Celebrating George

This stunning collection of photographs features iconic George Michael images throughout his career—including many never before published.

The man born as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou hated being photographed, and that makes this volume such an unusual and beautiful tribute to one of the music world’s most beloved stars. First meeting when he shot Wham!, Brian Aris gained George’s trust and subsequently enjoyed unprecedented access to document the complex and sensitive character behind one of pop’s most talented and consummate artists.

Dreaming of stardom from an early age, George achieved popularity first with Wham! and later reached heights of even greater success after re-creating himself as a serious solo artist with songs and music videos that remain iconic to this day. Tragically, he died on Christmas Day 2016 at just fifty-three.

With text documenting George’s life and Brian’s memories of his sessions and meetings with the star, together with iconic shots, contact sheets, and previously unseen images, this is an amazing, heartfelt tribute to one of the world’s most likable and talented performers who is one of the all-time immortal greats of pop music.

Author Biography

Brian Aris is one of the foremost music photographers of his generation, covering glam, punk, and straight rock ‘n’ roll through to the era of “boy bands” and “girl power.” Commissioned by Bob Geldof to photograph his wedding to Paula Yates, Brian went on to photograph many glamorous weddings: Sting and Trudie Styler, David Bowie and Iman, Liza Minnelli and David Gest, Joan Collins and Percy Gibson, and David Beckham and Victoria Adams.