Exploring the Pen Name
Another Pseudonym Birthday...This Time George Michael
(During the month of June, here at Today the Dragon Wins we explore the use of pseudonyms. Don't forget to participate in the discussion in the comment field to enter the contest for a copy of the eBook versions of Choices Meant for Gods and Apparitions. Details were posted June 1.)

If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm a child of the '80s. I loved the hair bands, the pop bands, the easy music bands, the metal bands, the teen movies, the Bond movies (Roger Moore is my fave), the teeny-bopper magazines with their ludicrous headlines (What Can You Do To Get Scott Bao To Like You? What Hairstyle Makes The Greatest American Hero Swoon?), the cheesy TV shows with the cheesy music beds. So, of course, I must celebrate one more pen name out of the '80s...that Wham! UK singer himself...George Michael.

His real name? I couldn't begin to spell it correctly. Thus the genius behind changing it when he went into show biz. (or music biz, as the case may be) It's Greek. Like a god from the pantheon, yes?

Anyway. I'm a fan. I adored Wham and still get that "oooo yay!" feeling when one of their songs filters across the radio waves. And I followed George's career right up to present day. Let me tell you something. The first time I heard Waltz Away Dreaming by Toby Bourke and George Michael, I cried. Tears, people. Tears. It's just lovely. And George's An Easier Affair is just to die for. Yum.

George Michael is still an amazing artist in this decade. He's not just that lovely Greek Adonis from the '80s. That pen name worked out well, I'd say. Happy Birthday, George!

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: George Michael, pseudonym, pen names, Wham, Birthday, dragon