An Idol Tribute: Adam Lambert Honors George Michael At Angel Awards
American Idol singer, Adam Lambert, paid tribute to teen idol and music icon, George Michael, at Project Angel Food’s 27th Annual Angel Awards in Los Angeles over the weekend (Aug. 19).
Lambert, who was taking the night off from touring with Queen for this special honor of the late pop superstar, sang three of Michael’s hit songs including “Faith,” “One More Try,” and the fitting Queen cover of “Somebody To Love.” In 1991, the Wham! megastar covered the same song in honor of the late Freddie Mercury — with proceeds from the performance (and subsequent recording) going to the Freddie Mercury Phoenix Trust for AIDS research.
“He is such an inspiration both as a philanthropist and as an artist,” stated Lambert.
Michael donated to charities throughout his career — Project Angel Food (PAF) was one of several organizations that were recipients of his kindness and magnanimity. Donating over half a million dollars to the non-profit since 1993, making him its largest individual donor to date. Project Angel Food provides 11,000 meals a week to people living with critical illness.
It was a star-studded event. Some of the night’s celebrity guests included Aaron Carter, Carson Kressley and Cheryl Tiegs.
The portion of the evening dedicated to honoring George Michael began with a few words from his former partner, Kenny Goss. Goss co-founded The Goss-Michael Foundation with the legendary singer in 2007. The Foundation is one of the leading contemporary British art collections in the United States.
“There’s been a lot said about George since he died, but I’d love for his legacy to be his music and his generosity. I often talk to George and I like to say, ‘I love you, darling and I hope you’re proud.’”
Goss’ words melded into a moving video about the singer and the organization — proceeded by a letter from Michael’s sisters, Yioda and Melanie Panayiotou — read aloud by TV actress, Sharon Lawrence. This was one of the few times his family has participated in a [public] tribute to their beloved brother and son since his tragic passing on Christmas day 2016.
“We are glad and pleased that you are honoring George this evening for his contribution alongside the many, many dedicated volunteers throughout the years to Project Angel Food. And we hope that the joy of hearing the beautiful words of the music from Adam will remind you of George’s gift of music, and help him live in your lives.” — Yioda and Melanie Panayiotou
Michael’s family also requested PAF invite a client to the stage to accept the Elizabeth Taylor Leadership Award on the singer’s behalf — the client, Gregg Shore, who began receiving life-saving meals from the agency in 2016, was gracious in his acceptance and thanked the organization and its people who help keep the operation running — and “The great George Michael” for helping to keep the doors open.
However, the highly anticipated musical entertainment closing out the event was the highlight of the night — and well worth the wait. Lambert, knowing he was stepping into some big vocals by taking on such iconic songs as George Michael’s chart toppers, did not disappoint — giving a vivacious, heartfelt and soulful performance.
“George Michael was like [a] God-gifted voice from the heavens,” commented Lambert after finishing his powerful rendition of Michael’s ballad, “One More Try.”
The evening was a great success. There were 470 guests in attendance and the gala raised $600,000, $100,000 above the organization’s goal.
“It was our first sellout since moving to our Vine Street location 10 years ago,” said Richard Ayoub, Executive Director, PAF.
Big-ticket auction items helped them reach that goal — such as tickets to a taping of “Will & Grace” provided by the show’s star, Eric McCormick — and a reading with “Hollywood Medium,” Tyler Henry.
Tens of thousands of dollars were also raised to send children of Project angel Food clients and their parents to Cinderella at the Hollywood Pantages.
The organization has big plans for the new year — it announced Saturday night that for the first time PAF is kicking-off a three-year state-wide pilot program to deliver its medically tailored meals to critically ill clients throughout California to show that food is medicine — and that medically tailored meals can bring down state health care costs by twenty percent — The Food Is Medicine Coalition is an innovative, first of its kind, healthy food pilot project for low income Californians with chronic disease and health issues. The program is slated to begin in 2018.
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Read the letter from George Michael’s sisters in its entirety as read on-stage at the Angel Awards:
*The family requested that the actual letter not be released to the press. Below is the letter as transcribed from the Facebook LIVE video:
Hello to all at Project Angel Food.
All the guests, visitors and the participants gathered in this celebration in Los Angeles this evening from Yioda and Melanie. We send our best regards from London and hope that everything is going well.
We are glad and pleased that you are honoring George this evening for his contribution alongside the many many dedicated volunteers throughout the years to Project Angel Food. And we hope that the joy of hearing the beautiful words of the music from Adam will remind you of George’s gift, of music, and help him live in your lives.
Knowing his music and support have helped many of you when you’ve needed your spirits lifted, your sadness reflected or just a great dance ‘round the kitchen was a source of great pride for him. And if he’s looking down on you today, we’re sure that he would rightly feel that together you did a good thing.
Throughout his life, George’s sense of justice and fairness and caring always came to the fore in many kind deeds — Project Angel Food being one of many — so we are justly proud of his quiet examples of caring and generosity. We all need some love sometimes, but we always need dinner at dinnertime. So, thank you, enjoy your evening.
