Andrew John Ridgeley is an English musician best known for his work in the 1980s musical duo Wham!
He is also known for his successful solo career and is considered a pioneer in pop and dance music.
His records have sold millions of copies around the world and he is regarded as one of the most influential and talented musicians of our time.
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- Full name: Andrew John Ridgeley
- Stage name: Andrew Ridgeley
- Date of Birth: January 26, 1963
- Age: 61
- Birthplace: Windlesham, England.
- Nationality: British.
- Occupation: British musician
- Height: 1.82 m
- Parents: Albert Ridgeley and Jennifer Ridgeley
- Siblings: 1, Paul Ridgely.
- Spouse: Karen Woodward, Amanda Cronin
- Children: 1,
- Relationship: Single
- Net worth: $40 million
Early life and education.
Andrew John Ridgeley was born in Windlesham, England on January 26, 1963. He was raised by his parents, Albert Ridgeley and Jennifer Ridgeley, and has a sibling, Paul Ridgeley.
Ridgeley spent his childhood in Bushy, Hertfordshire, attending Bushy Meads School. His mother was a teacher at Bushy Heath Primary School, while his father worked for Canon. When George Michael started school, Ridgeley volunteered to take him in.
Profession
Andrew Ridgeley’s career can be divided into two phases: his time with the 80s sensational duo Wham! and his post-Wham! struggles. Ridgeley and George Michael, good friends since their school days, formed Wham! in 1981. Michael was the band’s primary songwriter and lead singer, while Ridgeley played guitar, co-wrote some songs, and sang backing vocals.
The band’s fun, catchy tunes and lively image catapulted them to superstardom with hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper.” Wham! sold more than 25 million records worldwide before disbanding in 1986.
Despite being a member of one of the most successful pop duos of the 1980s, Andrew Ridgeley chose a different path after Wham! broke up. While his former bandmate George Michael achieved great success as a solo artist, Ridgeley branched out into other pursuits such as car racing and acting.
However, these pursuits did not bring him the same success as his music career, and after releasing a solo album in 1990, Ridgely largely withdrew from the public eye to focus on environmental causes and his personal life.
Awards and nominations
- Grammy Award nominations (2): Wham! received two nominations at the 28th Grammy Awards. One was for Best Music Video (Long Form) for their compilation video “Wham! The Video”.
- BRIT Awards (1 win, 1 nomination): Wham! has won one BRIT Award and was nominated for another. Details of the specific awards are unknown.
- American Music Awards (2 nominations): Specific category information for these nominations is unclear.
social media.
- Instagram: @andrewjohnridgeley
- Twitter: @ajridgeley
personal life
Andrew Ridgeley, one half of the famous duo Wham!, has had several significant relationships. His most notable relationship was with Keren Woodward, the lead singer of the band Bananarama.
They lived together for 25 years, from 1990 to 2017, and even lived in Cornwall with Woodward’s son. Despite their split, they remain close friends.
However, in 2022, Ridgely made public his relationship with Bavarian model Amanda Cronin. They were photographed together at social events and seemed to be very close. Unfortunately, their love story ended in May 2023.
Record/Movie Works
Discography
- excellent
- Make a big deal
- Music from the Edge of Heaven
Filmography
- Wham!: Video (Video)
- Wham!: Wake Me Up Before You Go (Music Video)
- Wham!: Freedom (Music Video)
- Last Christmas (film) – Uncredited
net worth
Andrew Ridgeley is best known as the other half of the iconic ’80s duo Wham!, alongside George Michael. After the band broke up in 1986, Ridgeley pursued a solo career but eventually retired from the music industry. He has since become a successful businessman and author with an estimated net worth of $40 million.
