The music legend George Michael was a singer and songwriter who died on Christmas Day 2016. An idol to a generation, he had a remarkable catalog of music spanning pop, soul, and disco, selling well over 100 million albums in the span of his career. He is known for his hits such as “Faith,” “Freedom ’90” and “Last Christmas.” His song “Careless Whisper” was voted the number 1 song of all time.
Since he passed away, there have been a number of tribute performances to celebrate his life and music. Here is a comprehensive listing of all tribute performances, concerts, and events honoring the musical superstar George Michael:
Part 1: George Michael Tributes from December 2016 – April 2017
Part 2: George Michael Tributes from May 2017 – onwards
DECEMBER 2016
Elton John’s Tribute in Las Vegas (US)
DATE: December 28, 2016
British singer Elton John paid an emotional tribute to George Michael during a concert in Las Vegas. He played “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” which he sang with George in 1991. He told the audience, “I only wish George was here to sing it with me.”
Duran Duran’s Tribute to George Michael (Mexico)
DATE: December 29, 2016
The British band Duran Duran paid a tribute to George Michael during their Paper Gods tour in Cancun, Mexico. Simon Le Bon described George Michael as “a very good friend of ours.”
“Now we were real rivals when we started off together but we became friends over the years. We just understood each other and what we do. And I think it’s terrible, sad loss to music, fun and entertainment now that he’s gone.”
He then dedicated the next song, their hit ballad Save a Prayer, to George Michael’s memory.
Coldplay Tribute to George Michael in Abu Dhabi (UAE)
DATE: December 31, 2016
Coldplay performed a tribute to George Michael in their show to ring in the New Year at the Du Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Chris Martin sang a cover of George’s 1987 hit “Faith.”
Sting Tribute to George Michael in Las Vegas (US)
DATE: December 31, 2016
Sting sang his song Fragile to honor the memories of David Bowie, Prince, and George Michael. He told the crowd, “Just remember them as people, as human beings.” The concert was held at The Chelsea, Las Vegas, Nevada.
JANUARY 2017
Robbie Williams Tribute to George Michael (UK)
DATE: January 1, 2017
To honor the late George Michael, Robbie Williams performed the song “Freedom” at the 2017 New Year Eve London show.
James Corden Tribute to George Michael (US)
DATE: January 3, 2017
James Corden, the host of “The Late Late Show with James Corden” shown on CBS, paid tribute to George Michael in his first show of 2017. He reflected on how George Michael helped inspire the now-popular Carpool Karaoke segment. He also mentioned how the late singer’s music pulled him through trying times:
I feel like I’ve loved George Michael as long as I’ve loved music in a way. I can remember so many specific times in my life where I might have felt on my own, and George’s music would feel like you’d listen to a song and he would reach his hand out and tell you you weren’t on your own and these feelings were not particular to you.”
SiriusXM’s Tribute Channel to George Michael (US)
DATE: January 4-10, 2017
American radio station SiriusXM launched Faith, the George Michael Tribute Channel dedicated to his memory. The tribute channel aired from Jan 4-10 and featured music from the singer’s entire body of work.
George Michael Music Video Dance Party (US)
DATE: January 7, 2017
VENUE: The Elbo Room, 2871 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60657
TIME: 9:00 p.m.
A music video dance party held to honor George Michael. They placed all of the singer’s music and played his legendary videos in the lounge.
Green Day at their 2017 European Revolution Radio Tour (Italy)
DATE: January 10, 2017
Green Day paid tribute to George Michael in Italy by interjecting a dash of the late singer’s hit, “Careless Whisper,” into “King for a Day,” a track from their 1997 album, Nimrod. The band was in their first leg of their 2017 European Revolution Radio tour at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy,
(2:49 in the video)
Stereogamous Wall Painting of St. George Michael (Australia)
DATE: January 10, 2017
The Australian band Stereogamous painted the entire wall of their Sydney office with “Saint George: Patron Saint of Parks at Night.” The Scott Marsh painting features George Michael wearing a saintly garb.
Saint @GeorgeMichael
Patron Saint of Parks at Night❤🌈🏳️🌈❤
by Scott Marsh
Newtown, Sydney. 2017 pic.twitter.com/1kg5V4AgpO— stereogamous (@stereogamous) January 12, 2017
Club Tropicana: Celebrating George Michael (UK)
DATE: January 12, 2017
VENUE: The Glory
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
The event was a scene party and night of performance paying tribute to George Michael! Activities included a Wham! karaoke sesh, a “George-esque” beard competition, drag queen tribute numbers, and George Michael’s music.
George Michael Tribute at Paradiso Amsterdam (Netherlands)
DATE: January 16, 2017
VENUE: Paradiso Amsterdam
The New Amsterdam Orchestra conducted by Stephan Geusebroek led a musical farewell to George Michael in which various artists paid tribute to the pop icon.
FEBRUARY 2017
Mika at Sanremo Music Festival (Italy)
DATE: February 10, 2017
British pop singer Mika paid homage to George Michael at the 2017 Sanremo Music Festival in Italy. He performed a moving rendition of Michael’s hit song “Jesus to a Child” calling the pop superstar a “true genius of pop music.”
Mika – Jesus to a child – 9-2-17 by stefa73it
Adele at Grammy Awards (US)
DATE: February 12, 2017
Adele sang a downtempo version of George Michael’s 1006 hit “Fastlove” with an orchestral arrangement from Hans Zimmer.
https://twitter.com/_Devotions_/status/831022783169585155
George Michael Tribute Fest (Denmark)
DATE: February 18, 2017
VENUE: Absalon, Sønder Boulevard 73, Copenhagen, Denmark
TIME: 8:00 p.m.
An entire evening of dancing celebrating George Michael’s music. DJs Jonathan Savi and Emma Rosendahl played all the greatest George Michael classics and music that George himself would have danced to.
Chris Martin at the Women’s Cancer Research Fund/Breast Cancer Research Foundation Event (US)
DATE: February 19, 2017
Chris Martin was a last-minute replacement at a Women’s Cancer Research Fund/Breast Cancer Research Foundation event after another singer pulled out of the event. He paid tribute to George Michael by performing “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” at the event.
George Michael A Capella Tribute
DATE: February 20, 2017
An a capella tribute to George Michael, where his songs – Faith, Careless Whisper and Wake Me Up — are sang at the same time by four singers.
Brit Awards (UK)
DATE: February 22, 2017
Chris Martin and Wham! Bandmates Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi and Shirlie (real names Helen DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman) paid an emotional tribute to George Michael at the Brit Awards. Chris Martin performed a rendition of Michael’s 1986 song “A Different Corner.”
Mariah Carey at the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival (United Arab Emirates)
DATE: February 23, 2017
American diva Mariah Carey paid tribute to George Michael during her appearance at the Dubai Jazz Festival. She performed his 1988 hit ballad “One More Try.” She has previously recorded the track for her 2014’s Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse album.
In introducing the song, Mariah said, “I always loved it, I always loved him. He was a really great person.”
While she performed in February, Mariah only shared the performance on her Facebook page on March 31.
MARCH 2017
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (Australia)
DATE: March 4, 2017
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the world’s largest pride parades. Members of the Sydney LGBTQ community wanted to honor the life and music of George Michael. As a tribute to the late superstar, they created the specially-designed “Freedom! The Float.” DJ Paul Mac, under his Stereogamous moniker, played songs by the singer all night.
Artist Scott Marsh, who painted the St. George mural, contributed another mural that became the centerpiece of the float. In addition to the mural, more than 90 dancers were dressed in iconic “Choose Life” shirts, fluorescent outfits inspired by Wham! and “a smattering” of policemen, in a nod to Michael’s 1998 song “Outside.”
The @DIYrainbows group know how to party with this George Michael themed float pic.twitter.com/Z1mkCbi1uP
— Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (@sydneymardigras) March 4, 2017
Stella McCartney Fashion Show (France)
DATE: March 6, 2017
Models danced to George Michael song at the finale of Stella McCartney’s show on the runway at Paris Fashion Week, then burst into a rendition of the late singer’s hit song Faith (starts at 1:58 in the video)
George Michael Celebration with Gerry Duni (Italy)
DATE: March 19, 2017 (Monday)
VENUE: Cross Roads Live Club, Rome, Italy
A George Michael celebration concert was held at the Cross Roads Live Club in Rome on March 19 featuring Gerry Duni. The concert, which was a production of Listen Corporation, saw Duni singing the top hits of George Michael.
Damien Hirst Portrait
DATE: March 28, 2017
Damien Hirst created a painting of George Michael called “Beautiful Beautiful George Michael.” The painting was auctioned at the MTV RE:DEFINE benefit gala hosted by George’s former partner Kenny Goss at the Dallas Contemporary art museum in Dallas, Texas. A video tribute to George was also played during the gala.
The painting sold for $580,000 at auction in order raise funds for HIV and Aids prevention and awareness.
Dance Again: Legendary Tribute Night to George Michael (UK)
DATE: March 30, 2017
VENUE: Proud Camden in London
TIME: 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Dance Again: Legendary Tribute Night to George Michael was an amazing night of live music dedicated to the late singer. Part of the proceeds from the event went to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
APRIL 2017
The Voice UK Coaches (UK)
DATE: April 1, 2017
The two-part Voice UK final kicked off with a tribute to the late, great George Michael. Coaches Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale performed his classic hit Freedom! 90.
Hampstead Heath Party: George Michael Wants You (UK)
DATE: April 9, 2017
The Camden LGBT Forum and Queer Tours of London organized a “cheeky party” for George Michael in London’s Hampstead Heath. Called “George Michael Wants You,” the gathering was a celebration of the singer’s contribution to sexual freedom. The revelers had music, dancing, and picnics to recognize how massive of a gay icon George Michael was.
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill (US)
Soul 2 Soul Show in Charleston, South Carolina
DATE: April 21, 2017
Country music superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sang “I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me),” originally sung by George Michael and Aretha Franklin.
VH1 Save the Music: A Musical Appreciation of George Michael (US)
DATE: April 24, 2017 (Monday)
VENUE: Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16th St., New York, NY 10011
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: Prices range from $40 – $75 (US dollars)
Hosted By: Elvis Duran
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation organized a sold-out concert celebrating the music of George Michael in New York City. The performers included Erich Bergen, Ledisi, Jarrod Spector, Cheyenne Jackson, Eric Hutchinson, Jon McLaughlin, Javier Munoz & Leon Else.
Paris K Design Interior Vignette Tribute (US)
DATE: April 26-29, 2017
WHAT: 13th Annual Design on a Dime!
VENUE: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St., New York City
Greek-American interior designers Paris Kostopoulos and artist Tina Psoinos of Paris K Design remembered George Michael with “Faith,” a custom-created “vignette” dedicated to the pop superstar. The vignette, which is a scaled-down room, featured a stenciled image of the singer amidst monochromatic walls and neutral furniture. The display was one of many featured at the Housing Works’ annual “Design on a Dime” event at New York’s Metropolitan Pavilion.
George Michael Service of Thanksgiving (UK)
DATE: April 30, 2017 (Sunday)
VENUE: St. James the Apostle Church, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 1BD
TIME: 3:00 p.m.
Hundreds of George Michael fans attended the first public memorial for the singer. A Service of Thanksgiving was held at the St. James the Apostle Church, followed by a wake at the Three Crown Pub where the band Wham! was formed. The event was organized by the George Michael Appreciation Society.
For May 2017 onwards, read: George Michael Tributes Part 2
