Andrew Ridgeley

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Andrew Ridgeley, born on 26 January 1963 in Windlesham, Surrey, is an English musician. He became known as one half of Wham!, the duo he formed in 1981 with his school friend George Michael. Earlier they had been together with Ridgeley's brother Paul in the short-lived group The Executive. Michael sang, wrote most of the songs and played keyboards. Ridgeley co-wrote, played guitar and sang backing vocals. They recorded their demo tape in ten minutes in his living room.

Music and breakthrough

With its first album, Fantastic, Wham! topped the British album chart. The second album, Make It Big, brought the breakthrough in the United States and yielded three number ones, both in the United Kingdom and in America. In April 1985 Wham! was the first Western pop group to play in China, a trip that attracted attention worldwide. The duo split up after a farewell concert, The Final, in front of 72,000 people at Wembley Stadium on 28 June 1986. Michael wanted to focus on a more adult audience.

Influence

Ridgeley then tried motor racing and acting. In 1990 his solo record Son of Albert appeared, with guitars and drums, but it sold poorly. Since then he has avoided publicity. After Michael's death in 2016 he inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. Ridgeley shows how a friendship between two schoolboys shaped the sound of the 1980s.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1990Son of Albert