I’ve moved

I decided to separate the two blogs entirely, and started up a new one.

www.bridgeoftime.wordpress.com

See you there.

George’s final show

So I went to see George on Monday. *The final one. I’ve got a bad back, and I’m standing up for three full hours, watching/listening to him doing 2 1/2 hours. That’s about half an hour more than the ones I’ve been to previously. On average. I got myself back to my residence for the evening, had an opportunity to sleep for 2 hours but that all shot to shit, so when I finally got back home yesterday and went to sleep I’d been awake for just about 40 hours. I’m still exhausted, but George is always worth it.

I have to say, I laughed just a little bit when a woman next to me lunged over three people to get to Kenny when he walked past. He seemed less than interested, but that didn’t stop him from parading through the room one more time before settling somewhere further back. George’s family (father, Melanie, Yioda), David Austin etc were to our left.

Anyway, to the concert. lol. It’s not like most people here haven’t already either been to a show themselves, been on YouTube and caught the best clips or read the reports by a million other people before this. So all I can say is that it was a great, great night. He looked absolutely exhausted in the beginning(!) but I guess having his arse massaged by a hot straight guy does something to your energy levels, because it seemed to pick up. Although he had to sit down at the end of the gig and chat for a bit He seemed a bit emotional there for a bit, bless.

I have to say, I’ve not seen him this fit since Faith, and that’s bloody 21 years ago. He must have shrunk about four sizes since he started out – I can’t imagine he’s more than 160-165 pounds now. It was nice to look at. I guess when you work out for several times a week for 2 years, running around a stage, that’s what happens! Vocally he was tons better than the start of the tour as well – again, with daily exercise of the voice… He should go into a studio NOW and record, cause this is when he’ll sound the best! So, how about it, want to add 11 other songs to that Christmas song, written with David Austin – “my bestest friend since I was like one”? Go oooooooooon!

The songs I can’t say I’ve heard live on this tour were: One more try, Precious Box, Feelin’ Good, Fantasy and Roxanne. I haven’t really listened to my recording yet, but I may have left one out.

Being a George Michael fan, I’ve come to realise, is like being in a relationship with someone you love dearly, but they annoy the fuck out of you for so many reasons that sometimes you just have to steer clear of them for a while. You sit around and wonder why the hell you bother sometimes, and yet you can’t really stay away for most of the time – and when you DO see each other you forgive, forget and feel bad for even thinking that he’s annoying. When reality kicks in, and the buzz is over, you’re back to ‘why the…?’ but at the same time, the dedication you feel towards him makes you hang on to see what he’ll do next – both to please and annoy you. lol.

*The final one: As far as I’m concerned, the Denmark show never happened. So there

George on American Idol…?

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b138263_george_michael_bringing_freedom_idol.html

At least he should be happy about being called “the biggest star in the world”…

How was George convinced?

Management: George, I have great news for you!
George: Yeah, what’s that?
Management: You’re going on… (insert dramatic pause)… American Idol
George: That’s great! No.
Management: What do you mean, no?
George: I mean… no.
Management: Why’s that?
George: Because the shows are mocking actual artists and giving them free PR for their 15 minute careers.
Management: Well, tomorrow you’ll be getting your free PR for 15 minutes too.
George: No.
Management: You want this tour to be successful, right?
George: Yes…
Management: You want to be the biggest star in the world again, right?
George: I am the biggest star in the world.
Management: Not in America, you’re not.
George: Stop rubbing it in.
Management: 50 million people vote on America Idol. That’s more people that’s voted for the President of the United States. Especially the current President…
George: 50 million people will watch me?
Management: Not quite, little girls usually vote ten times each for the cutest guy. But the good thing is, you’ll be there with two really… young and dark and – I guess – handsome guys. Artists. Singers. Men!
George: Hmmm… 50 million… I might have to get laryngitis for the occasion…
Management: You’ll get to meet Simon Cowell.
George: Are you suggesting I wouldn’t be able to meet him if I didn’t go on? Are you suggesting Simon Cowell is a bigger star than I am? Are you?
Management: You’ll get to meet Paula Abdul.
George: Listen, dude, I met that woman 20 years ago. Before she got the slur. I can’t get past the slur.
Management: Please don’t go on record saying that…
George: I’ll try.
Management: Now, about the song you’ll perform…
George: I’m not singing “Careless Whisper”.
Management: What song do people in the US remember by you?
George: Gee, I dunno, the entire FAITH album? At least? I have about half a million hard-core fans in the US!
Management: I think we can agree that your half a million fans have been slacking lately, cause your album reached…
George: Do not quote numbers at me!
Management: Would your fans watch American Idol?
George: No, they’d hate me for lowering my standards and going on that stupid show because I continually talk shit about the so-called artists on that fucking show – but hey, let’s all sell our souls and work for Satan because it’s more convenient that way!
Management: Great, show up tomorrow at 5.
George (under breath): Americans really don’t get sarcasm…
Management: And shave!
George: Goodbye!

I wonder if George thinks…

…that this is admirable behaviour…

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071115/wl_uk_afp/entertainmentbritainmusicpeoplewinehouse  

BTW, after 3 days of strike…

…on the underground, this is all I have to say about it:

Where is George next?

Well, now he’s apparently teaching homeless people how to write songs about their situations. Oh, I’d have loved to see that.

George: So, what’s your situation?
Person: Well, I’m kinda homeless and my wife left and took the kids and the dog and I lost my job…
George: OK, cool. Now, imagine yourself feeling really down and miserable.
Person: I can do that.
George: How does that make you feel?
Person: Miserable?
George: Other words!
Person: Uhm, I don’t know lost and on the verge of tears?
George: Good! Now take that and write, “I feel lost and on the verge of tears.” What rhymes with tears?
Person: Fears?
George: Perfect! But you don’t want that in the next line, you want it to look more sophisticated than that. So let’s bring in the wife and kids and job thing. For instance, “I lost everything close; wife, job and kids.”
Person: OK, and then, “Since then I’ve been struggling with my fears”?
George: Who’s the songwriter here? You or me? Leave this to the expert!

For everything else there’s Mastercard

I’m lighting a candle..

…for the big man with the big voice that drew his last breath of life today, six months ago.

RIP Jan Werner.

 

MORE DATES & George first artist to play new Wembley

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (MARKET WIRE) — March 04, 2007 — George Michael will be the first artist to play a concert at the new Wembley Stadium on 9 June 2007 as part of his British and European Stadium tour.

The tour will kick start in Aarhus Stadium in Denmark on the 18 May and will visit Manchester, Glasgow, Plymouth and Norwich as well as France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Holland and Hungary.

The brand new 90,000 capacity Wembley Stadium is set to be one of the greatest entertainment venues in the world hosting some of the biggest and most exciting global events in the sports and music calendar.

Wembley Stadium has always featured prominently in Michael’s career. He has played many of his most memorable concerts there, including Live Aid in 1985, Wham’s farewell concert with Andrew Ridgeley in 1986, the Nelson Mandela concert in 1988, the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in 1992 and Net Aid in 1999. Michael had no hesitation when the opportunity came along to play the first music concert at the new Wembley Stadium.

Alex Horne, Managing Director of Wembley Stadium, said: “It’s fantastic news that George Michael is to play Wembley Stadium’s opening concert. He’s no stranger to this great stage having performed at the old stadium both with Wham! at Live Aid and also as a solo artist, so this is a fitting first gig in the new stadium.

I’m sure this will be a very hot ticket and we are looking forward to putting the stadium back on the world map as a major music destination…”

This announcement follows an extraordinary year for George Michael when in September 2006 he embarked on his sell-out ‘25 Live’ European tour – his first in 15 years – and released his number one album, ‘Twenty Five’.

Having sold-out in mere minutes, ‘25 Live’ entertained over 650,000 delighted fans over the course of a 49 date tour, in 11 different countries, receiving unprecedented praise from fans and press alike:

The Sun said, “George proved he is simply one of the best vocalists this country has ever produced.”

The Mail on Sunday said “King George still reigns supreme”

The Observer pronounced it as “a masterclass in pop genius”.

George Michael is one of the world’s most successful male artists, selling over 85 million records globally and encompassing 11 British No.1 singles, eight British No.1 albums and six US No.1 singles.

Tickets for all UK dates will go on sale on Thursday 8th March 2007 at 10am and can be purchased by calling the national ticket hotlines: 0870 380 0148, 0871 230 5463 and 0871 424 1434 or online at www.seetickets.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Tour Details:

Saturday 9 June              Wembley Stadium, London
Tuesday 12 June              Carrow Road, Norwich
Friday 15 June               City Of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Sunday 17 June               Hampden Park, Glasgow
Tuesday 19 June              Home Park, Plymouth

European Tour Details:

Friday 18 May                NRGI Park (Athletic Stadium), Aarhus, Denmark
Wednesday 23 May             Nepstadion, Budapest, Hungary
Friday 25 May                Inter Football Stadium, Bratislava, Slovakia
Monday 28 May                LTU Arena, Dusseldorf
Saturday 2 June              Strahov Football Stadium, Prague, Czech
                              Republic
Wednesday 6 June             RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Friday 22 June               Stade de France, Paris, France
Saturday 23 June             Werchter Open Air Park Belgium
Tuesday 26 June              Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Holland
Friday 29 June               Stockholm Stadium, Sweden
Sunday 1 July                Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland
Tuesday 17 July              Stadio Euganeo, Padova, Italy
Thursday 19 July             Stadio, Lucca, Italy
Saturday 21 July             Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy

Ticket details

Wembley Stadium, London
Tel: 0871 230 5463, 0871 220 0260, 020 7 434 2222
Carrow Road, Norwich
Tel: 0870 380 0148, 0870 534 4444, 0871 424 1434
City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Tel: 0870 380 0148, 0870 534 4444, 0161 832 1111
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Tel: 08700 13 40 60, 0870 534 4444, 0871 220 0260
Home Park, Plymouth
Tel: 0870 380 0148, 0870 534 4444, TBC

George Michael coming to Romania

Bucharest – The famous singer George Michael prepares the Romanians a big surprise.

According to a material published by “Averea” newspaper, the pop-star is in an advanced stage of negotiations in relation to the performance of a mega-concert, which seems to take place in Bucharest on May 14. The show will be “staged” by E! Magic Entertainment, the company which during this summer will also organize the concert of the legendary band Rolling Stones.

The spring of 2007 appears to be hot. With two mega-concerts: The Rolling Stones and George Michael, both famous names of the international musical world. These are coming after two other great shows whose leading characters were Depeche Mode and the Columbian origin singer Shakira. The organizers have thus managed to open the Romania public appetite for quality music and great names, that are worldwide renowned.