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George Michael: Older at 25 - Part 1

Melanie C looks back at George Michael's Older album to mark its 25th anniversary. Featuring Russell T Davies, James Blunt, Bananarama, Shirlie Holliman, Jack Savoretti and more.

In 1996, George Michael finally released his first album in six years. Older would become his biggest-selling studio set of all-time in the UK, featuring six top three singles accompanied by some of the most iconic videos of all-time. George was back on top, pushing his artistry to the highest level and winning a new generation of fans.

While both the creation and success of previous albums Faith and Listen Without Prejudice: Vol. 1 have been heavily documented, it is now the turn of Older to be fully reexamined and appreciated as an incredible body of work of one of the music world’s all-time greats.

This two-part series is narrated by Melanie C, a lifelong fan and eventual friend of George’s, whose own career launched that same year and catapulted her to worldwide fame. Melanie will recall what happened in that six-year gap, and how the album’s release and success would unfold.

The series will include all six singles from the album: Jesus to a Child, FastLove, Older, Spinning the Wheel, Star People and You Have Been Loved, plus other bonus tracks released around the album, such as Desafinado.

Setting the scene along the way and reliving their memories of 1996-97, as well as personal memories of George, will be producer Jon Douglas, lifelong friend and Wham! bandmate Shirlie Holliman, video director Vaughan Arnell, Bananarama, Rufus Wainwright, Russell T. Davies, Shaznay Lewis, Mark Feehily, Olly Alexander, Mutya Buena, Holly Johnson, Jack Savoretti, James Blunt and more.

Relive the excitement of 25 years ago and fall in love with George all over again through his music and by hearing cherished memories from those who knew him, worked with him and adored him.

57 minutes

Music Played

  • Wham!

    Young Guns (Go For It)

    • Wham - The Best Of Wham!.
    • Epic.
  • George Michael & Elton John

    Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

  • George Michael

    Too Funky

    • George Michael - Ladies & Gentlemen.
    • Epic.
    • 8.
  • George Michael & Queen

    Somebody To Love

    • (CD Single).
    • Parlophone.
  • George Michael

    Fastlove

    • (CD Single).
    • Epic.
  • George Michael

    Older (Instrumental Version)

  • George Michael

    Older

    • (CD Single).
    • Aegean/Virgin.
  • George Michael & Astrud Gilberto

    Desafinado (Off Key)

  • George Michael

    Jesus To A Child

    • Twenty Five.
    • Aegean/Epic.
    • 9.
  • George Michael

    Jesus To A Child

Broadcasts

  • New Year's Day 2022 21:00
  • Sun 11 Jun 2023 02:00