Adam Lambert mention via NPR.ORG: George Michael: A Father Figure For Political Pop

Filed Under () by Adam Lambert on Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Posted at : Wednesday, December 28, 2016

The world may forever remember him as the '80s Wham! frontman who turned serious in the '90s and in the next century retired from fame while generating tabloid infamy. But George Michael's skill at singing, writing, producing and playing on most of his hits set him apart from most teenybop idols, as did the quality and durability of his tunes. More than 30 years after their release, young people know "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Careless Whisper" and "Faith."

Nevertheless, decades of personal loss, record industry machinations, being a perennial tabloid target, and a near-fatal 2011 bout of pneumonia during his orchestrated European Symphonica Tour ultimately took its toll. After that wrapped up its rescheduled dates the following year, he effectively retired just as the next wave of white pop-soul singers picked up where he left off. Today, Adam Lambert, Sam Smith, Troye Sivan and other gay men like them don't have to code their material to simultaneously appeal to straight and LGBT audiences. Their private and public sides can align without the tribulations suffered by singers of previous generations.

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George Michael: A Father Figure For Political Pop