I’m not trying to be George. I’m celebrating his music
X FACTOR WINNER JOE MCELDERRY TELLS MARION MCMULLEN HOW SINGING WITH GEORGE MICHAEL CHANGED HIS LIFE
THE music of George Michael was always playing around the house when Joe Mcelderry was a lad.
“For a young singer he was the ultimate male artist,” says Joe. “I looked up to him and listened to his music growing up. My Mam was a huge fan and his songs were playing at home ALL the time.
“When it was announced that I was going to sing with him on the X Factor she said ‘I can’t believe he’s going to sing with you’”. He laughs: “I still don’t know if that was a compliment or an insult.”
Joe went on to beat Olly Murs to win the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009 and his journey began when he sang George Michael’s Praying For Time at bootcamp.
George Michael himself then turned up to duet with him on the live show singing Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me and Joe’s mum was in the audience to cheer him on.
“I can’t actually believe I’m introducing this man to the stage,” said Joe. Their duet received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell and Co and George said Joe rose to the occasion. He said of the young singer “I think he’s got a great future”.
South Shields-born Joe says he remembers the life-changing performance vividly. “I had an awful feeling that he wasn’t there at the start,” he says. “It was a whirlwind then. There was so much to do in that show that weekend and at that time the biggest thing for me was winning the show. During rehearsals, I was terrified and excited.
“George was so lovely and gracious about the whole performance and made it all about me and he went out of his way to make me feel comfortable.
“I grew up with his music and he was like an icon to me. It didn’t feel quite real.
He invited me to his dressing room and we were there sipping a cup of tea and he was giving me advice about the business. ”
Joe laughs: “I’m an 18 year old, I’m sitting there, sipping tea and having a chat with George Michael like we are mates.”
Now Joe is planning to celebrate the music of the former Wham! star with a special Freedom tour. “It’s a privilege to sing George Michael,” explains Joe. “Appearing with him on The X Factor was a special moment in itself.
“I’ve sung his music in my concerts and I was approached during lockdown and asked if I was interested in taking a show of his music on the road.
“For the first time since winning X Factor I had the time to look back on the footage and everything from that time on Youtube.
“If we played everything from George we could end up with a four and a half hour show. We’ve had to edit them down a bit, but I will be playing all the hits and some fan favourites as well.
“I didn’t have to go back to listen to any of the songs... I know all the words. “I’m not trying to be George. It is me singing his music and celebrating his music. I have the greatest respect and admiration for his music. I wish I was as good a songwriter. He was a genius.”
Audiences can expect songs like Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go, Faith, Fast Love, I’m Your Man, Outside and, of course Freedom.
Joe will be touring with a big band and says the concerts will be pretty special after all the lockdowns.
“This industry has taken a huge battering and people have lost loved ones,” he says. “I was out on tour just before last Christmas and we still had the Omicron variant and all of that but I think things are starting to feel more normal again.
“I went online through lockdown and people supported my career and fans loved the performances.
“People from America, Germany and all over the world would join in and we did quizzes as well.
“It was lovely getting loads of messages from people all over the world and it allowed me to continue to do what I love. There was this real community spirit.”
Joe’s career has seen him reach number one chart success with his first single The Climb, win the second series of ITV’S Popstar To Operastar and appear as Joseph in the UK tour of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
“Before Covid, I was adrenalinefuelled, always going from one project to the next, jumping on a train or getting in a car,” he admits.
Joe celebrated his 30th birthday last year but kept the partying lowkey. “I come from a big family so had three Covid secure parties for just 30 people. We were very strict on numbers and it was a case of ‘if you’re not invited, don’t come.”
“In lockdown I missed my job so much,” he admits. “Singing is my passion. I am used to spending months on the road touring and performing.
“I love my house, its a very homely home, but, honestly, I don’t want to see my living room again for a year.”
Visit joemcelderryofficial.com for dates and ticket information for Freedom – Joe Mcelderry Honours George Michael in Concert tour