Diana Ross, Boy George, Marilyn and Motown

[BobbyC]

You all haven't heard Boy George's takes on Diana Ross and other Motown people, am I right? After my last thread about Love Hangover, I don't want to rehash anything. Anyway let me know and I'll delete this post. So everybody knows who Boy George is--a big drag queen who scored big in the 80's with Culture Club. His best friend was another drag queen who went by Marilyn--he looked very much like Marilyn Monroe when made up. Turns out Marilyn was a huge DR fan, playing her Live in Central Park video over and over while he and Boy were in NYC. Marilyn vowed to meet her, and wanted her to manage his newfound career in music. M decided to record DR's song I Ain't Been Licked, which became the B side of his second single. When Boy heard he'd recorded that song, he quipped "Licked? You've been chewed and spat out!"

[BobbyC]

Miss Marilyn did some detective work and soon learned Diana Ross had an apartment at the Sherry Netherland hotel under the name Mrs. Blue, and soon started bugging Boy to move into that hotel. With him tagging along, of course. After putting up a weak fight, Boy caved and soon they were staying at the Sherry. Marilyn left Mrs. Blue a bunch of messages which she didn't return, but Marilyn was not swayed.

[BobbyC]

Marilyn decided that if he left a message for DR saying he wanted her to manage him, she would finally call him back. BG rolled his eyes. About 40 minutes later the phone rang. It was Diana Ross!!! M and DR spoke for a couple of minutes and when he hung up, Marilyn smugly announced "I told you she'd call. I'm meeting her tomorrow."

[BobbyC]

The next day Miss Ross sent a limo for him--she was performing in Connecticut and wished for M to meet her there. He went, needless to say. BG stayed in NYC sulking. Eventually M came back, saying that DR hugged him, said he was "Beautiful," said he should be a movie star, and then DR offered to manage him. Suddenly Marilyn was investing in new clothes, a new look, the whole 9 yards.

[PeaceNHarmony]

Actually this is all old news; heard it before. I think it was in a Rolling Stone story 35 or so years ago.

[BobbyC]

At this point, Boy George had been invited to perform at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo theater. He was scared. He was invited as a solo act, not with Culture Club,something he'd never done before. He was assigned the song Signed, Sealed Delivered, to be sung as a duet with Stevie Wonder, and a second undecided song with Luther Vandross. Bg was told he'd be the only white artist on the show, which turned out not to be true when George Michael turned up for rehearsals. BG was so scared, so intimidated that he announced to Marilyn that he wasn't going. Marilyn dismissed it out of hand saying "All those FAB Motown stars are gonna be there and you're not going? Really!"

[PeaceNHarmony]

... seriously. Are you reading the RS article, or perhaps Taraborelli, and re-writing paragraph by paragraph?

[PeaceNHarmony]

I take that back. I think this is straight-out plagiarism. In addition to being boring, decades-old gossip. Outta this one!

[jobeterob]

As Mary knows, the only one worth talking about in the mind of the public is Diana

[midnightman]

Isn't there a pic of Boy and Maz [[Marilyn) with Diana from around this era [[1985-86)? That's when both men ditched their uber androgynous looks though still very androgynous.

[Jaap]

Isn't there a pic of Boy and Maz [[Marilyn) with Diana from around this era [[1985-86)? That's when both men ditched their uber androgynous looks though still very androgynous.
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[BobbyC]

Man there are some toxic people on this forum. Goodbye forever.

[Rossone]

Bobby C This is my very first post on this forum that I have followed for years until I finally joined,first off don’t leave and secondly I have collected Diana Ross for almost 50 years I may have heard this story before but I don’t know/remember when supposedly happened.Could you or someone please enlighten me as to what transpired where this story stopped.And please don’t anybody make fun of me I don’t want to feel stupid after enjoying reading all the Soulful Detroit and when we got the DRTS forum with my first post

[Bluebrock]

Man there are some toxic people on this forum. Goodbye forever.

You kind of get accustomed to it. Hang around for a little while longer.

[midnightman]

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Thanks!!!

Bobby, don't mind them. You're not doing anything wrong.

[midnightman]

Maz was so attractive! OMG...

[Boogiedown]

Man there are some toxic people on this forum. Goodbye forever.

To put it mildly BobbyC. Good for you for containing your response. Frankly I think a few more choice words were in order.

Don't let a couple of loud mouth know-it-alls chase you off the forum! Stay and have fun in spite of them! Your threads were a breath of fresh air compared to so much of the stale stuff that gets rehashed here and I, like Rossone , would like to hear the rest of this story you were so entertainingly sharing. Thank you for the attempt to share it with us!
But I get why you would say 'to hell with this' when mistreated this way . I can't explain their dismissive behavior, but they are a small part of the forum , come enjoy yourself and never mind them!

Don't let bullies win!

[PeaceNHarmony]

Man there are some toxic people on this forum. Goodbye forever.Some are toxic; most want to preserve the integrity of the forum by focusing on music and performance rather than decades-old plagiarized gossip; there are countless other forums for that!

[Boogiedown]

Some are toxic; most want to preserve the integrity of the forum by focusing on music and performance rather than decades-old plagiarized gossip; there are countless other forums for that!
How have you come to the conclusion that you know what 'most' people want on this forum and that you're then entitled to harass people that post outside said notion?
You were on this guy in his LOVE HANGOVER and 5th Dimension threads and you continued here.
I'm surprised anyone would feel righteous by their comments resulting in chasing somebody off whose only crime was to participate here in a way that interested them but not you .

[Rossone]

Very well said Boogiedown!!Bobby C are you still there?Please finish the story about Marilyn,Boy and Diana. I would love to know the end of the story.

[Circa 1824]

Man there are some toxic people on this forum. Goodbye forever.

Come back Bobby !!!!

[copley]

For the record neither Boy George or Marilyn are drag queens so please get your facts right!

[Circa 1824]

Whatever happened to Marilyn?

[Bluebrock]

Whatever happened to Marilyn?

His five minutes of fame quickly passed and after falling out with Boy George he was quickly dropped by his record company, and the press quickly lost interest in his exploits. He did some cabaret work in London before that dried up to. Last i heard of him he looked in poor physical health . I have a friend of a friend of a friend who may be able to provide an update.

[midnightman]

For the record neither Boy George or Marilyn are drag queens so please get your facts right!

To be fair, George bragged, maybe in sarcasm, after the Grammys honored Culture Club with the Best New Artist of 1982 Grammy in 1983 that they had "style, taste and you know a good drag queen when you see one!"

But technically, you're right, they weren't drag queens.

[midnightman]

His five minutes of fame quickly passed and after falling out with Boy George he was quickly dropped by his record company, and the press quickly lost interest in his exploits. He did some cabaret work in London before that dried up to. Last i heard of him he looked in poor physical health . I have a friend of a friend of a friend who may be able to provide an update.

He has a Twitter [[think it's called MrMarilyn). I know he was active on YouTube when it first started [[he used to post videos of his performances on his channel). Still a huge DR fan. I think I saw a video of him doing I Ain't Been Licked on YouTube.

[midnightman]

For anyone wondering how he looked when he first came out to the public [[no not like that lol):

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/50/81/35/5081359276f7203ec603662bfa5ad87e.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPVQe9w6HwE/XW_peIrS1gI/AAAAAAACDN4/oH8B3VGKYYUuKfGVmSeMtwF0nIV0N0tcwCLcBGAs/s1600/peter-marilyn-robinson5.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K26V6hV4iBw/VF9FK1r1maI/AAAAAAAAado/ZJI_FF-DmGQ/s1600/Page%2B31%2B-%2BSmash%2BHits%2B-%2B27th%2BOctober%2B-%2B9th%2BNovember%2B1980%2B-%2BAztec%2BCamera%2C%2BUB40%2C%2BMarilyn%2C%2BMadn ess%2C%2BWham-001.jpg

Of course, y'all knew how Boy George looked back in the day too:

https://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lum7ompRDj1r3k1vjo1_1280.jpg

As Copley said, they weren't drag queens but "gender benders".

[copley]

They were part of the new romantic movement which included Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Japan, Flock of Seagulls etc.

[midnightman]

Yep. Unlike the other acts mentioned, they didn't just wear makeup and androgynous clothing to be part of the trend, they truly lived the openly gay life without actually saying it.

The New Romantic era was pretty legendary though.

[Boogiedown]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z7fV-wB2z8

lololol !!!!!

[midnightman]

Hey!!! Adam was cool. ;)

[Roberta75]

Hey!!! Adam was cool. ;)

And real sexy. 😀

[midnightman]

And real sexy. ��

Very sexy. ��

[Boogiedown]

To be fair, George bragged, maybe in sarcasm, after the Grammys honored Culture Club with the Best New Artist of 1982 Grammy in 1983 that they had "style, taste and you know a good drag queen when you see one!"

But technically, you're right, they weren't drag queens.

that's right he did say that about himself didn't he! I remember that , I think it was a live remote from London ...

Adam Ant's Biggest US hit :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o41A91X5pns

[Boogiedown]

The next day Miss Ross sent a limo for him--she was performing in Connecticut and wished for M to meet her there. He went, needless to say. BG stayed in NYC sulking. Eventually M came back, saying that DR hugged him, said he was "Beautiful," said he should be a movie star, and then DR offered to manage him. Suddenly Marilyn was investing in new clothes, a new look, the whole 9 yards.

This part of the story I find curious. Was Ross in the habit of managing other acts ? If so , who else has she managed?
And then why would Marilyn ...of all people .....particularly interest her?

[reese]

This part of the story I find curious. Was Ross in the habit of managing other acts ? If so , who else has she managed?
And then why would Marilyn ...of all people .....particularly interest her?

She managed Micki Free of Shalamar.

[midnightman]

Diana was trying hard to prove to Berry Gordy that she could manage acts like him.

[Boogiedown]

She managed Micki Free of Shalamar.

Hmmmm ....seems as equally an odd choice to have caught her attention:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVr1G8NcreE


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micki_Free#mw-head) Jump to search [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micki_Free#p-search)

Micki Free


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Micki_Free_At_Kitchener_Bluesfest_2018.jpg/220px-Micki_Free_At_Kitchener_Bluesfest_2018.jpg [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Micki_Free_At_Kitchener_Bluesfest_2018.jpg)Fr ee performing at the Kitchener Bluesfest in 2018


Background information


Born
May 20, 1955 [[age 64)


Genres
Rock [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Music), blues [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues), electric blues [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_blues), blues rock [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_rock)


Occupation[[s)
Entertainer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainer), musician [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musician), songwriter [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songwriter)


Instruments
Guitar [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar), Singing [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing), Native American flute [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_flute), Harmonica [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonica),


Labels
Native Music Rocks Records


Associated acts
Micki Free American Horse, Shalamar [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalamar)


Website
The Official Website of Micki Free [[http://www.mickifree.com/)


Micki Free [[born May 20, 1955) is a guitarist [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar) and singer of Native American [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States) descent. He won a Grammy Award [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award) for his contribution to the Beverly Hills Cop [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills_Cop) [[1984) movie soundtrack and has won two Native American Music Awards [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_Music_Award).[1] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micki_Free#cite_note-1) He is the director of Promotions and Special Events for the Seminole Tribe of Florida [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminole_Tribe_of_Florida), owners of Hard Rock [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Rock_Cafe) International.

[Boogiedown]

what does it mean when Ross is 'managing' these people exactly? What is she doing for them??

Didn't she have her own manager??

[vgalindo]

what does it mean when Ross is 'managing' these people exactly? What is she doing for them??

Didn't she have her own manager??
She owned her own management company. I think it was called RTC.

[Circa 1824]

She owned her own management company. I think it was called RTC.

Did any of her acts have any success ?

[Boogiedown]

Did any of her acts have any success ?
And who were they ? wiki doesn't confirm either Marilyn or Micki being associated with her. :confused:
Seems to be a mysterious part of her career endeavors ....


added: this article mentions one line about Free being managed by Diana Ross:

https://web.archive.org/web/20120712230806/http://mickifree.com/bio/bio.html

[vgalindo]

Did any of her acts have any success ?
I really don’t know. Maybe somebody else might know.

[Jaap]

Here is Micki Free talking about being managed by Diana Ross before joining Shalamar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cenwXKuDxKc

[lucky2012]

^ Very enlightening. Thanks, Jaap.

[midnightman]

She owned her own management company. I think it was called RTC.

Yeah R[[honda)T[[racee)C[[hudney) Management. She found it shortly after she signed with RCA.

[Boogiedown]

Here is Micki Free talking about being managed by Diana Ross before joining Shalamar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cenwXKuDxKc

Good info ! thanks Jaap!
That seems like it would have been shocking to attend a Diana Ross concert and have it first be opened with the music style presented by Micki Free . [[ Did anyone here witness one of these occurrences?) I wonder how many of her shows he opened...

Wasn't it odd for Diana Ross to have an opening act ? Had she used any before Micki Free?

I know her daughter now does it regularly.

[reese]

Good info ! thanks Jaap!
That seems like it would have been shocking to attend a Diana Ross concert and have it first be opened with the music style presented by Micki Free . [[ Did anyone here witness one of these occurrences?) I wonder how many of her shows he opened...

Wasn't it odd for Diana Ross to have an opening act ? Had she used any before Micki Free?

I know her daughter now does it regularly.

When I saw her in 1979, her opening act was Roger and Roger. After that, I don't remember any other opening acts besides Rhonda except for maybe a local comedian.

[Boogiedown]

When I saw her in 1979, her opening act was Roger and Roger. Until that, I don't remember any other opening acts besides Rhonda except for maybe a local comedian.

really reese!? Roger and Roger? Did you enjoy it? I think I'd prefer it to Micki.

[[ I wonder if they did this Temptations send up at her show).............


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuv3ocjkkjE

[reese]

really reese!? Roger and Roger? Did you enjoy it? I think I'd prefer it to Micki.

[[ I wonder if they did this Temptations send up at her show).............


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuv3ocjkkjE

I did enjoy them. I thought they put on a good show. And yes, they did the Tempts' bit.

[Boogiedown]

glad to hear that reese. :)

Just out of curiosity I decided to see if I could confirm any other opening acts for Miss Ross. I found this over at good ol' wiki:

During her IN THE NAME OF LOVE TOUR 2013-2017

Rhonda opened at various locales , Evan Ross opened for an LA performance as did Pentatonix. Naturally 7 opened a show in San Diego.

[vgalindo]

glad to hear that reese. :)

Just out of curiosity I decided to see if I could confirm any other opening acts for Miss Ross. I found this over at good ol' wiki:

During her IN THE NAME OF LOVE TOUR 2013-2017

Rhonda opened at various locales , Evan Ross opened for an LA performance as did Pentatonix. Naturally 7 opened a show in San Diego.
Evan and Pentatonix were the same night at the Hollywood Bowl back in 2013.

[Boogiedown]

Evan and Pentatonix were the same night at the Hollywood Bowl back in 2013.

That's right . As were Rhonda and Tracee that night.

Were you there for that mess vgalindo? I was !!!

[vgalindo]

That's right . As were Rhonda and Tracee that night.

Were you there for that mess vgalindo? I was !!!
Yes I was. I remember it well. Lol.

[Boogiedown]

Yes I was. I remember it well. Lol.

I bet ! I think one of the highlights for me was when, as the night's MC , Tracee's mic kept cutting out....lol!

[Boogiedown]

The next day Miss Ross sent a limo for him--she was performing in Connecticut and wished for M to meet her there. He went, needless to say. BG stayed in NYC sulking. Eventually M came back, saying that DR hugged him, said he was "Beautiful," said he should be a movie star, and then DR offered to manage him. Suddenly Marilyn was investing in new clothes, a new look, the whole 9 yards.

She 'offered' to manage him.....he proceeded, it sounds like, as if --- but were any papers actually signed ??

[PeaceNHarmony]

The only opening act I can remember for a Diana Ross concert was the comedian Sandy Baron. He actually was not the 'opening' act, in the technical sense. It was perhaps Diana's first actual tour, and she opened the show with a set, then introduced Baron. After his performance there was an intermission, then the second act was all Diana.

[Boogiedown]

Sandy Baron introducing Grace Jones :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N78uqqz0hJo

[Boogiedown]

At this point, Boy George had been invited to perform at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo theater. He was scared. He was invited as a solo act, not with Culture Club,something he'd never done before. He was assigned the song Signed, Sealed Delivered, to be sung as a duet with Stevie Wonder, and a second undecided song with Luther Vandross. Bg was told he'd be the only white artist on the show, which turned out not to be true when George Michael turned up for rehearsals. BG was so scared, so intimidated that he announced to Marilyn that he wasn't going. Marilyn dismissed it out of hand saying "All those FAB Motown stars are gonna be there and you're not going? Really!"

Not sure why this foreign & white guy was chosen to perform at the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo Theatre ?? Had he already appeared there with Culture Club??

Is this akin to Lopez doing the Motown Anniversary?

[reese]

Not sure why this foreign & white guy was chosen to perform at the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo Theatre ?? Had he already appeared there with Culture Club??

Is this akin to Lopez doing the Motown Anniversary?

I think Boy George, as well as George Michael, Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart were included they were popular at the time and quite soulful singers themselves. Plus they might pull in some extra viewers. Sam Harris was also on the show as he was a Motown artist at the time. The following summer, Boy George and Culture Club went on to appear on the final episode of the NBC series THE MOTOWN REVUE STARRING SMOKEY ROBINSON.

Plus white artists had played at the Apollo previously, Buddy Holly among them. The first official concert once the theater reopened was Hall and Oates, with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick

[Boogiedown]

I think Boy George and George Michael were included they were popular at the time and quite soulful singers themselves. Plus they might pull in some extra viewers. Sam Harris was also on the show as he was a Motown artist at the time. The following summer, Boy George and Culture Club went on to appear on the final episode of the NBC series THE MOTOWN REVUE STARRING SMOKEY ROBINSON.

Plus white artists had played at the Apollo previously, Buddy Holly among them. The first official concert once the theater reopened was Hall and Oates, with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick

Very good Reese. So this Apollo show was recorded and aired for prime time TV?? I wonder how it did ratings wise.

I also wonder about foreign acts historically being booked at The Apollo? Any come to mind?

[reese]

Very good Reese. So this Apollo show was recorded and aired for prime time TV?? I wonder how it did ratings wise.

I also wonder about foreign acts historically being booked at The Apollo? Any come to mind?

MOTOWN RETURNS TO THE APOLLO aired on NBC in May of 1985, a few weeks after the actual show took place. It wasn't as successful as MOTOWN 25 ratings-wise but I believe it won an Emmy.

If nothing else, this was also the show that kicked Patti LaBelle's career into high gear. The next day, I know she was all anybody in my school was talking about. After seeing her performance, the president of NBC offered her her own Thanksgivings night special and she didn't even have a current album out at the time.

[Boogiedown]

MOTOWN RETURNS TO THE APOLLO aired on NBC in May of 1985, a few weeks after the actual show took place. It wasn't as successful as MOTOWN 25 ratings-wise but I believe it won an Emmy.

If nothing else, this was also the show that kicked Patti LaBelle's career into high gear. The next day, I know she was all anybody in my school was talking about. After seeing her performance, the president of NBC offered her her own Thanksgivings night special and she didn't even have a current album out at the time.

Now I understand. This was a Motown returns to The Apollo Theatre concept to celebrate the reopening of the 50 year old Apollo that had closed in 1978. All the more reason I don't know why so many foreign acts were included.....maybe it was designed to sell to the UK/Europe market as well?

Here's the entire show :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyozXIscRVE

This is an amazing gathering of talent hosted by Bill Cosby .....Luther, Billy Preston , Patti LaBelle, Stevie , Al Green , James Brown , Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, Smokey ....etc............with a close -out by Diana Ross.

[Boogiedown]

On the Motown Returns To The Apollo TV Special :

At 23:26 ..... look who got airtime !! lol!!!

[nativeNY63]

Now I understand. This was a Motown returns to The Apollo Theatre concept to celebrate the reopening of the 50 year old Apollo that had closed in 1978. All the more reason I don't know why so many foreign acts were included.....maybe it was designed to sell to the UK/Europe market as well?

Here's the entire show :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyozXIscRVE

This is an amazing gathering of talent hosted by Bill Cosby .....Luther, Billy Preston , Patti LaBelle, Stevie , Al Green , James Brown , Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, Smokey ....etc............with a close -out by Diana Ross.

I remember walking by the Apollo, when it was shuttered! Just big 2x4s.
As kids, we thought we missed out on history. Decades later, as an adult, I attended Amateur Night at The Apollo, BEFORE it came to tv!

[Boogiedown]

I remember walking by the Apollo, when it was shuttered! Just big 2x4s.
As kids, we thought we missed out on history. Decades later, as an adult, I attended Amateur Night at The Apollo, BEFORE it came to tv!

fantastic! :cool:so many grand theatres have met their permanent demise, wonderful that The Apollo was one that got resuscitated.

[Boogiedown]

Here's the entire show :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyozXIscRVE

This is an amazing gathering of talent hosted by Bill Cosby .....Luther, Billy Preston , Patti LaBelle, Stevie , Al Green , James Brown , Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, Smokey ....etc............with a close -out by Diana Ross.

Finally , after Debarge's opening, some old school Motown gets a turn on stage : Smokey Robinson. Unfortunately Smokey has to share his billing with George Michael [[for some explainable reason), but the bigger crime here is that the song they are sharing is a hit of Michael's, not Smokey's!!!!!:confused::rolleyes:

[midnightman]

MOTOWN RETURNS TO THE APOLLO aired on NBC in May of 1985, a few weeks after the actual show took place. It wasn't as successful as MOTOWN 25 ratings-wise but I believe it won an Emmy.

If nothing else, this was also the show that kicked Patti LaBelle's career into high gear. The next day, I know she was all anybody in my school was talking about. After seeing her performance, the president of NBC offered her her own Thanksgivings night special and she didn't even have a current album out at the time.

1985 was actually her breakthrough year. Both "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up" from Beverly Hills Cop were released that year and they both became big commercial hits. Then she had Motown Returns, Live Aid and then the NBC Thanksgiving special. All of this helped to build her momentum as far as her next album, released on MCA. From 1985 to at least 1997, Patti finally established herself as an R&B superstar after 25 years in the business.

[Boogiedown]

Finally , after Debarge's opening, some old school Motown gets a turn on stage : Smokey Robinson. Unfortunately Smokey has to share his billing with George Michael [[for some explainable reason), but the bigger crime here is that the song they are sharing is a hit of Michael's, not Smokey's!!!!!:confused::rolleyes:

Here is just the Smokey/Michael performance. Thinking about it some more, this was when George was establishing himself as a single artist and was no longer of the duo called WHAM!. ......so to do two duets [[ the other with Stevie).........???...
Also , the song doesn't really play well as a duet, it's a first person's account and narrative.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZflvN5mkrxQ

George has said the huge success of CARELESS WHISPER sort of surprised and disappointed him because he considered the composition kind of light weight and not worthy. It therefore was never a particular favorite of his.

He also says the duet with Smokey was a disappointment and then declines to go into details:

https://gmforever.com/george-michaels-participation-in-the-motown-returns-to-apollo/

[lucky2012]

I can't understand George Michael's disappointment. I've always liked this song and he & Smokey were in fine form that night. Two of my favorite male vocalists on that legendary stage.

[Boogiedown]

I can't understand George Michael's disappointment. I've always liked this song and he & Smokey were in fine form that night. Two of my favorite male vocalists on that legendary stage.

I agree Lucky. They both did fine, soloing and singing together. I've watched it a couple more times and it seems to go pretty smoothly. Maybe Smokey insisted on his own entrance, for his own applause[[?) , because it certainly wasn't done as a surprise that he was joining in, Bill Cosby announced the two of them performing together. Or did Michael consider Smokey a bit distant at the start , no acknowledgment between the two, not until the very end, and then they left the stage at different exits. [[?)
The only other thing I could see that might've miffed George was the missing saxophone which apparently to George was an essential element of this song, but the missing sax would have nothing to do with Smokey ....
and for his part , Smokey seemed well rehearsed and familiar with the song, seemed to embrace it ......... ?.....