George Michael to Make Comeback After Pneumonia

George Michael has rescheduled a tour he had to cancel when he almost died of pneumonia and will give 1,000 tickets to the Austrian medics who helped save his life, the British singer said Tuesday.

The 48-year-old was forced to cut short his Symphonica tour last November after he was rushed to a hospital in the Austrian capital Vienna with a severe bout of the lung infection.

The former star of the 1980s pop duo Wham! said he would kick off rescheduled tour dates with a show on September 4 in Vienna, to which 1,000 staff from the AKH hospital would be invited.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you first to the doctors and nurses who saved my life and took such great care of me," said the singer, who also thanked his friends and family for their support.

"I'm looking forward to seeing everyone," added Michael, who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

As well as the concert in Vienna, promoters said Michael would become the first pop singer ever to play at the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris on September 9.

He will also perform in the Netherlands, and at London's Royal Albert Hall on September 29.

Arriving back in London last December, Michael admitted it had been "touch and go" at times during the month he spent in hospital.