What Happened to Andrew From Wham? Were George Michael And Andrew Friends After Wham?
by Vignesh L
Updated Jul 21, 2023
Who is Andrew Ridgeley?
Andrew Ridgeley is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer who gained fame as one-half of the musical duo Wham! in the 1980s. He was born on January 26, 1963, in Windlesham, Surrey, England, to parents Jennifer John (née Dunlop) and Alberto Mario Zacharia (who later changed his surname to Ridgeley).
Ridgeley's musical journey began when he formed Wham! with his close friend George Michael during their school days. The duo achieved massive 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 the history of pop music, and his contributions, along with George Michael, have left a lasting impact on the music landscape of the 1980s.
What Happened to Andrew From Wham?
After the split of the popular British pop duo Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley chose to lead a relatively private life. He kept away from the limelight and focused on other pursuits. In the years following Wham!'s breakup, Ridgeley engaged in a couple of Wham! related projects, including writing his memoir titled "Wham!: George Michael and Me" and making a cameo appearance in the 2019 film "Last Christmas" based on George Michael's discography.
Andrew Ridgeley had a brief stint in Formula 3 racing after Wham!'s dissolution and also released an album titled "Son Of Albert" in 1990. However, the album failed to chart significantly in the UK. Despite their immense success as Wham!, Ridgeley expressed that he never fully grasped the extent of their achievements compared to the artists they looked up to during their youth. He and George Michael knew that their future would take them beyond Wham! as they were growing as individuals and artists.
Following George Michael's passing on December 25, 2016, Ridgeley spoke fondly about his last moments with his friend, which involved playing a game of Scrabble and reminiscing about their schoolboy friendship. While Ridgeley remained out of the public eye for the most part, he 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 youthful years and, as such, chose not to reform the duo after their breakup. Andrew Ridgeley maintained a low-key profile after Wham!, focusing on personal projects and cherishing the memories of his time with the iconic pop duo.
Did Andrew Ridgeley Do Anything in Wham?
Yes, Andrew Ridgeley played a crucial role in Wham! and was one of the founding members 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 acts of the 1980s.
Andrew Ridgeley's role in Wham! involved being the guitarist and backing vocalist. While George Michael was the primary lead vocalist and songwriter, Ridgeley provided essential musical support and harmonies. The duo's chemistry and camaraderie were a significant part of Wham!'s appeal to their fans.
Throughout their time together, Wham! achieved massive success with numerous hit singles and albums, becoming a global sensation. Some of their most well-known songs include "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Careless Whisper," "Last Christmas," and "Freedom."
Wham! also gained recognition for their vibrant and energetic performances, which were accompanied by catchy pop tunes 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 remained a significant part of Wham!'s legacy, and the duo's music continues to be celebrated and loved by fans worldwide.
Were George Michael And Andrew Friends After Wham?
Yes, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley remained friends after the breakup of Wham!. They had a strong bond that began in high school and carried them through their journey as musicians in Wham! Despite the challenges of fame and their individual pursuits after the group's split, they maintained their friendship.
After Wham!'s final tour in 1986, George Michael went on to have 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 stayed close friends, and their love for each other was like that of brothers.
Tragically, George Michael's life was cut short by his unexpected death. Upon learning of George's passing, 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! will always be remembered not just for their catchy pop hits, but also as a testament to the power of friendship and the impact 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 bond was described as that of brothers. They achieved great success together as a musical duo, selling millions of records worldwide and becoming famous faces 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 their different paths, they remained good friends, and their friendship was said to be fixed, even though they were no longer living in each other's pockets.
It's important to avoid making assumptions about the nature of their relationship, as there is no evidence to support the idea that they were romantically involved. Their friendship was based on a shared passion for music and a deep bond formed during their schoolboy days.
Andrew From Wham 2023
As of 2023, Andrew Ridgeley, one-half of the iconic pop duo Wham!, has continued to lead a relatively low-key life. He is now 60 years old and resides in London. After Wham!'s breakup in 1986, Andrew explored different paths, including releasing a solo album in 1990 and trying his hand at professional racing in Monaco. However, his solo music career did not achieve significant commercial success.
In recent years, Andrew has been involved in Wham! related projects, including writing a memoir titled "Wham! George Michael & Me" and making a cameo appearance in the 2019 romantic-comedy film "Last Christmas," which was inspired by Wham!'s chart-topping holiday single of the same name.
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 music landscape of the late 20th century is highlighted in a new documentary titled "Wham!," which premiered on Netflix in 2023. Directed by Chris Smith, the documentary chronicles Wham!'s rise to pop stardom and their short but impactful career.
Despite George Michael's passing in 2016, Andrew Ridgeley continues to cherish the memories of their time together in Wham! and their enduring friendship. He acknowledges the unique musical talent of George Michael, describing him as "one of the finest, if not the finest, singing voices of his generation."
While Andrew Ridgeley may not have pursued a high-profile career in the entertainment industry after Wham!, he remains content with the legacy they created and the memories they shared as friends and musical collaborators. He still holds a deep appreciation for the success they achieved and the impact they had on their fans during their time as Wham!
What Happened to Andrew From Wham-FAQs
Andrew Ridgeley is known as an English singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer who gained fame as one half of the musical duo Wham! in the 1980s.
Wham! achieved massive success with hits like "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Careless Whisper," "Last Christmas," and "Freedom."
After Wham! broke up in 1986, Andrew Ridgeley pursued some solo projects, including releasing an album titled "Son Of Albert" in 1990, and briefly worked as a Formula 3 driver. He also engaged in Wham!-related projects, such as writing a memoir and making a cameo appearance in a film based on George Michael's discography.
Yes, Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael remained friends after Wham!'s breakup. They had a strong bond that began during their school days and continued throughout their lives.
There is no evidence to suggest that Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael were romantically involved. They were close friends and bandmates in Wham!, and their friendship was described as that of brothers.