George Michael turns L.A.'s Forum arena into Vegas lounge (high notes not included)
Jun 26, 2008, 04:10 PM | by Ari Karpel
Categories: Concert Reviews, Music
In arguably his best song ever, “Freedom ’90,” George Michael memorably promised, “I won’t let you down, I will not give you up/Gotta have some faith in the sound, It’s the one good thing that I've got.” But last night, at the '80s pop idol’s first L.A.-area concert in 20 years — a video-effects-heavy, two-and-a-half hour set — it became clear that his “one good thing” is sadly diminished.
After confessing that he can’t hit the high notes anymore, George held out the mic Sally Jessy Raphael-style for some much-needed audience participation. The thousands of gay men, female ex-teeny-boppers, and devoted husbands didn’t disappoint, passionately belting out “Careless Whisper” and a string of other classics.
But plenty of George’s good thing is still intact. (After the jump, get the scoop on the highlights, plus some boo-inspiring celebrity sightings in the audience.)
To this day, George can croon a tune like few others. On jazzy, stool-perching numbers like “Praying for Time” and “Jesus to a Child,” he managed to turn the massive Forum arena into an intimate, sophisticated, Vegas-style lounge (a vibe only heightened by his ever-present tinted shades and slicked-back, Wayne Newton 'do). But the torch songs seemed to outnumber the dance hits (what, no “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”?), and whenever George got up to get down -- even donning a police uniform and mirrored shades for the ever-suggestive “Outside” -- I couldn't help but think he might have benefited by taking Madonna's lead and getting obsessive about pre-tour training.
On one of his breaks from sweatin’ to the oldies, George announced, “I probably shouldn’t say this, but Dr. Phil’s in the audience.” That led to a chorus of “boos” from the audience, which quickly turned to cheers when George added that the self-help guru’s wife was “having a whale of a time,” and then back to boos again when the singer got to the point: Dr. Phil was “making this miserable face. He’s been doing it for more than an hour. Maybe you should see someone about that,” George advised, sealing the dis.
Other celebrities in attendance got more loving treatment. George made a public apology to his Eli Stone costar, Jonny Lee Miller, for trying to chat up the actor between takes on the set. “It wasn’t until I was in the car leaving the set that I realized he wasn’t being rude, he was trying to stay in character,” marveled George, who admitted he can be a little “thick.”
Thick or not, George was showered with love by the crowd, which tried to sing “Happy Birthday” to him numerous times. The sing-along finally stuck when another '80s icon, Bo Derek, inexpicably came out on stage holding what appeared to be a giant, fake sheet cake. With that, the 45-year-old Brit soaked up the long overdue West Coast love.
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