I heart George Michael

4 Words: He's still got it. Last night I attended George Michael's kick-off American tour at the Sports Arena. With my friend Richele in tow we joined the many gay men and older crowd of 40-50 year olds. We never saw anyone younger than us - which amazed us - I mean, I wasn't expecting 20 year olds to be there- but definitely some more 30-somethings like us...he he he.

But let's get to the real details. Just who is George Michael in my life? Well, he is a pop icon whom I have consistently admired since 7th grade and the uber-smash Wham! "Make it Happen" debut album of George and partner (err, musical partner) Andy.

With his fabulous smile, thick mane of dyed dirty-blonde hair and thick horizontal wrinkle that was already present between his dark Lebanese eyes at 19 - George, along with Michael J. Fox, Harrison Ford and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran helped me through puberty. Oh... and the cute guy from "16 Candles"...hehehe.In any case, this man has had a string of hits throughout the 80s with Wham and then as a solo artist continuing through the 90s with his thought-provoking album, "Listen Without Prejudice". Yes, I admit to teasing along with siblings Sara and Benjy at his incredibly gay video, "Wake me up before you go-go" - - which is ironic, as I mused with Richele over some champagne cocktails before the show - - that it is so obvious that he showed gayness (and I am not just referring to those 2-toned Dove short shorts he wore in the video), since the beginning - and yet, he was, IS, so sexy, with sexy, intimate ballads and sensual videos that me and most women easily joined the troops of international admirers and fans.

As far as the show last night. It started a half-hour late which caused me concern for George that he might have been stressing out - - he's had a tough last few years with alcohol, drugs, relationships, coming out and depression. But then the show opened with a superb stage complete with a visual multi-media setting of 3 screens that alternated between video clips, him singing in present time at the concert, and stunning filmwork of nature, space, stars, lights, and, models, fashion and dancers - beautiful men and women graceful dancers. I...loved....it. Had he an image of a galloping Arabian horse in there somewhere it pretty much would have encompassed almost everything that moves me.

As for the man? Well, pushing 50 - he still looks (bite the hand) damn good! His jawline is supreme as usual and whether or not doing his spirited one-hand clapping against the microphone or dancing his sensual moves - this man has STILL GOT IT and then some. And when I say that - - I say that with the respect and admiration that he earns from me for taking some serious hits personally, physically and mentally, and even risking alienating many of his fan base by coming out.

George Michael looked sincerely happy. Like he was truly enjoying himself and truly appreciative of the supportive crowd. And even more so appreciative of "those of us who still knew his work after his "Faith" album" - which was wildly successful and the height of his popularity and sexuality.

As much as I love and loved hearing his earlier work from the 80s and the flood of nostalgia of my feelings of torment as a younger teen; I have since truly admired his skills as a songwriter and singer in his last 3 recent albums. His perfectly named, "Older", as well as "Patience" are full of jazz-inspired, quietly sensitive and thoughtful ballads along with danceable tunes for fans half his age - - just showing how much he'd grown and how many genres of music and styles he could sing and write in.

Hands down, this was tied for first the best concert I've ever gone too. The crowd stood and danced almost the entire time - yes, even to his newer gay-club music - - who can resist those beats??!! And the quiet moments where he sat on alone on a stool and sang, "Careless Whisper", "Father Figure" and "Kissing a Fool" where absolute sentimental and gorgeous gems of live performance.

Mentioning that he saw on "the teley" that day that gays can marry now in California he landed the largest amount of thunderous applause of the entire evening. I am so pleased that I got to see him, since he hasn't toured in America in 15 years and he says this will be his last tour period. Not only a pop icon of my beloved 80s music, but a true singer/songwriter, my hats off to him. I remember years ago my older sister, Sylvia, commenting that few pop singers actually have good voices. Truly good voices. And then she went on to think about it and said, "George Michael can really sing". In today's world of pop singers whose careers last 2 years and lip sync in their concerts, George Michael's integrity as a true musician stands clear and still sets him apart from so many.