Thor Christensen

George Michael shocked everyone in the '80s by evolving from cheesy teen idol into a rock superstar. Equally surprising was how fast his career faded in the U.S. after that.

Now he's on the road to redemption. Sunday night, the Stubbled One brought his first U.S tour in 17 years to Dallas, his adopted hometown, where about 10,000 fans at American Airlines Center embraced him like the prodigal son.

"Do you forgive me?" the 45-year-old singer said, referring to his absence, though he might have also been winking at his arrest record. Either way, the crowd happily absolved him of all sins, including showing up onstage an hour late (tickets listed a "prompt" 8 p.m. start time).

Melanie Burford / DMN

George Michael performs last night at American Airlines Center

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He peppered the first set with a few Wham! confections – "I'm Your Man" and "Everything She Wants" – and wisely skipped "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." But he quickly reminded fans he was once England's premiere white soul singer in "Father Figure" and "One More Try."

True, his voice has aged a bit, and he admitted to "dodging" some high notes because the air conditioning was bothering him. But if his throat was ailing, he certainly didn't show it on his lovely readings of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and the Police's "Roxanne," done Billie Holiday-style.

He doled out most of his hits (including "Faith" and a show-closing "Freedom 90") but spent much of the show in dance-club mode, shimmying across stage as he sang "Amazing" (an ode to his Dallas partner Kenny Goss) and "Flawless."

"People have told me this is the gayest record I've ever made," he said of the latter. "I also happen to think it's one of the best."

That's a stretch. His techno-laced tunes were catchy but hardly as memorable as his R&B-minded songs. And after awhile, his nonstop video-screen assault felt like a rave party version of the brainwashing scene from A Clockwork Orange. Meanwhile, his fine 15-piece band performed largely in the shadows, as if they barely mattered.

Then again, maybe they didn't. After 17 years, all eyes were on Mr. Michael, who started the show by vowing to "work my [expletive] off." He did just that, and even spun around to wiggle it a bit, just like the old days.