14/12/2024
The Christmas song "Last Christmas", penned by gay hero philanthropist George Michael, was first released forty years ago this month, in December 1984. Quite rightly kept from the coveted Christmas Number 1 slot by the charity single "Do They know It's Christmas", to which Michael also contributed, "Last Christmas" finally made the festive top of the charts in 2023 after thirty nine years. On Saturday 14th December, BBC-2 celebrated the enduring appeal of the single, and how it had entered pop music consciousness, to appear every year as an anthem to the festive season. Sadly, Mr Michael passed away at Christmas 2016, but his legacy of kindness continues to be felt, with more and more people reporting on his generosity and kindness. For example, in the BBC2 film, Bob Geldof, the originator of the charity Band Aid single, reminded people that George Michael gifts all profits from "Last Christmas" to the Ethiopian Famine Relief fund as well.
