George Michael says he'll release music for free.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.nme.com/news/107800.htm

GEORGE MICHAEL will ‘retire’ from the music industry after his current album – but he has no plans to retire from music.

Speaking on Jo Whiley’s Radio 1 show about his new album ‘Patience’, he announced that it would be his last conventional album, with all subsequent music made available to fans for free or in exchange for charity donations.

He revealed: "I think (‘Patience’) is going to be my last commercially promoted release. I’ve been very well remunerated as they say for my talents over the years so I really don’t need the public’s money. I’d really like to have something on the Internet with charitable donation optional, where anyone can download my music for free. I’ll have my favourite charities up there and people will hopefully contribute to that."

He explained the move would also help him reduce his profile, and so media intrusion. "I’m not pretending I won’t be famous any more, but believe me in the modern world if you take yourself out of the financial aspect of things, ie you’re not making anybody any money or you’re not losing anybody any money, believe me I’ll be of very little interest to the press in a certain number of years."

-What a decent guy.

[Fenris]

1. That was my thought, SLB

As much as I do not enjoy his music, there is something quite endearing about giving away your music because you realize you have enough money.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

2. Yeah. He has become considerably cooler since he came out in '98.

Of course, I wish he'd been this cool in 1984, then perhaps we could have avoided 'Careless Whisper'

[Fenris]

4. LOL

Dammit I'm gonna be late for class.:D

[mhr]

5. Well I'm Not So Sure, I Have An Extended 33 Single Of Careless Whisper

It is the best recorded and pressed recording I have.

He sounds bloody good!

Way better than any CD.

Best part, it only cost me a quarter at the second hand store.

BTW, the ladies love it.

Definitely a collector's item!

[kmla]

3. As one who usually shuns those who pose rather than perform....

... I have a great amount of respect for George Michael. He really started earning my respect about the time of "Listen without Prejudice". Although he rode the teen pop idol horse early in his career, he decided to get stop riding. However, Sony wanted him to keep on going. Hence their battle, and his disappearance from the stateside airwaves. I respect him for standing up for his beliefs.

Hope he is successful at this endeavor.