Good evening, Monday. Hope you all had a lovely Hannukah and Christmas- I was very much enjoying all of your beautiful feeds until I found out what we all found out yesterday and was hoping it wasn't so- an icon of my youth gone in an instant, like Bowie, like Prince, and now George Michael. I can't.
Thank goodness my best gay was on the way for Chinese last night, because when the news broke we were together and switched on the Apple TV and streamed videos all night. Those videos. I can't recall a piece of video I like more than "Freedom 90". Linda. Christy. Naomi. Tatjana. Cindy. AMAZING. Such a beautiful tribute to one of my favorite eras in all of fashion.
And thinking about George's life gave me so many amazing memories and feels. From the early days of waking up before we go go to later era "Father Figure" (another amazing fashion vid with that gorgeous jutted cheekbone Natasha of a supermodel) to "Ladies and Gentlemen" to "Listen without Prejudice" to that tricky dance in the "Monkey" video in that awesome black and white outfit. It's endless for me. I grew up with George Michael and trust me, I eschewed most things super pop in those days. I fancied myself quite the little art school indie chick, but the pop of the 80s was hard to resist, even for the most apathetic, snide fucked Xer like myself. I adored Wham, George, all of it. Because George was so damned talented. That voice. You felt every word. His pop hits were beyond infectious, his ballads could move the most stubborn nihilist. Remember how "I Want Your Sex" made you feel? I do. I can't forget it because it was a heady time of hormones and longing and all that fun stuff that comes with teenage lust. It had so much attitude, so much swag, at a time when sex was very much a scary notion- the AIDs epidemic in full swing and here comes George telling us sex is natural and sex is fun and smearing "monogamy" all over a model's leg. And George- George was not straight. Like so many stars in the 80s, there was such a sexiness to everyone and everything- gay, straight, or otherwise. It just didn't really make a difference. Or at least I didn't even notice there was one really. It was just about being yourself and going for it and shining bright. Coming out was tough for him, but not surprising to most of us. I for one cared not one single you know what. Because George was perfect just how he was, and exuded a brave sex appeal that was legendary.
And you can't ever dismiss the fashion statements this man made- from Katherine Hamnett tee shirts in the early Wham! days (I was lucky enough to see their first big US tour with Katrina and the Waves as an opening act- we screamed the entire time in complete glee. It's rare that I allowed myself the right to be a total girlie girl, but bands like Wham! and Duran Duran took me there, and it was just the best thing in the world. Plus, the way he looked in Levi's was pretty next level. Always will be. The man could rock a pair of jeans like none other.
And then as I grew up a little, George Michael grew up with me.
One of my absolute favorite songs is "Waiting for that Day". It's so sophisticated, so inspired, so moving. And then of course the supermodels made appearances in "Freedom 90" and "Too Funky" to elevate the pop to a fashion place- for me- music and fashion and style go hand in hand and George Michael was always winking at fashion and embracing it and loving it. And I loved it right back.
It's hard to imagine a world without his music and his incredible contribution to true style and pop culture. I am so sad he is gone and although Bowie and Prince and Leonard Cohen were beyond, George Michael's death on Christmas was simply too much to bear. At just 53, he left us way too soon. He will always matter to me and my generation and many generations of fans who heard that voice and smiled and sang right along with him- he got us dancing, he got us in the mood, he got us. He just got us. And thank goodness we got to have him.
With the world spinning out of control, it's hard to seek solace in 2016 coming to an end. It was a brutal year and like many of you, I fear what's next. RIP to George Michael, an icon of my come uppance who will be missed beyond belief.
Cause that's what's up this too funky of a Monday in the 718. Yours, in careless whispers and father figures and trying to have a little bit of faith. I will miss him terribly. Thanks for the amazing memories and being a huge part of my life. XO