Did you know George Michael bet his entire career on a single leap of faith in 1988? He stood in the center of Tokyo and kicked off a massive 109-date world tour. The tour would eventually hit 16 countries. Most fans do not know that his hit album ‘Faith’ was almost titled ‘Kissing a Fool’ until a last-minute change of heart. You must watch the opening moments of this tour to see the exact second he transformed into a solo god.
George walked out in his signature leather jacket and blue jeans. He had a swagger that moved the entire world. He looked at the thousands of screaming fans and told them he was simply glad they came. It was a humble moment for a man who was about to break every sales record in the book.
Watch the full video below:
George Michael – Faith Tour 1988
People who were there still get chills when they talk about it. One viewer recently said that no one today has the same stage presence or vocal power. Another fan mentioned that George was the only artist who could make a leather jacket look like a suit of armor.
While the tour was selling out stadiums, George was also busy reinventing the sound of the radio. He was not satisfied with just being a pop star. He wanted to prove he had soul and rhythm that could compete with the very best. This drive for perfection led to a collaboration that changed the charts forever.
George Michael – Monkey (Official Video)
The song Monkey became his fourth consecutive number one hit in America. Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis actually recut the entire song from scratch to give it a harder edge. The video captures the incredible choreography and the raw power of his new sound. It helped him become the first white male artist to truly dominate the R&B charts.
George Michael was a pioneer who followed his heart. He took huge risks and worked harder than anyone else to stay at the top. His journey from a teen idol to a serious artist is a story of courage. Follow George Michael on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.