SATURDAY'S SINGLES : GEORGE MICHAEL and MICHAEL JACKSON

[maggot]

Good morning gang and welcome back to the return of Saturday's Singles. It was on this day, June 25, 1963, that  English singer, songwriter and record producer, George Michael (Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou) was born. Originally paired with Andrew Ridgeley in the duo Wham!, Michael would go solo and become one of the biggest names of the MTV generation, selling over 120 millions records worldwide. The title track from his 1st LP Faith, is our first subject of sound today. "Faith" was released October 12, 1987 on the Columbia label. The song, written and produced by George, peaked at #17 on the Dance Club charts, #5 on the Adult Contemporary charts, #4 in Austria and Switzerland, #3 in Spain, #2 in Denmark, Ireland, and the UK, and #1 in Australia, Belgium, Canada, the European Hot 100 Singles chart, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the Billboard Hot 100. Also from Faith is "Hand to Mouth", it's B-side. Sadly George Michael passed away on Christmas Day in 2016, from dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver. He was 53 years old. Today would have been his 59th Birthday.

Vocals, programming, percussion – George Michael

Bass – Deon Estus

Guitars – Hugh Burns

Cathedral organ – Chris Cameron

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Our second selection comes today as we mark 12 years since the untimely passing of the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson at age 50, from from cardiac arrest, caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose.  Michael was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958 and during his 4 decade career sold over 400 millions records. First starting out young with his brothers in the groups, The Jacksons and the Jackson 5,  before going solo and literally changing the face of pop culture. We look to the 9th song on his 7th solo studio release Bad, for our next single. "Dirty Diana" was released April 18, 1988 on Epic Records. Michael wrote the song and he and Quincy Jones produced it. It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, #7 in Austria, #5 in Canada, #4 in the UK, #3 in Germany and Ireland, #2 in the Netherlands, and #1 in Belgium, the Eurochart Hot 100, the Cash Box, and the Hot 100. Our copy has an instrumental version of "Dirty Diana" on the flip side. The guitar solo on the tracks are performed by Steve Stevens, best known for his work with Billy Idol. He is seen photographed with Jackson on the back of the 45's picture sleeve. 

Written and composed by Michael Jackson

Produced by Quincy Jones

Co-produced by Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson – solo and background vocals, Clave' clapstick

Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson, John Barnes and Jerry Hey

Synthesizer arrangements by Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and John Barnes

String arrangement by John Barnes

Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson

John Robinson – drums

Douglas Getschal – drum programming

Paul Jackson, Jr. and David Williams – guitars

Christopher Currell – Synclavier

Denny Jaeger – Synclavier synthesis

John Barnes, Michael Boddicker and Randy Waldman – synthesizers

Steve Stevens – guitar solo

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