George Michael and the Rise of Wham!: Part 1

George Michael - the '80s band's frontman and composer led Wham! to pop music stardom and the duo made history with a performance in China.

[@AR-rr3uj]

I still can't believe he's gone... I grew up singing in front of the mirror to his songs.. I got through to all teenager years because of him..😭😭😭😭

[@janedoh2625]

One of the most soulful white boys of the '80s and '90s. Too bad his demons won out. Doesn't take away from his legacy.

[@aprilgosa6315]

the only demon that killed him was Heart Failure could have been caused by anything

[@soulfireonfire6423]

@@aprilgosa6315 The only thing that killed him was the establishment

[@ruthbuckingham4625]

George was spectacular!! He was the one & only George Michael there will never be another like him!! He is missed!! Sad. ❤️😍😪

[@angelaminnefield2621]

An immense talent gone to soon Celebrate his inspirations, honor his contributions, play his music. His music will continue for generations to come. Thanks for the music.

[@francoisevanwinckel8632]

George Michael est une légende, j écoute toujours toutes ses chansons,, 🌟🎈🎈

[@preciouswilliams22]

Why would anyone take a picture of George Michael when he clearly wasn't well? How shameful. I'm just hope he found the peace he so deserved!! #RIPGeorgeMichael

[@PFCD]

The photo is painful to look at. I do have to say though it made me realize how much he was suffering and that God called him home for peace. George was showing outwardly what he was feeling inside. He was having trouble keeping up the fight. I just loved him and wanted him to be happy. If you believe in the Life hereafter this makes sense to you.

[@aprilgosa5779]

that photo is him eating if its even legit

[@aprilgosa5779]

@@PFCD he wasn't and didn't suffer he just went to sleep and woke up with the angels especially his mama

[@aprilgosa5779]

@@PFCD his family said he did not suffer it was sudden nobody knew he was sick he was on meds though after his Pneumonia steroids hence the bloat he was not fat as the tabloids say or miserable

[@whamtasticedits2831]

Yes I agree being a pop star your going to be a person and inspiration that people are going to want to photograph and be with and just follow and all that but pop starts need there space sometimes but you know love george he's the best ever

[@blindianswirltwo2986]

This makes me remember the days when MTV showed great videos. The 80s were so awesome .

[@geetmyster]

Blindianswirl Two yep...and my family would tell me when Wham was on mtv. i would break my neck to go see.

[@aprilgosa6315]

LOL

[@davidamoscotegui5672]

So true and sad

[@laminage]

Before Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake, George Michael at least for The MTV Generation was the "Original" Blue Eyed Soul Superstar. He was one of the very few White Acts whose songs were popular on the R & B Chart.

[@TheFashionLiaison]

Plus unlike all the others, he 100% wrote, played on and produced at least 99% of his hits. So it wasn't like he was getting a black producer to help him with his sound. Such a massive loss to the music world. I'll love you forever Georgios! Still getting used to the fact that you no longer walk among us on earth #RIP

[@kimberliveljanoska2584]

TheFashionLiaison

[@boycrockett]

Jam & Lewis didn't produce Monkey, they remixed it for the single release. The original version on the album, as the rest of the tracks, was produced by George. And yes, Narada produced I Knew You Were Waiting, but that wasn't a solo single and it was a track for Aretha's album. The user above stated that he didn't have any black producers behind him (like for example Justin Timberlake or Robin Thicke, who had some help from Pharrell), not that he never collaborated with black artists or worked with black musicians.

[@beejj6190]

The chronology of the Wham hits is pathetic in this VT. It's all over the shop!!

[@aprilgosa6315]

Robin has spent his career trying to be George LOL

[@verycool49]

i will never get over the fact that hes gone from this world. But his music, the gift of his music and himself will always live on. A fan forever. So glad i got to see Wham live and George live. RIP beautiful man

[@birutegrafinina968]

🍃God,how i love George Michael!!!🌿He will always have a place in my heart!😖

[@neriashleycabajar2032]

It is very sad that George is not around anymore

[@marthesegrixti1351]

his songs was perfect ❤💜

[@laminage]

Last Christmas was a song that was played on a lot of UK Soaps over the years. I remember seeing him on American Bandstand in 1983 and even then I knew he was a Superstar in the making.

[@laminage]

Here's another interesting fact. When you saw him performing "I'm Your Man" with Andrew Ridgeley, it was at The Marquee. It's a Landmark with alot of UK Legends. It's where The Rolling Stones & Moody Blues played in the early days of their Career.

[@laminage]

The Backing Vocalist was with George & Wham when they performed in Scotland as seen in "Everything She Wants" and as well as in China. They also did an amazing version of "Love Machine" by The Miracles sans Smokey Robinson.

[@user-xj4hr9gs3e]

Великолепный Джордж Майкл ,гениальный композитор и музыкант ,певец с потрясающим и чудесным голосом !Самый красивый мужчина с обаятельной улыбкой !Талантливый ,добрый человек !Светлая и вечная память великому артисту !!!

[@johnmimram9066]

RIP George Michael, I'm honoured to share the same birthday. that day will never be the same again.

[@TheSiggib]

Rest in peace, your music is great!!!

[@martinkeast3497]

Still miss this guy...xxx

[@laminage]

Also isn't it amazing how so many UK Legends meet as Children in School. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, Tears For Fears and even Banarama.

[@fomalhauto]

Music Legend indeed!

[@e..0367]

R.I .P the great king George Michael. thanks for uploading the video.

[@clementi7569]

Mix up that Freedom song with Freedom 90, different song, different era.

[@hellerstern1906]

I love ❤️ Yog ❤️ and his wonderful music 🎶 his unique voice, 🎤 his great talent, ❤️ his charming smile ❤️ and his incredible moments ❤️ and miss 😢 him 😢 so infinitely. 😢 Thank you, my darling, 👏👏👏👏 for your wonderful music 🎶 that will always remind us of you. ❤️ ❤️ forever and ever ❤️ ❤️ of all time ❤️

[@dominiquepilon5764]

As a teenager in the 1980s I love to listen to Wham and George Michael he was a babe Rip George Michael

[@teddysoriano7804]

R.I.P : Mister GEORGIOS KYRIACOS PANAYIOTOU 1963 - 2016

[@rozaotunbaeva9113]

Ооооооо Джордж!!¡Как жаль что тебя нет с нами!!!

[@user-kv7mu5ir6e]

We miss George Michael so much!! George Michael is our super idol in our hearts forever!! 💖💕❤💞👏👏👍👍❤

[@therealventures]

Ughh he made Amazing Music.

[@7thWardCreole]

Um...that's George Michael's solo version of Freedom (Freedom '90), that is not the Wham! song, which is completely different. Way to do research ABC, you witless hacks!

[@veddyveddygood]

+7thWardCreole heh my exact thoughts. I think this 1hr special was put together hurriedly with very little attention to detail and accuracy. The chronology and facts are all over the place.

[@cindymeadows2518]

gobsmacked!

[@cindymeadows2518]

pq q

[@sofialadune9351]

fan over there!

[@kerridillon719]

Thomas Roman as usual!

[@jerrylimon5682]

reminiscing George, one of my fav singer. peace be upon you bro

[@berniecasey7592]

God he was so Amazing I cherished his music - it killed me when i heard of his death that night on tv THANKS FOR ALL MY HAPPINESS -❤ bernie

[@whimsical913]

careless whisper and last christmas are my favorites of all time

[@Quadruple-x]

I wish he made more slow kinda sad songs like that One more try is kinda sad aswell but not as good as those two

[@jeanrane662]

And Everything she wants

[@A9525xx]

@@Quadruple-x so obvious you never listened to his albums listen without prejudice vol1 & older then. even the album patience got a few.

[@ANGBelgium]

R.i.p and it was indeed your Last Christmas.

[@ofb-jq5lc]

4:30 - wrong Freedom. That was a clip from Freedom '90, rather than Wham's ! Freedom.

[@carfanfan]

Still can't believe it :-(

[@anthonydigeronimo7976]

That fricking voice was a gift from God. I'm not some huge fan but he was insanely blessed.

[@user-lk9qd1yp7g]

Обожаю Джорджа и его потрясающий, сексуальный голос. Нам повезло, что мы могли видеть и слышать этого великолепного певца и композитора. Светлая память доброму, светлому человеку🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏

[@garysmith8073]

These are always fun to watch

[@maciejgatkowski724]

I love Michael forever.........................:(

[@_dakota_298]

I feel like there was not enough news coverage of George Michael's death , witch really pisses me off ....

[@hansbollaart7256]

Rolling Stone music journalist Chris Connely hadn't heard of George Michael in 1984..wow!

[@ocampomarie18]

Thank you George Michael! iloveu!

[@carolcollins4546]

I absolutely lovhim. So heartbreaking that he died on Christmas day ❤❤❤

[@jillsummers5709]

So I got a job at ABC, my first job was to make a film reel of George Michal's Wham days, 'What songs do I include' I asked? Start with their first 1981 hit 'I'm Your Man' and include their classic Freedom 90... Ha! Too easy! Then I got the sack... can't think why??

[@veddyveddygood]

LOL tbf they were working with a skeleton staff over the hols.

[@joeygaming851]

R.I.P George Michael 😖😭😢😢

[@sinestatus]

If people like George Michael leave us and people like Donald Trump arrive, we have a serious problem.

[@westernwinchester70]

Fuck right off!

[@thecarter5868]

westernwinchester70 Trump is as much of an antichrist as any other fascist dictator has been in the past,

[@sappyk.d.c3188]

Deivid io I know!

[@sappyk.d.c3188]

westernwinchester70 ?

[@TheTomTerrible]

The Benghazi Butcher is still not your president. And never will be. Cheers!

[@ritajoshi9372]

A wonderman always

[@CheyenneNascha23]

I miss George Michael and I hate that he passed away and nobody doesn’t deserve to die 😢

[@carolinewhite3435]

I love u forever jm

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

Where's Part 2?

[@nancyshelow5221]

I want to know that too! Where is it?

[@cringeworthycontent7513]

I love gorege Michael and wham . It's sad

[@davidsonnow]

Cool! Aaaaaaaand part 2?

[@emiliagabor8659]

EXTRA TERRESTRE MIO YOG RIPOSA IN PACE ANIMA MIA VITA MIA YOG SEI DI UNA BELLEZZA IMENSA NON CE NESSUNO AL MONDO INTERO COME TE NESSUNO MAI E POI MAI UN TALENTO INDISCUTUBILE STAORDINARIA PERSONA SPECIALE GENEROSO IMENSO UN ICONA DELLA MUSICA MONDIALE BELLISSIMO BRAVISSIMO DOLCE GENEROSO UOMO STUPENDO MERAVIGLIOSO TALENTO STRAORDINARIO UNICO E INIMITABILE. TI AMO DA IMPAZZIRE VITA MIA YOG. CIAO YOG CARO RIPOSA IN PACE ANIMA MIA. GEORGE MICHAEL NON SI TOCCA MAI MAI E POI MAI RISPETTO X UN GRANDE IMMESSO YOG. LASCIATELLO RIPOSARE IN PACE PER PIACERE NON LO CALUGNIATE PIU VERGOGNIATEVI NON CE PIU NON SI PUÒ DIFENDERE SMETTETELA MALEDETTI 0 ASSOLUTO CHI DA ADDOSSO AL MIO ADORATO YOG. CIAO YOG CARO. 💔💔💔🕊😢😭😢😭❣❣❣💎💣💥🐻🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🌹🌹🌹🌹🖤

[@khanmckay8312]

Happy Birthday Shirlie 🎂

[@mariepacheco9324]

Very sad day. Get it right it wasn't his band it was a duo hate it when they get it wrong. The intro cassette that got them signed was written by him and Andrew

[@margsritavargas5339]

That guy was a monster singer

[@jackdiamond8213]

Brooke who? Although I love to watch George as much as I love him, this whole piece was awfully put together!!! And brooke whatever her name is (hardly a great testimony to YOG) RIP you beautiful man.

[@ruthlawrence8046]

@ Jack Diamond , I thought when I first saw this interview, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS GIRL !!!!!!! She was so rude & condescending!!!! Why couldn't she just say something nice like, Oh he was such a Gentleman, & didn't treat me like he was going to get someone out of me . Typical American Wannabe model & filmstar, what did she really accomplish in her life, NOTHING 🤔 THAT'S RIGHT NOTHING 😲☹

[@DiegoMartinezDP]

Errr...that's not the actual "Freedom" performed by Wham!

[@ThaoLe-lx3fx]

Diego Martinez Look at the title, George wants to recreate the title and add 90 in it.

[@nadineuniverse9944]

Looks voice music very very good looking sexy had it all 🌹rip George Michael 🙏🏼😘

[@petermancuba]

I'm still waiting the 2nd part! 😞

[@ranulivy7791]

Careless whisper fvrt song

[@lukasxanadu]

I just hope there is something after this life... after all, life makes no sense at all

[@karenp1609]

Kubla Khan There is a life after this. It's called Heaven and it is the very highest goal everyone should strive for, higher than college, higher than an American Music Award or Grammy, higher than winning the White House or any other earthly goal. Nothing wrong with achieving earthly goals, but Heaven is the ultimate most important success.

[@geetmyster]

Kubla Khan there has to be something after this. different dimensions, parallel universe, multiverse, something. If there is, I want George Michael waiting for me when I get there.

[@kellylittleton]

Kubla Khan Please visit www.jw.org and tv.jw.org We definitely have something to look forward to! ❤🌴🌞🐬🌺🦋

[@Hoopfan83]

No one alive will ever know.

[@mercedesbrown5772]

The should totally bring back those CHOOSE LIFE T-SHIRTS in honor of him, but also as a reminder to take care of your self as not to end up like him.

[@ichhasseamerika]

Last Christmas . . . :'-(

[@mindislife]

This documentary played freedom 90 confusing it with wham’s freedom

[@zena_marie9899]

Back in the days i thought i was going to marry this guy. Lol we were so stupid when we were teenagers

[@preserver7777]

Part 2?

[@petermancuba]

Where is it the 2nd part pls?

[@penelopedewollaston7981]

Andrew always said how much George loved Christmas.

[@suestreets8891]

sure will be miss by fan sad pass on but music carry on

[@300zxbear2]

Who was 2nd Western Pop Act to perform in China? I Think it was Roxette.

[@HeIicopter]

Last christmas: This look makes every woman weakly. This was the main place, why-grins-I always had a look at the video on VIVA. This passionate look.... one felt anyhow ;-) appealed. Wished to be one and every year anew :-))... just like in the Lovestorries.

[@sonjamirkovic5509]

Prelepi Džordž.

[@arricammarques1955]

Passed away alone in his home, tragic fate.

[@lydiacartagena643]

Where was George all these years waisted years what a shame

[@davidamoscotegui5672]

That was a shock

[@ruthbuckingham4625]

❤️💕😍💔😪😪😪

[@mariepacheco9324]

Get your information right

[@LittleAriel]

You mistook the song Freedom 90' for Wham's Freedom ... that's especially noticeable as of the distinct development his work went through, and so it really doesn't fit-in with the other Wham! songs... c'mon, some basic professional research here.

[@ArunRamaDS]

Exactly

[@joop7381ep]

GEORGE IS LOVE JOOP VAN BUERINK

[@emiliagabor8659]

SAI AMORE MIO YOG SONO MOLTO ARRABBIATA CON TE RE DEL MIO CUORE PERCHÉ MI HAI LASCIATA???? TI AMO TANTISSIMO MI MANCHI DA MORIRE ANGELO MIO. CIAO YOG CARO RIPOSA IN PACE ANIMA MIA. 💣💥❣❣❣🕊🕊🕊🖤💋💋💋🍂🍃🐻🍁🍂🍃🍂🍃🍁😢😭😢😭😢😭🖤

[@STLT]

Songs the jump out of the radio.

[@whamtastic3894]

I just can't even listen to last chrsitmas without crying

[@rosemaryferreiragonzalez1440]

George Dios tenga misericordia de tu alma, hermosa persona

[@Babeolicious777]

Was this actually aired on TV and I missed it?? :/

[@ubenhacked8901]

Babeolicious777. miss to

[@gatch2]

George Michael looks like Mike Brant singer.

[@mohamedkadaoui7318]

last one ... :(

[@patriziagalbusera9963]

💋💋💋🏹🏹🏹🎯🎯🎯

[@mariepacheco9324]

It was not his band WHAM was a duo

[@funguy29]

4:41 abc that was the wrong freedom smh

[@tajtandoori9076]

They got the song wrong. That song was Freedom 90 not Freedom

[@aprilgosa5779]

that photo of him eating is a disgrace leave him be he was on meds after the Pneumonia that made him bigger and he was not that big he cannot be 25 forever and did you live with him do you have proof he was unhappy because in that he seems to be having a meal and maybe he is enjoying it he earned his keep

[@jenniferedlund369]

I'm sorry but George would hate what those terrible "Artists" have done to this perfect song. Only he can sing this song----it should be illegal for anyone else to even try it! BLAK!!!

[@penelopedewollaston7981]

My God they didn't even learn how to pronounce his real name properly. Georgios is pronounced Yorgo. Plus, he and Andrew co wrote a lot of the early songs, including Careless Whisper, and it was Andrew who got them stsrted forming The Executive. Because George's (his nickname - courtesy of Andrew - was Yog, which is what his school friends called him, and Andrew never stopped calling him) parents put massive pressure on him to get to university, he was reluctant to think about a band till after A Levels, even though he and Andrew had been talking about it for several years, so Andrew delivered an ultimatum - we're forming a band. I hate American programmes about the British. They NEVERget it right. They're probably the same about American people but I don't know enough about that. Why don't they just do the research?

[@cindymeadows2518]

soe

[@braxtonmeadowx4385]

No

[@bbodinefan11]

Wrong freedom.

[@NonPremiumID]

He sold his soul.

[@dubsounds]

Battyman