The performance of "Careless Whisper" by George Michael and Motown legend Smokey Robinson at the "Motown Salutes the Apollo" event in 1985 was a culturally significant moment in music history. At the time, George Michael was a white pop superstar from Wham!, while Smokey Robinson was an icon of Soul/R&B music who helped lay the foundation for the Motown label. George Michael was one of the few white artists invited to participate in this major event, which celebrated the history of the Apollo Th