George Michael accuses Elton John over 'gay grapevine'
George Michael has hit back at Elton John after the outspoken star criticised his new album and his private life.
Sir Elton claimed last month: “George is in a strange place. There seems to be a deep-rooted unhappiness in his life and it shows on the album. All I would say to George is: you should get out more.”
Now Michael has launched a counter-attack in an extraordinary open letter.
The singer accused Sir Elton of spreading gossip about him picked up from the “gay grapevine” and claimed the two men had never been good friends.
The letter was written to Heat magazine, which carried the original Sir Elton interview.
“Much as I am saddened to have to write this letter in full view of the general public, I feel I have no choice but to defend myself (and my partner Kenny, in a way) from some of the comments that Elton made,” Michael said.
“In order that my fans do not take Elton’s ‘observations’ about my life too seriously, or worry about the ‘strange place’ I’m in these days, I think that it’s time to set the record straight about my friendship with Sir Elton John, and how he may have come to such negative conclusions about my life.”
He wrote: “Elton John knows very little about George Michael, and that’s a fact. Contrary to the public’s impression, we have spoken rarely in the last 10 years, and what would probably surprise most people is that we have never discussed my private life. Ever.
“Those really close to me, straight or gay, would tell you that I am not secretive at all in terms of my sexuality. In fact the phrase ‘too much information’ comes to mind occasionally, but with Elton it was never like that. Sadly, I was always aware that Elton’s circle of friends was the busiest rumour mill in town, and that respect for my privacy was not exactly guaranteed.
“So, we never became genuinely close, which is very sad. And to this day, most of what Elton thinks he knows about my life is pretty much limited to the gossip he hears on what you would call the ‘gay grapevine’ which, as you can imagine, is lovely stuff indeed. Other than that, he knows that I don’t like to tour, that I smoke too much pot, and that my albums still have a habit of going to number one.
“In other words, he knows as much as most of my fans do.”
Besides the jibe about chart-topping albums – Sir Elton’s latest, Peachtree Road, debuted at a disappointed number 21 while Michael’s album Patience went straight in at number one – Michael also made some sly digs at his fellow star’s age and career.
“I will always be grateful to Elton for the inspiration that he gave me as a child,” Michael wrote, noting that the Rocket Man’s songs were “still dear to me 30 years on”.
Sir Elton had said he was upset that Michael no longer performed live and was happier staying at home.
But Michael’s letter said: “What he doesn’t know is that I have rarely been as happy and confident as I am today, thanks to my partner Kenny and the continued support of my fans.
“If I stay at home too much, if anything it is because I am too contented right now. I have travelled the world many times and, at 41, I think I have earned the right to a quiet life, which I truly love, and maybe Elton just can’t relate to that.
“After all, he tours incessantly, he is a great artist and loves to play live. We are totally different in that sense. He makes millions playing those old classics day in and day out, whereas my drive and passion is still about the future, and the songs I have yet to write for the public.”
He ended by expressing surprise that Sir Elton “seems to have forgotten me calling him a few months back to tell him that my American royalties from Patience would be donated entirely to the Elton John Aids Foundation.”
Sir Elton made his comments last month in the same interview which saw him discuss the Beckhams’ marriage.
In recent months he has been forthcoming with his opinions on a variety of stars, accusing Madonna of lip-synching through her last tour.
