Geri Horner to release first solo single in 12 years as a tribute to late friend George Michael
IT’S been 12 long years since GERI HORNER last released a single in the UK.
But the death of her close friend GEORGE MICHAEL has seen the SPICE GIRLS legend return to her successful solo career.
Ginger Spice will release her track Angels In Chains on June 23, two days before what would have been George’s 54th birthday.
She has spent six months secretly working on the song with members of George’s musical family, including his famed backing singer SHIRLEY LEWIS and producer Chris Porter.
Geri played me Angels In Chains at Air Studios, one of George’s favourite studios in North London where he had worked for many years.
It’s a poignant, emotional but ultimately uplifting tribute to the legendary singer, which includes references to some of his most famous songs including Faith and Freedom.
Geri wrote the track after learning of George’s death on Christmas Day.
At the time she was heavily pregnant with her son Montague, who was later given the middle name George in honour of the ex-WHAM! star.
Geri recalled: “He had such an impact on my life.
“I didn’t know what to do with all my feelings.
He was such a great person as well as an artist
Geri on late friend George Michael
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"When we have grief, you have to share it with each other. It was like a gift, it pushed me out the door.”
Geri had been discussing her return to music with George before his shocking death but admits she had been suffering from a lack of confidence.
She said: “It’s not until I sit here with you and realise how, for the last 12 years I’ve been writing and writing and writing — and I think I was quite scared if I’m really honest.
“I thought, you know, I’m not the hotpants girl, the young thing. That was an era and how am I going to come back?
“So I kept on writing these songs, and I used to always play them to George and he’d say, ‘Leave a bit of time — you can have an evolution.’ ”
Geri will donate all proceeds from the song to Childline, one of George’s favourite charities.
She said: “I met up with ESTHER RANTZEN. I played her the record.
And she told me that all the proceeds of Jesus To A Child, George gave to Childline — every single penny.
“He was so generous. I didn’t know that until she told me. He was so kind and he didn’t want to show off about it.
When you have grief, you have to share...it was a gift
“You just think, what a man, what a great human being as well as an artist.
“The more joy and good can come out of it . . . I think George would approve of that. Every step I’ve taken I’ve tried to think. ‘Would he approve of this?’ ” I asked Geri, one of the few people who remained close to George, if he was happy in his final months.
She replied sadly: “I think he was coming back.
“He sent me Christmas presents, he was making a documentary.
“So it’s very sad that we lose him. You know, in the song, I say, ‘Why do the good die young, why?’
“We just don’t know. You just have to think thank God we had him for that long.”
- Watch my exclusive interview with Geri during my Insider segment this morning on Lorraine from 8.30am on ITV.
ELTON'S TRIBUTE
SIR Elton John would play at a memorial concert to celebrate George Michael’s life, according to his husband David Furnish.
He said Elton, 70, was devastated by his death.
David said: “George stood for so many great things.
“If there was an appropriate way to celebrate him, I’m sure Elton would want to be involved.”