Apparently, George Michael's New Year's Eve celebration was as good as it gets - with a huge amount of cash in pockets.

It's been said that Michael was paid $2.2 million for a 75 minute private concert on New Year's Eve.

The singer performed 13 songs at Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin's New Year's Eve party on Sunday.

Michael - accompanied by his lover Kenny Goss and a 40-strong entourage - was flown to Moscow by private jet to perform in front of 250 guests at Potanin's 20 acre estate.

Potanin, who is the ninth richest man in Russia, is said to have personally asked Michael to perform and paid him in cash.

A source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, "This was a private closed party only for the closest friends of Mr. Potanin. There were a lot of officials and wealthy Russian individuals."

The source added, "Michael left the venue at about 6 a.m. and flew straight back to London on his own private charter jet. It is always more convenient to deal in cash and

George seems to be happy with that arrangement."

The huge fee - which works out at $31,510 a minute - is said to be the largest sum paid to an artist for a single performance and Michael didn't take to the stage until 3 a.m.

Michael, Goss and his band and crew members stayed in suites at two of Moscow's top hotels.

The singer isn't the only musician to make a fortune from private performances. The Rolling Stones were paid a total of almost $6 million for playing at the 60th birthday of billionaire David Bonderman.

Destiny's Child performed at the Bar Mitzvah of Brandon Green, son of retail tycoon Philip Green, for $2 million, while Elton John picked up $2 million for performing at Peter Shalson's wedding.

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