HE WAS one of the world’s biggest stars – and when he came to Glasgow, the city went wild.

George Michael – talented performer, troubled celebrity – appeared here on several occasions, both solo and with his 80s pop band Wham!, which he formed with Andrew Ridgeley.

In December 1984, the Evening Times reviewed Wham!’s blistering gig at the Apollo, describing them as ‘pop’s hottest duo’ of the year. Every single they released that year went to number one, and George enjoyed a solo chart-topper too, with Careless Whisper.

Glasgow Times:

“The old Apollo rocked to its creaky foundations as Wham! belted out hit after hit,” said reviewer Russell Kyle, who went on to become the title’s esteemed features editor.

“I couldn’t help feeling if they had sung their way through the Glasgow ‘phone book, the fans would still have cheered.

“To their credit, they didn’t just go through the motions. Wham! put plenty into the show and got a lot of adulation in return.

“Backed by a thoroughly professional and very tight band, Wham! are a much better live act than many of their contemporaries.”

He added, a little grudgingly: “I went as not the biggest Wham! fan in the world, and left a bit more fond of them.”

Glasgow Times:

Russell noted the fans’ screams were infinitely louder for gorgeous George than they were for Andrew, and by the time the former brought his 25 Live tour to Hampden in 2007, he was undoubtedly one of music’s biggest talents and best-known stars.

“A fanfare announced his arrival on stage,” began the Glasgow Times’ sister newspaper The Herald’s review by Marianne Gunn, “and although his slightly podgier profile betrayed the fact that he has been doing this for a quarter of a century now, George Michael’s voice never faltered during his packed two-hour set.

“After four tracks, including cracking renditions of Fast Love and Too Funky, he decided to wish Glasgow a good evening and let the crowd know his intentions: to provide everybody with the night of their lives. ..."

She continued: "Second-half highlights included Flawless and Amazing, but the showstopper was Faith, from the moment the church organ intro played its first few chords.

"With encores of Careless Whisper and Freedom (with saltires flying, of course) this star surely scored at Hampden.”

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They enjoyed massive success, releasing a string of hit singles including Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do), Club Tropicana and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.

They were the first Western pop act to visit China when they played there in 1985. They split in 1986, by which time Michael had already released a handful of solo singles.

Over the course of a career spanning almost four decades, George sold more than 100 million albums.

Glasgow Times:

He hit the headlines too, for a turbulent personal life involving brushes with law, and he sadly died from heart failure, aged 53, in December 2016.

Did you see Wham! or George in Glasgow? Were you a fan? Tell us why you loved him - email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk