London, Oct 23 (IANS): Singer George Michael says he was terrified of touring for 17 years because he didn't know how to deal with fame he had achieved.
The 48-year-old was "freaked out" by the worldwide sales of his 1987 debut solo album "Faith".
"I was so scared of touring because of my experience with 'Faith' and the sheer size of it all. I was half the age I am now and 'Faith' had been number one in America two Christmas in a row - that's kind of unheard of - and it was frightening," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Michael as saying.
"It seems strange that I turned my back on it but that year more Americans bought my album than Michael Jackson's 'Bad' and that, for a 24-year-old who was single, closeted and very lonely, freaked me out," he added.