Throwback to possibly the best George Michael interview…ever
Key Points
- Guardian interview by Simon Hattenstone captured Michael's sharp, memorable responses at his London home
- He angrily dismissed Elton and Bono's interference over alleged drug problems and "social clique" gossip
- Interview remains iconic; Michael remembered as a defiant, complicated pop diva; died December 25, 2016
DESPITE his hatred of the press, George Michael gave the most iconic interviews in showbiz when he had to drag himself out on the promotional trail.
And this particular one has lived virtually rent-free in my head for nearly 17 years.
In a 2009 chat, conducted at the star’s London mansion by The Guardian journalist Simon Hattensone – who’s probably one of the best celeb interviewers in the newspaper business – George came out with this incredible reply when asked about Elton John‘s concerns over his drug use.
The legend – now, sadly one of the world’s richest dead singers – was talking about a time when his partner, Kenny Goss, ran into Geri Halliwell, who told him that U2’s Bono had been gossiping with Elton about the Fast Love hitmaker’s health.
George said: “Elton lives on that. He will not be happy until I bang on his door in the middle of the night saying, ‘Please, please, help me, Elton. Take me to rehab.’ It’s not going to happen. You know what I heard last week? That Bono… Oh for God’s sake…
“Geri [Halliwell] told Kenny that Bono, having spoken to Elton, had approached Geri to say, ‘What can we do for George?’ This is what I have to deal with because I don’t want to be part of that social clique. All I’d have to do to stop it is hang out in London, so people realise I don’t look close to death.
“As if Bono gives a shit what I do with my private life… Elton just needs to shut his mouth and get on with his own life. Look, if people choose to believe that I’m sitting here in my ivory tower, Howard Hughesing myself with long fingernails and loads of drugs, then I can’t do anything about that, can I?”
A true iconic diva. RIP: 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016.
