George Michael
In All Good FAITH
To anyone who has followed George Michael's career, George Michael will always remain a bit of an enigma. George is probably the most candid and forthright
performer in the world today: His absolute sincerity and integrity in his written work has justly made him one of the most respected songwriters ever. And
the reason is George's earnest exposure of his life and laves in his music. Indeed, George's depth of personal disclosure is greater than any other artist of his
stature. He makes himself extremely accessible, and people around the world love him for it. In the following interview, recorded just last month in Holland,
George further examines himself and the world around him, talking about life, love, music, money, religion, himself, and most of all about FAITH:
Q: What makes a George Michael concert special?
GEORGE: [laughs] That would depend on what you were looking for in a concert. It's two hours of me really giving just about everything I've got. Performing is probably
one of my strongest areas, and I have a large amount of energy compared to most performers, so I think that will show. Other than that, there has also been an awful lot of
work by a tremendous number of people that's gone into the show and I think it's paid off.
Q: Is that sense of a job well done a source of personal satisfaction?
GEORGE: Well, the pleasure, the ultimate pleasure, for any artist or performer, is to see an immediate reaction from the people who come to watch you. It's the best thing
about my career. But, as I've said many times, I don't actually like the process of touring, but the actual two hours a day that I spend on stage are fantastic.
Q: What is it about touring you find rigorous?
GEORGE: I don't find it particularly rigorous. It can be rigorous and there will be moments on the tour, specifically later on when I'll probably wish I were at home. Other than
the actual schedule, just the fact that touring means constantly being on show, and that means everywhere. In the hotels, in the towns where you're staying—people know
that you're there—it's very difficult to lead any kind of quiet life, which is why I'm not very keen on touring. But, it's the price that you pay. It's give and take.
Q: How much preparation did you put into this tour and what form did it take?
GEORGE: I did about four months of physical training before we left England. Just at home; I've got a home gym and I use that. But to be totally honest with you, I haven't
been doing that much working out since I left England as the shows are pretty much a work out in themselves.
Q: Do you have any dietary regime that you keep to while on the road?
GEORGE: Not really, no. If the food is good in the country where we're staying, then I'll try that. If not, it's back to McDonald's.
Q: This is your first solo tour. What's it like touring without Andrew?
GEORGE: Andrew came to see the gigs in Hawaii. It's definitely strange touring without Andrew, it's like having twice as much attention placed on you. With Wham! there
was always a lot of fuss around the tour, and we could always bounce off each other. In this case it's much more intense, because it's just me. That's the strangest thing. It's
fine, other than that it's pretty much the same. I'm coping with this tour far better than I have with the Wham! tours. I'm much more relaxed, and I don't feel any of the pressure
that I used to feel.
Q: What do you do to relax? Any particular routine?
GEORGE: Luckily, up until now, we've been in hot climates, so relaxing has been on the beach or by the pool, or whatever. And I've played a bit of tennis and stuff.
Q: Can you tell us about your throat problems?
GEORGE: They're very average, run-of-the-mill throat problems for a vocalist. The shock of not touring for a while and then going out and playing three or four nights in row
took it's toll. The doctor said there was no serious problem with the cords; there were no nodes on my vocal cords or anything. I'll have a minor cyst operation and then I
just have to rest for a while.
Q: Do you think stress could have anything to do with these problems?
GEORGE: No, as I was saying, those are just two problems that I've had before, that are both common problems. Vocal problems for a vocalist arc quite common. But I'm
over them now, and I'm just looking ahead. I should imagine I shall get through the rest of the tour without any real problems.
Q: You've accomplished so many goals: What is there left for you to achieve at this time?
GEORGE: I think probably in this situation—and I'm not twenty-five yet—I think anyone who has done the things that I've done so far, the only real thing left to achieve is to
make sure I can get from now to the end of life happily. And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure of that. I'm not sure what it will entail; I know I don't particulary want to
follow the expected course from now on.