Harvey Brownstone Interviews “George Michael: A Life” author James Gavin

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 2 фев 2025

Комментарии • 135

  • @rosemiller2990
    @rosemiller2990 Год назад +25

    My favorite artist of all time has been George Michael, and will always continue to be. I love him because of the beautiful music he wrote and his ability to touch the listener. His songwriting was exceptional and his voice was like velvet. No one will ever, ever know the trials and tribulations, and how it felt except for George, but maybe the closest people to him.
    He maintained dear, lifelong friends, since he was a child. He was godfather to several of his closest friends children . If George was such a troubled, chaotic person, I am sure these people would’ve removed themselves long ago. His friends all said what a wonderful, kind, most loving human being he was. Maybe from time to time he wasn’t good to himself for whatever reasons. Bereavement, his sexuality, his struggles with the music industry and the media. The media was relentless towards him, and portrayed themselves as knowing everything about George, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I choose to listen to what the closest of his friends said, about the man and want to think of him as not a flawless person, but a massively, talented human being with issues along the way. Can you imagine if we had cameras on us all the time? We would all be made to look like troubled lunatics. George had an uphill battle with the media and how they portrayed him. I’m certainly not saying he didn’t have incidences throughout his life, but nothing, absolutely nothing that he did should’ve ever caused the media to portray him in such a horrible way. Fortunately, I know George maintains a massive fan base that still enjoys his music today. He has truly left us a gift of a lifetime.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +3

      WOW you are amazing!!

    • @TheBuckylynn
      @TheBuckylynn Год назад +3

      A very thoughtful response, Rose. And I share many of your thoughts and opinions shared here. Curious: did you read Gavin's book..? I have read it twice through and he really doesn't contradict what you have spoken to here. He just leans into framing the why's of his latter years darker behaviors- really his use of drugs, His research is granular and thorough. He writes as a researcher and biographer- not a fan. As he should. That said, I. too, prefer to focus on and love George Michael's music and legacy. He was extraordinarily gifted and gave the world so much. Xx

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +1

      I greatly appreciate this very sophisticated and fair analysis of Mr Gavin’s book. I hope you enjoyed this interview

    • @teensymom1420
      @teensymom1420 Год назад +5

      I couldn't agree with you more Rose. There is no analysis of George's life that could ever make me feel differently than I do about him. I suspect his story is far more complex than his need to be loved or his sexuality. Everyone, including me (who didn't know him at all) have our theories. I have seen many interviews with George and I always felt he was very honest about his life. I will tell you what I think although I am sure it may not make sense. I think George felt cheated by life but I don't think he ever felt sorry for himself. He loved Anselmo in a way that could never be replicated. He deeply loved his mother who could never be replaced. While he was profoundly secure in his songwriting and vocal abilities, he had very low self-esteem. I would have understood if George had curled up in a fetal position and never left his house after these losses but he didn't. He tried. He had other relationships, he made music, he was the most generous celebrity I think I have ever heard of. In the end, I think he died of a broken heart. I don't look at George's life as some sort of cautionary tale who couldn't accept he was no longer a superstar or as Elton said, someone who never accepted his sexuality. People who are that self absorbed don't do the things George did for others so selflessly. I think in the end, George died of a broken heart. I think he lost the two people he loved so deeply that despite trying, he never fully recovered from the loss. Maybe he just really wanted to be with them again. I like to think he is. I pray he is at peace....and I hope he knows how grateful his fans are for what he left us, his music and an example of a sweet soul and most generous human being.

    • @madeleineglo7696
      @madeleineglo7696 Год назад +1

      Well said xx

  • @rosemiller2990
    @rosemiller2990 Год назад +20

    It’s so annoying that Gavin is saying that George was afraid to come out. George in an interview clearly said that all of the people around him were aware he was gay because he told them. Actually he told his 2 closest friends, which were Andrew and Shirley back in the very early 80s . He didn’t feel like it was the medias business or the publics business, which was his right. He wasn’t afraid of that, he just didn’t want to announce it, and why should he? The incident in the public bathroom, although it was very poor judgment on George’s behalf was clearly entrapment. A SWAT team pouncing on him outside of the bathroom tells it all. Swat Teams are just walking around waiting for an incident! It’s ludicrous!!! By the way to George’s fans, that did not ruin his career whatsoever. His talent was much bigger than that incident.

  • @rosemiller2990
    @rosemiller2990 Год назад +12

    He couldn’t come to terms with Sony because he couldn’t get over the fact that they called him an absolutely disgusting name because he was gay . He no longer wanted to work with people who felt like this about him, and who would fail to promote his music. America become a place where he no longer wanted to be, so he backed himself out which obviously cut out a huge part of the market, but that was his decision. Where are bits about George being a massive talent, about his songwriting skills, about his impeccable production skills? He wrote all his music in his head, and never wrote it down until he went into the studio to record. What about the relationships with his backup singers that lasted 30 years plus and what about that beautiful impeccable music he left his fans and the fact that his group was the first Western group to perform in communist China, and what about him being the first pop artist to be invited to perform at the Palais Garnier in Paris, one of if not the most prestigious opera house in the world. First and foremost about the generosity, which was barely mentioned. I was really hoping that this interview would highlight this man’s talent and touch on some of the struggles equally! After all that is what makes up a person. It’s almost as if the struggles are only the things that George was about, and that is clearly not true. By the way, the Older album was massively successful, and from what I understand to date has six singles released that went into the top three, which is either still the record or right up there. It’s really arrogant to think that the US market is the only one that counts. Just because it didn’t have the massive success as Faith did, doesn’t take away from this 6x platinum album . Although it was several years in between music released, George maintained his popularity and success, not only in his home country, but in the rest of the world.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +4

      Such a beautiful and heartfelt comment. Thank you so much.

    • @lavenderfields2910
      @lavenderfields2910 Год назад +6

      Thank you, Rose, for standing up for George, with both of your comments !!!

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +2

      And thank you Lavender Fields for posting your comment.

    • @lavenderfields2910
      @lavenderfields2910 Год назад +6

      @@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 I do not believe James has all his "facts" straight ! I wouldn't believe anything Fadi says, for a minute ! I have never heard anyone else say that George was suicidal ! Yes, he did smoke, drink & do some drugs, but I don't think it was to purposely kill himself, per se ! And to say that he tried more than once ! Not buying it ! And James said that George was just "done," that George didn't see any substantial music making ahead for him ! I could be wrong, but I either read or heard in an interview, that he was working on a new album & that he had big plans for 2017 !

    • @rosemiller2990
      @rosemiller2990 Год назад +9

      @@lavenderfields2910 , I remember shortly after George passed away David Austin had an interview. They questioned him about George being a recluse. David just said that it was ridiculous. Would a recluse be working nightly in his studio and with all of his team to finish up the documentary and would he still be working on his dance album? David said the George was dedicated to his work every single day . After a day of work he went out with friends for dinner every single night . From what I understand, delivery after delivery was being made for a big Boxing Day party. This certainly tells me he was still planning and living his life. The sad part is, he was alone when he passed away. It would’ve been wonderful for him to have somebody who really cared and loved him by his side. That definitely was not Fadi. To even consider or trust anything that man said is ludicrous. His actions after George’s passing tells you what kind of despicable person he is.

  • @seandarcy7651
    @seandarcy7651 2 года назад +5

    Great 👍🏻 interview thank you, will certainly get the book about time a decent book written about wonderful George

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  2 года назад

      Thank you so much for watching. Don’t miss my interview with George Michael’s manager, Simon Napier-Bell ruclips.net/video/eVn93gfqIys/видео.html

    • @ChloeR-vt4bh
      @ChloeR-vt4bh 8 месяцев назад

      Don’t bother with Gavin’s book it is full of inaccuracies and is relentlessly negative. Highlights any negative review or snidey comment from ex friends. None of George’s real friends spoke to the author. Don’t waste your money - it is a tabloid rehash of articles and interviews already available.
      To read Gavin’s book you would find it hard to believe he’s sold 125 million records and has a huge fan-base around the world - if not so much in the US.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  8 месяцев назад

      @ChloeR-vt4bh interesting. I didn’t find his book negative at all. But I appreciate your perspective.

  • @gucagucaguca
    @gucagucaguca 10 месяцев назад

    This interview is one of the rare occasions where all persons, the interviewer, the interviewed, and the person in focus, contributed to the better world. It feels so warm, important, and classy. The man who wrote Jesus to a child deserved nothing less. True loving empathy and a bow.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  10 месяцев назад

      This is one of the most special comments about our show that I’ve ever received. Thank you so much. Please do me the honor of subscribing to our RUclips channel. 🙏❤️

    • @ChloeR-vt4bh
      @ChloeR-vt4bh 9 месяцев назад +1

      Sorry, but I disagree. James Gavin’s book is a travesty, in my opinion. He depicts George’s career as almost a niche 80s act and highlights every negative review while missing out the plaudits he received for some outstanding performances and his albums. Additionally, I would say it is a very American view of his career. George remained a huge star in the UK and Europe, long after his sales declined in the US. He admitted he had lost popularity in the US particularly after the arrest in 1998. He was at peace with that as he found the level of fame and scrutiny in America was much more intense than in UK or Europe.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  9 месяцев назад +1

      @ChloeR-vt4bh thank you for watching our show and for sharing your thoughts. Greatly appreciated.

    • @ChloeR-vt4bh
      @ChloeR-vt4bh 8 месяцев назад +1

      I enjoyed your questions Harvey I just think the book is terrible and an unjust hit-piece on George. The way he is depicted is truly awful for fans of George and sadly he is not here to defend himself.

  • @dierdrebrock1843
    @dierdrebrock1843 6 месяцев назад

    I still love George dearly and I relate to some of his issues. My childhood was similar to his and I'm still fkd up and depressed. He deserved better because he was such an amazing loving sweet man and I will love him forever. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to look inside George's life💕

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  6 месяцев назад

      Your message touched me deeply. My heart goes out to you. I hope you can feel my empathy and compassion for you.

    • @dierdrebrock1843
      @dierdrebrock1843 6 месяцев назад

      @@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Thank you.. Good day💕

  • @LynnThomas-c5g
    @LynnThomas-c5g Год назад +3

    I love you George❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @elenamena8858
    @elenamena8858 9 месяцев назад

    I love your style of interviewing your guests. George Michael's life was so tragic. Self hatred is difficult to deal with. I hope he is resting in peace now.😢

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  8 месяцев назад

      Thank you so much for your positive feedback. It means the world to me that you like my interviewing style. Please spread the word about our show. ❤️

  • @TrangPakbaby
    @TrangPakbaby Год назад +4

    James is such a great writer and great guy. I exchanged a few emails with him when he was writing his great book on Lena Horne😊
    He is respected but I definitely think he is underrated as a writer ❤

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +1

      What did you think of the interview?

    • @ChloeR-vt4bh
      @ChloeR-vt4bh 8 месяцев назад

      @Trangpakbaby - you must be joking. This book is a tabloid version of George’s life and a travesty of the truth.

    • @TrangPakbaby
      @TrangPakbaby 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 It was a wonderful interview! ❤️

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  8 месяцев назад +1

      @TrangPakbaby thank you so much. I’m so tired of the George Michael fans who hate this book!! No one is forcing them to watch this interview!!

    • @ChloeR-vt4bh
      @ChloeR-vt4bh 8 месяцев назад

      Harvey, sorry you feel that way. Of course no-one forced anyone to watch the interview. It isn’t your interview that I dislike - I think you did a great job. I just think James Gavin written a very negative and inaccurate book. To me, he clearly didn’t like his subject and I know I’m not alone in that view as I have read many reviews from other fans.

  • @dierdrebrock1843
    @dierdrebrock1843 6 месяцев назад

    I read the book among other books about George's life. I enjoyed them all but some things were different in the other books. I love George.❤️💋

  • @carolglover3582
    @carolglover3582 9 месяцев назад

    Bless George. Hated he struggled. Loved his music.

  • @pattyz7938
    @pattyz7938 Год назад +4

    George wanted out of the Sony contract because they insulted him over George's unwillingness to promote his Freedom album and be himself in the video.

  • @darylweinbrandt62
    @darylweinbrandt62 5 месяцев назад

    MOST INTERESTING interview here !

  • @bettesteinmetz7516
    @bettesteinmetz7516 Год назад +4

    I think your facts are ascu, George first and foremost was a fabulous singer, songwriter, producer, and generally wonderful human being.
    If at anytime you took a moment to realize what a great artist George was. I cannot believe George agreed with your book.
    He was a human being, with chaos and turmoil daily, like most other people do. Just because George was gay, no one cared. Really, except for people like yourself, newspapers, and reporters. Who wanted to make money from him. He was sensitive and caring, he loved deeply Alselmo, his mom. Is it a crime to love and care deeply.
    If you could only be a quarter of the man George was, you should be grateful.
    Leave the man alone he's deceased and can't defend himself.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +1

      I simply formulated my interview questions based on the book that my guests wrote. And I make no money from these Interviews.

    • @bettesteinmetz7516
      @bettesteinmetz7516 Год назад +2

      Harvey Brownstone Interviews. I do not believe you. You made money on your book. It seems you make lots of money on other people's backs.
      Anyone can write anything about a person it doesn't make it true. Many
      people knew what George was and his shenanigans . So what....
      You had a hard time answering when you where asked about his kindness to people and generosity. George never spoke about how he helped others, and no one ever investigated that. Always negative. He did some things he regretted but we all can say that. Your interviewing skills leave allot to be desired, the only issue George had was he was sensitive and cared about others, maybe you should write another book, of all the Great things did for this world. He hated people who abuse there power, I am sure you where on his list.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +1

      What you’re saying makes no sense. The only book I ever wrote was “Tug of War” and all proceeds went to the Children’s Wish Foundation. If you have a problem with James Gavin, who wrote the book about George Michael, then you should direct your comments to him. But the person you’re writing to here is Harvey Brownstone, host of the interview show. And as for my interviewing skills, if you don’t think I’m a good interviewer, then the solution is simple: don’t watch our show!

    • @moni.va1970
      @moni.va1970 Год назад +2

      ​@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 everyone wrote to Gavin about many errors in his book he deleted comments 😅sorry but people should watch all George's interview and not read books and gossip!!

    • @ChloeR-vt4bh
      @ChloeR-vt4bh 8 месяцев назад

      @Moni.va - well said!

  • @michaelcubria
    @michaelcubria 2 года назад +2

    @harveybrownstone, another great interview Harvey!! 👏 😁

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  2 года назад +2

      Thank you so much! I absolutely loved James Gavin’s book. I hope this interview will motivate people to read it.

    • @michaelcubria
      @michaelcubria 2 года назад +1

      @@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 I just bought it on Audible. 😁

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  2 года назад +1

      Oh that’s wonderful. Do let me know what you thought of it.

  • @lorrets9775
    @lorrets9775 2 года назад +2

    I was lucky enough to see wham, in a small hall. George was a great musician, but seemed to doubt his abilities.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  2 года назад +2

      I saw Wham in Toronto in 1985. George was terrific. Yes, he had enormous insecurities. Having a homophobic unsupportive father was the root cause.

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 2 месяца назад

    He did not dislike careless whisper he just didnt want to be remembered for that one song when he had written so many others.

  • @pauletteessame8180
    @pauletteessame8180 Год назад +3

    thank you for the interview, also thank you to James Gavin whom I can only congratulate from far as I did not read the book...Though, I never studied psychiatry, I notice or now suppose GMichael, unfortunately, had reached a very high level of depression, even if it did not lead him to resort to a direct, rapid form of suicide. To my mind, he well committed suicide, perhaps like every drug addicted person...? When all is said and done, being talented, especially that talented, is not such a gift, in fact...! Even for a God believer, as he was. This did not even help..ok, I exgereate : among other factors it may have helped, otherwise he could have died even younger...

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад

      Thank you so much for watching our show, and for taking the time to post your thoughtful comment. 🙏❤️

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 2 месяца назад

    George had family 2 sisters one who was his hairdresser his father. His problems came from within. He said he thought he did the toilet affair to come out. Also taking drugs does not help as what goes up must come down.

  • @mandyhargraves8589
    @mandyhargraves8589 Год назад +2

    What a load of bull he's never even met George and his father Jack took a while but excepted it ,George was out to the most important people in his life that was family and friend's

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад

      Sorry you didn’t enjoy the interview

    • @mandyhargraves8589
      @mandyhargraves8589 Год назад +1

      @@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 it's not that I didn't enjoy the interview it's the way George,s life is explained, he's not here to defend any of this and if he was you would hear a different story, why is his sexualaty so important it's should be about his wonderful music and the lovely person he's was, he was very generous and a genius with a beautiful voice ❤️ 💙

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад

      @mandyhargraves8589 his sexuality is important because it had a lot to do with his emotional turmoil and early demise.

    • @ChloeR-vt4bh
      @ChloeR-vt4bh 8 месяцев назад

      Sorry Harvey but we really don’t know that. George seemed proud to be gay and never seemed to shy away from those questions once he was out publicly.
      I think he suffered depression rather than had a problem being gay. James Gavin is no expert and did not speak to anyone close to George. They were ex friends and hangers-on.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  8 месяцев назад

      I interviewed Simon Napier-Bell who was Wham’s manager. He knew George Michael well. Watch that interview please.

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 Год назад +2

    He came out when Anselmo died. his sadness was caused by this death this loss of a man he was in love with. Americans do not know George. He would of come out sooner but did not wont to worry his Mother because of AIDS do your damn homework.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  Год назад +1

      Trust me, no interviewer does more homework than I do. But James is the expert on George Michael, not me.

    • @madeleineglo7696
      @madeleineglo7696 Год назад +1

      @@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 georges family are the experts especially his cousin. No one else

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 2 месяца назад

    That song said one on one so was saying monogomy

  • @DReid-ry9ff
    @DReid-ry9ff 4 месяца назад +1

    He's not as accurate as the interviewer portrays

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  4 месяца назад

      I wasn’t attesting to his accuracy because I am not an expert on George Michael’s life. I simply was relying on what he wrote in his book.

  • @Thebraids
    @Thebraids 2 года назад +2

    You are 66 years old!! You look 20 years younger!

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 Год назад

    Agree Elton was jealous of George. George had male lovers walked in the street with them holding hands he just never told the press, but they all new

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 2 месяца назад

    George suffered depession it was in his family his uncle suffered it too.

  • @LannieLord
    @LannieLord 10 месяцев назад

    Lady GaGa controlled her fame by releasing a record her fans could not understand.

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 Год назад +1

    oh please sex was given credence in the 60s the 70s it was rife freedom lol your talking USA not here in the UK.

  • @ufuktuncoz2239
    @ufuktuncoz2239 10 месяцев назад

    My English is not enough to understand all interview.. What a pity!..The transcript can help me to translate with Google... But my English is enough to say: "THE MAGNIFICENT LEGEND GEORGE MICHAEL THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING 🎶🍃🌹🍃🎵
    REST IN PEACE 🕊⛅
    From Türkiye..

  • @madeleineglo7696
    @madeleineglo7696 2 месяца назад

    George felt his sexualaly was no ones business.

    • @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
      @harveybrownstoneinterviews8980  2 месяца назад

      He was right. But many celebrities lose their privacy when it comes to sexual orientation. It comes with the territory.

  • @MaleOrderBride
    @MaleOrderBride 7 месяцев назад +1

    Hmm...i am a huge George Michael fan!...but I don't like biographies written by someone that never even met the person they wrote about!😢 this book was a bit salacious and gossipy, sorry😢

  • @thomasalbert6687
    @thomasalbert6687 6 месяцев назад

    I do not challenge the assertions that George sold a hetero persona and was perceived as straight by some. Certainly if Liberace's sexuality came as a surprise after he passed then anything's possible. But all the leather in the world and the not smiling for photographs (in fact scowls) did not counteract the highlighted, carefully blown-dry hair, the overheated singing style, and "not straight" demeanor. All the clues were in place when he hit with Wham. It's humorous to me that people were fooled when it seemed to me entirely and without question that this man's preference was evident, and had been for a long time.