Wham Where are They Now?
After the duo Wham! performed their last concert at London’s Wembley Stadium, the media was particularly harsh towards Andrew Ridgeley, George Michael’s partner in the band. News outlets propagated the belief that Michael was the true talent while Ridgeley was seen as a weak link.
Following the split, Ridgeley embarked on a solo career with the release of his album “Son of Albert” in 1990. Unfortunately, the album failed to make an impact on the charts, even in the UK.
In the Netflix documentary “Wham!”, In the documentary that delves into Andrew Ridgeley’s role in the iconic pop duo, he candidly confessed to feeling uncertain about his path once Wham! disbanded. He revealed that he didn’t possess the vocal abilities to compete with George, but he was content with that fact.
At the age of 16, being in a band fulfilled his aspirations, and he had no strong desire or ambition to pursue anything else. Ridgeley expressed his immense pride and joy in witnessing George Michael’s artistic development, emphasizing their deep friendship. He found it strange and incomprehensible that anyone would feel otherwise.
Following his brief stint in acting, which he quickly realized was not his calling, Ridgeley tried his hand at Formula Three racing. Although he achieved greater success as a pop star than as a racing driver, he was commended by his former team owners for giving it a shot.
Throughout the 2000s, Michael and Ridgeley made plans for several reunion shows, but unfortunately, these concerts never materialized. Ridgeley was known for avoiding discussions about his past in interviews, rarely mentioning Michael or the band’s split.
However, after George Michael’s passing in 2016, Ridgeley delivered an emotional speech at the 2017 Brit Awards, paying heartfelt tribute to his former friend. He spoke of the enduring love and legacy that George left behind in his music and soulful expression, emphasizing the deep bond they shared.
In 2019, Ridgeley published a book titled “Wham!: George & Me,” which offered rare insights and commentary from his perspective as a former pop singer. Interestingly, he raised questions about the circumstances surrounding George Michael’s death within the book, suggesting that the details remained unclear.
The coroner had previously attributed Michael’s passing to a rare heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. Ridgeley reflected on the discomfort caused by the lack of clarity and privacy surrounding their lives and expressed empathy for George’s family.
If you have a keen interest in delving deeper into the journey of the pop duo and want to explore their rise to fame and eventual disbandment, the documentary “Wham!” is a must-watch. Directed by Chris Smith, renowned for his work on “Tiger King” and “Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond,” this documentary offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the iconic duo’s story.
As for Andrew Ridgeley, he described the time with Wham! as an overwhelmingly positive and joyful period in both their lives during an interview with NME.
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Where is Andrew From Wham Now?
After the disbandment of Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley’s career took a different direction. While he initially pursued a solo music career with the release of his album “Son of Albert” in 1990, it failed to achieve success on the charts, including in the UK. Ridgeley admitted that he had no clear plans or aspirations following the split, as being in a band had fulfilled his ambitions at the age of 16.
In the years that followed, Ridgeley explored other avenues. He briefly ventured into acting, but soon realized that it was not a path he wanted to pursue. The experience left him uninterested and he found it difficult to connect emotionally to the roles he was offered. Ridgeley decided that acting was not the right fit for him.
Despite his forays into different career paths, Ridgeley continued to receive royalties from Wham!, which provided him financial stability. In search of a new venture, he tried his hand at Formula Three racing. While he found more success as a pop star than as a racing driver, Ridgeley was commended by former team owners for giving racing a genuine effort.
In terms of public appearances and discussions about his past, Ridgeley tended to avoid talking about George Michael or the split of Wham!. He preferred to keep a low profile and rarely mentioned his former bandmate in interviews. However, after George Michael’s untimely passing in 2016, Ridgeley delivered an emotional speech at the 2017 Brit Awards, expressing deep love and respect for his late friend.
In 2019, Ridgeley released a book titled “Wham!: Within the book, Ridgeley raised questions about the circumstances surrounding George Michael’s death, noting that the details seemed unclear. He reflected on the discomfort caused by the lack of privacy and the challenges faced by George’s family.
Presently, the specific activities and endeavors of Andrew Ridgeley are not widely publicized. He has maintained a relatively private life and has not pursued a prominent career in the entertainment industry. Ridgeley’s focus may have shifted to personal interests, family life, or endeavors outside of the public eye. While his presence in the public sphere has diminished over time, his contributions to the music industry as part of Wham! continue to be remembered and celebrated.
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Who Are The Stars of Wham?
The stars of Wham! are the talented duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. They formed the band in 1982 when they were still teenagers and set out to conquer the world of music. George Michael, known for his incredible vocal abilities and songwriting skills, became the primary lead singer of the group.
He showcased his versatility and charisma through his captivating performances. George’s soulful voice and stage presence made him an iconic figure in the music industry.
On the other hand, Andrew Ridgeley played a crucial role as the other half of Wham!. Although he didn’t possess the same vocal prowess as George, Andrew’s contribution was instrumental to the band’s success. He brought energy, enthusiasm, and a solid friendship to the dynamic duo. Together, they created a unique blend of catchy pop tunes, infectious melodies, and vibrant performances that captivated audiences around the world.
While George Michael often took center stage as the lead singer, Andrew Ridgeley’s presence and contribution as a performer, musician, and songwriter were integral to the chemistry and success of Wham!. Their collaboration and mutual support formed the foundation of the band’s enduring popularity.
Throughout their career, Wham! dominated the charts with a string of chart-topping hits, including “Club Tropicana,” “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Freedom,” “I’m Your Man,” and the perennial holiday favorite, “Last Christmas.” Their music was characterized by its catchy hooks, upbeat melodies, and vibrant pop sound.
The stars of Wham! not only achieved immense success in the music industry but also left a lasting impact on popular culture. Their unique style, fashion choices, and energetic performances became synonymous with the 1980s era. Wham! became a cultural phenomenon, and their music continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans worldwide.
The Netflix documentary about Wham! provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the lives and careers of these two remarkable individuals. It explores their journey from humble beginnings as teenagers to global superstars, showcasing the highs and lows, the friendship, and the legacy they created together.
Andrew Ridgeley After Wham
After the breakup of Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley pursued a solo career in music. He released his solo album titled “Son of Albert” in 1990, following which he fulfilled his contract with CBS Records. However, the album did not achieve significant commercial success, leaving Andrew disappointed and disheartened by the negative reception it received.
In the aftermath of his solo endeavors, Andrew intentionally stepped away from the public spotlight. He made only occasional appearances at events, including a concert with George Michael in Rio de Janeiro and appearances on the BBC Two show Fantasy Football League. Additionally, he participated in a 2005 documentary about George Michael, shedding light on their friendship and shared experiences.
Andrew explained in an interview with The Big Issue that he did not harbor strong ambitions to continue pursuing a career in music. He expressed contentment with the years he spent with Wham! and conveyed that being in a band had fulfilled his aspirations at the age of 16.
Andrew shared that he did not possess the same artistic destiny or burning ambition for a solo career as George Michael did. Instead, he enjoyed a pleasant period in Los Angeles with his girlfriend at the time.
Since his retreat from the music industry, Andrew has largely kept his personal life private. However, he has remained involved in charity work, including his participation in the Dallaglio Cycle Slam, a charity bike ride. This demonstrates his dedication to philanthropic causes and his desire to make a positive impact beyond the realm of music.
While specific details about Andrew’s current activities and endeavors are not widely known, he continues to be remembered and celebrated for his contributions as one half of the beloved duo, Wham!. His friendship, energy, and chemistry with George Michael were integral to the band’s success and the lasting impact they made on the music industry and popular culture.
About Wham
Wham! was an animated series that aired on ABC, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, based on the popular British pop music group from the 1980s. The show was created as a way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Wham!’s formation. It ran for a total of 16 episodes, captivating audiences from July 29, 2014, to June 26, 2015.
The animated series revolved around the adventures of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the members of Wham!. The characters were based on the real-life singers, who were born in 1963. George and Andrew embarked on exciting journeys around the world in their pursuit of fame through their music. These adventures brought them face to face with various challenges and exhilarating situations.
The series featured a talented voice cast, with notable actors lending their voices to the characters. Frank Welker, a renowned voice actor, portrayed George “Yog” Michael, capturing the essence of his character’s personality. Welker also lent his voice to MorrisMarinatron, the archenemy-turned-boyfriend of Austinmus Prime, another character in the series. Cam Clarke provided the voice for Andrew Ridgeley, skillfully bringing his character to life.
B.D. Wong, known for his acting versatility, took on the role of Wúxīn Kuài Yǔ, the leader of the Chinese Triad and an ardent fan of Wham!. It’s worth noting that the character’s name holds a special meaning, as it translates to “Careless Whisper” in Chinese.
Michael Ensign, another talented actor, voiced Mr. BattleAxe, the duo’s former teacher who devises a scheme to kidnap them in order to create a youth elixir. Hynden Walch brought Liberté Freedom to life, a French-British teenage girl who becomes romantically involved with Mr. BattleAxe and later becomes George and Andrew’s girlfriend.
Peter Cullen, known for his iconic voice work, provided the voice for Austinmus Prime, a robot that transforms into a Mini Cooper and occasionally aids George and Andrew in their adventures. Jim Cummings, a versatile voice actor, voiced Whammie the Pooh, George’s cherished teddy bear from his childhood.
The series consisted of several episodes, each showcasing a different adventure faced by the Wham! members. The first episode, titled “Cradle to Scene,” delved into the initial meeting between George and Andrew at Bushey Meads School.
In “Body Swap me up before you go go,” an incident during a concert caused George to inadvertently switch bodies with a young girl. “China Yog” explored a plotline where George and Andrew were kidnapped by Wúxīn Kuài Yǔ, the leader of the Chinese Triad, who sought their performance at his birthday celebration.
“I (do not) Robot” introduced a storyline where a robot named Austinmus Prime sought the duo’s assistance in saving the world. Lastly, in “There’s something about Freedom,” Mr. BattleAxe abducted George and Andrew with the aim of creating a youth elixir to win over Liberté Freedom’s affection.
These episodes, along with the rest of the series, provided an imaginative and entertaining exploration of the adventures experienced by the fictionalized versions of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley within the animated world of Wham!.
Wham Series Plot
Wham! was an animated series that followed the adventures of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the members of the iconic pop duo Wham!. The show depicted their travels around the world in pursuit of fame through their music.
Along the way, they faced various challenges, encountered intriguing characters, and found themselves in thrilling situations. The plot of each episode revolved around their endeavors to become famous musicians and the exciting escapades they encountered during their journey.
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