Michael Lippman was only 79 years old when he passed away on December 29 of this year. He was the man behind the curtain for giant stars like David Bowie and Matchbox Twenty. Most people do not know that he stayed by George Michael’s side for three decades. He was much more than a manager because he acted like a human shield during the hardest times.
Their friendship started during the famous Faith era when George was becoming a global icon. Lippman was a steady hand who never quit, even when legal wars with record labels got ugly. He kept his best friend’s secrets and music safe for a lifetime.
Michael Lippman, Longtime Manager for George Michael and Matchbox Twenty, Dead at 79
Fans around the world feel a deep sadness because Lippman was the one who told us George died in 2016. One viewer said that Michael Lippman was the only person George could truly trust with his life. Another fan mentioned that he was a hero for staying loyal for so many years.
The song I Want Your Sex was the first big test for this protective friendship in 1987. It caused a major scandal, and many radio stations refused to play it. Lippman did not get scared or try to change George’s mind about the song. Instead, he turned the fire into a shield to make the artist feel safe.
George Michael – I Want Your Sex (Official Video)
Lippman helped George tell the world the song was actually about being loyal to one person. He also got the track into a major Hollywood movie called Beverly Hills Cop II. This move made the song too big for anyone to ignore or ban.
Michael Lippman was the person who believed that creators deserved protection. His journey with George Michael is a story of an everliving friendship. Follow George Michael on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to see the legacy Lippman protected.