George Michael Announces His First Tour In 17 Years

George Michael will embark on his first U.S. tour in 17 years, dubbed the “25 Live” trek, beginning this summer.

Michael’s new jaunt will kick off at the San Diego Sports Arena on June 17, before moving through 22 cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston and New York before wrapping up in Sunrise, FL at the Bank Atlantic Center in August.

His new album, a retrospective record called “Twenty-Five,” is due out stateside on April 1. The compilation features 29 songs including duets with Sir Paul McCartney and the Queen of hip-hop soul, Mary J. Blige. The record also includes songs from Michael’s solo career and from his past fronting classic ’80s outfit, WHAM!

A companion 2-disc DVD set of videos will also be released.

In the last year, Michael played 80 shows in 12 European countries to 1.3 million fans as part of the trek.

The stateside leg of the jaunt has a new component to it though. Michael teamed up with iTunes and Ticketmaster. Together they have produced a media package allowing fans access to his videos, songs and tickets to one of his “25 Live” shows in North America.

Packages go on sale on iTunes, March 25.

Tickets for the general public go on sale the weekend of April 6.

In related news, Michael, recently filmed another guest spot for ABC’s new series, “Eli Stone,” alongside fellow Brit Johnny Lee Miller. Fans looking forward to his tour however, shouldn’t worry he has been bitten by the acting bug.

“I really have no plans for any kind of career in TV or anything,” Michael told Entertainment Weekly, recently. “If I wanted to become good at it, I could. But I don’t really think it’s in the cards.”

George Michael’s “25 Live” U.S. concert dates are:

6/17 San Diego/San Diego Sports Arena

6/19 San Jose/HP Pavilion

6/21 Las Vegas/MGM Grand

6/22 Phoenix/US Airways Center

6/25 Los Angeles/Great Western Forum

7/2 Seattle/Key Arena

7/4 Vancouver/General Motors Place7/7 St Paul/Xcel Energy Center

7/9 Chicago/United Center

7/13 Dallas/American Airlines Center

7/14 Houston/Toyota Center

7/17 Toronto/Air Canada Centre

7/18 Montreal/Bell Centre

7/21 New York/MSG

7/23 New York/MSG

7/26 Philadelphia/Wachovia Center

7/27 Boston/TD Banknorth Garden

7/29 Washington DC/Verizon Center

7/31 Atlanta/Philips Arena

8/2 Tampa/St Pete Times Forum

8/3 Sunrise/Bank Atlantic Center