"I still want to continue making music. But definitely, I've got things to do outside of music. Not acting, in case anyone's wondering.... Just a quieter life to lead, I think, would be nice.... It's starting to become a more and more strange thing to be in the public eye these days. I think the worlds going completely mental.... Mainly the reason is because I'm 45 and I think pop music should be about youth culture.... It shouldn't be an endurance test."

Singer George Michael, former star of the 1980s band Wham! and successful solo artist of R&B, dance and jazz; speaking on-camera during an interview with BBC. He states that todays celebrity is damaging and he'd like to stay away from his own "idiocy" and not be used as a "cover" for more important news. [video] (BBC) George Michael is to appear at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC on July 29, 2008.

''The people I worked alongside showed great kindness to me at a very difficult time, and I wanted to thank them all in a way that would show my appreciation.''

DJ and singer Boy George, of the 1980s band Culture Club, speaking about a free concert that he is to give on August 17 for the sanitation department of New York City. He spent a week of community service after going to court over a false police report and possession of cocaine in 2006. (KBS Radio) Boy George is to appear at the 9:30 Club in DC on July 30, 2008.