I hate this because I have always thought him to be very talented. More thoughts after the jump.
The patience of George Michael fans is wearing thin after the singer was arrested near Hampstead Heath for the possession of a Class A drug, thought to be crack.
Michael, 45, was cautioned by the Metropolitan Police for possession of Class A and Class C drugs after being arrested in public lavatories near the heath, in northwest London, on Friday afternoon. An attendant telephoned the police after becoming concerned at the singerâs behaviour.
In a statement last night Michael said: âI want to apologise to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them Iâll sort myself out. And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them.â
[From George Michael apologises to fans over arrest for possession of Class A drug - Times Online]
This is just the latest in a series of very embarrassing run-ins with the law. And while his attitude is much more mellow with his fans … his drugs aren't. Over the years he was known for smoking pot, then busted with liquid ecstasy and now apparently crack.
Also, in 2006, he is quoted as saying (edit mine) …
""Are you gay? No? Then (beep) off! This is my culture!" -George Michael, screaming at News Of The World photographers"
I thought that was interesting at the time and was glad he didn't repeat it this go around. I do think there is a strong undercurrent of public anonymous sex among males who have same sex attractions but I don't think a majority of George's "culture" does that. Back in the day, I did a lot of drugs but thought this type of sex to be desperate and sad. I never participated in that type of behavior and a vast majority of my friends at the time didn't either.
… but … we did know how to "party" and my substance abuse was probably just as bad. Thank God, literally, I am still alive.
As a George Michael fan in my early adulthood, not a fanatic fan but a fan, I genuinely grieve. Regardless of the "gay" angle, so much talent could have been cultivated over the years but hasn't. Addiction short circuits the full expression of creativity and to see someone I used to idolize spiral down this way is genuinely saddening. I have and will pray that he will find freedom from these addictions and in Christ. I pray he will fully capture his desire to sing and create as a method of dealing with whatever he is dealing with … to use his talents for Good in brand new ways that will encourage him and bring true joy to others.
So, do you remember George when he was the most popular entertainer in the world? What did you think then and what do you see now? And all you youngin's … just play along as you see fit 
.
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Um, right. So, I at least know who George Michael is (English singer, yes?)…but have I ever heard any of his music? Of course, I have trouble recognizing anything that doesn' involve violins…
I was never a huge fan of his music, not really my style although I did like a song here and there (Too Funky was pretty good)…but I do think he is a talented singer and his actions are very saddening. His fans seem to be hugely blinkered though, blaming the British tabloid press and almost everyone and everything else when it is obviously George Michael that gets himself into these situations in the first place. He is incredibly lucky that he has gotten away with so much – driving under the influence could have killed himself or another person, so let's just hope he doesn't succeed in killing himself with crack cocaine.
So sad to see all that talent and creativity going to waste. I can still remember going to one of his concerts; it was at the height of his career just before rumors started circulating that he was gay. He was so great on stage and I loved his music – still do. I will join you in praying for him. Thanks for the great article.
Heartbreaking. What kind of pain must he be in to need to mask it with substances? Pray God sends ministers to him, so he can meet the Best Friend ever, and begin to heal. I'm too old to have been a member of his fan base, but I remember his popularity.
Thanks for playing along youngin' !
Seriously … that's the truth. I think it is also an issue of justice that he hasn't (and probably isn't) going to do any jail time for any of the drug possessions and driving under the influence.
You are welcome, thank you for chiming in. When I lived on Long Island (very briefly) George came to New York. My friend saw him in an East Hampton gay club (that wasn't exclusively gay but gay nonetheless.) That was around the time that he had just started being truly open about his sexuality.
Oh and I met a drummer (not same sex attracted) at a Pub who was on call to be a back up in case George's drummer wasn't able to play for some reason. He might have just been talking smack though.
too old? I don't believe it. Srsly, I don't believe it.
Ha! Thanks, but Haha! My dr. won't let me say I'm middle-aged anymore because srsly, do I expect to live to be 106?!
George Michael fan here. 'Faith' and 'Without Prejudice' are my fav CD's. Missed him when he disappeared from the music scene which I'm foggy on why. Thought it was something about record label, producer dispute of some sort (?). Recall him saying he wouldn't be making music for many years and in fact seemed to be the case. I saw him on television recently . He seemed to be older than his chronological age. I thought to myself that his situation likely hadn't changed. This most recent news saddens me even more. He appears to still be in the clutches of a life that will never bring fulfillment for him. I pray that changes. I'm still a fan of his and probably will always care what happens to George Michael as a person and also as a talented, gifted musician.
Um, right. So, I at least know who George Michael is (English singer, yes?)…but have I ever heard any of his music? Of course, I have trouble recognizing anything that doesn' involve violins…
You better blog about living that long.
very well put and totally agree.
I loved George. I wanted him to be my father figure.
Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist
Me too. … What? It was 20 something years ago … things were different.
same here
Why is it that I think I could find a lot of George Michael Real Person Slash if I just googled for it?
I was never a huge fan of his music, not really my style although I did like a song here and there (Too Funky was pretty good)…but I do think he is a talented singer and his actions are very saddening. His fans seem to be hugely blinkered though, blaming the British tabloid press and almost everyone and everything else when it is obviously George Michael that gets himself into these situations in the first place. He is incredibly lucky that he has gotten away with so much – driving under the influence could have killed himself or another person, so let's just hope he doesn't succeed in killing himself with crack cocaine.
So sad to see all that talent and creativity going to waste. I can still remember going to one of his concerts; it was at the height of his career just before rumors started circulating that he was gay. He was so great on stage and I loved his music – still do. I will join you in praying for him. Thanks for the great article.
Huh?
Heartbreaking. What kind of pain must he be in to need to mask it with substances? Pray God sends ministers to him, so he can meet the Best Friend ever, and begin to heal. I'm too old to have been a member of his fan base, but I remember his popularity.
Thanks for playing along youngin' !
Seriously … that's the truth. I think it is also an issue of justice that he hasn't (and probably isn't) going to do any jail time for any of the drug possessions and driving under the influence.
You are welcome, thank you for chiming in. When I lived on Long Island (very briefly) George came to New York. My friend saw him in an East Hampton gay club (that wasn't exclusively gay but gay nonetheless.) That was around the time that he had just started being truly open about his sexuality.
Oh and I met a drummer (not same sex attracted) at a Pub who was on call to be a back up in case George's drummer wasn't able to play for some reason. He might have just been talking smack though.
too old? I don't believe it. Srsly, I don't believe it.
Ha! Thanks, but Haha! My dr. won't let me say I'm middle-aged anymore because srsly, do I expect to live to be 106?!
George Michael fan here. 'Faith' and 'Without Prejudice' are my fav CD's. Missed him when he disappeared from the music scene which I'm foggy on why. Thought it was something about record label, producer dispute of some sort (?). Recall him saying he wouldn't be making music for many years and in fact seemed to be the case. I saw him on television recently . He seemed to be older than his chronological age. I thought to myself that his situation likely hadn't changed. This most recent news saddens me even more. He appears to still be in the clutches of a life that will never bring fulfillment for him. I pray that changes. I'm still a fan of his and probably will always care what happens to George Michael as a person and also as a talented, gifted musician.
You better blog about living that long.
very well put and totally agree.
I loved George. I wanted him to be my father figure.
Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist
You don't want to know. Although, having now googled it, seems like maybe he's not as popular among women as men… Although RPS is very controversial, so it could just be hiding.
Me too. … What? It was 20 something years ago … things were different.
same here
Me too. … What? It was 20 something years ago … things were different.
same here
Why is it that I think I could find a lot of George Michael Real Person Slash if I just googled for it?
Huh?
You don't want to know. Although, having now googled it, seems like maybe he's not as popular among women as men…
Sorry, don't know who he is. Just agree w/most of the posts that say he needs relationship w/GOD. Most of us have to come to the end of ourselves and the end of our rope so we can finally let go and fall into the arms of Christ Jesus!
Sorry, don't know who he is. Just agree w/most of the posts that say he needs relationship w/GOD. Most of us have to come to the end of ourselves and the end of our rope so we can finally let go and fall into the arms of Christ Jesus!
I am truly upset that George is in this bind, but God willing he will overcome. This brings up a question about sex and celibacy, which he could probably use a serious dose of. I have come across people who say they are celibate but they masturbate and use pornography, saying they are gay yet celibate via church teachings. How do you view this? I've always considered celibacy meant no sex, at all including self sex. With your celibacy, do you engage in self sex, porn etc? And if so, how does it fit in with your celibacy and beliefs?
Hi Jamie… I don't ever talk about masturbation on my blog because people get really weird and out there or legalistic and ungracious. Not saying you are either of those responses but you will see why I usually stay away from this subject.
I personally do not use porn. It was never a big issue with me for some reason and I think that is because I have always seen it as demeaning and sexually objectifying real people.
I also believe that masturbation falls along the lines of the scripture that says “all things are possible but not all things are beneficial.” I believe that the sexual fantasy that usually accompanies masturbation is what Jesus referred to as adultery of the heart. It also reinforces the neurological imprinting of those images into your brain … not a great thing to do if you are attempting to renew your mind along these lines.
Some people claim to be able to do that without fantasy … ok. Some people will make all kind of cases where masturbation is ok, I say that since the scripture is really silent on the direct topic of masturbation people need to evaluate for themselves if it is helping them to lead a godly life or not. Long time ago I was all for it … then I was ALLL legalistic about it. Now I simply don't see it as helpful or beneficial but still leave it up to a “personal conviction” thing.
I am truly upset that George is in this bind, but God willing he will overcome. This brings up a question about sex and celibacy, which he could probably use a serious dose of. I have come across people who say they are celibate but they masturbate and use pornography, saying they are gay yet celibate via church teachings. How do you view this? I've always considered celibacy meant no sex, at all including self sex. With your celibacy, do you engage in self sex, porn etc? And if so, how does it fit in with your celibacy and beliefs?
Hi Jamie… I don't ever talk about masturbation on my blog because people get really weird and out there or legalistic and ungracious. Not saying you are either of those responses but you will see why I usually stay away from this subject.
I personally do not use porn. It was never a big issue with me for some reason and I think that is because I have always seen it as demeaning and sexually objectifying real people.
I also believe that masturbation falls along the lines of the scripture that says “all things are possible but not all things are beneficial.” I believe that the sexual fantasy that usually accompanies masturbation is what Jesus referred to as adultery of the heart and reinforces the neurological imprinting of those images into your brain … not a great thing to do if you are attempting to renew your mind along these lines.
Some people claim to be able to do that without fantasy … ok. Some people will make all kind of cases where masturbation is ok, I say that since the scripture is really silent on the direct topic of masturbation I just tell people to evaluate for themselves if it is helping them to lead a godly life or not. Long time ago I was all for it … then I was ALLL legalistic about it. Now I simply don't see it as helpful or beneficial but still leave it up to a “personal conviction” thing.
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