'Powerful' George Michael biography to HarperCollins

HarperCollins has acquired a biography of George Michael by author Sean Smith to publish in November.

HarperNonFiction editor Zoe Berville acquired world all-language rights to the book, George, from Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown.

George, scheduled to publish on 16th November 2017, is pitched as the story of two extraordinary lives - the private man and the public legend. Smith went back to North London where he was raised to trace his journey as "a sensitive but determined boy who grew up to be one of the biggest British pop stars of all time".

The "powerful and poignant" tribute of a book will cover his introduction to the music scene singing "Young Guns (Go For It)" on Top of the Pops, his days as part of Wham! and solo career, selling more than 100 million records, as well as life "behind the glamour", now it is known he secretly gave away millions of pounds to worthy causes.

Smith said: “I was awe-struck when I saw George Michael perform ‘Somebody to Love’ at Wembley Stadium. He had the most beautiful voice. Truly, he was a giant of popular music. A friend of George’s said to me, ‘He was a good man. Please write a nice book about him.’ I sincerely hope I have.”

Berville says: “Sean is unparalleled in the meticulousness of his research and the sensitivity with which he crafts his biographies, and George is no exception. This fascinating book is a powerful and poignant tribute to one of our most-loved musicians.” 

Pop icon Michael died aged 53 on Christmas Day 2016 at his home in Goring-on-Thames in London. A coroner later confirmed he had died of heart and liver disease. 

The star launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and had huge success as a solo performer.

Several celebrities paid tribute to him at the time of his death, with Elton John calling him "the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist" while Boy George said his music would "live on as a testament to his talent".