George Michael's Prison Sentence Forces Delay of 'Faith' Reissue

It's not so easy to promote a new album from inside a prison cell. At least, that seems to be the reasoning behind Sony Music's decision to push back the release date for George Michael's 'Faith' reissue, which was originally scheduled for the end of this month. NME reports that, in the wake of Michael's eight-week sentence -- half of which he is serving behind bars -- the label is now looking to release the reissue sometime next year.

Following his rise to pop stardom with Wham! in the early 1980s, 'Faith' was George Michael's solo debut and it lifted him from "star" to the more elite "superstar" status. Originally released in 1987, 'Faith' became a worldwide phenomenon that yielded a number of international hits, accompanied by iconic videos including the then-controversial 'I Want Your Sex.' It has sold more than 20 million copies and was easily Michael's high-water mark: he arranged and produced the album himself and the music still holds up, more than two decades later. When it finally does see the light of day, the 'Faith' reissue will be offered in various configurations including three different physical bundles and a limited-edition boxed set.

Michael's sentence is the end result of a July incident in which the 47-year-old musician crashed his Range Rover into a London storefront on his way home from the city's annual gay pride parade. Michael pled guilty to driving while unfit and admitted to officers at the crash site that he had been smoking cannabis -- an activity he reportedly does many times, daily, according to his own past admissions. Michael has had several automobile incidents prior to this, where it was determined that he was unfit to drive. In addition to his eight-week sentence, Michael is banned from driving for six months. Maybe now Michael will learn his lesson -- hire a driver.