From the Wham Rap to Careless Whisper, Club Tropicana and Faith… Wham! and George Michael’s discographies represent some of the best pop music to come out of the 1980s, the 1990’s and beyond. George’s iconic look and sound influenced the world and won him fans in their millions. But behind the stylish, cool exterior was a man battling with inner struggles. The social constructs of the time, the death of a partner and parent, the difficulty in separating George Michael the artist from Georgios ‘Yog’ Panayiotou the man – all contributed to George’s often troubled state of mind. These factors would haunt him throughout his life, exacerbating his substance use and perhaps bringing an end to his precious life too soon.
Samantha Parker tells us his story from the joint space of a George Michael superfan and mental health practitioner. From discovering him in her teens to mourning his death in adulthood, she discusses how despite winning so many devoted fans around the world, early life events and relationships combined with fame and media scrutiny to create an inner fragility that few people saw. As George himself said “sometimes the clothes do not make the man.”
This week’s ‘One for the Road’ chosen by Sam is super-producer Rick Rubin’s seminal book, ‘The Creative Act: A Way of Being’, which explores what creativity means, and how anyone can achieve success as an artist through their relationship to the world. You can buy a copy here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-creative-act/rick-rubin/9781838858636
Content Warnings: drugs, addiction and rehab; homophobia, HIV and AIDs; mental health, childhood trauma, postpartum depression, xenophobia, and police entrapment.
IMPORTANT: Alcohol withdrawal happens once an individual is physically dependent/chemically addicted and can be fatal and should only be attempted with medical guidance/assistance. The most serious form of withdrawal is called delirium tremens, or DTs. People with severe withdrawal symptoms or DTs should always have a drink if they need it while professional help is sought. If in doubt, call 999.
If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast
Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries.
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Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard
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Produced by - Harry Stott
Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari
Edited by - Blu Posner and Ethan Judd
Production Coordinator - Lizzie Hartree