and low prices as the mother ship in less glitzy Brixton, south London. Information: http://francomanca.co.uk/ or +44-20-8522-6669.
George Michael heads the musical lineup at the Olympics closing ceremony. Queen, Annie Lennox, Madness, the Pet Shop Boys and Ed Sheeran are also due to perform, according to music- industry sources. Blur and New Order will belt it out in Hyde Park.

Pink Floyd and Noel Gallagher have issued statements denying their participation.

The flame will be extinguished as London hands over to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 games.

Information: http://l2012.cm/INKkYc

(Farah Nayeri and Mark Beech write for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are their own.)

To contact the writer on this story: Farah Nayeri in London at farahn@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.

 

George Michael And Andrew Ridgeley

George Michael And Andrew Ridgeley Remind Us to "Give A Wham!" In The Ridiculous "Wham Rap!"

The publisher of this site and I have often fallen out over our differing tastes in music. He is an Encyclopedia Nerdicus on the matter, frequently quoting obscure lyrics in casual conversation and espousing new musical talent almost before the artist in question has left the maternal womb.
I ceased updating my music knowledge before the turn of the last century. I know what I like and what I like most is from the '80s and '90s. I'm still enjoying that music, so I feel no need to go acquaint myself with the Lady Gagas and Justin Biebers of the modern world (although if either of them collaborated on a duet with Boy George...).
Despite this, perhaps in a typical moment of drunken misjudgment, the editor not only agreed to, but encouraged me, to write something for the site about any song I wanted. And after a moment of prayer to my personal god, Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, inspiration hit. A song so fantastically representative of the early '80s, so laden with my childhood memories and so aurally torturous to my publisher-nemesis, that it couldn't fail. Enter: "Wham Rap!"
The year is 1982, the place is Britain. Two teenage lads pair up to form a duo called Wham, release "Wham Rap!" and sell none-dreds of records. But their next song charts and so the following year "Wham Rap!" is re-released and becomes a hit. It is, as the title so subtly implies, a rap song. And kudos of some sort must be handed to George Michael for spotting a trend that was, at that time, largely still an underground, American one. But probably the kudos should stop there. George rapping is sort of like a cat swimming - even though it can, doesn't mean it should. Still, this somehow adds to the awesomeness of it all.
The song was accompanied by a video that very much needs to be seen - it's '80s kitsch at its finest and there's a lot to revel in. It starts with George preening in a mirror, then strutting down a city street, sporting a leather jacket and fluffy hair. If Saturday Night Fever had taken place in a London suburb, and been directed by Alan Parker, this is what the opening scene might have looked like. He's rapping about having 'street credibility' - if that street is Sesame, then he's possibly correct.
He's on his way to see his mate Andrew Ridgeley, who is sitting miserable at his parents' house with a white sweater draped jauntily over his shoulders. His parents want him to get a job, but then George arrives and sorts that little mess out, telling him he needs to 'get some space'. Cut to George and Andrew on a stage dressed in matching leather jackets and peddle-pusher jeans, exhibiting some dad-dancing that is truly tragic in ones so young.
The song continues on, extolling the virtues of being 'on the dole', the fun of pubbing and clubbing off the proceeds of an unemployment check and generally advising listeners to 'give a wham, give a bam, but don't give a damn'. As if we needed to be told.
It's all good, cheesy, harmless fun in the form of a catchy song and bathed in the warm light of teenage nostalgia it becomes even more amusing. But what if I tried to convince you it was also slightly subversive?
In January 1982, unemployment in Britain had hit 3 million people - the highest since the 1930s. One in eight of the adult population was out of work and young people were hit particularly hard, resulting in riots in some parts of the country. Margaret Thatcher's government wasn't doing a particularly convincing job of offering hope to anyone, and her opponents were shouting about 'the right to work'. Things were grim.
In the midst of all this turmoil come a couple of young lads, giving society the two-fingered British salute and encouraging their peers to stop worrying, take that benefits check and enjoy. OK, so maybe it's not up there with Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changing," but for a couple of nineteen year old popstars, that's pretty political. Can you imagine Demi Lovato singing about Obamacare?
Wham revived "Wham Rap!" on their final album, changing the lyrics somewhat, but retaining the message that it's better to party your life away than work for a living. Given that they were multimillionaires at the time, it loses something in the impact. But I remain a vocal supporter of the original, which encompasses the '80s pop I love so much while reminding me how important it is to always 'give a wham'.