In May 1986, George Michael traveled to Detroit to record a song with the legendary Aretha Franklin. This was a massive moment for him because he had just left his pop group Wham. He wanted to show everyone that he was a serious soul singer. The track, “Knew you were waiting,” eventually became a huge success and won a Grammy award in 1988.
George Michael kept his singing very simple and steady during this session. He knew that Aretha Franklin had a very loud and famous voice. Instead of trying to shout over her, he stayed calm and smooth. This created a perfect balance between them.
Duet with Aretha Franklin, who was one of George’s idols
Fans love how these two stars look at each other with so much respect. One viewer said that you can see the pure joy on George Michael’s face while he sings. Another person wrote that this is what real music sounds like when there are no computers helping. People still talk about how their friendship made the music feel much more special and honest.
The music video was a great start, but seeing them perform live on a real stage was even better. They brought that same energy from the studio to a massive crowd in 1988. It was a rare chance for people to see if they could really sing as well as the record. They proved their talent was genuine, without any special studio effects.
George Michael & Aretha Franklin – “Knew You Were Waiting”
This live show happened in Detroit at the Joe Louis Arena during George Michael’s tour. He surprised the whole audience by bringing Aretha out on stage. The crowd went wild because they did not expect to see the Queen of Soul that night. Aretha later said that the chemistry was great because they both truly liked and respected each other as artists.
George Michael spent his whole life making music that came straight from his heart. Follow George Michael on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Listening to him reminds us that true talent never goes out of style.