George Michael has died

Lo-Pan · 2016-12-26T14:51:18.753Z

Pure wellin up here

I_LIKE_CATS · 2016-12-26T15:15:23.703Z

Terrible. As a child of the 80s, Wham were the soundtrack to so much, especially school discos.

As someone said above, it’s hard to think who else is going to be a superstar like all these icons. I know I sound like an old git, but I read about the VLoggers who have hundreds of thousands of viewers and loads of fame/money and think we really are living in different times. I just don’t understand it.

barleysugar · 2016-12-26T15:28:07.485Z

A journalist asked Paul Scholes who was the kindest player he ever played with. His answer? George Michael.

Ruffers · 2016-12-26T15:32:29.510Z

Shut up m8

bluto · 2016-12-26T15:33:12.769Z

Hilarious

CillaCrack · 2016-12-26T16:00:26.450Z

The responses to this piece on Owen Jones’ FB page are disgusting. So many people crying over the fact that OJ mentioned George Michael’s sexuality.

barleysugar · 2016-12-26T16:14:00.067Z

Just noticed Limmy’s been doing the same kinda joke. Always happens. I’m Limmy.

penoid · 2016-12-26T16:23:09.564Z

the treatment of him by the (homophobic) press, how he was publicly outed and just how defiant, vocal and unapologetic he became afterwards can’t be overlooked? plus his campaigning and fundraising for LGBTQ charities and HIV awareness? what is wrong with these people

was glad to see the daily mail removed their “Was George Michael being treated for depression brought on by AIDS?” article. fuck off.

digdug · 2016-12-26T19:03:05.052Z

I’m a straight male who has always bragged about loving GM. It saddens and confuses me to know he has consistently battled depression. But the thought of him dying in his sleep is comforting. RIP. You will be remembered fondly! This is my fave tune of his…

Fintans_Cat · 2016-12-26T20:30:36.896Z

Yeah, it’s brilliant. Flawless was ace too

Fintans_Cat · 2016-12-26T20:35:47.510Z

It’s really sad in loads of ways. Listen without prejudice is one of the most battered and overplayed pieces of vinyl we own, a very familiar drinking partner of ours and we’ve loved most of what he’s put out. not got a lot to add but praying for time is one of the most incredible vocals and statements of intent I’ll ever hear. Hope you’re happier on the other side big man, RIP x

bugduv · 2016-12-27T12:25:29.597Z

Absolutely. You couldn’t assess his solo career particularly without coming to the conclusion that it played a huge part in who he was. That’s not to say some people can’t appreciate the songs on a very basic level or even seperately to the man, but i don’t know why that would be necessary, and it would require a certain level of ignorance.

A similar thing happened when Muhamad Ali died. Lots of caucasian people seemed deeply offended that he was going to be remembered primarily on a human level as an important black man. Apparently him being very good at his job of work was much more important than being a defiantly positive face of change for people of colour throughout Civil Rights era America and beyond.

Obviously the two cases do differ significantly, but i think you can loosely tie them together in the sense that the reaction to both passing has felt weirdly mawkish, selectively protective, and like there are a huge amount of people simply missing the point.

CillaCrack · 2016-12-27T12:31:46.488Z

for me, GM’s gayness eclipses his musical output (I like some of his music though). I loathe the fact that people are telling me that I’m not allowed to do that.

CillaCrack · 2016-12-27T12:32:27.404Z

poor grammar, soz

TKC · 2016-12-27T14:46:31.803Z

just remembered the time he rang into Richard and Judy live

penoid · 2016-12-27T17:11:39.004Z

theres a transcript http://georgemichael.songs.over-blog.com/article-george-michael-on-richard-judy-july-25th-2006-51168000.html

I don’t even think the people at Fleet Street think the words “shame” and “depravity” are real. There can’t be any shame in a situation unless the person is ashamed, and I’m certainly not that. I think it’s a very sad thing for young gay people that are growing up, that words like “depravity” are available to Rupert Murdoch when he wants to have a go at a gay person. I think that should change, I really genuinely do. But from my own point of view, I just don’t want people to think my life is troubled, when it’s not. And I think I should be able to be what I am to young gay people, which is a man that’s managed to succeed in the industry for twenty five years. You know, I’ve just had the fastest selling tour of perhaps all time in Britain. And I should be allowed to be that to young gay people – I have to be somehow troubled. And much in my case, I know there’s no point in resisting it, you know it’s just part of the game. As long as you’re releasing records, you have to accept that. But I think it’s deeply ethically wrong that young people can be exposed to that kind of that language.

TKC · 2016-12-27T17:31:02.355Z

I dont think its that! I seem to remember him calling about cannabis and saying it helped his creativity

Matt_was_taken · 2016-12-27T18:29:19.101Z

https://mobile.twitter.com/hollytowell/status/813711581070639108/photo/1

Native12 · 2016-12-27T21:01:31.363Z

My fav George track - love it!
This live version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQhJgubIrM

TheWza · 2016-12-27T23:03:42.562Z

That Symphonia thing on BBC One. Classy as.

(Fame and celebrity have definitely morphed into something else over the last few years. Look at, say, Chris Martin. Or Adele. Or whoever. Can’t take away the fact that they have logged huge achievements. Or that they mean a lot to millions. But, for all Martin’s worthiness (just as a contemporary example of huge fame), that class and, y’know, glamour(?)… feels like it’s not really a thing any more. Or is it? Maybe Beyonce fits - or will fit - the bill of true icon. Whatever ‘it’ is, it’s an ever rarer commodity in a world of YouTube fame democracy. Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely a different state of play.)