George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” is #1 on 2026’s All Time Top 500 for Smooth Radio. It is the eighth year in a row that “Careless Whisper” has topped the chart and the ninth year at #1. On top of that, “A Different Corner” landed in the #2 spot this year.
George Michael had a total of 20 songs in Smooth’s Top 500. Most songs moved up in the rankings, with the exception of “Club Tropicana.” Here is the ranking:
#1 “Careless Whisper”
#2 “A Different Corner” (moved up from #3 last year)
#7 “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (duet with Elton John) (moved up from #9 last year)
#12 “Father Figure” (moved up from #32 last year)
#15 “Jesus to a Child” (moved up from #23 last year)
#20 “FastLove” (moved up from #67 last year)
#31 “Everything She Wants” (moved up from #114 last year)
#32 “Faith” (moved up from #108 last year)
#48 “Freedom 90” (moved up from #117 last year)
#50 “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (duet with Aretha Franklin) (moved up from #105 last year)
#54 “Praying for Time” (moved up from #86 last year)
#56 “Somebody to Love” (with Queen) (same as last year)
#65 “One More Try” (moved up from #110 last year)
#88 “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (moved up from #97 last year)
#94 “I’m Your Man” (moved up from #138 last year)
#151 “As” (duet with Mary J. Blige) (moved up from #274 last year)
#167 “The Edge of Heaven” (move up from #323 last year)
#176 “Club Tropicana” (dropped from #82 last year)
#238 “Freedom” (moved up from #288 last year)
#259 “Heal the Pain” (entered back into the charts this year)
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George Michael’s Faith “Rockers Revenge” leather jacket
The 2026 auction season delivered one of the most significant surges in George Michael memorabilia interest in recent years. Items spanning the Faith era, Wham!’s early touring years, and George’s later 25 Live period drew passionate bidding, record‑setting prices, and a renewed appreciation for the artistry, style, and cultural impact George carried through every phase of his career.
Below is a full breakdown of the confirmed hammer prices — a snapshot of a market that continues to grow, deepen, and reveal just how cherished George Michael remains.
The Crown Jewel: The Photo‑Matched “Faith” La Rocka Leather Jacket
Sold for £176,400 (21 bids)
Few garments in pop history are as instantly recognizable as George Michael’s black La Rocka leather jacket — the one he wore in the Faith music video and throughout the 1988 tour. This wasn’t just a jacket; it was the visual signature of an era.
The 2026 sale of the photo‑matched, screen‑verified jacket became the headline of the auction, soaring to £176,400 after 21 competitive bids. Its value reflects not only its rarity but its cultural weight: this is the jacket that helped define George’s transformation into a global solo icon.
For collectors, this piece represents the conceptual DNA of the Faith aesthetic: bold, rebellious, and unmistakably George.
George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley–Signed Club Fantastic Tour Programme
Sold for £1,260
Wham!’s early touring years remain deeply nostalgic for fans, and signed items from this period are increasingly scarce.
The autographed Club Fantastic tour programme, signed by both George and Andrew, achieved £1,260, underscoring the enduring affection for the duo’s early energy and camaraderie.
Chris Cuffaro’s photography has become synonymous with the Faith era’s visual legacy.
This limited edition 1988 print, part of the Rockarchive collection, sold for £819, reflecting the growing collector demand for authenticated, artist‑approved photographic works from George’s most iconic period.
Selling for £6,930, it stands as one of the strongest results for post‑2000 stage‑worn George Michael fashion — a testament to the tour’s emotional resonance and George’s enduring style.
Rockarchive Artist’s Proofs: Faith Music Video & Tour Prints (Chris Cuffaro)
Artist’s proofs are especially prized for their rarity and direct connection to the photographer’s creative process.
“Careless Whisper” First Cut Vinyl + Negatives & Photographic Prints
Sold for £2,835
One of the most historically significant lots, this set included:
a six‑minute first cut vinyl of “Careless Whisper,”
nine strips of original negatives, and
four photographic prints.
Selling for £2,835, the lot offered a rare glimpse into George’s early solo artistry and the visual documentation surrounding one of the most enduring ballads of the 1980s.
A Market That Reflects a Legacy
The 2026 auction results reveal a clear trend: George Michael’s cultural impact is not only enduring — it is deepening.
From the record‑setting sale of the Faith jacket to the strong performance of photographic and tour‑worn items, collectors are increasingly valuing pieces that:
tell a story,
connect directly to George’s creative evolution, and
capture the emotional resonance of his music and image.
For longtime fans and new collectors alike, these sales reaffirm what the world has always known: George Michael’s artistry continues to inspire, captivate, and live on — not just in music, but in the objects and images that shaped his legacy.
Celebrate George’s legacy with us. Follow Yours Only George on Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Pinterest to be part of a community that keeps his spirit alive. Want the latest news, features, and special projects? Join our mailing list and stay connected to everything George.
George Michael’s Faith “Rockers Revenge” leather jacket
The iconic Rockers Revenge leather jacket from George Michael’s Faith video is up for auction. It will be auctioned off on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 3 p.m. (BST) / 10 a.m. (EDT) / 7 a.m. (PDT).
The starting bid will be £30,000, and it is estimated to be sold for £60,000 – £120,000.
According to the auction site:
Photo-matching confirms the jacket’s use both in the “Faith” music video and during live performances on the accompanying tour. Some shapes and wear patterns on the red “BSA” logo, small holes on the painted leaf detailing, and placement of studs on the reverse correspond to an image from the “Faith” video shoot, taken by Chris Cuffaro. Subsequent paint loss on the red lettering – now visible on the jacket today as larger worn areas – can be matched to a later Cuffaro photograph showing Michael mid-performance during the tour. Creasing on the lapel and distinctive traits in the leather near one of the chest zips align with additional Cuffaro images from the shoot, as well as a photograph taken by Michael Putland of Michael backstage during the Japanese/Australasian leg of the tour in February-March 1988. Two of Cuffaro’s prints showing this jacket are also included in this sale (see Lot 127).
The George Michael Singers — George Michael’s backing vocalists Shirley Lewis, Jo Garland, and Jay Henry — have announced their “You Have Been Loved” tour. As any fan knows, the George Michael Singers perform the George Michael sound as only they can, because they were there!
What a wonderful way to celebrate George Michael’s music on the tenth anniversary of his death on December 25, 2026.
I’ve said this before … I don’t think I would enjoy a tribute act with someone pretending to be George Michael. I wish I could see this tour because I think this is as close to a George Michael tour as we will ever see again, not counting The Faith tour coming to theaters.
While I know most of the long-term fans already receive the official George Michael newsletter, this message is for those who haven’t signed up yet.
On various social media platforms, the official George Michael accounts are promising a treat for fans who receive the newsletter.
Sign up to the official George Michael newsletter to mark the upcoming release of all the Faith singles, from George’s original 1987 master recordings Each release will be accompanied by a dedicated essay that will launch exclusively in the newsletter. First up: ‘I Want Your Sex’. GeorgeMichael.lnk.to/FaithSinglesSignUpFA
George Michael Official Account on X
✉️ Sign up to the official George Michael newsletter to mark the upcoming release of the Faith singles, from George’s original '87 master recordings ✨ Each will be accompanied by a dedicated essay, launching in the newsletter. First up: I Want Your Sex. https://t.co/86k3SgBMXFpic.twitter.com/EgAibTHwty
— George Michael Official (@GeorgeMOfficial) March 23, 2026
Take a look at some of our other Faith Tour content:
Each release will be accompanied by a dedicated essay that will launch exclusively in the newsletter. First up: ‘I Want Your Sex’.