Teenager George, who was a part time DJ by night and a cinema attendant by day, was incredibly confident on stage as he sang 'Wham Rap' and 'Young Guns.'

19-year-old George Michael's phenomenal first TV appearance with Wham! - watch video

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Andrew Ridgeley on Smooth's Video Rewind

Wham!'s greatest music videos: Andrew Ridgeley breaks down duo's biggest hits

Wham! documentary for Netflix

Wham! Netflix documentary first trailer unveiled: "How can the country be in love with these two idiots?"

After revealing his sexuality, George Michael quickly became a proud gay man and a LGBTQ+ icon.

When George Michael proudly declared to Oprah Winfrey he wouldn't sell out to 'homophobic' people

The Police star, 71, revealed that while he wasn't close to George Michael, he had a lot of respect for the star's rise for pop star to "serious songwriter and artist".

Sting reveals the George Michael lyric he wishes he'd written: 'I love that line'

Sting

Here are 10 trailblazing artists that have made the LGBTQ+ community more visible in the world through their music.

10 iconic popstars who broke LGBT boundaries

Music

Midge Ure has revealed in a new interview that George Michael had a hand in increasing Band Aid's record sales - to the detriment of his own.

George Michael's Band Aid gesture: Midge Ure reveals Wham! star's incredible selfless act in 1984

Paul McCartney brought the house down when he invited George on stage to sing with him at Live 8.

When George Michael joined Paul McCartney for incredible rendition of a Beatles classic

Appearing on the famed TV show in 1999, George Michael closed the episode with a beautiful tribute to his friend of over twenty years, Martin Kemp.

When George Michael surprised an emotional Martin Kemp on 'This Is Your Life'

George Michael and Kate Bush

George Michael and Kate Bush win Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction vote

George Michael tops Smooth's All Time Top 500 for 2023

George Michael tops Smooth's All Time Top 500 for the sixth time - see the full chart

Music

In 1985, Wham! made history being the first Western act to perform in China.

How Wham! broke cultural barriers in 1985 with their history-making concerts in China

Wham! George Michael and Andrew Ridgley

Wham! announce stunning singles box set Echoes from the Edge of Heaven

George's cover version of a Bonnie Raitt classic was poignant because of the love he lost.

When George Michael broke hearts with his beautiful cover of a Bonnie Raitt classic

Concert For Linda celebrated the life and work of Linda McCartney after she lost her battle to cancer in 1998.

Concert For Linda: Remembering Paul McCartney's loving tribute to wife Linda after she died

Paul McCartney

'Freedom! 90' was Robbie William's debut solo single.

When Robbie Williams paid tribute to his hero and friend George Michael only days after his passing

Robbie Williams

Wham! were hugely successful, and had fun getting there.

When a teenage Wham! proved their comic credentials in cute early promo video for 'Young Guns'

Wham's greatest songs ever

Wham!'s 10 greatest songs ever, ranked