George Michael to Release Anticipated Retrospective Set, Twenty Five

Three Versions of Twenty Five Gives Fans Three Different Ways to Experience George Michael's Greatest Hits

NEW YORK, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 1 2008, superstar George Michael will release Twenty Five, a compendium of his most beloved hits. In celebration of twenty-five years of George Michael's worldwide musical legacy, fans will be able to grab two and three-disc editions of Twenty Five, as well as a two-disc DVD collection of Michael's famous music videos.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080401/NYTU167 )

Six new recordings will appear on the two-CD album, including a duet with Paul McCartney on a re-recording of "Heal the Pain" as well as "As" with Mary J. Blige and "Feeling Good" a song previously recorded by legendary jazz chanteuse Nina Simone and which George sings on the finale of the new hit ABC series, Eli Stone. A seventh new song, "Understand," can be found on the three-disc set, which combines the two-CD tracklisting with a third CD of 15 extra songs.

As one of the earliest, most influential music video stars, George Michael's two-disc DVD collection is a must-have for all fans. The Twenty Five DVD set spans the decades -- from Wham!'s "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" to "Careless Whisper," the supermodel-laden "Freedom 90," and the controversial, animated video, "Shoot the Dog."

George Michael has enjoyed one of the most successful and enduring careers in the history of pop music, selling more than 85 million records globally and encompassing seven US No. 1 singles, two Grammy awards, three American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and two prestigious Ivor Novello awards for songwriting. His record "Faith" has sold over 20 million copies alone. In addition, Michael has garnered 11 British No. 1 singles and seven British No. 1 albums. He recently was declared the most played British artist on radio over the course of the last 20 years. Last week Michael was seen making his American acting debut last week on the new hit ABC series, Eli Stone, in which each episode is titled after one of his songs.

After performing 80 shows in 12 European countries for a staggering 1.3 million fans -- including 2 sold-out nights where he re-opened the world famous Wembley Stadium -- legendary superstar George Michael will be bringing his smash 25 LIVE tour to North American Arenas in the summer of 2008 in support of his new retrospective record. This will be Michael's first North American tour in almost twenty years.

North American tour dates for George's tour, 25 Live, go on sale to the public this weekend, April 5th and April 6th.

For more information about the George Michael, please visit: www.georgemichael.com

OFFICIAL 25 LIVE U.S. CONCERT DATES:

6/17 San Diego/San Diego Sports Arena
6/19 San Jose/HP Pavilion
6/21 Las Vegas/MGM Grand
6/22 Phoenix/US Airways Center
6/25 Los Angeles/Great Western Forum
7/2 Seattle/Key Arena
7/4 Vancouver/General Motors Place
7/7 St Paul/Xcel Energy Center
7/9 Chicago/United Center
7/13 Dallas/American Airlines Center
7/14 Houston/Toyota Center
7/17 Toronto/Air Canada Centre
7/18 Montreal/Bell Centre
7/21 New York/MSG
7/23 New York/MSG
7/26 Philadelphia/Wachovia Center
7/27 Boston/TD Banknorth Garden
7/29 Washington DC/Verizon Center
7/31 Atlanta/Philips Arena
8/2 Tampa/St Pete Times Forum
8/3 Sunrise/Bank Atlantic Center

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080401/NYTU167
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN23
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: PMK-HBH Public Relations

CONTACT: North America, Cindi Berger or Bianca Bianconi of PMK-HBH Public
Relations, +1-212-582-1111; International, Connie Filippello of Connie
Filippello Publicity, +44-207-229-5400

Web site: http://www.georgemichael.com/

2008-04-01 17:00:36 0325545 PRNEWSWIRE