Steve Mitchell - George Michael
Steve’s love of singing came from a very early age.
Encouraged by his father, a professional classical pianist and his mother a soprano, music was a big thing in the Mitchell household.
The year of 1984 was an influential turning point for 14-year-old Steve, he discovered the music of George Michael through a screening on MTV with “Everything she wants”
Over the next 30 years, Steve followed George Michael in a fanatical fashion, always singing his songs but not on any public performances. Steve performed in many cover and show bands in the UK and even a 5-year spell in the United States for a touring show band on the casino circuit in Texas and Louisiana, but never covered George Michael.
A “now or never” moment in 2017 pushed Steve to apply for a touring show looking for a vocalist to sing the songs of George Michael. Since that moment, Steve has committed to celebrating George’s music and has performed all over the UK and in Europe.
Steve first met Dave West at a performance at the Clapham Grand Theatre in London in the summer of 2018, and from that day Steve and Dave have built a great friendship.
“The experience of teaming up with Dave on the georgemichael.show is very exciting. Dave’s association with George Michael in those very early days is a wonderful story and very special. And the musicians on these concerts are so talented and I’m excited to show fans everywhere my passion and love in these performances of George’s brilliant songs.”… Steve Mitchell
Dave West - Bass
Dave “Westy” West is an experienced bassist who has worked mainly with pop, funk, soul and R&B acts. He started his career in the early 80’s as a guitarist and quickly moved to bass when offered a European tour with a local band.
His first notable sessions were with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley when he played on the original demos for Careless Whisper and Wham Rap. These and other songs such as Club Tropicana, Bad Boys and Love Machine were also the basis for early rehearsals which included George, Dave and brothers, Andrew and Paul Ridgeley.
George also introduced Dave to Hazel O’Connor, who he continued to play with (and later produce) for over 10 years. He has also worked with Bonnie Tyler, Boy George, Pete Cox (Go West), Samantha Fox, LTJ Bukhem, The Q-Tips and many others. He was also honoured to work with the legends Brian Bennett and Brian May on a version of “Move it” for Sir Cliff.
Until now, Dave had politely turned down the many offers to join any Wham! or George Michael “tributes”. But after seeing Steve Mitchell’s impressive performance as George, they became firm friends and Steve asked Dave to join him to produce a show “Celebrating George Michael”.
“I hope that you enjoy this celebration of George and his music. I am so very proud and honoured to be a part of it and I thank and dedicate these performances to George who did so much to help my career.”… Westy
Jay Patel - Keyboards
Jay is an experienced player who continues to work on a number of projects, including his much-loved soul/funk band in and around the home counties. His credits include Carl Mackintosh of the band Loose Ends whose hits included “Hanging on a string”.
Jay just loves playing so much and especially with the exciting new Celebrating George Michael show. “They are all great musicians”
In addition to that, by day, Jay is a Chartered Engineer and manages a team who plans wireless systems for all major music, sporting, royal and other events in the UK.
Bucket list includes. Playing at Glastonbury & Ronnie Scott’s.
Ray Uren - Guitar
Ray took up the guitar aged twelve and was influenced by a host of different players before gravitating towards the sound of LA session musicians who tended to work for the songs they were performing on rather than themselves.
Over many years he has honed his skills in various bands playing at a host of prestigious venues developing proficiency in many different styles of music.
In recent years has played with show band ” Souled Out” entertaining private and corporate clients up and down the country as well as other top venues throughout Europe.
Now, as the featured guitarist with Celebrating George Michael, he has the opportunity to put his skills garnered over those years to good use with the broad spectrum of material played by George during his career.
Ray is also the band practical joker!
Deano Rice - Drums
Deano has been playing drums in venues up and down the country since he was 13 years old. Over the years he has picked up all styles of drumming from pop, rock and funk all the way to jazz and reggae and just about everything in between.
Due to this huge array of versatility he has played for many bands over the country.
Deano is also in high demand for his abilities in the studio, playing and recording sessions for many artists in the UK and internationally.
He is also a vocalist and plays guitar, bass and keys making himself a valuable musical asset to a number of bands. But, drums are his number one instrument and is where his heart lies.
Deano also turns up for rehearsals and shows sporting one of his many caps… So, keep an eye out to see what he’s wearing next!
Lester Osborne - Percussion
As an accomplished and much sought after percussionist, Lester has worked with some of the best society/party and Latin bands on the circuit. This includes bands such as M.I.B, The Talent, Mixed feelings, Rollacoaster, Bamboleo, Tropicalia and many more.
Lester has played and recorded all over the world including Spain, Italy, France, Cuba, New York, and of course in the UK.
He has also graced the stages of many prestigious venues including the Albert Hall, Houses of Parliament and Alnwick Castle, and performing to the likes of David and Victoria Beckham, H.R.H Prince of Wales, John Travolta, Camilla Parker Bowles, World Champion Boxer Roberto Duran, Jonathan Ross, The Sultan of Oman.
We are so pleased that Lester will be joining us on some of the shows.
Alisha Ayles - Backing Vocals
Alisha is a Hampshire-based vocalist who graduated ACM with a first-class honours degree and has been performing since she was a child.
From performing in a girl band in her teen years to gigging most weekends at weddings up and down the country, music has been her passion her whole life. 70’s/80’s music is her favourite and says that “getting to replicate the music of George is a real pleasure”.
Alisha is also the Celebrate George Michael main vocal arranger working with the rest of the singers (including Steve) to help achieve that great George sound.
Emma Skelly - Backing Vocals
“Skelly” is a freelance session singer and vocal arranger based in London. Having grown up surrounded by music and starting singing lessons from a young age.
She has since completed a degree in professional vocal performance and now works in all aspects of the industry, from singing backing vocals for artists or as the front woman for various bands to writing and recording her own and others’ music.
Emma has had the opportunity to perform in venues ranging from the Royal Albert Hall to Disneyland and for the BBC, performing music ranging from Classical and Choral music to Pop and R&B.
Her original music falls under the artist name Skelly which she shares with her brother; a trumpet player by trade, but together, they write, produce and record everything.
Their full album is set to come out in the autumn, following the success of their debut EP.
Celebrating George Michael Dates
More dates to be announced soon.
Fri
14
Feb
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Celebrating George Michael
Westcliff Theatre, Tower Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1LE
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Fri
07
Mar
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Celebrating George Michael
The Hazlitt Theatre – Maidstone, Kent Earl Street, Town Centre, Maidstone ME14 1PL
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Sat
08
Mar
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Celebrating George Michael
The Broadway Theatre – Catford Catford Rd, London SE6 4RU
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Thu
20
Mar
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Celebrating George Michael
Theatre Royal Wakefield Drury Lane, Wakefield WF1 2TE, Wakefield, Yorkshire
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Fri
21
Mar
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Celebrating George Michael
Burton Town Hall King Edward Pl, Burton-on-Trent DE14 2EB
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Fri
04
Apr
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Celebrating George Michael
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Westgate Street, Bury St. Edmunds IP33 1QR
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Fri
11
Apr
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Celebrating George Michael
Berkhamsted Civic Centre, 161 High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 3HB
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Sat
26
Apr
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Celebrating George Michael
Leatherhead Theatre 7 Church St, Leatherhead KT22 8DN
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Fri
02
May
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Celebrating George Michael
Strode Theatre, Somerset Church Road, Street BA16 0AB
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Sat
03
May
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Celebrating George Michael
The Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay Babbacombe Downs Rd, Torquay TQ1 3LU
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Sat
17
May
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Celebrating George Michael
Sunderland Live , Mercantile Rd, Houghton le Spring DH4 5PH
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Sun
25
May
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Celebrating George Michael
Gulbenkian Arts Centre, University Of Kent, Gulbenkian, Canterbury CT2 7NB
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Sat
31
May
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Celebrating George Michael
Walsall Arena Hawbush Road, Leamore, Walsall WS3 1AG
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Fri
06
Jun
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Celebrating George Michael
Yeadon Town Hall High St, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7PP
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Sat
07
Jun
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Celebrating George Michael
Blackburn Theatre Aqueduct Rd, Blackburn BB2 4HT
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Sat
21
Jun
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Celebrating George Michael
The Miller of Mansfield, High St, Goring, Reading RG8 9AW
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Sun
22
Jun
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Celebrating George Michael
Mill Cottage, Lock Approach, Goring, Reading RG8 9AD
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Sat
28
Jun
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Celebrating George Michael
The Tivoli Theatre – Wimborne West Borough, Wimborne Minster BH21 1LT
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Sat
16
Aug
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Celebrating George Michael
Madrid - Spain - TBC
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Sun
24
Aug
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Celebrating George Michael
The Blackpool Winter Gardens, 97 Church St, Blackpool FY1 1HL
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Sat
13
Sep
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Celebrating George Michael
The Stag Theatre, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ
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Thu
18
Sep
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Celebrating George Michael
The Witham, 3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle DL12 8LY
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Fri
19
Sep
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Celebrating George Michael
Phoenix Theatre, 37A Beaconsfield St, Blyth NE24 2DS
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Sat
20
Sep
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Celebrating George Michael
The Forum Billingham, The Causeway, Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham TS23 2LJ
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Wed
08
Oct
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Celebrating George Michael
The Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath, Scotland DD11 1AW
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Thu
09
Oct
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Celebrating George Michael
Scotland - Venue TBC
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Fri
10
Oct
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Celebrating George Michael
Albert Halls, Stirling, Scotland FK8 2QL
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Sat
11
Oct
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Celebrating George Michael
VENUE TBC - Scotland
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Fri
24
Oct
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Celebrating George Michael
The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Ave, Radlett WD7 8HL
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Fri
27
Mar
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Celebrating George Michael
Southhill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead,Bracknell, RG12 7PA
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Steve has the voice of George Michael, so uncanny and incredible.
Close your eyes and its George Michael.
Steve Mitchell, who takes on the mantle of George Michael, sounds uncannily like him and the attention to detail is very noticeable.
Steve’s voice is on point,he sounds just like George Michael
It is like listening to George himself! I am sure George is watching and feeling very pleased with the performance. Fantastic show!