Andrew Ridgeley on George Michael, Wham's Music and Netflix Film | Ken Bruce | Greatest Hits Radio

#wham #netflix #georgemichael
Wham! legend Andrew Ridgely joined Ken Bruce on Golden Years to talk about some of his favourite tracks from 1978. Andrew tell stories about songs from Queen, Genesis, Electric Light Orchestra and the Doobie Brothers. Andrew also chats about the new Wham! documentary on Netflix and his early relationship with George Michael.
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[@nicolabramley6768]

Thanks Andrew for letting George shine and not being jealous of his solo career ,the documentary shows that you were a vital part of wham and also his best friend and you were so much better than ppl gave you credit for !! True friend and fabulous song writer musician also xx

[@carolineharry6605]

I’ve been saying exactly the same thing Nicola. Andrew is a true loyal friend. He gave George the confidence to become the star we all know and love. Andrew is a lovely guy. ❤

[@Nostalgia9478]

Maybe the greatest sidekick ever?

[@redmama6564]

Such a loyal friend, he never once sold a story or ever spoke bad of George. Andrew a true gentleman. ❤🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@nisansalaliyanage469]

@@redmama6564 classy guy. Very difficult to find such people. All credit to the way he was brought up

[@guitargirl7452]

Well said! Lovely genuine guy and lovely to see him again after all these years looking well and talking so eloquently about Wham! and music in general. Yes, I was a big fan too back in the day and did continue yo follow their respective musical endeavours thereafter. 😁

[@sandram8761]

I just watched the Netflix documentary and such an incredible story. Andrew was such a good friend and support to George. And really, was responsible for creating the George Michael persona. And when George Michael was ready to fly solo, Andrew let him and wished him well. Nothing bad should be said about this man because he did absolutely nothing wrong.

[@startracker5895]

Wish I had a friend as good as Andrew when I was a kid! Most of my friends were self absorbed.😒.Glad I don’t have to associate with them anymore.

[@scottiedog4236]

Best times in 1984 1st year at high school Wham was on the Christmas discos trying to kiss the girls

[@geraldinemckeown283]

Glad to read this as it’s just what I thought after seeing the documentary. A true friend.

[@mauricebastian3732]

Andrew was the man behind the scene. He is the one whom created the vision; George was the outstanding talent. Andrew is the mad scientist that created Frankenstein.

[@Ah_Lee_Sun]

“I phoned Yog”… I love that he still fondly calls him by this name. ❤

[@A28M13P10]

Andrew was a good friend. He was George’s biggest cheerleader. I never thought he was jealous of George. I was sad when they broke up but like anyone who witnessed Wham you could see George was out growing the group. Andrew cheered his friend on. He kept George’s secret about his sexuality. I mean if he was angry about the group ending he could have outed him. Every time they asked questions about girls Andrew interjected or did something silly to take the heat off of that man. Everyone needs a friend like Andrew and Shirley.

[@nisansalaliyanage469]

Andrew & Shirley.. Classy people

[@irmakozbek6109]

Andrew and George's friendship brings me to tears. Both of u are so special and George must be missing Andrew on the other side..

[@kevinparker461]

On the other side?

[@janicegame2372]

@@kevinparker461where we go when we die! Heaven, summer land or the next dimension

[@user-wh7tf6cx5o]

Andrew is such a Handsome and well spoken Gentleman..

[@steffanhoffmann]

I wish people wouldn't comment about George obsessively here. Ken Bruce manages to get lots of Andrew's diverse musical tastes here. Well done Ken the most animated I've seen of Andrew.

[@1whamster]

Its fairly obvious George and Andrew built Wham in the image Andrew, especially given Andrew’s incredible confidence and effortless sense of style and panache, if they hadn’t met, the world wouldn’t have had the magnificent songs, and we wouldn’t have had the wonderful soundtrack to our eighties youth, they both had the same wicked sense of humour and remarkable intellect and maturity, given their age, I met them in Cyprus in 84 and they reminded me of junior doctors more so than typical rock stars, such was their demeanour and the way they spoke, they were ever so friendly and generous with their time, God bless George & Andrew and thanks for everything ❤

[@pauldaviesantiques1556]

Andrew, if by any chance you read this, thanks for all the great tunes and making my wife and her best friend Claire's teenage years so magical.

[@buzzfunk]

Im so sad that George cant sit next to Andrew. He left us way too soon. Andrew is a fine human and a great friend. The show really showed how Andrew had no ego at all and knew George needed to go solo to reach greatness. That is a true friend. Massive respect to Mr. Ridgeley for that and I'll always be a fan.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

One thing that’s come out of this anniversary and Netflix docu is Andrew has got the recognition he deserves for steering George so well into his solo career. Without Andrew I don’t think George would have had the confidence to get started. And the loyal, smart, no ego way Andrew lived his life is something we should all try to live by. Plus he’s had a lot of fun along the way!

[@michaelfrazia4569]

what a class act

[@penelopedewollaston7981]

So lovely to see Andrew talking about his love of music. Also thank you Andrew for the wonderful Wham! documentary that finally laid to rest all those ridiculous stories about Andrew, that George "gave" Andrew the writing credit on Careless Whisper so that he'd get the royalties, and that Andrew did nothing at all in the band. It was a tremendous and glorious look at thw world of Wham! I've been a fan since 1982; I was at uni at the time and it brought that wonderful carefree time, the music, the clothes and all the fun we had!

[@bekindandmerciful5145]

Andrew is eloquent and a legend. Wham were a great great band...

[@visual-enthusiast]

I just finished watching Wham! netflix doc. Brings me back memories and reinforces my opinion about the exceptional and espectacular talent this duo has.

[@N_Ides]

There's a man who understands what true friendship means. Relatively rare.

[@llr1731]

I think the connection between Andrew and George was so lovely to see and more magical than all the fame and money from Wham

[@michelle_thesalessimplifier]

Just finished watching the Netflix documentary. Thoroughly enjoyed it - soundtrack of my childhood. Thank you Andrew and George. 🙏🏻💕🌈

[@nelsonc6173]

I would love to have heard a longer interview! Andrew is so interesting to listen too! Andrew deserves his due in creating one of the biggest bands in the 80's! His bond with George created such happiness for the world! The doc on Netflix is terrific but much to short! I wish it was a multi part doc!

[@onlyonce1707]

Ah isn't Ken Bruce a lovely warm interviewer. Love all those song choices.

[@Iraconda]

Andrew is such an amazing person!😊😊

[@jazminratzlaff5357]

Love you Andrew, literally was the brother and best friend of George Michael since their youth. This is such a great radio interview and love the stories and inspirations of the great songs and iconic legendary artists mentioned. Andrew has not aged at all. Still sounds exactly the same as back in his Wham! Days. ❤ ♥️👑⚜️💎🏆😍😘🥰🤩✨🌟

[@bruceyboy7349]

It's always great to listen to Andrew talk, both because of his eternal vibrancy and enthusiasm, but also because of how eloquent he is. (Despite not attending school enough and then ditching college 😀). If you haven't read or listened to it, I recommend his book "Wham, George and Me" which gives a more detailed account of their friendship and the journey of Wham (Andrew reads the audiobook)

[@ZeldaFitz]

I’d go for a beer and a chat with Andrew down the local pub. Seems like a nice enough bloke!

[@sandocheese45]

What a true gentleman you are Andrew. Fantastic interview and if George was with you on interview it would be a massive wham. 👍

[@loriturnbull1487]

Andrew, I loved Wham! You and George made everyone happy and have a good time. If it wasn't for you George may have never been in a band at all! Your outgoing personality was exactly what shy George needed to imitate. You were always the first one out on stage and full of talent and enthusiasm. You should always be very proud of your part in that group. Thank you so much! XO

[@loriturnbull1487]

P.S. I loved the Wham special on Netflix, it brought back so many memories! I also read your book and thoroughly enjoyed it too!

[@CarlosAlberto-ii1li]

So much respect from everyone brought tears to my eyes, l always have had good thoughts regarding Andrew.

[@dmarkey4360]

Thank you for sharing this with us. Wham has stood the test of time because it was great music, fun, well written, and performed. The 70’s did have a lot of great music. I only wish George was here to see this. How much people loved Wham and he as a solo artist/writer.❤️

[@6Jillybeans]

He's always had a twinkle in his eye and a naughty sense of humour. There's a lot more to Andrew than people might have thought. The Netflix documentary showed that.

[@Ironballs2020]

What a lovely man he has become.

[@julesc7254]

If andrew ever reads this lol You still have it 😜 Still looking hot like you did in the 80s ❤

[@JR764.._]

Incredible meeting of two unique individuals fusing into one. Utterly brilliant. Without Wham George would never have had the self belief to pursue his solo career. Wham was essential. The way George and Andrew took fun out of Wham was sad in a way because the band was really amazing. They were loved by youth and all actually because they brought fun high energy performances into their talent.

[@davidbaker5720]

Just watched the Netflix documentary ❤absolutely brilliant loved all the songs wham did as soon as the album fantastic came out went straight to town and bought it ❤

[@ryanmonaghan7201]

I watched wham , last night was great. Loved it ❤

[@thebeardedseeker5633]

I was a teen in the 80s, in the U.S. Back then I was discovering alternative rock and gravitated more towards groups like the Smiths, Cocteau Twins, Cure, Siouxsie, and anything on the 4AD label. Having said that, nothing takes me back to my teenage years quite like a Wham! song. Like, when I hear a Wham! song, i feel completely transported back to that time. Maybe that was because I had a feeling George was gay like me, plus I had a big crush on Andrew. BTW, Andrew, you still have that goofy endearing smile. Nice to see life hasn't taken that away from you.

[@Tim_Shu]

Loved the doco, really well done 🥰

[@rewind2play]

Great interview, Ken is a master at letting his guests speak. Andrew seems like a very humble guy.

[@RetroReminiscing]

Loved the documentary and I think its great to see more of Andrew again Thanks for this upload

[@ajay-xjs]

I started playing Wham! again a few months ago for the first time in years and it was amazing!

[@KopCole]

George is a legend

[@powerofpop8747]

WHAM! Genesis fans? Lovely.

[@Ah_Lee_Sun]

I’m a long term Wham fan, but my Dad was a huge Genesis fan. A fantastic combination.

[@carolinehowell5362]

Yes after watching the doc it was obv that Andrew was the def of a true friend and sacrificed to help George shine. He wanted what was best for him … always.

[@mikedowd66]

I graduated an American high school in the early 80s and wasn’t much of a wham fan, didn’t know too much about them. Eventually became a big George Michael fan after buying the CD older. I enjoyed the documentary very much, and it seems evident that this gentleman is not only an exceptional person, but a crucial catalyst for the remarkable talent that was George Michael. A real class act. Great interview.

[@KM-ABZ]

Brilliant interview

[@veephil2776]

I remember those times well! ❤ 🥰

[@janicegame2372]

This shows a different Andrew! Good interview perhaps more spiritual maybe!

[@Kim-lc3fv]

Being 10 years older than Andrew and George, I wasn't a deliberate Wham! fan, but their music was certainly a memorable part of my early 30s.

[@user-yy5ql5mh3z]

Thank You Andrew & Co, For Bringing Back all Those FANTASTIC Memories. Saw The Documentary It's Brilliant. I Have Always Played My WHAM! Records What Can I Say, WHAM! My little Ray Of Sunshine!

[@RandomJane104]

Some of the my favorite bands were made of boyhood friends. Wham!, Tears for Fears, Echo & The Bunnymen. There is something special about them.

[@mrbetamax1969]

IF GM was still with us wud they have got back together celebrate 40 years? Might have filled Wembley 😉

[@SmartCookie2022]

Andrew Ridgeley speaks very eloquently on various topics. For the record, Elvis Costello's "Pump it Up" hugely influenced "My Sharona" by The Knack, who took the entire intro and beat, and built a new song around it.

[@RetroReminiscing]

👍😁

[@maxfrasier]

Class act

[@leiac98]

Wham is Andrew and Geroge....

[@tommcmanamon8327]

Wham were an under estimated band. Good to see auld Ken.

[@superix]

Top Bloke.

[@susannetuner4930]

Wonderful documentary, great to see sequences that have never been shown before. Something I have wondered about for a long time and which is also addressed in this film is that it is claimed that Wham toured in Europe?. Wherever I search online I can't find this information anywhere, on the other hand they participated in TV shows in other countries, but no real concerts except UK, Ireland, Japan, Australia, United States, Hong Kong and China. I was and am a big fan from Sweden and of course had hoped that they toured in Scandinavia. Luckily, I was able to see all of George Michael's concerts in my own country, but I have always wondered about this specific question, anyone?

[@ninja12lawbreaker]

Indeed Pump it up by Elvis Costello is one of the best pop songs ever, its up there with Peggy Sue, C'mon Everybody and Last Christmas. I just finished reading about Bozz Scaggs, Mike Mac Donald and Steeley Dan, what a collection of genius's. Getting old now but still playing proper music to an excellent quality. Please keep the great guests coming Ken

[@open_water2411]

His memories are almost the same as mine. I’d have chosen 90% of the music mentioned only swapping out ‘Pump it up’ for ‘Oliver’s Army’.

[@AussieTVMusic]

Juan!

[@barrybreen8745]

1979 led Zeppelin played knebworth

[@comeconcon569]

Many who don't know George Michael beginnings in music might think "Careless Whispers" is a song by George Michael as a solo artist, but it's not.

[@proudman6598]

Big difference from last time I saw him on television,some presenter ask him a simple question not sure was it about wham or George Michael,he showed nothing but arrogance,what a dipstick.

[@user-bc7hz3js2k]

No Andrew No George

[@megantia8]

😴😴😴😴😴😴😴

[@mikeyjames8268]

Andrew. Eat a burger.

[@SinisterMud]

Mikey. Eat a salad.

[@minekara6407]

Andrew has always been slim.....

[@garethjudd5840]

I'm I the only one who thinks Andrew looks like a living skeleton 😂

[@annakisfaludinebaan]

Andy was not George's support. They started together, they grew up together, it really helped, but George didn't need support because he was on top of the world and still is, even after his death. I didn't see Andy's commemorative video for George's 60th birthday, even though quite a few people did. Do people who watch these videos not think? Andy lacks the halo that surrounds George, but he remains a friend and not a genius like George! I read the book you wrote and I didn't like it! She shines a lot!

[@nativenewlondoner]

Wow, this post is an absolute rollercoaster.

[@startracker5895]

Why has Andrew seeked the spotlight since George has died? He disappeared into nothingness after Wham split up!

[@A28M13P10]

He hasn’t … this is their anniversary. So why not. There are many fans that miss George and loved Wham so this is a treat. Also he has to do press to promote the documentary and the anniversary.

[@startracker5895]

@@A28M13P10 yeah but he did a autobiography a few years ago. I just don’t know why he’s seeked fame since George’s death.

[@A28M13P10]

I don’t think he was seeking fame but rather sharing memories of his friend. He had fame in Wham and he pulled back so George could shine. He tried his hand at a solo career it didn’t work out. People are allowed to change the course of their life. Who knows I mean it is their anniversary so.

[@suzyclark8161]

I don’t believe he is seeking fame either - he’s allowed to speak out as they were part of Wham together and he is one of probably not that many , that really knew George well . I loved his book and love seeing him talking about George and their Wham days . ❤

[@welshlad6427]

Shut the F up. Andrew was a great friend and a massive support to George and as half of wham why shouldn’t he promote the group he was in on there 40th anniversary. He deserves credit for being a big part of one of the most successful pop groups of the early 80s.

[@user-pp9bg6os2c]

Jesus Christ is that Andrew ridgley?? He’s only 5 years older then me! looks about 80!

[@renevanderkooi5473]

well try to look at yourself objectively in the mirror.

[@user-gh1vi4ir9d]

Ну о чем здесь спор? Эндрю - живая легенда и большое счастье, что он с нами, а вместе с ним - память о его великом друге. Любим и ценим тебя, дорогой Риджли, привет из 🇷🇺🇧🇾