Nobody had or ever will have the charisma and power of George Michael

[MorrisZapp]

Holy shit. Watched a great documentary last night about the death of Freddie Mercury, it was so moving.

Following his death, his band mates organised a massive tribute concert at Wembley to raise Aids awareness. It was that typical 80s mixture of sublime and ridiculous.

The acts all went down well but when George Michael took the stage to sing Somebody to Love it was simply another level, another world.

The power and beauty of that man, who even on that stage was still closeted himself, was just overwhelming.

Freddie was unique, a true original. But George Michael to me was his equal. Both gone far too soon.

Did anyone else see it? We were pissing ourselves at the bits with Def Leppard. Oh god, the eighties.

It was in 1991 but I call that the eighties :)

Having seen them both live, Freddie was far more charismatic.

Just my opinion, life would be jolly dull if we all liked the same things.

He's never been my cup of tea and personally, have my own preferred artists with subjectively better stage presence. But objectively, he was v talented indeed and of course there are plenty of fans who agree with you.

My overriding impression of him is what a thoroughly lovely person he was away from the spotlight. I've heard many tales.

He was amazing. I'm mesmerised by him!

I was amazed at how ordinary david Bowie was, reading the obituaries. The Live Aid concert, and the Freddie Mercury concert were quite something!

The acts all went down well but when George Michael took the stage to sing Somebody to Love it was simply another level, another world.

I think that was a very special moment, both a tribute and and amazing display of talent.

For me personally they don't compare at all, Freddie was in a different league. His stage presence was amazing. I always found George Michael a bit bland.

30 years on and Freddies music is still played that to me says everything. He was the ultimate showman.

I was at that concert. Was 1992.

Freddie was dynamic on stage, not keen on George Michael but I do miss Bon Scott.

He was outstanding at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert - by far the best performer, but even I, as a MASSIVE George fan, don't think there has been a better showman than Freddie. However, if I could pick one to 'come back' , it'd definitely be George.

They were both incredibly powerful singers and stage presences. The world is a poorer place for their loss.

I watched a documentary about George Michael a couple of years ago and it reminded me what an amazing singer he was - his voice is one of the few that can give me goosebumps. Having said that, back in the 80s I wasn't a massive fan and I think GM was always slightly tainted in my head by the cheesiness of Wham, but as an adult I appreciate him far more. Such a shame that he sank into drug and drink and sex addiction in his later years

Nobody had or ever will have the charisma and power of George Michael

If you say so. Not sure why people make these exaggerated declarations based on their preference but whatever makes you feel better.

Haven't seen this username around in a while though. Welcome back

I only realised how much I loved him when he died. So many of songs impacted on my life. He was fabulous.

I watched the same documentary. At the time I said that George Michael was the only one who came close to Freddie Mercury. He was, in my opinion, a very close second.

I gather he was an incredibly kind and generous man though and that to me speaks more than even his awesome talent.

George Michael stole the show at the Freddie Tribute Concert just as Queen (especially Freddie!) stole the show at Live Aid.

I can imagine Freddie saying All right in that inimitable way of his after George's rendition of Somebody to Love

The part of the Freddie Tribute concert that has me alternatively cringing and laughing is Axel Rose in his underpants, just why?

I remember watching the Freddie tribute concert in '91 and thinking George should take over fronting Queen. However, in hindsight I don't think he could've handled the entire Queen catalogue. Adam Lambert has proven to be a perfect fit for the job. But yeah George was an incredible vocalist and performer.

Freddie Mercury gave me the creeps, I was completely freaked out by Bohemiam Rhapsody as a child with all the 'I've just killed a man and frightening thunderbolts etc and it went on soooo long. Freddie was forever shouting and strutting about from what I could make out. Never liked Queen or their music, just not my cup of tea.

George Michael was the best. I was going to marry him and everything. Careless Whisper remains one of my favourite songs.
During lockdown I discovered Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy and Ken said GM never had an off day while reacting to his singing at the Freddie Mercury tribute. I'll try and find it.

I'm a big GM fan. For me, GM was a better singer than Freddie, but Freddie was more of a showman.

I've seen Adam Lambert in concert with Queen and he was mesmerisingly brilliant, such that it started to drag when he left the stage for Brian May to perform a very long guitar number.