Tonight the Music Seems So Loud by Sathnam Sanghera

This is a well-researched tribute to George Michael’s iconic creativity and the pop star who also penned enduring songs such as ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Last Christmas’.

Firmly from the viewpoint of his creative work, the author weaves in his life while writing about his music and extraordinary work. We learn about his upbringing and the massive success he had as part of Wham! at a young age, with his bleached blonde hair and tiny shorts. They were everywhere and the first Western pop group to play in Communist China.

The book goes on to explore his solo career and how he performed with some of the greatest musicians of the time, such as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder; his voice and songs were now more soul than pop, and arguably this work is what has made him such an iconic British musician.

He also lived through the AIDS crisis, and the book explores the impact of fame on his life.

This is a book more about his creative work than anything else, though – so it will be of interest to any musician or singer, as well as his many fans.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Picador