GMKG News
2003
Thanks, Laura.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/page.cfm?objectid=13754370&method=full
Thanks, Joyce and Paulette.
George will be on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire on Dec. 27th on ITV1.
and George will be appearing on Parkinson again. It appeared in
http://www.telegraph.co.uk or
check out yogworld.
"George Michael will no doubt be hoping that his spot in the next
series, which begins on February 21, can motivate his ageing fan
base."
Some news about the album from G-Mail:
And:
'The first track of the new album 'Patience' will be called
'John and Elvis
are Dead'. It also seems that George is doing an radio interview on
CapitalFM soon. Don't know the exact details.'
Thinking of Kenny and his family
http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_ob_obituaries/article/0,1874,ABIL_7966_2438634,00.html
Earl Kent Goss
COLEMAN -- Earl Kent Goss, age 80 of Coleman, died Monday, November 17, 2003 at
Coleman County Medical Center.
Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2003 at Stevens
Funeral Home Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in the Coleman City
Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
Mr. Goss was born March 18, 1923 in Grosvenor, Texas, a son of Leonard L. Goss
and Minnie Pearl Byrd Goss. He was raised in Grosvenor and graduated from
Grosvenor High School. He served eight years in the United States Army during
World War II and the Korean War. He was in the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day and
received the Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars and the U.N. Service
Medal. He married Ozell Edington in 1955 in Brownwood. She preceded him in death
on September 10, 2000. They moved to Coleman in 1986, after living in Dallas for
35 years. He was a sprinkler fitter and a Protestant.
Survivors include two sons, Tim Goss and his wife Joyce and Kenny Goss, both of
Dallas and one granddaughter, Greer Goss of Dallas.
Family visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the
funeral home.
In lieu of flowers and in the memory of Ozell Goss, the family request memorials
be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Coleman County State Bank, Attn:
Dorothy McDonald, P. O. Box 940, Coleman, Texas 76834.
Gigi on the block ;o)
PRICE: $2.9 million
PLACE: Beverly Hills
SPECS: George Michael is selling the secluded villa he bought in 1996. The three--bedroom house, built in 1967, features glass doors that open to gardens and a pool. The 40-year-old British pop star recently signed a new contract with Sony, the same recording company he sued in 1992.
Publication date: 2003-12-08Start saving !
From This Is London:
"FATIH IN POP STAR'S HOME
A blue plaque will perhaps one day adonr th e1930's facade of a house in
Church Lane, Finchley. It is the birthplace of Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou,
aka George Michael. He lived there with his Greek-Cypriot family during the
Sixties. Now this three-bedroom house is available for rent at 325 pounds a
week through Martyn Gerrard."
Start saving !!!! If it's true. ;o)
News from GEORGE MICHAEL INFO NET:
The long wait for George's new album is almost over, actually, George has nearly
finished his work in the studio and the record is set for release in the next
few months. The songs are definitely back to the real George Michael style,
great lyrics and an amazing melodic sound. The album is going to contain both
ballads and up beat tracks and will be advanced by a single.
GEORGE MICHAEL COVERS Project
Thanks to the many demos still arriving, we would like to inform you that the
George Michael Covers Project is still running (all details available on the
site!). So in case anyone should be interested in covering a George Michael song
in a different style and running the risk to have it published. just contact us
at the e mail addy [email protected]
or see the details on the site.
Thanks, Geni. :o)
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5036
Thanks, Paulette !
George has been nominated for Campaigner of the Year Award
through European
Voice a weekly newspaper. You can vote for him at http://www.ev50.com/poll/
Thanks, Laura !
Thanks, Elena !
http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2003/09/19/rainbowcharity/
19 SEPTEMBER 2003
Julie Walters was among a host stars who turned out to help the Rainbow
Trust launch a new fundraising drive in London. The charity, which helps
families with terminally ill children, is hoping to raise £20 million over
the next five years.
The Calendar Girls star's daughter Maisie was diagnosed with leukaemia at
the age of two-and-a-half. "My little girl was treated at the Royal Marsden
Hospital and the Rainbow Trust looked after a lot of people there," she
said. "The families used to go and stay at their houses - so I know what a
wonderful charity it is."
Also on hand to lend his support was George Michael. "It is an amazing
charity," said the singer, who is a long-standing patron of the
organisation. "Loss is such an incredibly difficult thing. I bow down to
people who have to deal with the loss of a child.
"The Rainbow Trust not only takes care of the child but they also take very
good care of the family and understand the family's situation, and I think
that's an incredibly important thing."
Other celebs who came along to support the launch included boxing champion
Chris Eubank, actress Danniella Westbrook and TV presenter Gail Porter.
Charitable George !
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4928
More pics at http://www.rexfeatures.com and http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=George+Michael&f=Newest
From Ananova....
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_820549.html
George Michael heads all-star campaign launch
George Michael has joined a host of other celebrities at a campaign launch
to help raise £20 million for terminally ill children.
The singer lent his support to the charity Rainbow Trust, alongside well
known faces from the worlds of music, TV, film and sport, including Julie
Walters, Gary Rhodes and Linford Christie.
Michael, who is one of the patrons of the charity, said he had been
supporting its work since 1990.
At the launch, he said: "It is an amazing charity. It cares for children
who are potentially terminally ill. Loss is such an incredibly difficult
thing. I bow down to people who actually have to deal with the loss of a child.
"The Rainbow Trust not only takes care of a child but they also take very
good care of the family and understand the family's situation, and I think
that is an incredibly important thing."
The charity offers care and support to families with a terminally ill child
either at home or at Rainbow Houses in Leatherhead, Surrey and Fernstone,
near Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Story filed: 14:35 Thursday 18th September 2003
G'e'orgeous neigbourhood :
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/homes/news/articles/6741288?source=Evening%20Standard
Annie unmasked as mystery buyer
By Compton Miller
17 September 2003
Park residents are puzzled over who owns the five-storey corner property
off Ladbroke Grove that has been shrouded in scaffolding all summer. I can
reveal that the new owner is former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox. "It's
one of the largest properties in the street and must have cost her about £4
million," reports a neighbour. "The builders are ripping apart the
house
and turning it into a palace fit for a diva." Lennox, daughter of an
Aberdeen shipyard worker, has parted from her second husband, Israeli
film-maker Uri Fruchtmann, with whom she has two daughters, Lola and Tali.
The former marital home was a six-bedroom Grade II listed Georgian house in
Highgate, neighbouring George Michael and worth £3.5 million.
New G (therapy) pics at http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/...oQy6injrcl1rSFx
And:
http://www.radioespace.com/html/artistes/index.php3?nomnews=George%2520Michael
(French)
http://www.trosradio2.nl/php/news/date/2003-07-29
(Dutch)
http://www.gaylive.be/article.php?sid=2807
(Flemish)
From G-Mail:
Should we start saving again ? ;o)
Pure fabrication, says Aegean.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/GEORGE'S BIG DATE
GOOD
> news for George Michael fans. The singeris set to perform hisfirst concerts
for
> five years next May. The dapper 40-year-old,
who has sold more than80
> million albums, willplay a run of dates at the Royal Albert Hall inLondon -
and
> they'reguaranteed to be the hottest ticket of the year.
Insiders claim that
> the former Wham! star willduet with some of hisshowbiz pals.
And with the
> likes of Elton John and GeriHalliwell in his circle offriends, it looks
like
> being an A-list bash. An insider revealed:
"George seems like he'sbeen out
> of the loop fora long time but he's been busy writing andrecording.
"He's a
> very private person and > doesn't do thewhole celebrity thingof getting
pictured falling out of clubs."
> The singer - who lives with his partner ofeight years Kenny Goss -has kept
a low
> profile since last August when heblasted Tony Blair andGeorge Bush in the
lyrics
> of his single Shoot TheDog. At the time
critics said it was career
> suicidebut his forthcomingconcerts are sure to prove otherwise. After all,
> asGeorge well knows, youcan't keep a good pop star down...
Last night a
> spokesperson said: "There'snothing confirmed - Georgehas no scheduled
> appearances next year."----------
And off they go:
Just an article about Jack's horse's latest win;)
http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/racing/content_objectid=13187625_method=full_siteid=50080_headline=-Lago-ready-to-step-up-name_page.html
Philosopher George on Graham Norton:
Happy B-Day, George !
http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_794242.html
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=73403526&p=734x4z3z
http://uk.gay.com/headlines/4569
http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=bananarama
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,5-2003290452,00.html
| George Michael pays a visit to Albert Square |
George Michael has visited the set of EastEnders as a surprise present for his 40th birthday.
The visit was arranged by his boyfriend Kenny Goss, his best friend David Austin and his manager Andy Stephens.
George, who has been a long-time fan of EastEnders, knew everything about every character when he met them - including Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace.
A spokeswoman for EastEnders said he was fascinated by how the programme was put together and said he had a fantastic time.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003291708,00.html
Story filed: 10:44 Thursday 26th June 2003
Some G news and pics:
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4165&perpage=15&pagenumber=7
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4184
http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0250greenwich/content_objectid=13085988_method=full_siteid=50100_headline=-Pop-star's-£5,000-gift-name_page.html
Stripe Man: ;o)
http://www.nuovaintercar.it/photo.htm
Bit of George from the MTV webcast: 
G posters: http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=728206&c=c&search=122
Big of Disco George: http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=george+michael&f=Newest
http://www.billboard.com/bb/reviews/single_article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1894136
A cover of Kissing a Fool
Melinda needs an XXL house ; Property News: HOMES GOSSIP
"She should expect to pay around pounds 750,000 for the right property," says agent Parkheath.
The Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, future home of the Welsh National Opera, may still be a building site but the Principality's top bass-baritone, Bryn Terfel, has already invested in a property nearby. He has paid an estimated pounds 500,000 for a two-bedroom penthouse in a brand-new development with panoramic views over the city centre.
Effervescent Terfel, whose inconspicuous real surname is Jones, already has a lavish home, a former country club near Caernarvon, which snooty visitors describe as being "straight out of Dallas".
Pop history was made in a converted Little Venice garage where Sting (right) cut his first demo disc with The Police during the Seventies. No longer a recording studio, it is now for sale as part of an early-Victorian house in Blomfield Road. FPDSavills is asking pounds 3.25 million for the five-bedroom property, complete with an award-winning garden.
Celebrities demanding top security against overenthusiastic fans and paparazzi might consider renting a threebedroom flat available at pounds 1,350 a week through Kay & Co. It is in the same discreet Regent's Park mews as superstar George Michael (left), who is currently selling his fourbedroom house there for pounds 2 million.
The flat is in a modern gated development and is reassuringly next to an army barracks.
Publication date: 2003-05-14
Bit of celeb spotting:
http://www.geocities.com/tjwinchcomb/icelebspotting.html
From Gina & Geni:
Yummy George !
http://www.bigpicturesusa.com/production/030512/george_michael_web/index.htm
What the studio looks like: http://www.airstudios.com/services/film.shtml
And have some fun learning English with G: http://www.kissthisguy.com/
From Geni:
http://www.henley-on-thames.com/main/news/Previous 2001/141201/ftrs/ftrs03.htm
Keeping slim and fit:
From G-Mail:
I read on G-Mail that George is interessed in doing a duet with Justin Timerlake.
Thanks, Geni. :o)
Pretty in Pink again:
http://www.hellomagazine.com/2003/05/09/beckham/
Thanks, Paulette. :o)
Where is Harry ?
HE used to be her best friend. For five years, his little
snuffly face peeked out from under her arm like the latest fashion accessory.
But these days, Geri Halliwell's beloved shih tzu Harry is nowhere
to be seen. Gone, without even a proper good-bye.
The poor mutt was last spotted in December 2002 on a shopping trip in Notting
Hill with Mum.
But now it seems fickle Geri has a new best friend - she's hardly ever pictured
nowadays without George Michael's Heinz 57 and he's even made an
appearance on an American chat show with her, a la Harry.
Earlier this week the former Spice Girl was all too happy to console one of her
"best friends" on a morning walk in La La Land - but ou est Harry?
Could it be that the ickle doggy has abandoned Gezzer like some of her other,
more famous (and therefore useful) best pals?
Thanks, Elena. :o)
Walking the dog:
In the April 14, 2003 issue of People magazine. The
caption under the pic reads:
In L.A., Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst and ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell played
phone tag while walking Hug, a mixed breed owned by Halliwell's pal George
Michael. A source says the pair are just friends.
George has visitors.
HOT PEOPLE: 2
BECOME 1 AS WAR ENDS
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
MEL
C and GERI HALLIWELL have paved the way for the next stage of the Spice Girls'
comeback by healing their rift in Los Angeles
.
The
former Sporty and Ginger, whose former hits include 2 Become 1, have been at
war for five years. But they settled their differences during five days at
GEORGE MICHAEL'S villa in
The
reunion plan was exclusively revealed in The People in February.
Our
source said: "Mel C denies it all the time but the Spice Girl reunion is
very much on.
"She
and Geri have been discussing some ideas before all five meet again."
And
it wasn't all work and no play for the new best mates at George's £10million
mansion.
Mel
and Geri sunbathed topless in the garden and were spotted laughing and joking
by neighbours.
They
also enjoyed dinner at the pad, on the same street as The Osbournes.
Mel
took time off from her album promotions to spend time with Geri, who's been
living in the States. It's the second time they've met for talks.
Mel
and Geri first broke the ice with VICTORIA BECKHAM, MEL B and EMMA BUNTON at
the famous Spice Reunion dinner at
So
roll on dessert - a full-scale concert tour.
Thanks, Patrizia. :o)
The Hope album cover:
Thanks for the piccies, Georgina !
His four-bedroom mews, on the market for pounds 2 million, is tiny by celebrity standards. However, its discreet location means it has served George well as a refuge from the paparazzi for seven years.
And its position next to an army barracks must have made George feel extra safe at night.
But while the gated property in Park Village Mews was private enough for the star to relax in without the fear of being spotted, it seems George has had enough of being a shrinking violet and just had to go for something a bit grander.
His new stately pad in The Grove is said to be in pristine condition, with six bedrooms, a music study, wood-panelled library and stunning views across Hampstead Heath.
Nonetheless, George is busy ripping out the fixtures and fittings and starting from scratch.
The singer's first foray into interior design will no doubt mean a hefty decorating bill, so he could do with selling his Regent's Park home pronto.
But local agents believe the pounds 2million price is unrealistic.
'It's worth only about pounds 1.5 million as it's very small,' said one. 'And although they claim it's in Regent's Park, it's blatantly Camden. They're trying to pass off a Camden property with a Regent's Park price.' Perhaps George's agents, FPD Savills, hope the celebrity connection will bump up its value. But the property investment game just doesn't seem to be George's forte.
He spent pounds 7.25 million on a house in Chelsea that he bought from former DJ Chris Evans, but soon went off the place, not spending a single night there.
The ill-fated property in Gilston Road was on the market for months before George offloaded it, and has since been dubbed Jinx Towers after having seven owners in the past 15 years.
From Geni on G-Mail:
Thanks, Geni. :o)
Amazon uk has the details of the album in favour of warchild available!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008Z1T4/qid%3D1049073839/sr%3D1-2/ref%3Dsr%5F1%5F2%5F2/026-5348721-4594815
Graham Norton:
Complete transcript and some pics at: http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3504
Pics from the Richard and Judy interview:
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3510
And a blast from the past:
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3516
And: http://www.itv.com/news/708682.html
No HALC:
Madonna criticizes manufactured pop acts
In excerpts released Thursday from an interview with British music magazine Q, the star accuses record chiefs of choosing new acts based on their marketing potential instead of their talent.
``I arrived at a different time, before the time of Svengalis holding talent searches -- finding a girl that looks right and can carry a tune and then figuring a way to market her,'' Madonna is quoted as saying in the May issue of the magazine.
Referring to singers Pink, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, she said: ``I'm not saying those girls can't grow into something, but I really don't know where we're going with the world. Everything's so homogenized.''
Madonna, who has gained immense success by astutely marketing her own image, joins other music veterans, including Elton John and George Michael, who have criticized talent quests like Pop Idol, a British reality television show in which viewers choose a winner to get a record contract. The U.S. version of the show, American Idol, is in its second successful season.
Madonna, 44, was also critical of young hopefuls who crave celebrity for its own sake, rather than wanting recognition of their abilities.
``It's the allure of this beautiful life. Drive this car, you're gonna be popular,'' she told Q, which goes on sale on April 1.
``It's a very powerful illusion and people are caught up in it, including myself -- or I was.''
The singer rose to fame party because of her provocative image, but despite years of wearing revealing outfits she said she takes a firm line on what her own children should wear.
Asked if she felt able to stop her 6-year-old daughter Lourdes from dressing how she wants, she said: ``I can and I do.''
Check out the new Aegean site at http://www.aegean.net
Georgeous George out and about in London:
G&K out and about:
http://www.bigpicturesusa.com/production/030325/george_michael_web/index.htm
Court Could Reverse Ban on
Homosexual Sex WASHINGTON (AP) - A gay-rights case before the Supreme court tests how
times have changed for the country and for the court itself, which was widely
criticized for a ruling 17 years ago that upheld a ban on homosexual sex. The
court could reverse course and declare a similar ban unconstitutional. Lawyers for two Texas men arrested in their bedroom are asking the court
Wednesday to overturn their convictions for sodomy under a state ``Homosexual
Conduct'' law. The law unfairly treats gay men and lesbians differently from
heterosexuals who may engage in the same kinds of sex acts and violates
privacy rights, the opponents argued in court filings. State anti-sodomy laws, once universal, now are rare. Those on the books
are infrequently enforced but underpin other kinds of discrimination, lawyers
and gay rights supporters said. ``We truly hope the Supreme Court in its wisdom will remove this mechanism
that has been used for so long to obstruct basic civility to gay and lesbian
people,'' said Elizabeth Birch, executive director of the gay rights
organization Human Rights Campaign. In 1986, a narrow majority of the court upheld Georgia's sodomy law in a
ruling that became a touchstone for the growing gay rights movement. Even then
the court's decision seemed outdated and was publicly unpopular, said Harvard
law professor Laurence Tribe, who argued on the losing side of the case. ``We're now dealing with a very small handful of statutes in a circumstance
where the country, whatever its attitudes toward discrimination based on
sexual orientation, (has reached) a broad consensus that what happens in the
privacy of the bedroom between consenting adults is simply none of the state's
business.'' As recently as 1960, every state had a sodomy law. In 37 states, the
statutes have been repealed by lawmakers or blocked by state courts. Of the 13 states with sodomy laws, four - Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and
Missouri - prohibit ``deviate sexual intercourse,'' or oral and anal sex,
between same-sex couples. The other nine ban consensual sodomy for everyone:
Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Utah and Virginia. An unusual array of organizations is backing the two Texas men. In addition
to a long list of gay rights, human rights and medical groups, a group of
conservative Republicans and the libertarian Cato Institute and Institute for
Justice argued in friend of the court filings that government should stay out
of the bedroom. ``This case is an opportunity to confirm that the constitutional command of
equal protection requires that gays be treated as equal to all other citizens
under the law, subject to neither special preferences nor special
disabilities,'' the brief for the Republican Unity Coalition said. On the other side, the Texas government and its allies say the case is
about the right of states to enforce the moral standards of their communities. ``The states of the union have historically prohibited a wide variety of
extramarital sexual conduct,'' Texas authorities argued in legal papers.
Nothing in that legal tradition recognizes ``a constitutionally protected
liberty interest in engaging in any form of sexual conduct with whomever one
chooses,'' the state argued. Conservative legal and social organizations, religious groups and the
states of Alabama, South Carolina and Utah back Texas in the case. The case began in 1998, when a neighbor tricked police with a false report
of a black man ``going crazy'' in John Geddes Lawrence's apartment. Police
smashed their way in and found Lawrence having anal sex with another man,
Tyron Garner. Although Texas rarely enforced its antisodomy law, officers decided to book
the two men and jail them overnight on charges of ``deviate sexual intercourse
with another individual of the same sex.'' They were each fined $200 plus
court costs. The case is Lawrence v. Texas, 02-102. © Copyright The Associated Press.
All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be
published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written
authority of The Associated Press. 03/26/2003 02:40
Yummy George!
http://www.bigpicturesusa.com/production/030319/george_michael_web/index.htm
http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?search=%5BA12697%2BA12702%5D&type=GfxOnly&maxhits=12&mode=&site=GLOBEPH&picktype=GfxOnly&Firsthit=1&SORT=&NoScan=on&hmessage=CHRISTINA+AGUILERA++AND+CELEBRITIES+OUT+AND+ABOUT+U.K.+++02%2F19-20%2F2003&ShowTotal=on&Next+Page.x=4&Next+Page.y=12
http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=A12762&hmessage=EXCLUSIVE+GEORGE+MICHAEL+PERFORMS+ON+TOP+OF+THE+POPS+FOR+THE+FIRST+TIME+IN+17+YEARS++AT+THE+BBC+TV+STUDIOS,+LONDON+3/6/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch
http://www.bigpicturesusa.com/production/030310/club_scene_web/index.htm
ROBBIE WILLIAMS is to release an anti-war song.
The track, only the second song he has ever penned alone, calls for peace in Iraq.
It’s the first time Robbie has taken the risky step of mixing music and politics.
The song’s title, Happy Easter (War Is Coming) is a play on John Lennon’s 1972 hit Happy Xmas (War Is Over).
Robbie is so worried about conflict in the Middle East he has scrapped the original B-side planned for his next single Come Undone, replacing it with Happy Easter.
The singer, who signed the biggest-ever British record deal with EMI last October, admits he is terrified at the prospect of war with Iraq.
He says: “I’m really scared, to tell you the truth. It’s a really serious thing for me. I don’t understand it.
“I’m scared for everyone’s future because I don’t know who to trust.
“This is the first world event I’ve been grown-up enough to watch and have a point of view about.”
John Lennon was an avid campaigner for peace. In 1969, during the Vietnam War, the former Beatle and Yoko Ono took to a hotel bed for a week — the first in a series of highly-publicised Bed-In protests.
But the normally light-hearted Robbie has never sung about politics during his long and successful pop career.
While he has long been a spokesman for Unicef’s fight against Aids in Africa, he has never made such a strong political statement before.
He has told pals he has become frightened of flying because of the terrorist threat and says he doesn’t know who to trust when he watches the news.
There’s a long tradition of protest songs in pop, but it has backfired on some artists.
Recently George Michael’s anti-George Bush single Shoot The Dog upset America and only limped to Number 12 here.
But Robbie has stressed his song is a simple message of peace.
Here is a sample of the lyrics:
I won’t go to war, lay down your guns,
What are we fighting for?
I’m gonna buy a farm, write a song.
It won’t change the Earth, just the people on it.
Oh hear the sound of a million people sitting down.
Hip to hip, lip to lip, free love, free love.
But Robbie may miss the mark if he wants the song to have any impact.
Come Undone/Happy Easter (War Is Coming) isn’t released until April 14.
Hopefully, any war with Iraq will be long over by then.
MADONNA has recorded a track with the London Community Gospel Choir for her new album.
The song, thought to be called Nothing Fails, will be on her next CD, American Life.
Choir spokesman Yvonne White says: “She was very warm, very pleasant and very professional.”
The choir have also worked with BLUR and ELTON JOHN.
Queen Aren't About To Replace Freddie With George or Anyone
Just as those George Michael and Queen rumours start to surface again, the
founding members of the band are quick to quash them.
"We keep hearing that rumour but it has literally been around for 10 years
now." Roger Taylor tells Undercover News. "We did the show after
Freddie
died for AIDS Awareness. George did a particularly brilliant set with us and
we had our charity record which was a big hit from that. I think it all
derived from that. There has never been serious talk of George joining us
although we are friends".
In fact guitarist Brian May says Freddie can't be replaced. "We don't want
to replace Freddie" he says. "We have looked at it all these years and
we
could have a number of people step in and do certain things but we don't
want to put anybody in Freddie's shoes. The musical We Will Rock You is a
great way of channelling our creativity and the spirit of Queen in a way
where we don't need Freddie. It is great. I feel that Freddie is around and
all through the creative period putting the show together we feel that
someone we know what he would say but we don't need him at the front. We
have wonderful people to portray the songs and it is a great way forward for
us. It is one of the ways forward".
The closest Queen came to replacing Freddie Mercury was some very serious
discussions with Robbie Williams. "We did a little work with Rob and it was
fun" says Roger. "He is a fun person. We were actually talking about
doing a
tour in America with Rob but I think standing back from it that it was
really not such a great idea. He's got his own thing to get on with. There's
quite an age gap and I think he should get on with his own career which he
is doing and I'm sure he will continue to do will".
The closest comparison to Queen's situation is that of INXS. They recently
announced Jon Stevens would be their permanent new lead singer. "I would
like to see them" Roger says. "I remember the guys. We had them on
tour with
is in Europe. They were such a great band. Michael was such a charismatic
lead man and I haven't seen them since they reformed but I do with them the
very best of luck. They were a fantastic band".
And how about that boyband collaboration Queen did with 5ive a few years
back. "It was just a bit of fun" says Roger. "I don't know how we
got
dragged into that. Then the stupid idiots go and break up. They have no
staying power as all, those youngsters".
The musical We Will Rock You written by Ben Elton and featuring the music of
Queen will open in Melbourne on August 7.
http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2003/20030313_queen.html
From G-Mail:
There´s a clip of Precious box on yogworld http://www.yogworld.com/newsflash/index.htm
Go to http://www.capitalfm.co.uk/webClient?guid=51142&rs=capitalfm
for the Capital FM interview on line.
Come on, give G a hand:
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Mar 11 2003 |
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By Ros Wynne-Jones |
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Today, George Michael appeals to Mirror readers to listen to The Grave, the song he has recorded in protest at Britain's march to war. As the build up to war intensifies, George wants as many people as possible to listen to the song - which tells the haunting story of a dead soldier - and think about the consequences of war in the Gulf. The protest song, by Don McLean, from his acclaimed American Pie album, is a lament for an American marine who died fighting for his country after seeing his colleagues slaughtered around him. George performed the song in a single take, hoping the words will speak for him.
PROTEST: George Michael "I'm so proud to have covered this song," George said last night. "I first heard it in 1971 when I was eight years old and it made such an impact on me, even when I was so young, that I knew it was the song I had to sing now. "I want as many people as possible to watch it and think about what's happening in Iraq." George has been extremely outspoken about the prospect of war in Iraq. At the Brits he performed an anti-war version of his no1 single Faith with Ms Dynamite and he has appeared on a host of chatshows using his celebrity status to sound the alarm over war.
SUFFERING: Iraqi child with cancer caused by the fall-out from depleted uranium weapons used by British and American forces during the 1991 Gulf War The Grave is a emotionally affecting song that will make tough listening for anyone bent on war. It tells the story a young man in a trench fighting the "wars of our nation", containing the lyric: "The grave that they dug him had flowers / Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colors / And the brown earth bleached white / At the edge of his gravestone/ He's gone." Finally it warns: "Eternity knows him and it knows what we've done." |
More on the war:
However, the bearer of the message was an Egyptian citizen who was demonstrating, in Cairo, against the threat of war in Iraq. For good measure, a second line on the placard added, in Arabic, "Arab leaders, go to hell!"
Something very odd is happening in the Middle East. To declare such public support for a former imperial power, which once vied with Britain for the spoils of the region, and throw in a disparaging comparison with today's Arab leaders, is enough to make the late President Nasser turn in his grave. It casts aspersions on decades of Arab nationalism.
The point, of course, is that, while Arab leaders whimpered vainly during their emergency summit in Egypt on March 1, it was France, together with other countries in the axis of reason (Germany, Russia, China and so on), that succeeded in mustering genuine resistance to US policy.
So far, little attention has been paid to the impact that this western, non-Arab opposition to war is having on the Middle East, but it could be far-reaching. Through television, newspapers and the internet, ordinary Arabs are well aware of protests from other countries, both at street level and among governments.
Although they welcome the news, they are also embarrassed by it, because it highlights their own impotence in what, after all, is matter occurring in their own backyard. In effect this is a double humiliation, at the hands of a domineering US administration, and at those of anti-war westerners, who have proven to be more capable of getting their act together than the Arabs themselves.
As far as the regional impact of war is concerned, there are two currently fashionable, but opposing, predictions.
One, favoured by neo-conservatives in the US, suggests that, once Saddam Hussein has gone, Arabs everywhere will treat it as a signal to topple their rulers and happily espouse the American way of life: the "creative destruction" theory.
The other is that war will bring catastrophe, creating, among other things, a wave of anti-western sentiment. In anticipation of attacks on westerners, the British government has recently added more countries to its travel warning guidelines. In the Middle East, these include Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Israel and the occupied territories, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen.
However, the popular perception of the Middle East as being a dangerous place to visit, especially at the moment, extends well beyond the Foreign Office list.
Last week, after reporting for the Guardian on the Arab summit in Sharm al-Sheikh, I decided to spend a few days in Cairo, much to the alarm of my mother. Following my return, several friends also asked whether or not the city is safe.
I am happy to say that nobody shot at me, spat at me in the street, or even gave me a menacing look. The attitude I found was not one of hostility, but of solidarity: a feeling that "we" are all on the same side against "them".
Egyptians have followed reports of anti-war demonstrations in the west with great interest. Amazingly, one Egyptian TV channel even interrupted its programme to bring news of the British parliamentary rebellion on Iraq.
The result is a belief that everyone in Britain, with the exception of Tony Blair and a handful of his ministers, opposes the war. (The vast majority of Americans, incidentally, are thought to oppose it too.)
In Egyptian eyes, therefore, Britain's policy on Iraq belongs to Mr Blair alone, not to the country as a whole. Rather than asking British visitors to explain or justify the policy, Egyptians focus all their attention on Mr Blair's behaviour. "What on earth does he think he's doing? Has he gone mad? Why is he so nice to Mr Bush?"
Although Arabs are thoroughly accustomed to leaders who ignore public opinion, many are baffled about how this can happen in a functioning democracy such as Britain, rather than the "display" democracies existing in much of the Middle East.
Over-simplified though perceptions of western resistance to war may be, they are extremely important. Not least, this is because they establish a common bond between Muslims and non-Muslims, and dispel any idea that a clash of civilisations is taking place.
That, in turn, could help to combat terrorism by minimising popular support in the Middle East for attacks on western civilians (although those associated with the US and British governments, or the military, might be a different matter).
If the anti-war movement does succeed in dampening anti-western feeling, how likely is that Arabs will take revenge on their own leaders instead?
Contrary to what neo-conservatives think, the question here has little to do with Arab yearnings for democracy: it is primarily about leadership qualities.
Have the Arab leaders done enough, in the eyes of their people, to resist US bullying, to oppose the war and to avoid bringing shame on their country?
So far, the verdict is mixed. Most leaders have played a double game, trying not to offend the US while making token gestures to placate public opinion. While staying in Cairo, I got into conversation with the duty manager of my hotel. The place was almost empty, and he blamed this entirely on the Iraq crisis, which he said had scared away many tour groups.
In the absence of other guests to attend to, he posed the inevitable questions about Mr Blair's relationship with the US president, George Bush, which he augmented by reciting lines from George Michael's song, Shoot the Dog.
After a while, I asked him what Arab leaders were doing to stop the war. "Our president is a clever man," he said. "He will think of something."
It didn't sound very convincing and, after a pause, he added: "Of course, Mubarak is getting old now, but maybe the Saudis will stop their oil."
I asked whether he really believed that the Saudis would do that. Surely, if they stopped selling oil, they would starve. "No," he replied, "Sheikh Osama [bin Laden] says that Saudi Arabia will never be poor. If they don't have oil, God will provide something else. They have gold besides oil."
It struck me as being rather curious that someone could quote George Michael with approval one moment, and bin Laden the next, but a long-time British resident of Cairo told me later that it is perfectly normal.
The point about bin Laden, George Michael, Saddam Hussein, the French government, the rebellious British MPs and the 1 million protesters in Hyde Park is that they have all, in various ways, stood up to the US. That is the only thing that matters.
Whatever the differences between them, and whatever else they may have done, they all fit the concept of "shaheed", not necessarily a martyr, but someone who bears witness for a cause, in this case against US domination.
This is the crucial factor ignored by neo-conservatives when they talk about regime changes in the Middle East. Regardless of how democratic any new regime may be, it will have no credibility with the public unless it is demonstrably capable of resisting pressure from Washington.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/news/2003/03/08/3099.shtml
Greekings!
It was a night for comparing beard stubble and chest hair as Blue's Antony
Costa met up with his idol George Michael backstage at TOTP this week. Blue
were there to take part in our webchat and promote forthcoming single, 'U
Make Me Wanna', while George was making his first Pops appearance in 17
years to perform his anti-war song, 'The Grave'.
"I was chuffed to meet him," Ant told TOTP. "We had a good chat
and he told
me he was a fan of the band. I'd love to get him down to the studio and
record some tracks with him in the future. Who knows? That would be
great."
We can see it now...the lads could form a new boyband - Ouzone - and
perform a brand new song called 'A Sense Of Houmous'...which could become
the new theme tune to TV drama Dawson's Greek. Whaddya reckon, fellas? Fellas?
08/03/2003
BBC Radio 5:
To listen :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/
http://www.express.co.uk/story.html?story=7&r=3129926602310772
Duncan Smith clashes with pop star
Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith and pop star George Michael have clashed
on a radio programme over possible war with Iraq.
The singer, noted for his anti-war stance, denied Mr Duncan Smith's assertion
on the BBC Radio 5 Live Drive programme that when asked what should be done
about Saddam his argument "falls apart".
"It doesn't fall apart," he said, as the debate became increasingly
heated.
Michael had earlier said "the best efforts we can" should be put
into trying to solve the Israel-Palestine problem.
He said he did not disagree that Saddam was "an incredibly evil
dictator" and needed dealing with.
"He needed dealing with 10 years ago," he said.
The same administrative team was in power in Washington now as it was then -
but there was a big difference now in what they felt needed to be done about
Saddam.
But terrorists were "waiting for this moment" to legitimise their
cause, he said.
Mr Duncan Smith said, though, that he was fed up with people telling him it
was a conspiracy.
"He is very dangerous, he has weapons, he's been hiding them from the
inspectors, he's been abusing his own people, invading his neighbours.
"There will not be a single Iraqi who comes out afterwards and says, 'I
wish you hadn't done it. Let's tell him, 'your last chance is on you
now'."
Boy George on The Man George:
Gagged in the land of free
speech
YOU say I was WRONG to write off GEORGE MICHAEL as a has-been last week. Our text vote found 52% in favour of the singer and his tedious anti-war views. Lorette, from Chesterfield, asks: "Why doesn't he accept he's no longer credible?"But delightful Cath Hankin, of Liverpool, told me: "Try comparing bank balances, O'Brien, you nobody."
HAYLEY EVETTS gazed out a car window in Shepherd's Bush after her 27th birthday this week and spotted GEORGE'S labrador Hippy staring back. "I called my mum straight away," she told me.
Features
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GERI Halliwell and George Michael may have taken pains not to leave The Ivy together but, apparently, they're reconciled and it's all love and hugs again. Perhaps they were at the London restaurant to celebrate George's first appearance on Top Of The Pops for 17 years.
WHERE'S HARRY?: Geri Or they could have been toasting Geri's new role as a judge on the US reality TV series All American Girl, which the 30-year-old ex-Spice Girl will begin filming next week. Yes, after rocky spells - George, 39, once said "it is difficult to maintain a relationship with a person who lives for the press" - things seem to be looking up both professionally and personally for the old friends. Just one question - where is Geri's other best pal, her Shih Tzu dog Harry? He seems to have quietly disappeared. |
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New G pic:
George
leaving The Ivy Restaurant at March 06th 2003.
Just read on G-Mail that G's new song is called Precious Box. George played an exerpt of the new (dance) song on Capital FM. G said the album will be out sometime before Christmas.
Is that this year's Christmas, George ? ;o)
Shirt war at TOTP:
TOTP allegedly tell George Michael to remove anti-war shirt George Michael was ordered to take off his anti-war t-shirt for the TOTP recording, according to his spokeswoman.
He and his band were all wearing Katherine Hamnett t-shirts bearing the logo "No war, Blairout".
She claims he was very upset when he was told he could not wear it.
"The backing band had to wear the t-shirts because they did not have a change of clothes but they were told they would be cut out of the programme," she said.
But the BBC denies the allegation.
A spokesman said: "During rehearsals and in the recording he was wearing a black sweatshirt with a jacket on top. At no point was he wearing one of the t-shirts, he was not asked to take anything off and he was not told that he could not wear it.
"We did not tell the backing group their t-shirts would be blacked out and at the BBC we broadcast all political views equally."
Story filed: 22:38 Thursday 6th March 2003
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3013&perpage=15&pagenumber=1
From Reflections:
Hi all,
just a quick mail to inform that George will be performing at Top Of The Pops UK
tomorrow and will also be interviewed by Foxy from Radio Capital. You can listen
to the interview through Capital site www.capitalfm.co.uk
from 16.00 UK time.
We'd also like to let you know that we have received confirmation from official
sources that George re-interpretation of "The Grave" is not going to
be distributed as a promo to the radio networks or to shops as a charity single
at the moment and that George's still working on the new album.
Have a nice evening!
Emanuela, Cris & Giuseppe
George Michael Info Net
www.george-michael.it
[email protected]
G at BBC 1:
George Michael
is performing The Grave on TOTP this week (7th March 2003). BBC1 7:30pm.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/lineup/artist6.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2810183.stm
Video link to The Grave:
http://www.mtv.de/home/index.php
For Flanders, Belgium:
MTV News:
http://www.mtv.fr/mtv.fr/jhtml/frm/MaVideoLives.jhtml;jsessionid=FDJOZZGWBD1J5QFIAIISFE4AVABQKIV0http://www.mtv.fr/mtv.fr/jhtml/frm/MaVideoLives.jhtml;jsessionid=FDJOZZGWBD1J5QFIAIISFE4AVABQKIV0
George Michael Records
Anti-War Song For MTV
George Michael will record a cover of Don McLean’s famous song ‘The
Grave’ exclusively to air across MTV Europe in a hard-hitting personal
statement about the issue of war. ‘The Grave’ debut across MTV UK and
Ireland on Monday, March 3.
The performance, to take place at MTV studios this weekend, will also be
streamed online to view-on-demand on mtv.co.uk.
McLean penned ‘The Grave’ in 1971 and it was included on the highly
acclaimed ‘American Pie’ album. Renowned for its hard-hitting yet
haunting verse, the lyrics of ‘The Grave’ will remain largely unchanged
in George Michael’s version.
‘The Grave’ is the second protest song George has released since the
infamous ‘Shoot The Dog, where he used political satire to highlight his
fears about the subservience of the British ‘bulldog’ Tony Blair) to
George W Bush. More recently, Ms Dynamite performed a reworking of his
smash-hit ‘Faith’ as an anti-war protest at the Brits, with George
performing via video link.
As part of its programming to address viewers’ interest in the Iraqi
conflict, MTV will air ‘An MTV Forum With Tony Blair: Is War The Answer’
on Friday, March 7 at 9pm. The forum will see Tony Blair take questions from
40 young people from all over Europe, the Middle East and the US. Click on
the link, right for more details.
MTV News
MTV News
Hourly updates 4-8pm
Nightly round-up 8.50pm
MTV News Extra
Friday 6.30pm
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_755792.html
IT'S time GEORGE MICHAEL lightened up and gave us some proper hits before he becomes the next LEO SAYER.
The pop has-been has become the most irritating man on the planet with his pompous views on the Iraq crisis.
Well today George I'm declaring war on YOU.
The man that time forgot threw a tantrum this week when Top Of The Pops bosses refused to let him play live.
He was desperate to perform anti-war song, Don McLean's The Grave, but gave the BBC show just a day's notice.
My TOTP insider told me: "To get a full live band on and soundcheck they would have had to kick off another act and make them wait for hours.
"George refused to sing live over a tape so they told him it wasn't going to happen."
You'd have thought George, 39, would've been content with just appearing on TOTP.
After all, he hasn't had a solo No1 for six years
Richard and Judy:
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2953
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=1024ceb9e6d864de901c85e40c476878&postid=45470
Graham Norton:
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=4852be511cfe6130679077d7d6db51a7&threadid=2960
http://channel4.co.uk/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/graham/index.html
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2928
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.porritt/
George Michael: Pop and Politics
George Michael has been speaking out against a war in Iraq. Last week he performed an anti-war duet with Ms Dynamite at the Brits , and this week he has accused Tony Blair of "arrogance" for ignoring the majority of public opinion against war with Iraq. But does a pop star have enough experience and information to comment on foreign affairs or should it be left to the politicians? Let us know what you think on Jeremy's message board .
You can listen to the interview again on our Radio Player.
See George in the Radio 2 studios here .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/jeremy_vine/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/2808095.stm
George on TV :
Sunday: Breakfast With Frost BBC
tv
Monday: GMTV tv
Monday: Channel 5 phone interview
Wednesday: GMTV phone interview
Wednesday: BBC World tv
Thursday: Radio2 Jeremy Vine
Friday: Richard
and Judy phone interview
Friday March 7th: Capital FM Foxy
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=0d9f77710cf4a6ddcd30c8384ae06e18&threadid=2794&perpage=15&pagenumber=1
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2817
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2846
http://forums.aegean.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2851
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2800363.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/jeremy_vine/
He was/is on Foxy, July and BBC World... Boy, he is busy. Are you going to get
busy on your new album now, George ? ;o)
Thanks, Geni and Bianca. :o))
George on GMTV :
Thanks. :o)
Just a quick note to tell that George was in a BBC programme
(Breakfast with Frost) and he talked about the war. Below's the link wher
you can seehim and listen to what he said.
Only the G clip:
The whole show:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/default.stm
(then Latest Programme timing: 24 min.09 sec.)
Take care
Emanuela, Cris and Giuseppe
And:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/2792067.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/2792067.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/2330791.stm#Email
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/default.stm
Thanks, Kris:
No show and show at Brits ;o) :
Click here: George Michael Forums - GM@ the brits screenshots!!!!!!!!!!
"Backstage is buzzing with news of George Michael. The poor chap has hurt his back and has to spend today at the osteopath. (chiropractor like) Just as well he's only performing by videolink tomorrow."
at the
Brit Awards because he wants Ms Dynamite to take all the glory.
The pair are teaming up to duet on George's 1987 hit Faith, but while Ms
Dynamite will perform live during Thursday's show, Michael's contribution will
be a pre-recorded appearance on video.
The star - who has not been nominated for any awards - insisted his no-show was
not a snub to the Brits.
"I love Ms Dynamite and am so happy she is performing Faith, which is such
a hopeful song.
"But this is her night, not mine. Ms Dynamite deserves all the limelight
she is going to get from her Brits' performance."
A spokesman for Michael's record label, Polydor, said: "Ms Dynamite
contacted George about her idea of performing Faith and asked him if he would
contribute to the performance in some way.
"George re-wrote a verse and agreed to appear on video, but insisted he
would not appear in person as it is her night, not his.
"There was never any question of George Michael performing live, or via
satellite."
R&B star Ms Dynamite, who appeared at last week's peace rally in Hyde Park,
has reworked the song to include an anti-war message.
Thanks, Geni. :o)
AnaNova: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_753894.html
George Michael warns war could spark fundamentalism
George Michael has warned that war against Iraq could "light the touch
paper" of Islamic fundamentalism.
The popstar said he believed in the Prime Minister, but admitted to being
puzzled about Mr Blair's stance on military action against Saddam Hussein.
Speaking on Breakfast With Frost, he said what looked like an increasingly
inevitable conflict was storing up problems for the future, particularly in
Israel.
He said military action against the Baghdad regime now had the appearance of
a delayed response to the September 11 attacks.
Instead, he urged people to remind Mr Blair in the next few weeks that any
war against Iraq could weaken the power of the United Nations and the Nato
alliance.
He said: "We are just about to light the touch paper of all these pockets
of
Islamic fundamentalism by doing something that is totally illegal.
"And I think that the British public, through opinion poll after opinion
poll, is saying, 'Yes, we know Saddam Hussein is an incredibly dangerous
individual, yes, we know his plans are not likely to be altruistic but we
can see a larger picture.'
"And the larger picture is what's terrifying people. People, I think,
understand that we're at a watershed. The West and the fundamentalist world
are going to be at loggerheads for many, many years if we don't talk now."
He said it was double standards to pursue military action in Iraq for oil,
and ignore Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's treatment of Palestinians.
Not addressing that issue could breed anti-Semitism, he said, and the
British public could see through the Government's propaganda.
Story filed: 16:27 Sunday 23rd February 2003
Dunno girls...both tablids reporting the same...it's really odd
Dynamite on warpath
MS DYNAMITE and GEORGE MICHAEL’s duet at the Brits will be an anti-war demo after she re-wrote his track Faith.
Also in today's Bizarre • Gwyneth is this lovely Hollywood star...I'm just the guy from Coldplay
• Join me to end Spice revival
• Cris: I still love J-Lo
The pair have teamed up for the show where they will have their say on attacking Iraq.
Ms Dynamite who took part in Saturday’s London rally, picked George’s song after he praised her actions.
But the move has angered record executives.
One senior music source told me: “The Brits is about celebrating musical achievements, not somebody’s private politics.
People are angry the night has been hijacked like this.”
George agreed to perform after Ms Dynamite — up for four gongs — phoned and asked if she could re-work his 1987 hit.
He will pre-record his vocals and appear via video link from LA.
Thanks, Terri. :o)
George Michael will make a surprise appearance alongside Ms Dynamite as the highlight of Thursday evening's ceremony at London's Earl's Court.
Duet: Ms Dynamite
Bad boy rapper Eminem is another star attraction organisers have desperately been keeping under their hats. Brit bosses hope the 8 Mile star will perform alongside fellow US star Pink.
Oddly, the unlikely duo of George and Ms Dynamite won't actually be on stage together. The former Wham star will perform live from LA. And there is no doubt his flagging career will benefit from performing alongside ultra-cool Ms D.
The four-months pregnant singer has a record four Brit nominations for a female solo artist after being shortlisted for Best British Female Solo Artist, Best British Album, Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Urban Act. She stunned organisers when she refused to do a duet with Craig David but jumped at the chance to sing with George.
George won Best Male Artist in 1988 and 1997 as well as Best Album in 1991. Then in 1999 he pulled out of performing at the ceremony because he failed to get a nomination in the Best Male category, despite the success of his album Ladies and Gentlemen.
Let's give G a hand:
Vote for him at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/vote/hunks.shtml
http://www.mtv.com/onair/mtv2/22_greatest
Thanks, Elena. :o)
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003040919,00.html
George is home on Heath
By EMILY SMITH
Deputy Bizarre Editor
SUPERSTAR George Michael has splashed out £10million on a second home near
notorious gay pick-up spot Hampstead Heath.
The stunning new pad in swish Highgate, North London, has six bedrooms,
four sitting rooms, a swimming pool and views over the heath.
A pal of the 39-year-old singer said last night: "George is hoping to move
in over the next few weeks."
The mansion is not his first home near the heath. A few years ago he forked
out £3million for a house in Hampstead itself - just a short stroll from
the new one.
Friends say George adores the area. He likes hanging out in the local pubs
and stretching his legs on the heath with his dogs.
And the millionaire star won't go short of chums. His sister Melanie runs a
gift shop in Highgate and neighbours include fellow pop stars Sting and
Annie Lennox.
George, who was arrested in 1998 for lewd conduct after exposing himself to
an undercover LA cop in a public toilet, has homes around the world.
He owns a £1.5million cottage in Oxfordshire with a river at the bottom of
the garden, a £2million bolthole in St Tropez and a hideaway in Beverly Hills.
He recently sold a house in Chelsea for £8.25million. Bad boy rap star P
Diddy was said to be the buyer.
A pal said: "The sale of the house in Highgate was very discreet. It was
sold without even being advertised."
Thanks, Geni. :o)
http://www.onlineainslie.co.uk/foru...3710f4c7b30f140
The guy is the admistrator
AINSLIE HAS landed a quarter-of-a-million pound deal with Mercury Records. The
one-album deal will see the former-Suburbia member release Keep Me A Secret in
February, with an album planned for the summer.
Ainslie is set to work with the members of James again in the writing of the
album. George Michael has also been reported to have approached Ainslie and is
interested in working with him.
Mercury will also manage the winner of Fame Academy. Lemar has already been
signed to the label, and released the Craig David-esque You Got Me Going Ooh.
Thanks, Elena. :o)
Big changes at Fony... Oops, Sony:
Thanks, Geni. :o)
More on the floods at G's house:
http://www.henley-on-thames.com/main/news/Previous%202003/100103/news/story16.htm
 Ananova: |
|
| Mandela concert cancelled |
A huge fundraising concert to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela featuring performances from Bono, Coldplay and Sir Elton John has been called off.
The show was to have taken place at Mandela's former prison, Robben Island, in South Africa in a fortnight.
But organisers were left reeling when one of the major sponsors pulled out and they were with too little time to find a replacement.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation which was overseeing the show, has now decided to pull the plug on the February 2 show.
The concert would have cost More than £2 million to stage even with performers giving their services for free.
But it was hoped to raise millions more to fight the Aids epidemic in Africa. The show was expected to have been broadcast around the world.
Executive producer Ned O'Hanlon said tonight: "We're devastated. The sponsor pulled out and they haven't given us a reason, but we don't think it is the right thing to name names."
U2's Bono had teamed up with former Clash frontman Joe Strummer to write a tribute song to Nelson Mandela to be played at concert.
Strummer died last month from a heart attack but had been looking forward to the event where they would have played the song 48864, named after Mandela's prison number.
Queen were also on the bill as was Yusuf Islam, who as Cat Stevens had a string of Seventies hits before his conversion to Islam.
Story filed: 19:03 Friday 17th
| Sun
gets its first female editor |
Thanks, Gina. :o)
PROPERTY ON SUNDAY ;Pop goes the neighbourhood! ; It's all change in an exclusive Chelsea enclave as David Bowie and George Michael sell up - and P. Diddy arrives, says Cheryl MarkoskyTHE BOLTONS
One of the cliches of the property slowdown is that nothing is selling at the top end of the London market, but a flurry of activity in recent weeks in the exclusive Boltons area of Chelsea suggests the opposite.
After five years, David Bowie has sold The Old Rectory in Gilston Road, while further up the street George Michael has finally offloaded Number 10, which he bought from Chris Evans two years ago. The rumoured buyer of the latter - to the horror of Chelsea dowagers - is none other than P. Diddy, the foulmouthed rap artist formerly known as Puff Daddy.
How he will fit in among the City grandees, old money survivors and the odd absentee Arab sheik who have made The Boltons their exclusive enclave can only be imagined, although he might feel more at home with his creative neighbours in Gilston Road, such as Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson, Gucci designer Tom Ford and, round the corner, dancer Darcey Bussell.
Bowie bought The Old Rectory to house his art collection and happily rented out the house, which he has sold for pounds 7.2 million, preferring to base himself in New York.
Nor were George Michael and Chris Evans familiar faces in The Bolton's coveted communal gardens that surround the grand church: neither are thought to have spent a night at 10 Gilston Road, which Michael had on the market for pounds 8.25 million.
For Bowie, whose personal fortune is estimated at more than pounds 100 million, buying a home off The Boltons must have struck a nostalgic note with his fans, as it marked a return to Chelsea, where he lived in Oakley Street at the height of his Ziggy Stardust fame. The plain, four-storey Gilston Road house, measuring well over 4,000 sq ft with west-facing garden and off-street parking, sold in a matter of weeks to an American divorcee who already lives in the area.
There were no brochures or pictures for prospective purchasers to peruse, and only a select few - 25 serious clients escorted by top agents and buyers - were allowed a sneak preview of the interior designed pad. 'It's absolutely stunning inside, and Bowie obviously spent a lot of money on it,' said Andrew Langton, managing director of central London agent Aylesford, one of the privileged minority granted access.
'But then the essentials of these houses in and around The Boltons are pretty good in the first place. They have just about everything. They are freehold, large-scale family houses with extensive gardens and off-street parking in a leafy one-way street. If you own a big house in The Boltons, you don't really need that country house.' Curiously, although houses in The Boltons are in the same price league as the best of Kensington and Knightsbridge - the large, white, stucco-fronted Victorian villas fronting the central oval go for pounds 14 to pounds 20 million - they feel less anonymous and more lived in. Absentee owners from abroad are less obvious and there is a sense of traditional Englishness that doubtless Beatrix Potter would have recognised when she was a local resident in the early 1900s.
New buyers do, however, have to have wealth in depth and although prices in Chelsea have fallen by 0.2 per cent last month according to Hometrack, this is unlikely to be a major preoccupation of either those buying or selling.
These days interest tends to be from those in the media and entertainment businesses, according to Linda Beaney from central London agents Beaney Pearce. 'We are not getting much interest from City slickers, who were around last year and the year before.' In contrast to Bowie's house, George Michael's turreted 10 Gilston Road, which has been up for sale for months, is known locally as Jinxed Towers, having changed hands seven times in the past 15 years. Michael paid Chris Evans pounds 7.25 million for the property, which the ginger-haired DJ sold on after only six months, making a pounds 500,000 profit.
Most of the interior arrangements P. Diddy might inherit were laid out by German socialites Mick and Maya Flick, the heirs to the Mercedes-Benz fortune, who bought the house in 1989. The ground floor has a marble hallway, an opulent grand drawing room and a library, from which a stone staircase leads to the garden. But the grandeur fizzles out once you start to climb the stairs.
Only the principal bedroom, with a balcony on three sides, is of really comfortable proportions, while the others have been likened to the dimensions of an average council flat. '10 Gilston Road always sells well because it looks great from the outside,' says Jonathan Harvey, of Friend and Falke estate agents.
'But it is not a large house. The turret looks spectacular, but you reach it via a ladder. For the sort of money George Michael was asking, most celebrities would expect to find decent bedrooms, a swimming pool and staff quarters.' It may be a comfort to some of his more snooty neighbours that, if past form is anything to go by, P. Diddy won't stay for long.
HOW TO BUY A CELEBRITY'S HOME
Not just anyone can poke around an A-list pop star's pad that is up for sale - you need to be 'approved' by a top London agent or buyer.
If they are not satisfied with your credentials you will be 'vetted' to see if you are who you claim to be and whether you have enough cash to hand over.
Contacting the bank manager usually sorts out the Emma Hope-shod sheep from the down-at-heel goats.
A leading buying agent says: 'You need to make sure there is no money laundering and we are wary of Mafia money. There are plenty of con men and timewasters who just want to have a good snoop round.' An upfront fee of pounds 1,500 for those looking to buy in London, pounds 2,000 in the country, generally eliminates the problem, he says.
'Agents know that our client has paid a fee and is serious. They will often give them extra time.'
THE DAVID BOWIE PROPERTY FILE
VEVEY, SWITZERLAND
Bowie's first real family home - a mountain villa, Clos de Mesanges, in Vevey, Switzerland, was found by his first wife, Angie. They moved there in 1976, in time for their son Zowie's fifth birthday, but the marriage was already on the rocks. Nevertheless, Bowie drove his son to the local school and taught him to ski here. Bowie loves Switzerland, and he and his second wife, Iman, married there in 1992, on the shores of Lake Geneva.
MUSTIQUE
Bowie commissioned architect Arne Hasselqvist to build Manderlay, a series of oriental pavilions surrounded by a moatlike swimming pool, on the Caribbean island of Mustique. He sold his second house, reputedly worth pounds 3 million, in 1996 to magazine publisher Felix Dennis, after Iman decided she had had enough of the sybaritic lifestyle.
NEW YORK
Bowie lived in New York briefly in 1974 when trying to crack the American music market. An elegant apartment in Lafayette Street, Manhattan, has now been his main base since he married Iman nine years ago - they met here in 1990. The couple live in the apartment with their baby daughter, Alexandria.
AND HERE IS WHERE HE SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD . . .
David Jones was born on January 8, 1947, in this small terrace house at 4 Plaistow Grove, Brixton. The bedrooms were tiny and there was no bathroom - just a tin bath in the kitchen. He spent the first six years of his life here, but by the time the family moved to Beckenham, Kent, he had already decided he was going to be Britain's answer to Little Richard.
MAKE A MINT BEFORE YOU GO GO:
George Michael may have sold his Gilston Road house, left, to rapper P.
Diddy for pounds 8.25m. Above, our article in October on George's home
Publication date: 2003-01-12From Reflections:
G on TV:
it will also air in USA on
Jan 15 at 6pm....can't confirm time zone tho....need to check it out USA GM
fans
And:
YOU'RE hosting an imaginary dinner party and can invite anyone in the world, living or dead, to your home for one night ...
Who would you invite?
I should choose a combination of saints and famous historical figures but for fear of being intellectually out-classed, I'd have film stars and entertainers. George Michael would sit beside me and on my other side, would be George Clooney. I would also invite actress Juliette Binoche. Colin Firth would have to be included so he and George could fight over Juliet while the other George and I boogie.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE?
I'd get Peter Gordon from Providore, London, to do the catering from his fusion-style menu, which is sublime. I might have scallops as an entree and something chocolatey later. Irish cheese and lots of New Zealand wine.
WHICH MUSIC WOULD YOU PLAY?
George Michael, then Joan Armatrading, a smidgen of early Van Morrison, Jocelyn Brown and then hard-core disco.
WHO WOULD YOU HAVE AS THE LACKEY IN THE KITCHEN?
Gordon Ramsay and I'd treat him like dirt.
WHICH AFTER-DINNER JOKE WOULD YOU TELL?
I'd pretend it's a charade - movie, two words - pointing to my bosoms and bottom so they come up with disgusting euphemisms, then laugh and say: "Stop! It's South Pacific. I just like to hear you talk dirty."
HOW WOULD THIS UNLIKELY EVENT COMPARE TO THE WAY YOU NORMALLY ENTERTAIN FRIENDS?
It's normally at our beach house. We throw marinated prawns on the barbecue, grill chicken to serve with salad and crusty bread, and have chocolates and a cheese board to finish.
Publication date: 2003-01-09"One hopes that this kind of war can be done diplomatically, with intelligence rather than wiping out a lot of innocent civilians," Scorsese told BBC radio.
In doing so, the creator of such violent epics as "Taxi Driver" and "GoodFellas" joined the swelling ranks of celebrities who have voiced opposition to any attack.
President Bush has threatened war to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein if Baghdad fails to abandon his alleged doomsday arsenal, which Iraq denies having.
British singer George Michael made his opinion felt last year with a video portraying President Bush as a cowboy, while other dissidents include singer Barbra Streisand and Hollywood stars Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.
Scorsese is currently riding high on a wave of critical acclaim for his latest film which portrays gang warfare in 19th century Manhattan and took 30 years from conception to its U.S. launch in December.
"There are a lot of Americans who also feel that a lot of this (war talk) is economic," he said in London where he attended the premier of "Gangs." "Part of this has to do with the oil."
Scorsese also appeared to suggest that the U.S. was heavy-handed in the way it approached other cultures.
"I think it really has to come down to respecting how other people live," he said. "There's got to be ways this can be worked out diplomatically, there simply has to be."
Other Links:
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/entertainment/4909527.htm
|
Thanks, Geni and Reflections. :o)
5th January
Pop star George Michael's Oxfordshire mansion was also at risk. Fire crews had to pile sandbags around his multi- million pound home in Goring-on-Thames
In GORING, Oxon, firemen had to barricade singer George Michael's riverside home after the Thames burst its banks.http://www.people.co.uk/homepage/news/page.cfm?objectid=12503419&method=thepeople_full&siteid=79490
At the riverside home of George Michael, the pop star, in Goring-on-Thames, Oxon, firemen and domestic staff piled sandbags against doors to prevent water reaching his home. At one stage, rising water threatened his recording studio.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003010793,00.html
George is washed up
GEORGE MICHAEL is devastated after floods wrecked his home studio.
The singer had spent £100,000 fitting a state-of-the-art underground studio
at his pad in Goring, Oxon. But when the Thames burst its banks, it was
destroyed.
A source said: "George loved having a studio at home. He tried to
salvage
what he could but now a lot of his equipment is useless."
George's spokesman said: "There has been damage and it's still being
assessed, but the house is okay."
From Reflections:
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