Andrew Ridgeley

Once part of the phenomenal pop duo, Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley is one of the biggest names in the history of pop music. He is also a guitarist and environmentalist, and has tried his hand at Formula Three motor racing. Andrew met George Michael while attending Bushey Meads School in Hertfordshire, England; they struck up an easy friendship - both having a common interest in music - and joined several bands before forming Wham!. Their first single, 'Young Guns' (1982) climbed straight to number 3 in the UK charts. 'Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)' (1982) followed, peaking at number 8, 'Bad Boys' (1983) shot to number 2 and 'Club Tropicana' (1983) settled at number 4. Wham! released the album 'Fantastic' in 1983 and it went straight to number 1. The pair grudgingly let Innervision Records release the single 'Club Fantastic Megamix' (1983)( it peaked at number 15), and then left the record company to sign with CBS and Epic. The next few years would see Andrew an international superstar. Wham! produced four number one singles between 1984 and 1985: 'Wake Me Up Before You G-Go', 'Freedom', 'I'm Your Man', and 'The Edge of Heaven'. They would have had five consecutive number 1 records but 'Last Christmas / Everything She Wants' was partially eclipsed by the Band Aid single 'Do They Know It's Christmas' (they sat happily at number 2, while George Michael also shared in the success as part of Band Aid). Wham!'s album 'Making it Big' (1984) reached number 1 and 'The Final' (1986) number 2. By 1986 Andrew and Wham! were number 1 in just about every country in the world, including the United States. The phenomenon had to come to and end it, though, as George Michael left to pursue a solo career, having had two number 1 singles already, one of which, 'Careless Whisper' (1984), had been written with Andrew. Wham! split on a high note and are recognized as one of the first Boy Bands to achieve international success. Their album 'The Best of Wham!' went straight to number 4 in the UK over a decade later. Their albums and singles have all been certified 'Gold' and 'Platinum'. Andrew then released a solo album, 'Son of Albert' and a couple of singles, George Michael providing vocals on the song 'Red Dress'. He is married to Bananarama singer Keren Woodward and lives in Cornwall where he is a keen surfer and golfer, and is proactive in the cause 'Surfers Against Sewage'. Wham!'s music has appeared in movies such as Sixteen Candles (1984), Charlie's Angels (2000), Zoolander (2001), and The Holiday (2006). Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael sold over 25 million certified records while with Wham!.