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The George Michael News
from April-June 1999
June 25, 1999
Happy Birthday, George!
Okay, George, so I didn't spend 40 hours pulling a birthday website and book together
for you this year, but that doesn't make my birthday wishes for you any less. I hope
you have a wonderful year and get everything that you deserve.
Melanie,
ultrabusy webmaster :-)
Yours Only George
June 21, 1999
Outing: Revealing Other People's Secrets
Stephen Gately of Boyzone recently announced to The
Sun that he is homosexual. The BBC,
Enews, and Radio One have examined
the issue of "outing" celebrities with many references to George.
A Lily
The BBC
also reports on the sad story of Andrea and Julian Dykes who were killed when a nail bomb
went off. A flower was left on behalf of George.
June 11, 1999
Vote for Wham! as Favorite 80's Band
Since things are a little slow in news, I thought I'd direct all of you to a fun voting
link. You can vote for Wham! or Pepsi & Shirlie as your Favorite 80s Band.
June 10, 1999
I just can take New York (New York)
Pat tells us that there was an article in New York magazine saying George is looking
for an apartment in New York City's upper east side.
The Company File: EMI tunes into Internet
According to the BBC,
"The world's third-largest music company, EMI, and the Internet compilation CD
distributor, musicmaker.com, have signed an exclusive five-year licensing agreement over
the use of EMI's huge back-catalogue... With the addition of the EMI stable, songs by
artists such as George Michael, Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls could become
available, along with older favourites from bands such as the Rolling Stones and the
Beatles."
Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Organizers of a charity concert for Breakthrough Breast Cancer is hoping that George
will play at the 24 July concert at Hyde's Park, according to the BBC.
June 5, 1999
100 Millennium Men
Company magazine's 100
Millennium Men (dubbed The Sexiest Men of the Century) includes George at #14.
Opps!
Looks like even I forgot the Yours Only George 2nd anniversary. Thanks to
everyone who has helped and supported Yours Only George site during the last two years!
June 3, 1999
Voice of an Angel
The Associated Press has a profile of Charlotte Church, a 13-year-old Welsh soprano,
who is making waves all over the world. In it, she says, "I like Will Smith,
Puff Daddy, George Michael and Celine Dion."
June 1, 1999
"Ex-Spice Girl Gets Help From Friend"
NEW YORK (AP) -- Who does a troubled British pop star turn to in a time of trouble?
Another troubled British pop star, of course.
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, whose temperamental departure from the group made
tabloid headlines worldwide, took comfort from George Michael, whose career has included
bad publicity, like his arrest for lewd behavior in a Los Angeles-area public bathroom.
"George really looked after me," Halliwell says in the June US magazine.
"After I left the band, I was completely isolated. It was like being on a very
crowded street and then getting into a car and shutting the door. I was lonely, and he
showed me so much warmth."
Since ending her run as Ginger Spice, Halliwell has done charity work and made her debut
solo album, "Schizophrenia." In the 10 months or so since the highly publicized
Spice Girls' bickering and breakup, Halliwell said she finally has some perspective.
"I'm actually starting to get nostalgic now," she said. "I can look back
and understand things more."
May 29, 1999
George to be new member of Queen?
YOGfriend Bev has some interesting news:
Despite official denials, this story just refuses to go away. Hot off the
press -- from the new edition of Record Collector magazine comes the following:
QUEEN BACK IN THE STUDIO
George Michael to take Freddie Mercury's place?
Rumours of a Queen reunion gathered momentum, thanks to comments made by Roger Taylor to
the Daily Express. "I spoke to Brian May last week," said Taylor, currently
promoting his "Electric Fire" album. "He suggested we book a studio, write
a song and see what happens. I haven't spoken to John Deacon
in ages, but Brian and I are hopeful he'll do it."
Taylor also commented on the difficult task of filling the void left by
Freddie Mercury: "The plan for a lead singer is to write a song first and then find
the best voice for it. A lot of singers have expressed an interest in working with Queen,
but we're not thinking of anyone taking Freddie's place permanently. It took us a lot of
time to get over Freddie's death, and there were horrible expectations about what we would
do next."
However, the smart money on Mr. Mercury's replacement is George Michael,
who sang with the band at the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley. Meanwhile,
Queen's official fan club magazine also reports that the former Frederick Bulsara is the
subject of a UK postage stamp. Freddie's distinctive features will stare out from second
class stamps from 1st June.
May 28,1999
VH-1 Celebrates George's birthday in the U.K.
YOGfriend Bev says:
Attention all UK GM fans who can receive VH-1! You can celebrate GM's birthday in style
this year! :o) VH-1 is devoting 25th June to George! According to my "Sky Guide"
they are showing: 10 Of The Best with Pepsi and Shirlie; Greatest Hits Of George Michael;
George Michael Unplugged; and Wham! In China. Enjoy. And on that note -- HAPPY 36th
BIRTHDAY GEORGE! :o)
May 11, 1999
George in New York
Paulette gives us the scoop on George's recent appearance in New York:
Hi Everyone!
If you haven't heard by now, George and Kenny were in New York City last Thursday, May
6th. The Daily Post has a HUGE picture of the two, with George sitting on a milk crate
reading the newspaper and Kenny looking on. The two said they were looking to having a fun
evening and checking out the movie section of the Post.
Greatest Hits video premieres in North America
Dave reminds us that the Ladies
and Gentlemen home video is released in the United States & Canada today.
May 7, 1999
Geri 'N George
YOGfriend Angelo points us to an article on Geri Halliwell's one-time
dream of tying the knot with George Michael.
And Chrissie says:
Last night (May 5) Channel 4 in the UK showed a 90 minute documentary about Geri
Halliwell following the first 12 months after her departure from the Spice Girls. It
showed George hanging out with Geri backstage and accompanying her as she went to a London
dog pound to rescue her new pet. I was absolutely gobsmacked to see George on screen
without warning, and to see him so relaxed.
May 4, 1999
Just for Fun
Vote for George at MusicQuest's
"Who's your favorite artist?"
May 1, 1999
George and The Sun
Here are a few more articles on George's case against the Sun:
George said:
“I am delighted with the judge’s decision. The Sun newspaper have informed
the public of my whereabouts on three separate occasions now. As a result I have moved
house twice, only to have the same thing happen within weeks. I have had fans break in on
several occasions, and of course have been worried about my safety for some time. I chose
to be a celebrity, and perhaps people like me lose the right to privacy by courting fame.
But surely we deserve to be safe in our own homes. As the law stands right now,
celebrities are sitting ducks, and that really has to change.”
Kosovo
The BBC
has information on George's radio commercial concerning Kosovo. Wall of Sound
also has an article.
The Most Beautiful Man In The World
On the fun side of things, get in on the voting at "The Most Beautiful Man In The World"
poll.
April 30, 1999
George on the radio
YOGfriend Bev tells us:
Just to let everyone know that George spoke on Capital Radio (London) this morning
(Friday 30th) about his court case against The Sun, preventing it from printing his
address. Apart from it being a gross invasion of his privacy, he apparently said that he
fears coming face to face with a stalker, and the following quote was broadcast on the
news:
"Basically I just don't feel safe. I don't think anybody whose address is made
known to the general public, if they're in the public eye, is particularly safe these
days, and I think it's becoming more and more dangerous to be a celebrity right now."
On the 9 a.m. news slot, he also made an impassioned plea for the Kosovo refugees:
"Children and the elderly are most at risk, but all desperately need our help and,
for many, time is running out, in the worst European refugee crisis since the Second World
War."
I understand that there will be phone numbers for anyone who want to donate money,
broadcast all over the weekend; or perhaps check out the CapitalFM website.
A little food for thought for all fans.
Bev.X
"Hanging on to hope,
When there is no hope to speak of..."
April 28, 1999
GLAMA
YOGfriend Paulette says:
Good news for U.S. fans!
From 5/11/99 edition of The Advocate:
...On April 12, 1999 George Michael won two music awards from GLAMA (Gay/Lesbian American
Music Awards) for "Outside".
GLAMA executive producer Tom McCromack stressed that, far from objecting "Sony was
glad that the original version would finally reach a U.S. audience."
Footage that MTV had cut out was restored. The unedited "Outside" will be
available as part of Sony/Epic's forthcoming Ladies and Gentlemen...The Best of George
Michael video compilation.
April 23,1999
Kosovo
Yes, I know I'm not supposed to print part of the Members Online letters. In this
case, I think what George said was important and that everyone should read it:
Lastly, a request. I know that I don't normally do this kind of thing but, please
spare a little more than a thought in the coming weeks for the many thousands of Kosovan
refugees in desperate need right now. Find the organisation nearest you and give
whatever you can manage. It's urgent, and if you are anything like me, you will feel
a little less helpless when you see those awful,frustrating images on your TV every night.
Please dont feel insignificant about your own contribution, if we all take a little time
and responsibility, we can genuinely ease the suffering of these innocent victims of
racism.
Off the Menu
Paulette informs us of the following Press Association article from April 22, 1999.
"Off the Menu"
A community picnic to promote organic food which was due to be attended by singer
George
Michael was cancelled after it attracted too much interest.
Organisers of the event on Primrose Hill, north London, said advance publicity had led to
becoming 'too big' for adequate security.
The picnic, to oppose genetically modified food and promote organic products, was due to
have taken place on Sunday and to have been attended by a host of celebrities.
Birgit Cunningham, 33, a freelance journalist and one of the organisers, said 'What we
hoped was that it would be a small picnic but it just became too big. We had too much
publicity and too many people wanting to come and the Royal Parks Agency said there was no
way in the time left that we could organise enough security.'
In the April 16 Members Online letter, Shirlie said that George would not be attending
this event.
Yours Only George A Readers Choice Award Favorite
Thanks to everyone who voted for Yours Only George at DotMusic's Readers Choice Award.
This site was ranked #102 out of 948 sites, with more than 30,000 music fans
voting.
April 11, 1999
A Concert for Linda
YOGfriend Angelo directs us to an article on the Linda McCartney tribute concert:
And Angelo also tell us about:
Ladies & Gentlemen home video in the U.S.
Dave says that:
The Ladies & Gentlemen - Best of George Michael home video in the United
States has been rescheduled and will now come out on May 4th.
April 4, 1999
George on Help A London Child
YOGfriend Bev never disappoints us:
STOP PRESS : SUNDAY 4th APRIL : 3.15 pm LONDON TIME
Just to let everyone know that this Easter weekend is, traditionally, the Help A London
Child fundraiser on Capital Radio in London. George has literally *just* phoned in, to
speak to Chris Tarrant and Neil Fox, to pledge £50 000 for London's underprivileged kids!
And to top it, he has promised a further £20 000 to Foxy, who is planning to run this
year's London Marathon in aid of HALC, as long as he completes the course -- or, as George
put it, as long as he manages to get his "fat arse" right round the 26 or so
miles!! :o)
April 2, 1999
More Capital Awards News
Paulette has even more information about the Capital Awards:
According to the Daily Mirror's feature column "The Wright Stuff",
George was 2 hours late for the awards show causing some people to be quite worried that
he wasn't going to show. But a "flushed" George finally did arrive.
Hmm, wonder if he got stuck in traffic...
April 1, 1999
Capital Awards
Paulette lets us in on all the Capital Awards news:
News from Press Association re: George's Award:
"Thanks and Apologies-From Award Winner George"
George Michael has accepted a fans' award as best male vocalist-and apologised for the
arrest that kept him away last year.
News of Michael's arrest for soliciting in a Los Angeles toilet broke on the pop world at
the Capital Radio London Awards last year. This year, he thanked listeners for voting for
him despite learning he was gay.
'I am really thankful that things like last year are not that important any more.
Ultimately, I like to think that I received this award as a singer and not as a gay
singer,' he said.
And a follow up to that story is from News and City (don't know which British Paper):
"George Michael's our favorite male artist" by Sarah Shannon
George Michael knocked Robbie Williams off his pop pedestal today when he beat him to the
title of London's favourite male artist of the year.
Williams, self-styled bad boy of pop, won three awards at last month's Brit Awards, but
Michael triumphed as the capital's favourite today.
He was given the award, voted for by thousands of Capital Radio listeners and Evening
Standard readers, at a celebrity-packed ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.
....His album, Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael, became a massive chart
hit.
And last but not least from 95.8 Capital FM news:
"London's Favourite Male Vocalist was George Michael. Accepting his award in a
humourous and earnest speech he joked: 'Firstly I must apologize for not being here last
year...I was otherwise engaged.'
Before adding that the 'strength I had and the belief I had to get through that whole
affair is directly connected to awards like this.' He concluded: ' I'd like to think that
modern life is changing, that ultimately I receive this award for what I am as a singer
not for what I am as a person.' "
Whew! Sorry I wrote so much but it's wonderful getting news about George and I thought I'd
share it with other Yog lovers.
Thanks for wading through all this!
Paulette
Special thanks to: SonicNet Music News of the World, the daily music news service - http://www.sonicnet.com and RockOnTV - the ultimate
guide to music on television - http://www.rockontv.com
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