GMKGNews 2001

Thanks, Elena. :o)

Nov. 29th

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001550518,00.html

GEORGE MICHAEL has signed a one-single record deal with Universal in a contract unprecedented in music industry history.

He will wait to see how well the company markets the record before deciding whether to give them more material to release from an album he has ready.

George’s move marks a big shift in the traditional artist/label relationship because it gives the performer all the power.

Normally one-single deals are made if the company is unsure of the musician — NOT the other way around.

George is famously wary of record companies after losing a court case to quit his contract with Sony in 1994.

The multi-millionaire has recorded the album of dance music with his own cash.

He talked to all the major labels — including Sony — about the track, which is due out early next year.

Cagey George told his friend: “I have made my mind up to go with Universal. It’s only for one single and I will see how it goes.

“I needed to make my mind up pretty fast — it’s going to be on the radio in seven weeks.

“I can’t say how much the deal is worth but it has more than covered my costs. I decided not to go with Sony pretty early on — they could not offer what I wanted.”

George plans to release the album in May next year.

From The Gene & Ushi Show on Nov 11th on VT4, Belgium:

Thanks, Helen. :o)

in The Daily Mail...............

When superstar singer and composer George Michael flew to Los Angeles this week abroad Air New Zealand, he told a rep at Heathrow Airport: "I do not wish to travel on a British or an American carrier".

Thanks, Elena. :o)

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2001381821,00.html

Talks ... George Michael RELATED STORIES • Brad's suicide hell • Toff botty Victoria • Morrison death call EXCLUSIVE George plots return to sworn enemy Sony GEORGE MICHAEL is in talks to bring out his new album with Sony Records – the company he fought in a bitter legal battle and swore NEVER to work with again. The star, who is not signed to a label, has held a series of meetings with Sony boss Paul Burger. George is forking out his own money to pay the recording costs of his forthcoming album but he needs a major firm to distribute it. If he ends up signing with Sony it will be an amazing turn around for him — and a mega coup for the Japaneseowned company. Seven years ago George lost a vicious High Court row over his 15-year contract with the label and was forced to pay out millions. He had condemned his deal as “professional slavery” and vowed never to record another song for Sony. But under the court order he was forced to record one more album which was released as Ladies & Gentlemen, The Best Of George Michael in 1998. Pals again ... George has put fight with Sony behind him Virgin and Dreamworks finally bought his contract from Sony for £30million and he signed a £25million, two-year contract with them. He brought out two albums — Older and Songs From The Last Century — and is now a free agent. As well as talking to Sony about his next album George has also held meetings with Lucian Grainge from Polydor and Roger Ames of Warner Music. A pal said: “He is talking to all the major labels to get the best deal. George is a canny businessman and he knows that he had to talk to everyone, including Sony. “There has been a lot of water under the bridge since his big fall-out with Sony and now there is a different team in charge. “He has not made any firm decisions about who he will go with yet — but Sony is definitely one of the front runners.” George is still recording the album, which is said to be a Daft Punk-style funky dance compilation. He is hoping to release it in May next year.

Thanks, Nydia. :o)))

From Big Pictures

Thanks, Laura. :o)

From Heat Magazine, another Israeli wedding pic

Thanks for all the pics and articles (see below), people. :o)))

http://www.thesun.co.uk/bizarre/

George leads the wedding conga

                      GEORGE MICHAEL jetted to Tel Aviv for a
                      pal's wedding - and spent the night banging
                      with the groom.

                      He flew to Israel on a private jet to be a
                      guest at the marriage of designer Simon
                      Kalfan, who has worked on his album covers.

                      Simon married PR girl Anat Braverman and
                      George, in his skull cap, was the life and soul
                      of the party.

                      Although he didn't sing, George danced until
                      the early hours and banged the conga drums
                      with Simon as if they were going out of
                      fashion.

                      As the happy couple reached a storming
                      climax on the stage, a thrilled Anat clapped
                      wildly.

Other links for this story:

http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_380484.html

http://www.megastar.co.uk/news/20010823n_george.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/shtml/3AM/P19S3.shtml                  

Even more Hugh Grant and GM:

Thanks, Kris. :o)

Thanks, Gina Forester:

From People Mag Special Issue: People Extra-MTV turns 20:

Thanks, Ioggie:

07/16/2001:

http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/
Disaster struck when I found that my table
was occupied exclusively by some boring-
looking French people, so I struck out on my
own and soon found myself cuddling up to Mick
Jagger, Ronan Keating and George Michael's
boyfriend, Kenny, who is delightful to look
at, even if he does play for the other team.
Suddenly, a loud voice hailed me from the
nor'east, burbling something like "Does you
wanna be me bitch?", and there was Ali G, aka
Sacha Baron Cohen, aka Madonna's new best
friend.

Thanks everyone for the story and the pics. Inside the gallery:

George with a fan. Thanks, Ioggie. :o)

http://www.peoplenews.com/delivery/common/parties/index/party/0,2443,1-5987-24,00.html

Thursday 22 June
     Man-about-town Tim Jefferies reopened
     his gallery, Hamiltons, last night and
     everyone showed. Elton John brought
     David, George Michael brought Kenny,
     Hugh came solo and Tim's ex, Elle,
     came with Arkie. Veteran war
     photographer Don McCullen, a glowing
     Jemima Khan, Donna and Damian and
     Paul Smith enjoyed the free-flowing
     Dom Perignon (no canapes - we are so
     over Asiatic nibbles) and the £9
     million-worth of photographs on the
     walls. In fact, Elle, George and Tim
     paused in Tim's office to enjoy the
     lesbian photomontage. A party so
     good that even the passers-by were
     chic: Lady Rothermere strolling with
     her dogs and Stella McCartney cycling
     past hand over face. Oh, and a style
     tip for all you ladies out there - don't
     come straight from Ascot in hats and
     sunglasses. It may be a good look at
     the races but not in Mayfair.

Big Pictures: 6/22/01 G&K attending a gallery opening. 

Jeanette Kirk found this pic of one of G's homes at www.lfi.co.uk Thanks. :o)

Fast Taxi for G & K at Bigpictures.

Thanks, Paulette. :o)

Trouble in paradise or did the tabloids need to sell more 'news'papers ? ;o)

Thanks everyone who sent that story in. :o)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/shtml/NEWS/P9S3.shtml

GERI'S USING ME TO SELL RECORDS. I NEVER HEAR FROM HER UNLESS SHE IS PLUGGING
SOMETHING
GEORGE MICHAEL'S FURIOUS ATTACK GEORGE Michael has launched an angry attack
on Geri Halliwell, claiming the former Spice Girl is only using his name to
help sell her records. The pair have not spoken for weeks and what was a warm
relationship between them has become decidedly frosty. According to sources
close to the two popstars, George is making sure he avoids Geri, 28, at all
costs. A close friend of George, 37, said: "He feels Geri is using their
friendship to sell records and he doesn't like it. "George has told friends
he never hears from Geri or sees her unless she is plugging something. "Then
when she wants to publicise her latest record or book, it's 'George this' and
'George that'. "She seems to constantly mention his name in interviews. He
feels very hurt. He thought they had a genuine friendship - like two normal
people. But now he's not so sure. George has been a fantastic friend to Geri
over the years and he has supported her through some tough times. "But now he
feels a bit betrayed." The bust-up will come as another blow to Geri, who is
bitterly disappointed her album Scream If You Wanna Go Faster limped into the
charts at No5. But another of Geri's other big name friends, Robbie Williams,
is also said to be less than delighted that she has decided to "cool off"
their friendship. After rumours of a romance, they had also seemed to be
building a strong friendship. But as far as showbiz friends go, Geri and
George were always going to be the odd couple. When they first met Geri was
instantly attracted to the gay star - who has been with long-time lover Kenny
Goss for several years - and desperately tried to bed him. She said: "I
thought I was going to marry him - I was so drawn to him. "I gave him my
telephone number, gave him big eyes and tried to flirt with him thinking I
had a chance. "How wrong was I? I got second best and we became friends." At
the time, Geri was still Ginger Spice and totally unaware of George's sexual
preferences. She now accepts that she must have been the only music industry
insider who was shocked by George's unscheduled "outing" in a Los Angeles
public toilet in 1998. But the true test of their friendship came during the
fallout over Geri's bitter split with the Spice Girls. Her knight in shining
armour emerged in the gallant form of George. She took refuge at his homes in
the South of France and Los Angeles as he protectively took her under his
superstar wing. At the time, she said: "George and I were telephone buddies
and when I left the group he invited me to stay for three days. I ended up
staying for three months. "I don't know what I'd have done without that guy,
he was an absolute angel. "He didn't know me that well, but I had nobody. I
was so lonely. I needed someone to give me a cuddle and say it's all right.
"George and Kenny were everything to me, the moral support I needed to get
through that time." As their relationship grew closer, Geri said: "George
sees through me. He told me, 'There's no rush, nobody's going to forget you.
If what you're doing is good it will stand the test of time'." "I play him
things, but it's like taking it home to your parents, desperately wanting
their approval." He's brutally honest - sometimes I walk out with my head in
my hands and sometimes I'm going 'Yes!' "I've never been friends with anybody
famous before."

Thanks, Ioggie. :o)

From the Mirror:

I WOULD LIKE TO BE MARILYN TO BLAIR'S JFK
HER SONG FOR PM

NEVER ones to duck the major issues of our
time, we at 3am are proud to present an
important general election exclusive.

We bring you news of the full, frightening
extent of Geri Halliwell's vision for her own
political future.

In return for her excruciating "appeal to the
young voters" appearance on New Labour's
election broadcast, the ginger one has
demanded a central role in Tony Blair's
victory celebrations.

The ambitious Ms Halliwell wants to be
photographed with our leader on the night he
is returned to power for a second term.

Moreover, the 27-year-old chart-buster has
composed a special ditty she plans to sing as
the "highlight" of Tony's day of triumph.

Geri sees her relationship with the PM as a
sort of Marilyn Monroe, John F Kennedy thing
- minus the sexual aspects, of course - and
is determined to recreate the magic of the
blonde bombshell's rendition of "happy
birthday Mr President".

But we've heard that Mr Blair and his cohorts
are keen to persuade their pop-star pal to
take a back seat come June 7.One of our many
political chums tells us: "We are rather
hoping Geri might have to be away making a
video or something.

"It's not that we're against a couple of
photo opportunities on election night. We
just don't want people getting the idea that
she's going to be in the next Cabinet."

And the song?

"Oh no," wails our man in Westminster,
"there'll be no song. Can you imagine it?"

Yes. We believe we can. Geri is currently in
Spain filming the video for her next single
which she hopes will fare a little better
than It's Raining Men - her Weather Girls
cover was knocked off No1 after just one
week.

And her album, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster,
only made a disappointing number five.

Surely she couldn't be thinking that a few
pictures of her with the victorious PM might
do wonders for her career.

George Michael may have something to say
about that.

Personal story:

Thanks, Zuzki. :o)

Czech tabloid magazine SPY 18/2001 and the comment reads as follows:
George Michael, singer, Hollywood
Often guest by George is Geri Halliwell, which said that there is no other better
place for her to relax as this house.

Thanks, Paulette. :o)

April 29th:

From E! Online Gossip-Ted Casablanca's column of 4/26/01:
http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Awful/Archive2001/010426g.html

"George Michael, bebopping at Moomba. G.M. was humpier than ever, but his b-f
even more drool-worthy. The duo held hands and seemed megahappy, during their
three hours at the joint."

Thanks, Ioggie and Rupert. :o))

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4167086,0
0.html

"Mad about the boy "
Guardian

Sunday April 8, 2001


Ronan Keating is the blue-eyed blond who stole the heart
of every schoolgirl in the country with Boyzone. Now,
he's going it alone and is hoping to do what Noel and
Robbie failed to do - conquer America

When Ronan was growing up in Dublin, listening to the
records of his older sister and three older brothers, he
wanted to be George Michael. The first single he ever
bought was 'Last Christmas' by Wham! and his favourite
two albums remain Faith and Listen Without Prejudice.
These days George remains his role model, but is also his
friend, someone to whom he turns for advice. There could
be no one better equipped to advise on the tricky
transition from teen idol to what the record industry
calls a serious artist. Not that Ronan wants to be a
serious artist. 'I hate usin' that feckin' term. I'm a
pop artist and that's what I'll always be. I don't want
to be a "credible artist". I'm not going to be feckin'
Noel Gallagher. I want to be respected for what I do, but
that's different. I don't need to be a credible artist,
it doesn't drive me.'

That evening, to celebrate the video's successful
completion, I go out to dinner with Ronan, George
Michael's partner Kenny Goss and the teenage Irish singer
Samantha Mumba and her little brother, who are starting
work next morning in Steven Spielberg's new movie. It's
all very Hollywood. Sam shouldn't be staying up late, but
she's a teenage Irish girl and Ronan is her pop hero. At
the restaurant, an attractive brunette comes over and
greets Ronan like an old friend. Of course, he hasn't got
a feckin' clue who she is, especially after about 10
vodka-and-lime-and-sodas. She's Kelly Brook.


Then there's another comedy moment. Ronan is trying to
order another drink when a peach martini is delivered to
the table by a waiter. He explains it has been sent over
with the compliments of a man at a nearby table. When
Ronan has stopped blushing and finished his steak, he
gets up to relieve himself and his mystery admirer starts
following him towards the men's room. At which point, we
are treated to the bizarre sight of George Michael's
boyfriend following Ronan Keating to the men's room in
order to rescue him from the attentions of another man.
Clearly, Ronan is making his mark in America. They might
even get his name right one day.

Lunch with Kenny: http://uk.music.yahoo.com/010406/92/biqgg.html

Thanks, Paulette. :o)

Mumba's walk of fame

The biggest record contracts:

Mariah Carey has left Sony and has signed the biggest record deal ever with Virgin. She will now earn 3.96 billion BEF or about 88 million dollars or 60 million pounds. George Michael was number 9 together with ZZ Top with 1.65 billion BEF or about 37 million dollars or 25 million pounds.

From Gazet van Antwerpen, April 4th, 2001

From G-Mail:

On her new album:

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/frenchyspice/gerinews.htm

-When will it be out?
Geri:"I guess in the middle of 2001"

-Any collabrations?
Geri:"I recoreded a song with George Michael, but I am
still not sure about it."

And George (and Kenny? Who is that in the background ? Could it be... ?) at Mayfair, March 23rd.

From G-Mail

George didn't win a Grammy Award on February 21st 2001. 

Maybe that is the reason why G wasn't at the Awards that night.

Maybe next year, eh George ? ;o)

Thanks, Laura. :o)

Hello Mag, 06/02/01

Thanks, Jeanette. 

Hello Mag, 30 January 2001

Gala Magazine 11/01/2001

Thanks, Laura. :o)

Thanks, Elena and Helen. :o))

 

© News Group Newspapers Ltd.
	THURSDAY, 04 JANUARY, 2001

Thanks, Elena. :o)

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/rav/4114865

Hot goss on Ricky

GEORGE Michael’s boyfriend Kenny Goss has admitted he was once a “close friend”
of Ricky Martin.

Kenny has told pals he used to go out for drinks with the Livin’ La Vida Loca
star.

The pair shared a few nights on the town but their friendship “fizzled out”.

Kenny revealed to a pal: “I saw Ricky a few times and we had a great time — but
it all ended very suddenly. I started seeing George soon after.”

Kenny’s close pal Geri Halliwell has also told her circle of mates: “They used
to be friends a very long time ago. I think Ricky wouldn’t want it coming out.”


But the Latin star said recently: “Look, I am not gay... If people choose to
believe I’m gay I have no problem with that.”

Big Brother and George