» Press February 2002 «

George Michael: FREEEK! (Review)
Lycos, February 28, 2002

George Michael's much anticipated new single 'Freeek!' was screened on Channel 4 on Wednesday 27th February. A cross between The Fifth Element, Blade Runner and a computerized kinkathon, it's a visually stunning piece of film that perfectly compliments the powerful new song Freeek! was filmed in LA and has taken over 2 months to complete including a month of post production. George has been very involved in every stage of the video and has been working on it for about 5 months in total.


Whatever happened to George?
This Is London / Associated Newspapers, by Sue Crawford, February 28, 2002

The Ivy it isn't. Tucked away between a hairdresser and a second-hand furniture store, the anonymous St John's pub in Archway is frequented by a regular crowd of north London locals, attracted by the cheap food and unpretentious atmosphere. Yet sitting in the corner happily tucking in to a simple L8 plate of lamb stew and mash is one of the richest and most successful singers in the world.
While Pop Idol's Will Young is feted in the smartest of London's restaurants and clubs, George Michael has turned his back on celebrity life with a determination that has left his record-company executives baffled and not a little concerned. The two singers will be in direct competition in a fortnight when George releases Freeek!, his first single for nearly two years. There are likely to be only two serious rivals in the charts: the Pop Idols Will Young and Gareth Gates. Will's single, Evergreen, is on course to become the biggest selling debut single of all time; and Gareth's version of the Righteous Brothers' classic Unchained Melody - released on the same day as George's single - is also eagerly anticipated. But while Gareth and Will will be performing in magazine photo-shoots, newspaper interviews and on television, the impending release of Freeek! has so far been accompanied by silence.
It is not as if the pop idol of old has lost any of his thirst for success. Music industry insiders say George has told record company executives he will settle for nothing less than a number one hit. But he is unequivocal about how that will be achieved - the song will stand alone, he says, and there will be no press appearances to promote it. In the fickle world of pop, where the over-30s already struggle to capture their share of the record market, it is a brave move. At 38, George can look back on more than 67 million record sales worldwide, 11 British number one singles and eight number one albums. He has played at some of the biggest concerts in history - Live Aid, the Nelson Mandela Freedom Concert and the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert.
But his track record, and still-burning ambition, may well count for naught with a teenage record-buying public smitten by the good looks and charm of Will and Gareth. There are some at George's record company, Polydor, who consider his decision a foolhardy one, risking humiliation on his long-awaited comeback. But those who know him well say his stubbornness is no surprise.
Following the hysteria that swamped Wham! in the Eighties, George forged a successful solo career with such classic hits as Outside, Jesus to a Child and Fastlove. Rarely out of the newspapers, he was a key figure on the London celebrity circuit. Then, almost overnight, he decided to wash his hands of the pop-star image he had created, to live a more low-key life. "I created a man the world could love if they chose to," he said, "someone who could realise my dreams and make me a star. I called him George Michael and for almost a decade he worked for me and did as he was told. He went quietly, didn't make a fuss. He had to go."
Since the release of his last single, in June 2000 - a duet with Whitney Houston, which reached no higher than nine in the charts - George has sought to become even less visible. According to a veteran showbusiness photographer: "George hasn't been seen for months. No one can remember the last time he was photographed in London. He rarely goes to the high-profile events other celebrities attend and he's hardly ever seen at restaurants such as The Ivy. Everyone assumes he must be spending his time in Los Angeles."
But the surprising truth is that George lives almost entirely in London. There are occasional visits to his homes in Oxfordshire, Beverly Hills and St Tropez, and last year he bought Chris Evans's five-bedroom house in Chelsea for L7 million, but most of the time he is based at his L3 million Hampstead home. He has always found opulence disturbing and prefers to live a quieter life. He is the opposite of his flamboyant friend Sir Elton John and admits he feels "totally and utterly threatened by that lifestyle". A few years ago he revealed: "Elton would tell you that in the 10 or 11 years I've lived in my Hampstead house I've never invited him there because I knew he'd think I was a skinflint. I knew he would never understand why I didn't want to spend my money on my surroundings." So how can one of the most high-profile singers of the past two decades simply disappear so successfully that everyone assumes he no longer even lives here?
The Hampstead home where, contrary
to popular belief, George Michael spends
much of his time
The answer lies in the unassuming backroom restaurant of the St John's pub. The chances of spotting another celebrity of George's status eating in the modest gastropub with mis-matched tables and chairs are negligible. But while the paparazzi wait outside The Ivy and San Lorenzo, knowing they will eventually be rewarded with a sighting of an Elton, Robbie, Gareth or Will, George can eat in peace, certain in the knowledge that his quiet meal will go unnoticed and undisturbed. According to Aldo Zilli, owner of the fashionable Signor Zilli restaurant in Dean Street, and a friend of the singer: "George just doesn't go out much in London any more. Throughout the Nineties he came to the restaurant quite a lot, but nowadays he only comes very occasionally. "He leads a much quieter, much lower-profile life these days. Even when he is here he doesn't do the big celebrity thing. He doesn't demand the best table or make a fuss. He's very quiet and much more private than anybody else I know. He's probably the most genuine person I know in the music business. He's generous and friendly and seems unaffected by his fame."
It is now 20 years since Wham! burst on to the music scene. The girls who adored George back then now have young children of their own who have their own pop idol in Will or Gareth - or both. But it is precisely because he has spent two decades at the top that George no longer feels the need to compete on the same level. Pop commentator Rick Sky explains: "George feels that if he resorts to hyping it will look crass. He has produced what he sees as a good single and he wants to be judged on the music alone. He likes to have hits, but he's not going to sell his soul to have one." When once asked whether he saw himself as an artist of longevity, he said: "I aspire to something like that and I will always struggle to protect what I do. I felt very early on that what I was selling wasn't ever a great deal to do with youth culture. The only coincidence was that I was very young when I was discovered."
Much of George's life is now focused around his north London home. He often drives to nearby St John's Wood for lunch at Harry Morgan's Salt Beef restaurant. Otherwise he sticks to Hampstead - Villa Bianca, a traditional Italian restaurant just off the high street is a favourite haunt - or Highgate, where he visits The Vine and Italian restaurant San Carlo. A typical day will see him taking his beloved labrador Hippy and newly acquired pup Mo for a walk across Hampstead Heath. In the afternoon he may drop in on his sister Melanie at her home in neighbouring Highgate, where she owns the gift shop Sea. Later, he may meet up with friends, but he is just as likely to spend his nights quietly at home, cooking, listening to music or watching videos with his partner of six years, the Texan Kenny Goss. The director of an American sportswear company, Kenny is credited with influencing George's quieter life.
Aldo Zilli says: "George went through a period of confusion and unhappiness after the death of his mother and his court battle with Sony, but these days he is a happy man. He's very settled in his relationship and has far fewer people around him. He doesn't go out with a big entourage and he's restricted his circle to a close group from the old days. They're the people he trusts. He's content with what he's got and when you are content you don't feel the need to spend every moment at showbusiness parties." Most of the friends he has stayed close to date back to the very early days of Wham!, before he was famous. One of the inner circle is Shirlie Kemp - his former backing singer, who now runs his website - and her husband the EastEnders actor Martin.
There are occasional nights out at fashionable West End venues such as Nobu and Langan's, but they are no longer regular haunts. A friend says: "He will go to the bigger restaurants if he's invited by friends, but they're not his first choice. It's not that George has turned into a hermit, he still goes out, but he's not at the sort of parties where he is likely to get photographed. He doesn't want to be part of the celebrity set. These days, he wants to live as normal a life as possible." Last week is a case in point, when George attended the party of his jewellery designer friend Judy Blame at the Stork Rooms in Regent Street. Neneh Cherry was DJ for the night, but it was a lowkey celebrity crowd that attracted no paparazzi and George slipped in and out unnoticed. Similarly, one of his favourite West End haunts is Hush, where he can often be seen having lunch at a downstairs corner table. Although owned by Roger Moore's son, Geoffrey, the restaurant is discreet, tucked away in a tiny courtyard off New Bond Street.
In a rare interview three years ago, when he was spending much more time in Los Angeles, George revealed the difference for him between it and London. "In England or Europe a celebrity is a celebrity, nothing more. Here (in America), being a celebrity is being a god, and I was worried that I was going to fall into it," he explained. "I was too threatened by all the sycophantic behaviour and bullshit that was being thrown at me."
At the St John's pub, where diners struggle to attract the attention of the T-shirted waiters, there is little chance of that. But George sits patiently and waits. He may be a multimillionaire and one of Britain's most successful solo artists ever, but there's no preferential treatment for stars. Here nobody even notices them. And that's exactly how the pop idol of yesteryear likes it.
  • Freeek! is released on 18 March.


    George Michael returns with L 1 million music video
    Hello, February 28, 2002

    • Pop star George Michael is back on the music scene in a big way, starring in one of the most expensive music videos ever made. The L1 million clip for Freeek, which marks his return to the medium after a three-year absence, sees the Outside singer don L80,000 worth of costumes, including a racy rubber outfit for his portrayal of an alien. The futuristic-themed video, shot last month in Los Angeles, casts George in the role of a space-age action hero as he sings along to the throbbing techno track. British fans got a sneak peek of the elaborate clip on UK's Channel 4, which previewed Freeek on Wednesday. The star signed a rare, one-single contract with Universal Records to release the song, with plans for a new album later this year. But the former Wham! star isn’t embarking upon a press blitz for his latest endeavour – in fact, he won’t be doing any promotional interviews, but is relying on the edgy video to speak for itself. The long-awaited single will go head to head against Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates’s Unchained Melody in the race to the top of the UK charts, as both are due for release on March 18.
    The futuristic-themed video for Freeek, shot last month in Los Angeles, features George in the role of a space age action hero. The L1 million clip is one of the costliest music videos ever made, and the most expensive to be produced by the company releasing the single, Universal Records.


    Freeeked out
    The Sun, February 27, 2002

    HERE is GEORGE MICHAEL as you have never seen him before in these exclusive shots from his L1million Freeek video. He has guises ranging from bondage king to pinstriped businessman for the footage promoting his latest single.
    Freeek goes up against GARETH GATESs Unchained Melody on March 18 but George is relying solely on the video to make it a hit he s told record bosses he wont do interviews. An insider said: "George had fun filming it. It was like he was living out all his fantasies."

    Wham-tastic... leather-clad George in video - Freeeky... George in one of his many costumes



    George Michael plays the Freeek
    Associated Newspapers, February 27, 2002

    George Michael has turned bondage king - but he's only acting, in the L1 million video for his new single, Freeek. The photo was taken on the LA set of the video in which Michael splits roles as bondage master in leather and rubber robotic suits, and bespectacled pinstripe businessman. He can be seen writhing in simulated sex with rubber-clad, whip-cracking female dancers. The video for Freeek, due out on 18 March, is on Channel 4 at 11.15 tonight. A source close to the singer said: "It's the riskiest he's made. He seems to be living out his fantasies."

    Naughty little devil: George goes raunchy


    An event not to be missed....
    GeorgeMichael.com, February 26, 2002

    Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2002 21:53:13
    From: "GeorgeMichael.com"
    Subject: An event not to be missed....
    To: "Fans"

    ...The World Premiere of George Michael's new video 'Freeek'...
    Channel 4
    Wednesday 27th February
    11.15pm after Sex And The City
    For a sneak preview, click here (you'll need Windows Media Player):
    Fast Connection -
    http://mcms-delivery.virtuebroadcasting.com/deliverMedia.asp?id=790C0367-F944-4773-8674-154A7980CF00
    Slow Connection -
    http://mcms-delivery.virtuebroadcasting.com/deliverMedia.asp?id=EB94E3FE-4C19-43AD-B63C-9F40B7A07FCD
    www.georgemichael.com
    'Freeek' out 18th March


    Little respect and much stupidity of the American press
    Planet George, by Mary Katherine, February 26, 2002

    As a typical example of how little respect and how much stupidity the American press has for George, I present the latest exhibit out of the March 1, 2002 issue of Entertainment Weekly:
    Listed under their weekly "Hot Sheet" column where the jokes about the week's news are usually very funny except when it involves him:
    "George Michael: The singer's house was reportedly robbed of $140,000 worth of stuff. What'd they steal - 2million Wham! albums?"
    So for all those people who live in other countries where you get more respectful press on George, do enjoy it, this is what we "spoiled" Americans have to endure!
    God's blessings and cheers!
    Mary Katherine


    THEY CONQUERED BRITAIN WITH HIT SHOW.
    NOW THEY'RE TAKING ON POPGIANTS IN THE CHARTS
    New kids battle with old guard for No 1 spot
    Sunday Mail - Glasgow, February 24 2002

    THREE would-be pop idols have had their taste of fame but, now that they are out on their own, just how will they fare among the big- hitters? Will Young and Gareth Gates are set to find out, as their first singles come out on the same days as seasoned stars Jay Kay and George Michael release their new records. They will be joined by Pop Idol dropout Rik Waller, who is releasing his single, a cover of the Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston song, I Will Always Love You. Gareth will face the biggest fight to the top spot, with competition from George Michael and one of the most expensive music videos ever made. But music insiders are confident the 17-year-old's appeal to the teenage market will be enough to fight offallcomers. While some artists are confident enough to go head-to-head with these young pretenders, others have been wise enough to keep their distance, realising the Pop Idol-mania may well be enough to propel these first-timers to the No 1. Jennifer Lopez, who was due to release a remixed version of her hit, Ain't It Funny, on the same day as Rik's first outing in the charts, has put her release date back a week, to March 11. Maybe she's worried this real-life Goliath will prove a giant in the music industry, too. Ali G, despite making some choice remarks about Will and Gareth in a radio interview last week, is not so confident about his new single, Me Julie, to pit the track against a Pop Idol, and has also carefully judged the release of his single. He followsJ-Lo's lead by releasing his duet with Shaggy on March 11. But that's not to say the Pop Idol boys will have an easy ride up the charts. Will is the first of the trio to chance his arm, with tomorrow's release of double A-side Evergreen/Anything Is Possible. Industry experts say it will become the fastest-selling debut single of all time. Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay is up for the fight. Their new funk odyssey, Love Foolosophy, is sure to be a dancefloor favourite. Then there are the six-time Brit nominees, Gorillaz, with their new single, Tomorrow Comes Today. Rik faces challenges frompop pixie Natalie Imbruglia, as well as Gomez. And, as if George Michael wasn't enough to scare the living daylights out of Gareth, he will also be up against Anastacia's new song, One Day In Your Life, as well as another offering from top boy band Blue and an attempted relaunch from The Pet ShopBoys.
    GARETH GATES
  • Date of clash: March 18
  • Name: Gareth Gates Age: 17
  • Single: Unchained Melody
  • Image: Pretty boy who has overcome a stutter to fulfil his dream
  • Pop CV: He's a classically-trained musician, but Pop Idol was his first big break
  • Publicity machine: Also riding the Pop Idol bandwagon to fame
  • He says: "It's all a dream come true for me."
  • Chance of No 1: A sure thing, if ever there was one. Just ask the 4.1 million fans who voted for him in Pop Idol
    		• vs GEORGE MiCHAEL
  • Name: George Michael Age: 38
  • Single: Freeek!
  • Image: True pop idol. He even managed to turn his 'indiscretion' a few years back to advantage by penning his hit, Outside
  • Pop CV: Music legend -:)
  • Publicity machine: Universal have spent pounds 1million on the video. His outfit alone cost pounds 80,000
  • He says: Not much. He's refusing to do publicity for this single, but has threatened to leave his label if this one isn't a huge hit
  • Chances of No 1 hit: Unlikely to break the appeal of young Gareth
    		•

    George Michael Hits Rock Bottom
    E!online, February 23 2002

    There are bottoms...and there are bottoms. Take Bruce Springsteen's. The "Born to Run" guy's bottom (as swathed in a pair of slightly saggy Levi's) was front and center on the cover of his 1984 album Born in the USA. It's an iconic image, to be sure. And truth be told, it's not a bad-looking bottom. But it's far from the Bottom That Stopped the World!
    Which brings us to George Michael.
    In 1987, the ex-Wham!ster was best known for being the talented ex-Wham!ster--as opposed to, you know, Andrew Ridgeley. With Wham! Michael wrote three number one singles, but the group wasn't taken entirely seriously. That's what happens when you bop around in your video looking like an aerobicizing extra from a Richard Simmons workout tape. (See: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.") For his first solo album, titled Faith, Michael wised up, threw away the shorty-shorts and painted on a pair of jeans. Then he turned on the camera...
    The first moments of "Faith" are legend--just Michael's butt and an insanely catchy guitar riff. And it works because Michael has one great-looking bottom. The proof? By December 1987, "Faith" was a number one hit, George Michael was a sex god and Bruce Springsteen's bum was never heard from again.


    Keren Woodward Interview
    This Is London - Metro, by James Ellis, February 21, 2002

    KEREN WOODWARD WAS a founding member of Bananarama along with Sarah Dallin and Siobhan Fahey. The band took the charts by storm in the 1980s before Siobhan left to be replaced with Jacqui O'Sullivan. Back with Sarah as a duo, they celebrate their 20th anniversary in showbiz with a gig at London's G-A-Y on Saturday.
    Keren's partner is ex-Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley.

    		 Keren and Andrew back in 1985
    Are you all mates again now?
    Yes. I haven't really seen Jacqui, to be honest. It was different with her - with Siobhan, we were really close friends and we did hang around together. Whereas we knew Jacqui, but not so well.
    Didn't you live together?
    Yeah, we grew up a couple of streets away and we shared a room in a YWCA hostel, and then we shared a room in the Sex Pistols' rehearsal studio and then another flat. Later, we bought places next door to each other and were never more than five minutes away until I moved to Cornwall seven years ago. But the beauty of it now is that I spend half my time living in Sarah's house. I've been walking around for years anonymously with a new hair-colour and hairstyle
    Does that annoy Andrew?
    Not at all. I think we can be grown up about it. When we're together in Cornwall, as neither of us are working, it's for 24 hours a day. We also do a lot of holidays and trips together and then I'm here and he goes off with his mates surfing and playing golf, so we don't really have a problem keeping tabs on one another. We can be grown up about the whole thing.
    What's the fascination with nostalgia?
    It's memories, isn't it? It's always been the same. I grew up in the 1970s and you hear music and think: 'Oh God, I remember the boy I snogged to that one in the disco in Devon when I was on holiday.' It's the same with old films. I love old stuff when I go out clubbing - my favourite club is in Cornwall and it plays fantastically naff music.
    Do you still get many royalties?
    Yeah, of course you get royalties and publishing and Andrew still does pretty well out of Careless Whisper. Steps did a couple of ours, which helped - we like that.
    Do you and Andrew live like a rock-star couple?
    No, not at all. I mean it's good. Obviously, we've got the same background so there's a huge understanding which is very difficult to get from other people - particularly from a male point of view. I know from experience that it can be quite difficult being with a successful woman unless you've had some sort of success in a similar field.
    Is Andrew doing anything musical?
    He hasn't for years. He may be, but I'm not going to talk about it.


    New George Michael video!
    Dotmusic, February 21, 2002

    George Michael releases his hotly anticipated new single 'Freeek' in less than four weeks and to celebrate, we have a short clip of the accompanying video. Details about the video are scarce but reports have suggested that the mini-film was shot in Los Angeles and cost in excess of L1 million. L80,000 is said to have been spent on a red alien costume, which is worn by George during part of the video. According to an unofficial fansite, only four people in the UK have seen the full version of the video, described by an 'insider' as "one of the coolest and most ambitious ever made". 'Freeek', Michael's first single for over three years, was written and produced by the singer and mystery collaborators Moogymen. The single is released via Universal on March 18.


    I like the style!
    BBC, February 18, 2002

    In another case of the old skool showing the new pop pups just who rules in this biz, George Michael will release his single 'Freeek' on March 18 — the same day Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates brings out a cover version of the Righteous Brothers’ ‘Unchained Melody.’ Rumours reckoned that Georgie boy is so keen to get a No.1 with his comeback single, that he was prepared to move his schedule forward a week to avoid any confrontation. But, oh no! According to the Sun, it’s full steam ahead for the bearded crooner and his record label. And just to show someone else who is boss, apparently Geo has told Polydor that unless the single does well, he will release his album on another label. Oh, and that he won’t help with any publicity or marketing for the single. Wow, sounds like George is the king of his jungle alright!


    George Michael New Video
    The Sun, February 18, 2002

    GEORGE MICHAEL has turned into an alien in his first video for three years. My snap from the promo for his new single, Freeek, shows him looking out of this world. The single, due out on March 18, will go up against Pop Idol's GARETH GATES's rendition of Unchained Melody. George's record label, Universal, have spent £1million on the video. His outfit alone cost a staggering £80,000. An insider told me: "The video is one of the costliest and most ambitious ever made. Only four people in the UK have seen the full version." George refuses to do any publicity but clips of the video are being shown on Channel 4 before the full release next month. One was screened yesterday and another will go out on Wednesday.


    Michael’s mansion ransacked
    Dotmusic, February 18, 2002

    George Michael's West London home has been ransacked, according to reports. The L3 million Hampstead mansion was broken into last week, with thieves removing thousands of pounds worth of the singer's property. According to the BBC, the house suffered L200,000 worth of damage during the burglary. Michael's L80,000 Aston Martin DB7 car is also reported to have been taken by the gang. A spokesperson for Scotland Yard said: "Police were called at 0900 GMT on Wednesday 13 February to reports of a stolen vehicle. "Following subsequent inquiries police attended an address in Hampstead and that was discovered to be the scene of a burglary. We are still awaiting a formal statement from the victim." She added: "There have been no arrests and inquiries are continuing."


    George Michael's London home burgled
    Yahoo, February 17, 2002

    LONDON (Reuters) - Pop star George Michael's London home has been burgled by thieves who escaped in his sports car, police sources said. The singer lost possessions worth a reported 100,000 pounds in the raid last weekend on his mansion in the exclusive north London suburb of Hampstead. "Police were called to reports of a stolen vehicle," Scotland Yard said in a statement on Sunday. "Police attended an address in Hampstead that was discovered to be the scene of a burglary." Police would not comment on newspaper reports that the thieves escaped with paintings, jewellery and designer clothes. The singer, whose hits include "Careless Whisper", "Faith" and "Outside", was in Los Angeles when the robbery took place, the News of the World reported. Michael, 38, made his name with 1980s pop band Wham! and has sold more than 67 million records worldwide, according to his official website. The singer releases his new single "Freeek!" on March 18 and a new album is due out in October. Neither Michael or his London spokeswoman were available for comment.


    George Michael robbed
    Jam!Music, February 16, 2002

    LONDON -- Thieves burgled George Michael's London mansion and drove off with his $114,000 US sports car, a published report said Sunday. Burglars rummaged through the pop star's $4.3-million home in Hampstead, north London, and made off with $140,000 worth of paintings, jewelry and clothing, including items given to Michael by his late mother, the News of the World tabloid reported. One of the thieves drove away in Michael's Aston Martin, the paper said. Scotland Yard declined to confirm the victim's identity, but said they received a call about a stolen vehicle on Wednesday morning. Officers then went to a home in Hampstead and found it had been the scene of a burglary, a police spokesman said. Police were still awaiting a statement from the victim and had made no arrests, he added. The News of the World said the burglary happened Feb. 9 and was reported to police on Wednesday. The newspaper said Michael, who rarely uses his London home, was in Los Angeles at the time.


    George Michael's mansion ransacked
    BBC, February 16, 2002

    George Michael's L3m home in West London has been ransacked by a gang of thieves. The robbers stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of property from the pop star's house in Hampstead. It is the believed the thieves also drove off in the singer's L80,000 Aston Martin DB7 car. It is understood that the gang caused L200,000 worth of damage to the house. Scotland Yard said officers were called to the property on Wednesday, 13 February.


    Gareth and George Michael to release singles on same day
    Ananova, February 16, 2002

    Gareth Gates' debut single will go head to head with George Michael. They will both release their much-anticipated records on March 18. It had been thought George might change the release date of his comeback single Freeek to avoid clashing. But his record label Polydor has decided to stick with the planned schedule, reports The Sun. Gareth's debut release will be a cover of the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody.


    George Michael has been burgled
    Ananova, February 16, 2002

    George Michael has been burgled by a gang who then drove off in his sports car. They raided his L3 million home in Hampstead, north London, on Wednesday making off with property said to be valued at L100,000. According to the News of the World newspaper, the haul included heirlooms given to him by his mother who died of cancer in 1997.


    Raiders Take Everything They Want
    Sky News, February 16, 2002

    Pop star George Michael has been burgled by a gang who then drove off in his £80,000 sports car, according to reports. Police were called to the singer's £3m home in Hampstead, north London, after raiders stole property worth thousands of pounds. They are then believed to have driven off in the star's Aston Martin DB7. The £100,000 haul included paintings, jewellery, gold and silver music discs and designer clothes. Heirlooms given to the singer by his mother, who died of cancer in 1997, were among the items stolen, the News of the World reported. 'Sofas upturned' The thieves also caused £200,000 damage to the futuristic house, which was unoccupied at the time. A friend told the paper George's living room was "a real mess, with sofas upturned and other items of furniture thrown about the room. It really did look like a bomb had just hit it." Michael, whose hits include I Want Your Sex and Careless Whisper, also owns a £1.5m house in Oxfordshire, an £800,000 beachside mansion in St Tropez and a £2m house in Los Angeles. A Scotland Yard spokesman said a formal statement was still awaited from the victim. "There have been no arests and inquiries are continuing," he said.


    Can Blue prove that Gareth's no pop idol?
    Smash Hits, February 15, 2002

    Having lost to Will on Pop Idol Gareth Gates is determined to be a chart champion, but he's got another tough battle to deal with. He could be gong head-to-head with the mighty Blue. He may have looked less than thrilled when Simon Cowell told him that he had a record deal as well as Will, but we were, well quite excited actually. If you ask us Gareth will be a fab pop star and plenty of you will agree with us. So we've got his singles, albums and tours to look forward to - Hurrah! It all kicks of on March 18 when he's currently planning to release his tear-jerking version of Unchained Melody. Scary Simon tried the same trick when he used the song to launch the pop career of Robson Green & Jerome Flynn - their version sold 1.5 million copies fact fans. His timing could be better though as on the same day Blue are releasing their fourth single. They'll be aiming for a third No.1 with a pumped-up version of Fly By. We already know that Blue have a huge number of fans, but how many of the 4 million that voted for Gareth will buy his single??? Both Blue and Gareth could lose out as they're also up against official pop legend, George Michael, who's releasing his comeback single, Freek. He's had more No.1s than Blue and Gareth have had hot dinners (or something like that). If Gareth comes forward by one week, he'll be up against Shaggy and Ali G and if he goes back, he'll be battling against some bloke called Robbie Williams...


    George takes on Gareth
    The Sun, February 15, 2002

    GEORGE MICHAEL has taken up GARETH GATES's challenge and will release his single Freeek on March 18 - when the Pop Idol runner-up brings out a cover version of the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody. There was speculation that George, who is desperate to get a No1 with his comeback single, would move it forward a week to avoid the confrontation. But a meeting of execs at George's record label Polydor yesterday decided to keep the release date. It means they will be under huge pressure, as George has told them that unless the single does well he will release his album on another label. To add to their problems, George said he will not help with any publicity or marketing for the single.


    Elton John and partner named Britain's most romantic gay couple
    Ananova, February 14, 2002

    Elton John and David Furnish have been voted Britain's most romantic same sex couple. Sir Elton and Furnish were supported by 31% of voters in a Valentine's Day poll by RainbowNetwork.com. George Michael and his long term partner Kenny Goss were runners up, with 28% of the vote. The actress Sophie Ward and her partner Rena Brannan were found to be the most romantic lesbian couple. Some 19% of RainbowNetwork members voted for the pair, who made headlines in 1996 when Ward came out and left her husband. Sandi Toksvig, the comedian and television personality and her partner Alice Arnold, the radio presenter, scored 14% of the vote for their relationship. Peter Mandelson and Reinaldo De Silva received only 8% of votes.


    Why we hate winners:
    Jealous Britons resent success and love to hurt those at the top
    Daily Mail, February 13 2002

    HE has become an instant star after winning Pop Idol but when the money starts to roll in Will Young could soon find himself the victim of a particularly British trait.
    Scientists believe they have proved that we don't like success and are jealous of selfmade millionaires. The researchers discovered that Britons hate 'winners' and would happily give up some of their own earnings to damage those who are more successful. Professor Andrew Oswald, who was behind the study, said after Will's triumph in the television talent show: 'He is incredibly popular for showing he had the talent to come through a contest involving 10,000 competitors.
    'People admire him for a remarkable achievement but once the money rolls in and he starts earning millions, the situation will probably change. The bottom line is the British don't really like winners.' Volunteers were tested in an experiment using real cash in which some became richer in a betting game involving choosing numbers at random. Players could anonymously 'burn away' the winnings of better-off rivals but forfeited some of their own cash each time they did so. Almost two-thirds destroyed the money of those doing better than them, despite the high cost to their own pocket.
    Prof Oswald and colleague Dr Daniel Zizzo, of Oxford University, found that half of all the cash winnings had been deliberately destroyed by envious rivals. They said the results show why stars such as Victoria and David Beckham, George Michael, Kate Winslet and Geri Halliwell can be given such a hard time. It 'measured the dark side of human nature', said Prof Oswald, an economist at the University of Warwick.
    'We are obsessed by what someone like David Beckham earns. If he signs his new contract with Manchester United it will probably be among the top items in the news. This envy of wealth is a particular British trait. I have lived in America and people there are nowhere near as interested in what others have as we are here. This research shows up for the first time how envious people can be, particularly when they start at an equal level and see others becoming richer.' The research will be seen by some as proof that 'tall poppy syndrome' has taken root.
    The phrase, first coined in Australia in the 1980s, refers to the tendency to scythe down those who are deemed to have got above themselves.


    Bad Cover Version
    NME, February 13, 2002

    PULP's new video for next single 'BAD COVER VERSION' is a hilarious pastiche of star-studded charity records - with JARVIS COCKER playing QUEEN guitarist BRIAN MAY, NME.COM can reveal. The video shows a host of bad lookalikes singing the track from Pulp's album 'We Love Life' in the same style as the clip for Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'. The promo was even filmed at London's Sarm West, the same studio where Bob Geldof and Midge Ure's legendary charity track was recorded in 1984. The bad lookalikes featured include: George Michael, Kurt Cobain, Craig David, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney, Missy Elliottand Bono. Meanwhile, the real Jarvis Cocker reprises his impression of Queen's Brian May - which he first did especially for NME's Christmas New Year double issue two years ago.


    Now Gareth takes on George
    The Sun, by Dominic Mohan and Emily Smith, February 12, 2002

    POP Idol loser Gareth Gates is to take on his own idol George Michael — by going head-to-head with him in the charts. Record bosses are to release 17-year-old Gareth’s cover version of the Righteous Brothers’ classic Unchained Melody on March 18. That is the same day as George’s comeback single Freeek — setting the stage for a sensational showdown over the No1 spot. The news will stun George, 38, who has told bosses at his new label Universal that if Freeek is not a huge success then he will look elsewhere for a deal. One source on Pop Idol said: “Gareth is an admirer of George but never dreamed he would be battling him in the charts. “The feeling is that it will be a massacre and Gareth will defeat his own idol. It will be one of the most exciting chart battles for years."
    Comeback single ... George
    “We’re wondering if George will change his release date now because he is likely to be beaten and he is desperate to be No1.” Gareth, who belted out Unchained Melody on Saturday’s final, is a big fan of George. In an earlier round of the show he sang the Wham! hit Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. BMG record label boss Simon Cowell — one of the judges on Pop Idol — has also decided to include Gareth’s versions of Evergreen and Anything Is Possible on the single. They are the same songs being put out by the show’s winner Will Young three weeks earlier. Bosses decided to include Gareth’s rendition of Evergreen after pressure from fans gutted by his defeat in the final. The source added: “The record is ready to go and the plan is that Will will go straight to No1 — then, just as interest is tailing off, Gareth will kick in.” The Righteous Brothers topped the charts with Unchained Melody in 1990, 25 years after their original hit. In 1995 Cowell masterminded Soldier Soldier actors Robson Green and Jerome Flynn’s version, which also reached No1. Both Gareth and Will, 23, are expected to have albums out before the end of the year. Meanwhile it has emerged that all ten Pop Idol finalists are set to release an album together. The CD will feature duets and favourite songs from the ten including Zoe Birkett and Darius Danesh. Among them could be Will and Gareth’s duet of Sir Elton John’s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Rik Waller, who quit the show with a throat infection, has signed up to EMI and plans to release Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You on March 4.
    14m Idolised final
    POP Idol’s showdown between Will and Gareth attracted a peak audience of 14 million - 60 per cent of UK telly viewers. It thrashed BBC1’s struggling Generation Game, watched by just 3.4 million on Saturday. An average of 13.1 million watched the 7.10pm final, while a peak of 12.8 million later saw Will crowned the winner. ITV1 normally gets an average of 6.9 million viewers on a Saturday night. A spokesman said: “This was incredible for us.” Will’s dad Robin, 51, yesterday revealed that his family had expected Gareth to win — and he was standing by to console his son. Pub landlord Robin, of Hungerford, Berks, said: “We were astounded when Will won.”


    Freeek or Unique?
    Dotmusic, February 12, 2002

    Gareth Gates will enter a chart battle with George Michael when he releases his new single next month. According to a UK tabloid, the 17-year-old Pop Idol finalist is to release a cover of the Righteous Brothers' classic 'Unchained Melody' on March 18. George Michael's long-anticipated comeback single, 'Freeek', is scheduled for release on the same day. A Pop Idol source told the paper: "Gareth is an admirer of George but never dreamed he would be battling him in the charts. The feeling is that it will be a massacre and Gareth will defeat his own idol. It will be one of the most exciting chart battles for years." They added: "We're wondering if George will change his release date now because he is likely to be beaten and he is desperate to be No1." It is also reported that Gates' versions of the tracks, 'Evergreen' and 'Anything Is Possible', will be added to the single as b-sides. Pop Idol winner, Will Young, releases his versions of the tracks on February 25.


    Gareth records debut single
    ITV, February 12, 2002

    Bradford's own pop idol Gareth Gates is set to go head-to-head with one of his heroes when he releases his debut single next month. Gareth is due to release his version of the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody on March 18 - the same day that George Michael releases his comeback single Freeek. A spokesman for record company BMG confirmed today that the song would be Gareth's first single. The 17-year-old spent Sunday recording the song before heading out to Florida last night to shoot the video. Gareth wowed the Pop Idol judges with his rendition of the song early in the competition and in Saturday night's final, although it wasn't enough to prevent him from losing out to rival Will Young. Today dad Paul said he was delighted that Gareth would be releasing the song. "It's Gareth's mum's favourite, so it will be wonderful," he said. The B-side of the single will include Gareth's versions of Evergreen and Anything Is Possible.


    Get Ur Freeek On
    Dotmusic, February 8, 2002

    George Michael is back with a brand new single 'Freeek' and you can hear an extended clip of the track right here, exclusively on dotmusic. Very little is known about Michael's first single in over three years except for the fact that it was written and produced by Michael and mystery collaborators Moogymen. The heavily electronic 'Freeek' features Michael's sleazy vocal over a pounding mid tempo beat and a heavy reverb production effect on throughout. Although the project is still shrouded in mystery, reports have leaked that the futuristic video - shot in LA and featuring robotic fighters - has cost in excess of L1 million. 'Freeek' was only aired on UK radio at the start of this week and will be released on March 18. George's new official site is now live at www.georgemichael.com


    Get ready for the Freeek! show
    Infobrix, February 8, 2002

    IT'S a good week for the old guard. Tuesday morning at 8:10am saw the pan-European airing of the new George Michael single, Freeek!. A burbling, lissome funk thing, Freeek! - that's three e's and an exclamation mark, because George never did anything by half-measures - is a one-off single on Polydor. If it goes well, Polydor will get to release the October-due album as well.
    We missed you, George. The single is a triumph.
    Last year, he met with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo of Daft Punk in Paris. They talked and worked on some "draft music". Nothing was finished, and the "Moogymen" credited with production on the single aren't the French disko doctors. But certainly the spirit of a very modern dancefloor shakes its skinny bum throughout Freeek!. George is the last true, modern-ish star we have. Currently, some of his 1980s contemporaries are wobbling round the country on a nostalgia package tour. No such capitulation to the forces of nature, fad and fashion for George. He keeps on keeping on, vital, virile and inspired. Refreshingly, too, the single came out of nowhere. In the modern era of hyper-anticipation and dreadnought marketing, Big Artists plough at us - steadily, dead-eyed, but with lots of huffing and puffing - from a long way off. Michael Jackson. Britney. Mick Jagger. Posh. Even The Chemical Brothers.
    Whether it's the early doors strategic media appearance, repackaged reissues of old records, a fancy pants party, an underground 12-inch - however they flag it up, months beforehand, you know they're about to come back back back. And the bigger the splash, the greater the likelihood their new stuff will be cack cack cack. On an anti-bread-head level, the deal with Polydor demonstrates George's determination to run the record labels around a little. After his marathon litigation against old Wham! label Epic, he went to Virgin in a blaze of Ben Hur trumpets and immaculately rolled spliffs.
    Now he's off again. Maybe he blames Virgin for the disappointing reception afforded his covers album, Songs From The Last Century. Perhaps the last-one-out-turn-off-the-lights vibe within the higher echelons off Virgin and parent company EMI did little to reassure him. Could be he was just bored. Last week, on another planet, Courtney Love was given legal recourse to continue her battle against Universal. She alleges the label have treated her like a shackled slave and that they let her release criminal records, or summat. The main downer here is that the dispute is nixing the release of the definitive Nirvana box-set.
    Otherwise, who cares? George Michael doesn't conduct his business or fight his battles guided by spite, or by general, amorphous anger, or even by the spirit of punk. A restless, creative, innovative soul, he just wants the best, most supportive outlet for his talent. All of which comes in the week that the Pet Shop Boys embark on a tour of UK universities in support of next month's album titled, with typical aplomb, Release. It's a deft, melodic return to form. And, as with George, it's pleasing to welcome back pop fans as erudite and witty as Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. This week also saw confirmation of the inevitable: this summer, the Sex Pistols will pogo among us once more. Twenty-five years on, God Save The Queen is reissued in time for the Golden Jubilee. Yes, there will be a programme of Pistols greatest hits and remasters in support, as well as another stagger round the country's larger venues. But the single will surely be Number 1 all over again. The motivation may be suspect, but at least, like Freeek!, it'll be an event.


    George Michael - Freeek!
    BBC, February 8, 2002

    George Michael - missing in musical action of late, everyone's favourite goatee-bearded groover is all set to crash back into chart-land with a blockbusting new single and video. The new track, 'Freeek', will be accompanied with a massive L1 million promo. The futuristic feature - in which George plays a robotic-style warrior - was shot in LA, and is the most expensive ever made by Universal. A record company source said: "It's his most amazing vid. It's sexy and freaky." You would certainly hope so for that amount of lolly.


    George song's L1m video
    The Sun, February 7, 2002

    GEORGE MICHAEL's new track Freeek is set to storm the charts, after his record label spent a whopping L1million on the video. The futuristic promo, which was shot in LA, is the most expensive ever made by Universal. George, who plays a macho fighter, wears four different robotic-style outfits, which each cost L80,000 to make. A Universal source tells me: It's his most amazing vid. It's sexy and freaky. I predict the single, out on March 18, will be a massive club hit.


    Fans on FREEEK
    G-MAIL, February 6 and 2, 2002

    Yes I agree
    I agree with you
    Like many others for the last 20 years I have sat back and listened and watch George and his career go from strength to strength. The style of the song and the risque lyrics are very typical of George and yes as a fan of course I'll like it because it's a George Michael song, it puts me in mind of monkey & fast love for some strange reason.
    Now come on people brilliant it is not, very very good and very catchy in places. We all know he can do better, can't wait for the album we all know its going to be different to anything else he's done . Let's just hope this sudden change in his direction is the right one.
    Sorry if I've offended anyone, have not meant to. He is beyond a doubt the most talented artist in the music industry and does deserve more credit than he gets.
    I Will ALWAYS remain a fan
    LWOP1964@aol.com
    who really need FREEEK ???
    George Michael's new song "Freeek" is one of cruelest songs I ever heard from him.
    Please don't misunderstand. I'm big fan of his MUSIC, but this song is really awful and not George Michael-ish like.
    What happened to his voice ? Where are his particular lyrics like "Mother's Pride" or "Star People" ?
    And last but not least. WHAT George Michael will say with this song ?
    Maybe: Look at me, I'm a happy gay, so come to me and f*ck me, I'm a sexual freeek, I need it ???
    Do you remember "I Want Your Sex" times ? George Michael said later that he really HATE this song but this song were means to an end. George were 24 years old at this time.
    24... not 38 years !
    Cheers, Serge
    www.GeorgeMichael.info


    George wrote and produced the track with Moogymen
    Ananova, February 4, 2002

    Under the terms of an agreement that's rare within the music industry, he will have the power to decide whether to sign an album deal with Polydor, if he thinks the label has promoted Freeek! the best they can --- and the winner is... UNIVERSAL Records... (Polydor)


    George Michael single set for radio premiere
    February 4, 2002

    George Michael's next single will be premiered on UK radio on February 5. Freeek! will be played simultaneously by 23 radio stations at 8.10am. The single will be released on March 25 --- release dated changed to March 18 2002 !!!

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