Hello cybertribe. Today was a good mail day for me. My thanks to Sharon for
providing
me with The FULL Big Issue, and to Debbie for the calender et al.
I was especially pleased to see such a lovely shot for
August--in the Danilo
edition. But one thing, I don't really think his choice of trainers/running
shoes really matches the
leather. Not that I expected him to dance in bare
feet under a waterfall, but come on, you ruined the shirt and pants, you
could
have killed a pair of biker boots too George... It's an interesting
shot in general, looks like one hell of an
"apartment" they shot it in...
Best shot of them all is April though.
The Big Issue article in it's entirety will
appear in YOGMAIL sometime in the
next couple of weeks. Yeah, it's probably illegal, but I can't think of any
other way to
make sure we all get to read it. I trust anyone who could get a
copy--in the UK--did. I feel bad considering I'm not just taking
profit out
of some big conglomerate, but people who can genuinely use the money. I'll
have to figure something out to
"ease my mind."
Here's the deal YM family, the Big Issue sells for 80p in the UK. I could
take up a collection for
the BIG ISSUE itself, and we could register the
YOGMAIL Family as a "Founder Friend of The Big Issue Foundation."
Failing
that, we can also do something closer to home. Anyone who reads the full
article in YM has to give $2--or the
equivilent of a couple cups of
coffee--to someone who really needs it. And I will not be accepting that
"Well I need
it" argument. It's $2, next time someone asks you for some
spare change on your way to work, give it to them, or drop off a
couple cans
of food in a Christmas food drive.
I'm not asking you to change the world, just help somebody out for a minute
OK?
It's up to you. But we're not just reading this "for free".
Also, I NEED TO KNOW WHICH ISSUE OF Q I NEED TO PICK UP
FOR DEBBIE!!!
SEPTEMBER WITH OASIS OR OCTOBER WITH THE SILVER COVER? HELP!!!!!!!!
Having said that, here is the latest on
the greatest.
AND AWAY WE GO...
**********************************
RHUNTLEY-at-catawba.edu (DALLAS) writes:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Amanda,
A
couple of days later and I am still adjusting to "the article". I have
been playing Older constantly and hearing things
I didn't hear before and a
different slant on things I had heard. I was really starting to get
depressed thinking this album
was always going to be tainted to me until
about 8:37 p.m. last night. That's when I saw George perform Star People on
the
award show.
The entire stage set up (where can I get a car like that?) was unbelievable.
(Need to work on the camera work
though) After about 15 seconds I stopped
thinking about the drugs, and started remembering the past how many
years....?
Interesting to note that he was announced as The Return of George
Michael in the opening credits.
Was it my imagination or
was that a geniune smile when he got the Best Male
Artist award?
(Rumour has it he has been known to smile... AG)
Just
a side bit for those of you who are also addicted to the soaps. Did
anyone out there happen to catch Wednesday's episode of The
City where Tony
and Alley are making love in the dark room? Did you notice the background
music? It was none other than Free,
(Quite appropriate if you follow the
storyline.) complete with the words.
At least someone is listening....
(George in
the soaps? Hmmm... AG)
Dallas
**********************************
DeniseMarchant-at-chemsystems.co.uk writes:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I
must admit that I wasn't really shocked by anything George had to say in
the interview.
I don't understand why some people
are getting upset by him being so honest.
They are only getting upset because they themsel things he got up to when he got drunk
- don't
know if they are true but I don't really care. He was friendly enough to me
when I saw him. His friend David Austin
was talking to my girlfriend and
they were talking about Mini cars and he invited her and myself back with
him, George and Pat
Fernandez to watch videos back in Hertfordshire, but I
was in the toilet and my friend couldn't find me (I will take that error
to
my grave!) and they had to leave.
(That's got to hurt... AG)
I still think he is the horniest thing on earth and
will continue to fancy
the pants off him regardless of whether he smokes pot or sleeps with men.
His music and his look are
the things I like about him and I don't think he
should be judged by people who (if we are really honest with ourselves) know
absolutely
nothing about the real man behind the image.
Hope I'm not preaching too much - but I have just come back from a few drinks
at
lunchtime and everyone has been going on about the fact that he mimed at
the MTV awards and I'm in "sticking up for
George" mode.
(Ah the power or the liquid lunch... AG)
Hope I haven't offended you.
(Not me. AG)
**********************************
freyes-at-kmi.com
(Frank Reyes) writes:
---------------------------------------------------------
HI AMANDA, 11/15/96
I WAS TALKING ON THE
PHONE TO MY GOOD FRIEND ALEXANDRA AND
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT YOGMAIL AND SHE GOT THE LATEST ISSUE 2
DAYS AGO AND I DID NOT GET
MINE YET.
(Sorry about that. The mail program has a mind of it's own. AG)
WE TALKED ABOUT HOW DAMN GOOD YOGMAIL IS ALONG
WITH IT BEING
SO INFORMATIVE. WE GOT SO CARRIED AWAY, THAT I MISSED TAPING
GEORGE RECIEVING THE AWARD FOR BEST MALE VOCALIST
OF THE YEAR. I DID GET HIM
TAPED LIVE SINGING "STAR PEOPLE".
(That's why you must not call until after he has
won. Right Alicia? AG)
IT WAS SO COOL BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH HE HAS AGED BUT STILL LOOKS
GOOD. THE AWARDS SHOW WAS
NOT ALL THAT GREAT EXCEPT FOR GEORGE MICHAEL WHICH
WAS THE BEST OF THE EVENING. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HIM PERFORM AGAIN AFTER SO
LONG.
(He
has put on a few years, that much I've noticed. AG)
I WILL ONLY KEEP THE PART OF THE VIDEO OF HIM SINGING STAR
PEOPLE AND
WILL RECORD OVER THE REST WITH SOME GEORGE MICHAEL
VIDEO'S. I ALSO GOT TO RECORD "DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME"
WITH
GEORGE AND ELTON JOHN THAT SAME EVENING, EXACTLY 10 MINUTES
PRIOR TO THE MTV EUROPE AWARDS SHOW, VH1 HAD ELTON JOHN'S LOVE
SONGS
ON AND I KNEW THAT THEY WERE GOING TO PLAY "DLTSGDOM" VIDEO WHICH
WAS SO COOL. SO MY VIDEO STARTS WITH THAT VIDEO. I
WAS SO GLAD THAT GEORGE
PERFORMED SO EARLY ON THE MTV EUROPE AWARDS SHOW. IT REALLY WOKE UP THE CROWD
AND HE PUT ON A GOOD
SHOW.
(Still waiting on my tape, but believe me, I will share my thoughts as soon
as I can. AG)
GOOD NIGHT AND TAKE
CARE. YOUR BUDDY ALWAYS, FRANK
**********************************
jrobinson-at-odyssey.on.ca (James B Robinson) writes:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Hi
Amanda, I first would like to tell you how much I enjoy reading
"Yogmail-it's great,and a job well done. Such dedication I
have rarely seen.
(Glad to hear it. In fact I have recently offered my services to another
artist too. AG)
I
thought that a few comments were in order regarding The Big Issue/Yog
interview.
1. Georges sexuality: there is a world of
difference between a bi-sexual and
a homosexual. I know a couple of bi's and they would shudder if someone
referred to them as
homosexual.
In an artists world, the possibility of running into a bi is greatly
increased. They see it as another experience
to be savoured, or as a catalyst
for a new frame of reference, whatever that may be- it depends on the person
involved.
How
do I the feeling that George was bi a long time ago, and
even joked about it from time to time. Something like-"If he's a
bi, then
he's my kinda bi.""Oh Jim, you're dreaming."
(You are correct. AG)
2. Georges pot smoking: it
could be worse, as in speed,coke, or heroin.
Thank god it's not any of the latter. I've partied with a few rock stars and
it
is not a pretty sight when the chemicals start flying around the room. At
least pot is supplied by mother nature, not
manufactured in some "dirtball"
laboratory were anything can happen.
Besides, pot smoking is way easier to refrain
from than any chemical, or
alchohol, and even tobacco.
(Yeah, but George is still drinking and smoking. Oh well, to each
their own.
I'll stick to the booze for now though. AG)
3. Georges musical direction: the subtle changes from record to
recordcan
only be construed as a good thing. Being stagnant is not the way to keep your
career intact. After you have heard
the same thing over and over, it tends to
wear thin on the fans, and they stop listening.
If you don't believe me then look at
Metallica. The once mighty and
un-reproachable masters of metal are now the laughing stock of the heavy rock
genre. The
die-hard fans have been turned off: one Bob Rock album was enough
for the old core. When an artist is not wiiling to take risks,
he stagnates,
then regresses, and finally fades away.
George is definitely progressing, not regressing, but only time will
tell
if this remains true. Have "faith" everyone. George will not forget about us.
(We hope... AG)
Talk to
you later, James....A Yog fan forever.
**********************************
hatrick-at-jps.net (Darlene) writes:
-----------------------------------------------
HELLO
TO ALL!
I WANT TO SAY SO MUCH BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START AND HOW TO MAKE IT SHORT.
GEORGE HAS BEEN IN MY HEART AND
SEVARAL FANTASIES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF WHAM
AND I GUESS IN A WAY I THOUGHT HE WOULD ALWAYS REMAIN THE SAME, BUT LIFE
DOSEN'T
SEE IT THAT WAY.I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE SEEN HIM LAST NIGHT
ON MTV, HE SEEMED TO ME ANYWAYS TO BE VERY HAPPY AND A VERY
DIFFERENT PERSON
THEN GEORGE FROM WHAM DAYS. MAYBE THATS WHAT HE IS DOING IS TRYING TO GET
AWAY FROM THAT TEENY BOPPER
IMAGE.THERE IS ALOT OF US OUT THERE THAT AREN'T
TEENS ANYMORE(UNFORTANATLEY), AND WE HAVE DONE ALOT OF CHANGING IN OUR LIVES
AS
WELL.
(I'm quite happy to be out of my teens actually... AG)
THE FANS OUT THERE LIKE ME WHO HAD A HARD TIME
UNDERSTANDING
THIS "BIG ISSUE" AS IT HAS BECOME, NEED TO REALIZE THIS IS GEORGE RIGHT
HERE RIGHT NOW.WHEN I SEEN HIM
ON STAGE LAST NIGHT WHAT I READ SEEMED TO
DISSAPPEAR AND I REALIZED I LOVE THE PEFORMER, NOT WETHER OR NOT HE SMOKES A
DOOBIE
OR SLEEPS WITH A MAN OR A WOMAN. AS FAR AS HIS OLDER ALBUM I LOVE IT,
IT SEEMS ALOT OF FANS ARE NOW JUDGING THE ALBUM BASED ON
THE FACT THAT HE
MIGHT HAVE BEEN HIGH, I DON'T FEEL THAT IS RIGHT. EITHER YOU LIKE IT OR YOU
DON'T BASED ON WHAT YOU HEAR, NOT
HOW IT GOT THERE. I KNOW ALOT OF YOU ARE
AGAINST DRUGS AND THATS FINE BUT I FEEL ALCHOL IS WORSE AT TIMES THEN POT IS.
I HAVE
DONE BOTH I WOULD MUCH RATHER DO POT ,AT LEAST YOU ARE LESS LIKELY TO
GO OUT AND GET IN YOUR CAR AND HURT SOMEONE ELSE. EITHER
WAY THERE IS ALOT
WORSE THINGS FOR GEORGE TO HAVE DONE.WELL I HOPE I MADE SENSE.
(You raise valid points, as has everyone.
AG)
TAKE CARE AMANDA, I WILL LOOK FOWARD TO ANOTHER FABULOUS ISSUE OF YOGMAIL
(And I hope you shall receive one. AG)
PEACE
DARLENE!!!
**********************************
jobesteve-at-hotmail.com (Nitika Steverson) writes:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey
all! and Amanda 2!
I saw the MTVEA! I can say one thing - George's dancing has certainly
improved! I would have been more
impressed if he had actually sang the song.
"Talk about your mother, talk about your father right across the hall from
hers!). It was
kinda theraputic. I kinda went through a range of emotions. And for any of
you guys who are feeling kinda down
on George right now I recommend you try
it. I think it will help you sort your feelings out. "I don't belong to you
and
you don't belong to me". Just think about it.....
I hope everyone has been able to come to terms and deal with "The
Big Issue"
interview. Everyone's opinions about his sexuality and his use of illegal
substances are just that - opinions.
Regardless of how the interview make
have effected us, I think the bottom line is that we are fans because of his
music and
any choices George makes in his life HE has to deal with not us!
But It was nice to have a place to vent out our frustrations and
talk to
people who actaully care too! Thanks Amanda!:)
(Not a problem, it was very theraputic for me too. AG)
I know
this is kinda off on a tangent
(We like tangents... AG)
but as I was listening to Heal the Pain - it kinda hit me that
during the
chorus he kinda sounds like Neil Sadaka. (I know somebody is probably falling
out of their chair with laughter or
hurling objects at their monitor.) But
honestly guys listen and see if you don't agree. If you don't, feel free to
spam me!:)
I'm just joking!!!!
(OK, so you're obviously a might delusional.... AG)
Another thing that I just realized -- the only
album that I have in all 3
forms (LP, cassette, and CD)is Make It Big! How about that! I just wanted to
end this posting on a
fun note because issues lately have been pretty
serious......
(Thinks are lightening up a bit now. AG)
As
always....LWP
**********************************
106350.3601-at-compuserve.com (Jeff) writes:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
DEAR
AMANDA,
I DID RECORD GEORGES BITS AGAIN TONIGHT,SO FEEL FREE TO PUT IT OUT IN
YOGMAIL THAT I HAVE A COPY OF THE EURO AWARDS
TO SPARE. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS
106350.3601-at-COMPUSERVE.COM
JUST AN INTERESTING THING BRYAN ADAMS CLAIMS THAT GEORGE WAS
LIPSYNCHING TO
STARPEOPLE, LAST NIGHT!!!! I WATCHED IT AGAIN TODAY,AND I MUST SAY THAT HE
REALLY COULD HAVE BEEN!! WHAT IS
GEORGE PLAYING AT???? WE ALL KNOW THAT HE
USES BACKING TAPES FOR NO ONE ELSE DOES HIS BACKING VOCALS BETTER THAN
HIMSELF,BUT
WHY WOULD HE
LIPSYNCH???
(This is the great topic of debate. But as someone suggested, maybe he was
being ironic? AG)
**********************************
Laece-at-aol.com
writes:
-----------------------------------
Just curious about the reference to George in drag. Where is this picture. I
would
love to see it.
(I can do some color copies if demand exists...anyone want one? They'll run
me about $2 with copy fee and
postage. AG)
**********************************
Anita.Patel-at-bowne.com (Anita Patel) writes:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi
Amanda,
Have you ever met George, has he acknowledged your board yet?? I know
he knows about it, but has he sent you any
acknowledgement yet?
(I've never had the pleasure as yet, nor has George yet acknowledged me, but
I received some hopeful
news today that I'll tell you about in an upcoming
issue. AG)
:) Anita
**********************************
f8h.n.gm-at-juno.com
(Angel Hernandez) writes:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
i just wanted to know where
exactly can i get a copy of the interview done in
the magazine of the "Big Issue". Can anyone help me? PLEASE!
(Ask
someone in the UK. Anyone volunteering? But as I said, YOGMAIL is
running it in the enxt couple of weeks--comment free. AG)
"Please
don't analyse, please just be there for me..."
I am responding to Stephie70-at-aol.com regarding her comment that she
thinks
Yog is a pothead.
(George admitted to it Angel... AG)
< University
of Southern California with a BA in
Social Sciences. She's now traveling in
Asia with her British husband who also graduated with masters but from the
University
of Michigan. Now they do smoke bud, but they do not smoke it
heavily like you would think that most users do. I do smoke it very
rarely,
and honestly the only thing that it really does
for a person is just relaxes them. That is when someone is smoking it
one or
twice a day. So please be careful on who you are calling a Pothead.
(George calls himself a pothead Angel. We're not
making presumptions. AG)
To be honest, I hate the fact that he smokes cigarettes. Of course at
the time that I met him he
did have the Marlboro smell when I had my arm
around him. I couldn't get the smell off my hand for the whole night!
(I'm
not keen on the smell, but I've grown up in a house full of smokers, so
it's a part of my life. AG)
Remember that Yog has
been in the business and he knows what affect show
biz has on stars. If it grabbed hold of him, don't you think that he would
have
sank by now? Give the man some credit and stick by him. Isn't Yog about
music? I've been a fan of his for almost 13 yrs and just
because he smokes
bud doesn't mean that his musical talent is failing. By G-d! At this point
his music has gotten 10 times
better and more brilliant!! And if it is the
Pot, then I tell Yog to keep up with it, just don't abuse the use.
Sorry to take
up so much, but I had to put in my 2 cents worth.
(Feel free, but again, take note of the line "This time last year I was
a
complete and utter pothead." AG)
Peace out and stay faithful!
Angel =)
**********************************
LMPLASE-at-aol.com
(Lisa Marie Plasek) writes:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Amanda:
Hi! George
Michael looked great and sounded great at the MTV Europe
Awards!!! He came out with the people from the "Fastlove"
video in the shiny
car from the "Spinning The Wheel" video. He won for Best Male and he looked
very happy! He said
that 96 has made the early 90' s all worthwhile to be
accepted by the fans and to win the award. I am anxiously awaiting the MTV
Unplugged
show and the interview in December!
(So George is finally happy? AG)
As for my comments about the interview he gave to
the newspaper, my feelings
have not changed for him or his music. The sexuality issue does not bother
me. I would prefer for
him to be straight, but he must do what makes him
happy and I really think that the true fans want him to be happy!! As for
the
drugs, I hope he stops immediately! He is ruining his brain and his
vocal cords with all of this smoking pot and whatever else he
does. He is
the most talented singer alive and he can write the great songs without the
"help" of drugs. I
understand that the last few years have been hard for
him, but the use of drugs are not going to solve his problems, they are
only
going to make life harder. I truly wish him the best that life has to
offer!! He will never lose my support and I hope
the fans come back and hear
what great music is supposed to sound like!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Lisa Marie Plasek
**********************************
BDuncan123
-at-aol.com (Brian Duncan) writes:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Who cares if he's gay
or not ?!? Does it matter one bit at all ? Would his
voice sound any less beautiful if you knew ? If you all profess to love the
man
and his music so much then why do you speculate on and judge him on his
sexuality ? It is truly none of your business who he
sleeps with.
(We don't. You're new to the list so I'll explain why we're off on this
tangent. Previously, I was not a great
fan of discussing George's sex
life--having seen how many fights it started on the AOL boards, time.
Listen without
prejudice...