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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Michael makes history at Wembley | Michael makes history at Wembley |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| George Michael has become the first singer to perform at the new Wembley Stadium, nearly seven years after the last concert at the London venue. | |
| He performed hits from his Wham! days and his solo career as part of the first of two shows at the iconic venue. | He performed hits from his Wham! days and his solo career as part of the first of two shows at the iconic venue. |
| The north-London-born singer said it was an "amazing honour". "I have felt a huge association with Wembley from when I was a child," he told reporters. | |
| "People can expect one of the best shows they have ever seen," he added. | "People can expect one of the best shows they have ever seen," he added. |
| The gig comes a day after he was sentenced to 100 hours of community service for driving while unfit. | The gig comes a day after he was sentenced to 100 hours of community service for driving while unfit. |
| Asked how that had affected his preparations, he replied: "Not at all, not in the slightest. It's just nice to have it out of the way." | Asked how that had affected his preparations, he replied: "Not at all, not in the slightest. It's just nice to have it out of the way." |
| The singer said the first show was an "enormous honour" Magistrates also disqualified the 43-year-old from driving for two years, after he was found slumped behind the wheel of his Mercedes in October 2006. | The singer said the first show was an "enormous honour" Magistrates also disqualified the 43-year-old from driving for two years, after he was found slumped behind the wheel of his Mercedes in October 2006. |
| He appeared at Brent Magistrates' Court in north London on Friday. | He appeared at Brent Magistrates' Court in north London on Friday. |
| He previously admitted the offence, saying he was guilty due to tiredness and prescription drugs. | He previously admitted the offence, saying he was guilty due to tiredness and prescription drugs. |
| European tour | European tour |
| Michael is no stranger to Wembley, having played with Wham! at 1985's Live Aid concert and as a solo artist, most recently at 1999's Net Aid show. | Michael is no stranger to Wembley, having played with Wham! at 1985's Live Aid concert and as a solo artist, most recently at 1999's Net Aid show. |
| The UK leg of his European 25 Live 2007 tour also includes stadium shows in Norwich, Manchester, Glasgow and Plymouth. | The UK leg of his European 25 Live 2007 tour also includes stadium shows in Norwich, Manchester, Glasgow and Plymouth. |
| Rock bands Muse and Metallica are also playing the rebuilt Wembley this summer, which will also play host to Concert for Diana - featuring Sir Elton John and Duran Duran - and Live Earth, which will include Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers. | Rock bands Muse and Metallica are also playing the rebuilt Wembley this summer, which will also play host to Concert for Diana - featuring Sir Elton John and Duran Duran - and Live Earth, which will include Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers. |
| Bon Jovi were the last act to play at Wembley in August 2000, before the old stadium was torn down as part of a £757m redevelopment. | Bon Jovi were the last act to play at Wembley in August 2000, before the old stadium was torn down as part of a £757m redevelopment. |
| They were due to re-open Wembley last summer, but construction delays meant the new stadium did not open for business until March. | They were due to re-open Wembley last summer, but construction delays meant the new stadium did not open for business until March. |
| Bon Jovi will now be the first band to play a full show at the O2 arena - the former Millennium Dome - on 24 June. | Bon Jovi will now be the first band to play a full show at the O2 arena - the former Millennium Dome - on 24 June. |