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Post by Pure Fusion Jesse Walsh on Dec 26, 2016 15:24:27 GMT -5
RIP George Michael.
I wasn't even alive during his prime, but George is a significant figure in LGBT visibility to me. He's one of the first out celebs I ever knew. My real introduction to him was his VH1 Behind the Music special. One of the quotes I remember from it is George saying something along the lines of "It's 2004 and it's a great time to be a gay man!" (which gives a good indication how long ago I watched this). I think why it made such an impact on me is that it presented a gay life lived, at a time when I didn't have such resources available to me otherwise. He sounded so confident in his interviews, even after everything he went through up to that point both professionally and personally. I was downright terrified at the time that special aired, and it still took me a few years to accept myself, but watching him speak with such self-assuredness is one of the many things that taught me living and breathing comfortably in your own skin is possible. Needless to say, I want to rewatch it.
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Post by BayleyTiffyCodyCenaJudyHopps on Dec 26, 2016 16:10:00 GMT -5
Easily one of my favorite vocalists of all time. Dude had so much power, harmony and range in his voice, and yes was he also an important icon for gay visibility. He'll be missed greatly.
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mattperiolat
King Koopa
Thank you, Brodie... for everything.
Posts: 11,447
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Post by mattperiolat on Dec 26, 2016 17:42:07 GMT -5
Not for me as a straight man to place the mantle of an LGBT icon on anyone, but between Michaels, Elton John and Freddie Mercury, something must be in the water in England to allow people to be free to be who they are and not compromise. Just wait, the rest of us will come around. You can draw a comparison between that attitude and Ali, come to think of it - be who you are, don't compromise, live a life without fear and with pride. Good way for all of us, really.
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Post by DiBiase is Good on Dec 26, 2016 18:02:08 GMT -5
I think people are now realising just how big the album Faith was. He had four US#1s from that album and it crossed over successfully, winning the AMA for both soul/R+B and pop/rock in the same year. He also wrote, arranged and produced the album himself, at the age of 23. It's a landmark album in the history of music and hopefully his eventual inclusion into the rock & roll hall of fame will not be undervalued with "only inducted because he's dead" comments.
Also, although he was well known for his charity donations, amongst them giving his share of the royalties from Last Christmas/Everything She Wants to the Band Aid charity (and when you consider that record is the best selling song in UK history to have not reached #1, it's a lot of money) but now more stories of his more private generosity are being revealed.
This may sound a bit strange and some might say ridiculous, as I never knew him, never met him and never saw him live. But I loved him. And I'm actually finding it really hard to deal with his death. I received many comments as I always listed Wham! as my second favourite band ever (The Beatles are top) and many playful remarks from friends about my sexuality as my George Michael worship didn't disappear with age.
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Post by wingedeagle on Dec 26, 2016 18:10:42 GMT -5
All the celebrity deaths this year and for some reason, George Michael, who I wasn't a huge fan of, has affected me the most. RIP.
There will be parties here in San Francisco tonight in his honor.
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Lancers
El Dandy
Oh you
Posts: 7,951
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Post by Lancers on Dec 26, 2016 20:30:15 GMT -5
"Praying For Time" is the perfect encapsulation of 2016.
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Post by Widow's Peak on Dec 26, 2016 23:09:04 GMT -5
My favorite version of Freedom 90.
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Post by Mighty Attack Tribble on Dec 27, 2016 1:10:47 GMT -5
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Post by WoodStoner1 on Dec 27, 2016 2:21:31 GMT -5
aaaaaaaaaand the kiss and tell starts. /Remind me to tell you how 16 years later, I still despise a certain "authorized" biography. //Something about dancing and demons or something. |
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Post by The Thread Barbi on Dec 27, 2016 4:25:26 GMT -5
His whole demeanour struck me of a 'local lad done good'.
Rip
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Post by Alice Syndrome on Dec 27, 2016 6:28:53 GMT -5
Not for me as a straight man to place the mantle of an LGBT icon on anyone, but between Michaels, Elton John and Freddie Mercury, something must be in the water in England to allow people to be free to be who they are and not compromise. Just wait, the rest of us will come around. You can draw a comparison between that attitude and Ali, come to think of it - be who you are, don't compromise, live a life without fear and with pride. Good way for all of us, really. Yeah, it's really not a big deal here anymore. I'd say the last time anyone came out and it was a big deal was Will Young, the week after he won the first season of Pop Idol in about 2001. Since then LGBT people are pretty much part of the furniture. Hell, I'm a bisexual woman married to a transgender woman and in 2016 I don't think we even make a blip on the radar. |
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Post by paulbearer on Dec 27, 2016 11:58:21 GMT -5
Obesity and/or heroin , sad.
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Post by DiBiase is Good on Dec 27, 2016 12:35:02 GMT -5
I'm not keen on speculating about a death but I have to say, I'm not buying the heroin stories. He'd put on a few pounds the last couple of years and you don't see many overweight heroin addicts.
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Post by lizzurd on Dec 27, 2016 13:09:36 GMT -5
I'm not keen on speculating about a death but I have to say, I'm not buying the heroin stories. He'd put on a few pounds the last couple of years and you don't see many overweight heroin addicts. Artie Lange would like to have a word with you. |
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Post by DiBiase is Good on Dec 27, 2016 13:14:22 GMT -5
I'm not keen on speculating about a death but I have to say, I'm not buying the heroin stories. He'd put on a few pounds the last couple of years and you don't see many overweight heroin addicts. Artie Lange would like to have a word with you. Why? |
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Post by lizzurd on Dec 27, 2016 13:24:02 GMT -5
Artie Lange would like to have a word with you. Why? He's probably the most famous obese heroin addict in Hollywood. Homeless heroin addicts are skinny and emaciated because they have no money. I'm sure George had enough cash to fill his medicine cabinet and refrigerator.  |
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Post by WoodStoner1 on Dec 27, 2016 13:24:57 GMT -5
And we have a nice shot of someone exploiting said addiction. I take it more people will come out to do the same to George's private life.
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Post by DiBiase is Good on Dec 27, 2016 13:29:02 GMT -5
He's probably the most famous obese heroin addict in Hollywood. Homeless heroin addicts are skinny and emaciated because they have no money. I'm sure George had enough cash to fill his medicine cabinet and refrigerator. That's why I said you don't see many, not you don't see any. |
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Post by Mr PONYMANIA Mr Jenzie on Dec 27, 2016 15:22:23 GMT -5
another icon leaves us, ironically i was watching DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and turned over at the adverts to see the news .....
big fan of the whole sound of wham and all the songs released as singles were huge hits
and continued in his solo career
sure careless whisper is the goto megahit song of his, but it was A DIFFERENT CORNER that really hit it out of the park, beautifully haunting song and one of his best
and it just continued up until this decade too, but last decade had so many, and his duets were always stunning, including the one with mary j blige with that video of that
never flashy
never out there
always normal
and way before his time
r.i.p bad boy
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2016 2:57:02 GMT -5
rip.
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