After Wham! disbanded, Andrew Ridgeley led a private life, working on Wham! related projects such as writing a memoir and appearing in a film inspired by the music of George Michael.
Who is Andrew Ridgeley?
Andrew Ridgeley is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer who rose to fame as one half of the musical duo Wham! in the 1980s. He was born on 26 January 1963 in Windlesham, Surrey, England to parents Jennifer John (née Dunlop) and Albert Mario Zacharia (who later changed his surname to Ridgeley).
Ridgeley’s musical journey began when he founded Wham! with his close friend George Michael during his school days. The duo found major success with their pop hits, including “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Careless Whisper,” “Last Christmas,” and “Freedom,” among others. Wham! became one of the most popular pop groups of the late 20th century, selling millions of records worldwide.
After Wham! disbanded in 1986, Andrew Ridgeley pursued some solo projects and briefly worked as a Formula 3 driver. However, he mostly stayed out of the limelight and focused on other interests away from the music industry. Andrew Ridgeley remains an integral part of pop music history, and his contribution, along with George Michael’s, left a lasting impact on the musical landscape of the 1980s.
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What happened to Andrew from Wham?
After the split of the popular British pop duo Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley decided to live a relatively private life. He stayed out of the limelight and focused on other jobs. In the years following Wham!’s breakup, Ridgeley participated in several Wham! related projects, including writing his memoir titled “Wham!: George Michael and Me” and appearing in a cameo in the 2019 film “Last Christmas,” based on George Michael’s discography.
Andrew Ridgeley had a brief stint in Formula 3 racing following the break-up of Wham!, and also released an album called “Son Of Albert” in 1990. However, the album failed to chart significantly in the UK. Despite their huge success as Wham!, Ridgeley said he never fully realized the extent of their achievements compared to the artists they looked up to during their youth. He and George Michael knew that the future would take them beyond Wham! as they grew as individuals and artists.
After George Michael passed away on December 25, 2016, Ridgeley spoke fondly of his final moments with his friend, which included playing Scrabble and reminiscing about their friendship at school. Although Ridgeley has largely stayed out of the public eye, he has continued to honor Wham!’s legacy and promote its importance to him.
He believed that Wham! was a significant representation of their friendship during their youth and, as such, decided not to change the duo after their breakup. Andrew Ridgeley has kept a low profile since Wham!, focusing on personal projects and cherishing memories of his time with the iconic pop duo.
Did Andrew Ridgeley do something in Wham?
Yes, Andrew Ridgeley played a key role in Wham! and was one of the founders of the popular British pop duo. He was the other half of the group alongside George Michael, and together they formed one of the most successful bands of the 1980s.
Andrew Ridgeley’s role in Wham! included was a guitarist and a backing vocalist. While George Michael was the lead vocalist and songwriter, Ridgeley provided essential musical support and harmony. The duo’s chemistry and friendship was a significant part of Wham!’s appeal to their fans.
During their time together, Wham! achieved great success with numerous hit singles and albums, becoming a global sensation. Some of their most famous songs include “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Careless Whisper”, “Last Christmas” and “Freedom”.
Wham! they also gained recognition for their lively and energetic performances, which were accompanied by catchy pop songs and stylish outfits that became iconic in the 1980s music scene. After several successful years as Wham!, the duo eventually decided to part ways and pursue their individual careers. Despite their split, Andrew Ridgeley remains a significant part of Wham!’s legacy, and the duo’s music continues to be celebrated and loved by fans around the world.
Were George Michael and Andrew friends after Wham?
Yes, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley remained friends after Wham!’s breakup. They had a strong bond that started in high school and carried them through their journey as musicians in Wham! Despite the challenges of fame and individual aspirations after the breakup of the group, they maintained their friendship.
After Wham!’s final tour in 1986, George Michael pursued a successful solo career, while Andrew Ridgeley explored professional racing in Monaco and later pursued singing and acting in Los Angeles. Despite their different paths, they remained close friends, and their mutual love was like that of brothers.
Tragically, George Michael’s life was cut short by his unexpected death. After learning of George’s death, Andrew Ridgeley expressed his heartbreak and grief, tweeting about the loss of his beloved friend “Yog” (George Michael’s nickname).
Despite any professional differences or challenges they may have faced, the friendship between George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley remained strong and enduring. Wham! he will always be remembered not only for his infectious pop hits, but also as a testament to the power of friendship and the influence of music.
Were George Michael and Andrew a couple?
There is no evidence to suggest that George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were a couple. They were close friends and bandmates in Wham!, and their relationship has been described as brotherly. They achieved great success together as a musical duo, selling millions of records worldwide and becoming household names in the music industry during the 1980s.
After Wham!’s breakup, George Michael pursued a successful solo career, while Andrew Ridgeley explored other ventures, including professional racing and singing and acting in Los Angeles. Despite the different paths, they remained good friends, and the friendship is, as they say, mended, although they no longer live in each other’s pockets.
It is important to avoid making assumptions about the nature of their relationship because there is no evidence to support the idea that they were in a romantic relationship. Their friendship was based on a shared passion for music and a deep bond formed during their school days.
Andrew from Wham 2023
As of 2023, Andrew Ridgeley, one half of the iconic pop duo Wham!, has continued to lead a relatively modest life. He is now 60 years old and lives in London. After Wham!’s break-up in 1986, Andrew explored different avenues, including releasing a solo album in 1990 and trying professional racing in Monaco. However, his solo music career did not achieve significant commercial success.
In recent years, Andrew has been involved with Wham! related projects, including writing a memoir titled “Wham! George Michael & Me” and appearing in a cameo in the 2019 romantic comedy film “Last Christmas,” which was inspired by the holiday single of the same name by Wham! .
Andrew Ridgeley has also been active in promoting the legacy of Wham! and celebrating the music they created together. The duo’s impact on the musical landscape of the late 20th century is highlighted in a new documentary called “Wham!”, premiering on Netflix in 2023. Directed by Chris Smith, the documentary chronicles Wham!’s rise to pop stardom and their short film but influential career.
Despite George Michael’s death in 2016, Andrew Ridgeley continues to cherish memories of their time together at Wham! and their lasting friendship. He acknowledges George Michael’s unique musical talent, describing him as “one of the best, if not the best, singing voices of his generation.”
While Andrew Ridgeley may not have pursued a high-profile career in the entertainment industry after Wham!, he remains happy with the legacy they created and the memories they shared as friends and musical collaborators. He still deeply appreciates the success they achieved and the impact they had on their fans when they were Wham!
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education