Before embarking on the production of his first solo album, Michael went on to release two more number-one singles, ' A Different Corner' and the Aretha Franklin duet ' I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)'. Michael's first solo single, ' Careless Whisper', reached number one in over 20 countries, including the UK and US. Establishing themselves as a global act, Wham! toured China in April 1985 the tour was the first visit to China by a Western popular music act, and it generated worldwide media coverage. Their hit singles included ' Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' and ' Last Christmas'. Forming the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981, the band's first two albums, Fantastic (1983) and Make It Big (1984), reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. īorn in East Finchley, North London, Michael rose to fame as a member of the music duo Wham! and later embarked on a solo career. Known as a leading creative force in music production, songwriting, vocal performance and visual presentation, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the MTV generation. George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer and songwriter.
