40 YEARS OF WHAM!: How they conquered the charts of the 80s

[@Dan-ne2et]

Everyone needs a friend like Andrew. 👍

[@rosemiller2990]

what a class act Andrew is. To give your best mate the kind of support and encouragement he gave, is really commendable. Songs performed and sung by this magnificent duo are etched in musical history. I have been a massive Wham! fan from the beginning, and then followed George’s career throughout his life. By the way, I still have my Son of Albert CD.. :)

[@mysteriousjz]

Lol, not at all. He is a loser. That's why he split at the very beginning in the 80s over "disagreements.". Then nobody knew him. I didn't until now. He was jealous because George was the sun, and he was a fading star in the backdrop at most. Look at him, nothing awesome about him

[@joelhenry4643]

Yeah classy!!!😮

[@tajtandoori9076]

@@mysteriousjz You only know about him now? George always spoke fondly of Andrew and credited him for where he got to in his solo career. He mentioned it again on the Parkinson interview

[@mysteriousjz]

@@tajtandoori9076 sounds like he was feeling pity for him. If not him, GM would have made it anyway

[@stevenicol1]

​@@mysteriousjzno George was very shy and Andrew helped him come out of his shell. George wasn't an attractive child and I think that heavily affected his confidence.

[@thethailandtravellers]

WHAM was fantastic, and Wham needed both George and Andrew! 1+1 = WHAM❤

[@1whamster]

Andrew was the the best thing to happen to George, and vice versa, I’m certain there isn’t a single person throughout the world, born around 1963 that would have brought out the best of George and Andrew as they so spectacularly did to each other, huge respect and kudos to Andrew for being the driving force of the creation of Wham and credit to George for his incredible and almost incomparable talent ❤️

[@phoenixaz8431]

It makes you think there is such a thing as destiny. Or perhaps it's pure luck. Had it not been for George going to that particular school in that particular class, he would have likely never come out of his shell and developped as an artist.

[@GWills-ys6rd]

Andrew created the Wham experience and product, and long may benefit from it! He also recognised the fact the Yog was seriously talented and demonstrated integrity by letting him flourish! Andrew is blessed with his current life and can proudly reflect on the past.

[@Hiltie1]

Andrew Ridgeley is sheer class. He could sing too.

[@penelopedewollaston7981]

I am so glad that the truth about Andrew's part in Wham! is finally being recognised. I was at uni when they first started, and I remember all of us being knocked out by them, specially George, but I always liked Andrew best , he had such confidence, in fact I thought he was a public school boy, Eton or one of those schools because he just had that air of knowing where he was going, and I always believed that he contribulated a huge amount to the band and then all this negative press came out about him, even though George always said that Andrew had written Careless Whisper, it still got put about that George had given him a writing credit so he'd get some royalties. Shirlie always said that Andrew and George were two halves of the same person, and George himself said Andrew was his idol. They must have been the nicest people in the music business. I don't know how Andrew manages to talk about him without crying, it must be so hard. I've seen a couple of interviews with him after his book came out where he gets very moved and his voice shakes. He's such a private person so he's probably learnt how to cope, but it must be incredibly hard when you were as close as twins to lose that. I've also noticed in interviews that he can't say that George is dead, he kind of stammers and says things like He's not with us any more, and George is gone. He is an incredibly nice, kind and caring man and the best friend anyone could have.

[@lavenderfields2910]

I can't say d-e-a-d , either...I have to say passed away, or he's not here anymore...something like that ! 💔😭💔

[@ddelaney712]

My thinking is Andrew still loves his old mate George. And is still supporting him, building him up, pointing out the friendship and loyalty that still exists, from Andrew, to this day. Andrew is older now unfortunately, but that joyus gleam is still there talking about his old mate. Thanks Andrew for..... well, everything.

[@HoneyDimon]

I just want to touch on the very last thing Andrew said. Wham! does appeal and attract the youth of every generation! Ever since I was little I always listened to Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go! And I loved Last Christmas! So now I’m in my early 20’s and even though I don’t really party and I’m a bit of an introvert, Wham!’s music has never felt more relevant to me! Going through the entire discography, watching the documentary and listening to these kind of interviews is such a joy! I enjoyed discovering Wham! for the past year! Thank you, Andrew! Thank you for seeing the potential in George and thank you for creating this iconic group! ♥️

[@raygreat9183]

Andrew you were a huge part of whams success 🎉🎉❤❤

[@shaunwallace1264]

Great interview! My appreciation of Andrew’s contribution to Wham grows every day

[@jazminratzlaff5357]

Love Andrew even more after these recent interviews. Great interview with Ronan. Wham! was created in the early 80’s and it’s life, youth, vibrancy, tongue in cheek, fantasy, colour and fashion, big hair and short shorts live on forever. Thank you to Andrew and his best friend George Michael for everything. George passed far too soon and young. ❤ ♥️ 🤩🌟✨👑⚜️💎🏆🎶🎵

[@ppgedez]

Love hearing Andrew talking about the Wham days with a smile smile. Great Netflix documentary as well well.

[@cybertaiga9534]

Lovely interview. George Michael wouldn't have been the world famous artist he was without Wham! Andrew had a huge role to play in his success story and also that of Wham, even though creatively it might look miniscule. Greetings from an Indian fan of Wham for the past 30 years.

[@raygreat9183]

He’s so down to earth ❤❤❤❤

[@leiac98]

Wham was a big part of 80s - my era - still listen to them today

[@MrOctober44]

People will always focus on George because he was the songwriter and such a successful solo performer, but they needed each other.

[@yeluacmusic]

Sad and yet poetic that George passed at Christmas…his favourite time of year.

[@4supernatural]

Love the interview ~ Andrew a real straight up guy!! I adore them both in my Junior High years in LA. It really was an iconic, amazing experience to be part of!! THE music, THE fashion and of course “I WANT MY MTV!!” 🎉😂❤

[@aliyahburnette8018]

My mom has been a die hard wham! Fan since the 80’s

[@Simonpaulgreenwood]

Brilliant interview very heartfelt. ❤

[@WhitneyHouston4eva1]

It's good to see Andrew sharing his memories of Wham with us. He moved away from the limelight after they ended the band. Sad that George isn't here any more. I remember watching that first appearance on Top of the Pops in late 1982.

[@leykimayri]

He didn’t move away, he tried to have his own career for five years but kept on failing, as a formula three driver, as an actor, as a singer….Then he disappeared for like 26 years only to appear again after George’s death, giving interviews, writing books, making films and documentaries, about George….

[@pitlee]

​@@leykimayriwell. Not only about George, about Wham, he was a huge part on it and deserves all the success he's getting again right now.😊

[@leykimayri]

@@pitlee Heorge was the huge part. Andrew was just lucky to be there

[@ukqwerty999]

@@leykimayri You should listen a little more, and talk less. George said it himself he needed the push from Andrew, all he has done since 2016 is bring positivity to the story with his book and interviews. It has drowned out the negativity thankfully.

[@leykimayri]

@@ukqwerty999 “needing the push” is not the same as gaining millions of pounds just because you were that friend to push him. Andrew was just as lucky as anyone who happens to get a lottery ticket and wins millions the following day, without doing any effort and sacrificing anything to get that money. His lottery ticket in his case had a name: George Michael

[@GrotrianSeiler]

The Netflix documentary is really really good.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

People overlook the quality of the musicians on the Wham records. And the production was perfect. The records stood out at the time compared to other bands or acts. I wish the documentary had mentioned the input the session musicians had. But Andrew really deserves more credit for what he achieved and he’s a very charming cool guy. They were a great few years to be a teenager.

[@pitlee]

Yes. I also thought the Doc director would mention of the great musicians they had. I remember the great bass player they had. They only mentioned a Sax player for Careless Whisper's in the Doc. It's crazy how, besides Pepsi/Dee-C and Shirley they never spoke about the rest of the players in the band. 😮

[@richardcray2919]

@@pitlee american Deon Estus was the bass player died 2021.super player

[@TomWardleMusic]

I also noticed no mention of Deon Estus. Phenomenal bassist who added so much to Wham’s sound.

[@phoenixaz8431]

@@richardcray2919 Oh my God, time does fly. Had no idea Deon Estus had passed.

[@TridentCapital]

Everyone always talks about George as a songwriter, but one aspect of the formation of Wham! that I never see discussed is at what point George and/or Andrew realized that George's voice was something extremely special. When he and Andrew got started, did they realize going into it what a gift George had or was it something that took some time for George to develop as a singer?

[@eaomonn1215]

Fair play to you both it was a lovely interview and you never interrupted him and showed respect plus I would like to say respect to Andrew he never spilt any beans he remained a true friend x

[@ec1628]

Lucky enough to see Wham! at Hollywood Park. Great times!!!

[@BarbaraRBritz]

so interesting to hear the stories behind such well loved songs

[@TinaGregory-qv3dt]

Loved them so much

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

Wham ❤❤❤

[@purefoldnz3070]

still committed to that sporting look 40 years later

[@nicolacarr8035]

Love George and Andrew music ❤❤

[@Swat-ed5bt]

Love George ❤

[@hulu3194]

So lucky to have seen them live in Toronto in Aug 28 1985

[@MichaelMilbaugh-qx4ol]

Its amazing this relationship has lasted for a long time. Both are good songwriters ❤

[@chun5143]

ronan and andrew !!💖💖💖💖💖

[@mindislife2.084]

The world got George Michael because of a great friend like ANDREW!!! :)

[@GeorgeWham-du2nm]

The best for ever great talent George Michael the best ❤

[@mariakostomiris7617]

I loved wham you and George Michael

[@simonchaddock3694]

Nice one andrew i was there saw gm in 91 in birmingham

[@ErikReimerink]

If it wasn’t for Andrew, the world would never have known about George.

[@stevebignell9603]

Just brilliant 😊

[@Georgemichael-lf2vc]

❤ George Michael 😢

[@Hakim21210]

If only George had a a healthy lifestyle like his friend Andrew, George would be still among us!

[@leecorcoran6174]

Great video 👍👍

[@davidattwell2574]

It was a different top 40 in those days ❤😊🎤🎶😁😁😃 I used to watch top of the pops they were miming back then I don't like miming I would rather hear it live ❤😊🤓🎤🥸🥸🎤🎶🎶😁😁😁😁

[@davidattwell2574]

Club Tropicana was a good record it was alright 💵👍😊🥸🤓🤓😃💷

[@jayb8298]

Couple of not so nice comments on here but Andrew comes across as a very nice man...he knew George would go his own way & become a huge singer/songwriter & i honestly do believe he wasn't jealous...by what I've seen he supported George all the way.....like to see more of Andrew in all honesty.....still miss George tho....

[@leykimayri]

The reason that he knew George would go his own way was because Andrew was doing nothing. George was songwriting, George was producing, George was singing, while Andrew was only pretending to play the guitar and gain millions of pounds. Of course at some point George would get rid of the r weight and go solo

[@silversteel6312]

Rohan’s hair transplant kicking in nicely here 👩‍🦲 👧

[@tigressnsnow]

Ridgeley has reportedly amassed more than £10 million in royalties from his Wham! hits and is thought to make thousands yearly from a co-writing credit on George Michael's 'Careless Whisper'. Mostly he surfs off the Cornish coast in England. Was married to one of the girls from Bananarama.

[@24theMoney]

Alot more royalties For Mr.R coming from the 40th releases.

[@davidrowen7867]

He took a risk at an early age that the vast majority wouldn't do. He deserves every penny.

[@stevenicol1]

Fair play to him. He's seemed to enjoyed his wealth too.

[@Adri-gp2us]

He let George go and have a solo career, real friendship,

[@davidattwell2574]

I was a kid when wham happened in,1982🎤🎶🎶🎶😁😁😁😁😃😃🤓

[@oldmanc2]

Andrew always calls George "Yog" - quite interesting. Great interview- great interviewer

[@Tawadeb]

George’s Cypriot name was pronounced Yorg-ous

[@pduidesign]

Why didn’t they ever release any of their live concerts (in full) whether DVD or CD?

[@lesleylight4690]

Andrew is gorgeous.

[@tigressnsnow]

Andrew Ridgeley “Shake” No Andrew doesn't fall downstairs carrying drums at 0.55. That's his brother Paul 'falling' We all love that bit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4fFiaaEdq92i8k

[@snowrosecharlotteanne1666]

How many songs did ronin write ?

[@PS8443]

"Yog performed I sort of loitered". Oh Andrew if not because of you, there's no Wham

[@RobinPerryman-jp9ke]

Does anyone know who was the band that dropped out of Top of the Pops and gave Wham their chance to shine?

[@cavaliib1889]

That’s exactly what I was thinking while watching this

[@RobinPerryman-jp9ke]

@@cavaliib1889 it would be interesting to know which band it was that cancelled.

[@cbfltd]

Roman, you should have asked why David Austin didn’t make the band!!!! 🤔

[@glamnesianouveaux2039]

Bad Boys was one of the first 12"s I so loved. I hate that they hated it

[@tigressnsnow]

Andrew Ridgeley “Red Dress” with George Michael on background vocals. Andrew’s brother on drums of course and Andrew half naked on guitar. Yum kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ-ze56alJysoJo

[@JAMESJACKSON-s9p]

JUST GOOD TIME EIGHTIES POP MUSIC, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH POP MUSIC. IT ADDS VITALITY.

[@raisa_cherry35]

😍❤️

[@0zoneTherapyCures]

Adam Lambert should do a Wham/George Michael tour. He was so amazing bringing Queen's music to new audiences. Good music should stay alive.

[@seaniek9175]

George was great, Wham was great but I dont think that makes up for giving the world Ronan Keating and Boyzone.

[@keithroberts4952]

Really? Not necessary.

[@richardcray2919]

you mean ronan cheating

[@Hakim21210]

RonanKeating participated with George Michael to the tv show: Who wants to be a millionaire!

[@Steve_the_Lion]

Awesome

[@glamnesianouveaux2039]

Andrew actually means Le Beat Route rather than The Beetroot regarding the New Romantic club night. Le Beat Route as in the club Spandau Ballet filmed 'Chant No.1 in' ... The doco was so good but that should have been corrected in the doco and again here. I always loved the first 3 singles the best as I loved the mix of Post Disco with a Punk attitude lyrically with New Romantic dancing. Club Tropicana was great but it was the beginning of the more pop sound and look. I wish Wham Shake would have eventuated as I always HATED Wake Me Up - Now THAT was formula - Not Bad Boys. PITY that Soul Boy was never a single, an early demo which was FIERCE!

[@glamnesianouveaux2039]

WHam! didn't quite end after Careless Whisper. They kind of have jumped a bit. They and Freedom, Everything She Wants plus I'm Your Man and Edge of Heaven as singles. The Final was kinda a 3rd album. If only there was a 3rd album - As much as I love George I always preferred Wham! to George's solo material. Battlestations should have had a video from The Final, one of the new Wham! tracks of 1986. I rather recent George's decision not to tout The Final properly. For such a big band to only do one gig is ridiculous!

[@mossychops]

Rik Mayle was killed by Sur Steve vFry. Cardiff New Theatre?

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

It was quite a beautiful; very classy documentary. Very well made, deeply personal, and focused on all the most important things in life. Perfect. I wasn’t even a big fan.

[@tigressnsnow]

Andrew Ridgeley goes public with new socialite girlfriend Amanda Cronin (8mths ago).Andrew Ridgeley has found love again with a beautiful wealthy divorcée from London. The Wham! star, 59, has gone public with his new girlfriend Amanda Cronin, 45, several years after breaking up with his partner Keren Woodward (Bananarama) in 2017. Ridgeley is highly intelligent living in a Cornish C15th. He surfs and plays golf.

[@enri6650]

Forse se george non avesse sciolto il gruppo e fosse rimasto con andrew forse le cose sarebbero state diverse e george poteva essere ancora tra noi..

[@glengamble526]

Concurred? I think you might mean ‘conquered’?

[@juliogeordio7358]

Life’s too short mate !

[@fredkh9256]

​@@juliogeordio7358LOL!!!!

[@popeyethesailorman75]

Ronan Keating Hosted the Australia X Factor & I got to perform in front of him & sang fine. His reply after the song was that It looked liked I was singing in the shower & didn't connect with the Audience. This was Humiliating in front of a live Audience & I walked off the Stage. The other 2 female judges didn’t really have their own vote & just followed Ronan . He let Another female singer through Rachael Thompson who played the guitar 🎸 on one of the shows , she wasn’t connecting with the audience either ( closing her eyes ) however & he let her through. A bit hypocritical. Or Favours Females. Even George Michael closes his Eyes when he performs, I thought the Show was all about Music & that they can Groom you how be a Performer as you go along or Advance into Boot Camp. The Shows Producers never said anything to me about what was expected. I wasn’t told that it was more in line with Dancing with the Stars ⭐️at least I had the some potential to move forward onto the next stage but Ronan wouldn’t haven’t any of it. I really didn’t understand his attitude it wasn’t like my voice was bad or anything.

[@tess5747]

@popeyethesailorman Simon Cowell used to say the same thing (Ronan was just parroting Simon’s nonsense). I’m not a singer but lots of big stars close their eyes or don’t keep looking at the audience. And Ronan’s no George Michael. Until the documentary I really didn’t appreciate just how important Andrew was to Wham. Without Andrew there wouldn’t have been Wham. Respect to Andrew.

[@keithroberts4952]

I do feel sorry that you felt humiliated as a result of his comments. To be fair to him, ronan and judges like himself, take on the role of A + R people who are responsible for signing artistes to record labels. They can be quite ruthless for instance back in the 60's a number of record labels turned down a band from Liverpool believing that there was no market for guitar bands. The band didn't give up and were eventually signed. They went on to become the biggest band in the world. You know them as the Beatles. I said all of that to encourage you to take what Ronan said and use it to your advantage. Yes, you have seen big acts closing their eyes when they sing but remember, they have their audience and you don't yet. So, don't get discouraged. Take the lemons ronan gave to you and make lemonade!

[@popeyethesailorman75]

@@keithroberts4952 Yes you are right in a sense, i mean this link as an example. this female artist Racheal Thompson had performed in a similar fashion as to me she closes her Eyes hardly makes any connection with the audience, however she received praises from Ronan. So its okay for some but not others. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXzWkoVveZicrpI The other 2 female Judges that year seemed okay with my performance but Ronan lead the charge & made it all Negative so they followed suite. Mostly Judges like Sharon Osborn dispute any feedback if another panel Judge dose not like an Artist.

[@popeyethesailorman75]

& Yes Im now signed to a Major Record label just recently to Distribute my material as I continued & pursued my passion. I will never appear on any Tv show again in front of the likes of this Idiot.

[@Crazybob07]

I wouldn’t take it personally. Ronan Keating is a talentless Muppet

[@macker8017]

Andrew ridgley is one the best triangle players i have ever witnessed

[@lauriedee7862]

😂

[@edissa9076]

I wonder what's coming next from the Wham Estate

[@MacStoker]

"mom gave me a punt"... Americans be like "did she score a field goal?" ;-) just a bit fun, ;-)

[@GYPSYG514]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tednorton5150]

Club Tropicana is about a gay bath house but i don't know if even Andy was aware of that. The rest of us can guess. LOL

[@StahlPO]

Bad interview. Should have asked about Andys solo career.

[@PaulWyatt-po7ej]

Andrew could not write he did not play guitar when they wrote into the studio he would go in the next room and play the Arcade machines Goerge dod everything he even gave Andrew the song last Christmas after they split the only thing Andrew did was to show Goerge dance moves in his bedroom that's it

[@dave-jk6en]

It was a shame when Boy George left WHAM, but Andrew was a great friend to him, big respect

[@GYPSYG514]

George Michael & Boy George are 2 DIFFERENT people 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@dave-jk6en]

@@GYPSYG514 really? It’s all very confusing isn’t it. So Boy George didn’t leave WHAM? Just George Michael?

[@GYPSYG514]

@@dave-jk6en It's not confusing, Boy George wasn't even in WHAM... It was ALWAYS George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley

[@dave-jk6en]

@@GYPSYG514 ah yes you’re correct. I got confused because I remember seeing a music video with them both in it, that must have been the band they were in before WHAM, Sting was in it, with Bono, and a few others.

[@GYPSYG514]

@@dave-jk6en that was "Do They Know It'[s Christmas" by Band Aid... you do not have to reply back....

[@alifhashim3752]

They were big, but Duran Duran were far bigger in the 80's!

[@MonaR872]

Wham! sold $30 million albums from 1982-1986. Duran Duran sold $15 million from 1980-1989….. so not bigger in sales. Wham! sold double in only 4 years.

[@alifhashim3752]

@@MonaR872 Duran Duran has sold more than 100 million records. Didn't you watch their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? It was announced that Duran Duran is one of the biggest bands in the world, having been just one of a few bands that have sold more than 100 million records.Till today, Wham has not reached that figure. Btw they were also bigger in the 1980s. Their closest competitors were Culture Club and Spandau Ballet, not Wham!

[@MonaR872]

@@alifhashim3752$100 million from 1980 to present. Wham sold more in the 80s and even then they only rank #10 on the Top 10 Selling Artists of the 80s. Duran Duran isn’t on the list. 10 Wham, 9 Bon Jovi, 8 Bruce S, 7 AC/DC, 6 Prince, 5 Queen, 4 U2, 3 Phil Collins, 2 Madonna, 1 Michael Jackson

[@alifhashim3752]

@@MonaR872 Your list is not even accurate. Get RIAA figures. Those are the REAL figures. Not the figures you are showing.

[@lydess1]

Ich fand die Lieder von Duran Duran garnicht gut!

[@LHC-mx6ru]

Why did he deny the nose job. It’s so obvious

[@mysteriousjz]

Sorry, but Andrew has never been anybody. It was always dominated by George. He was just an add on fixture, just moving around or playing guitar. He is getting this attention only because of George. He is not here, so that's the closest media can get to him.

[@jayb8298]

If he played guitar?..don't think there were any strings.😊

[@MonaR872]

Growing up I thought that too but if you watch any number of GM interviews he credits Andrew as the driving force for Wham! GM did not have the confidence as a teen to become a musician. He needed Andrew… just as much as he needed to end Wham! in 1986. The Netflix doc highlights this too.

[@mysteriousjz]

@@MonaR872 GM must have said it just to up his morale or for just PR, now that GM was super, and he was nothing. WHAM as a name of a "band" could have been his idea, but that doesn't matter much. GM was shining and that's why Andrew left wham because he was pissed off he was not being adored that much because he was really nothing more than a backdrop.

[@mysteriousjz]

@@jayb8298 lol... Yeah, most likely

[@creativesource3514]

No musical talent but if no Andrew, then no Wham and very possibly no George Michael.

[@elcie1999]

I just wish Andrew would talk without stumbling over his words 🤦‍♀️

[@anfang4030]

Roman Keating Boyzone. Star

[@jmk1962]

Ronan.

[@eaomonn1215]

Fair play to you both it was a lovely interview and you never interrupted him and showed respect plus I would like to say respect to Andrew he never spilt any beans he remained a true friend x