Wham!

Wham! were an English pop-soul duo from London that released four 1982/83 singles on Columbia/Inner Vision that formed the basis of the album Fantastic. The duo consisted of vocalist/songwriter George Michael and occasional guitarist Andrew Ridgeley, who functioned more as the act’s stylist and publicist.

In the fall of 1984, Wham! broke globally with the single “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” from the album Make It Big, which generated three further hit singles over a year-long chart run. The ballad “Careless Whisper” was alternately billed as a solo release by Michael. A further run of singles in late-1985/early-1986 heralded an announcement that the duo was soon to split: a move forwarded by the singer’s summer ’86 solo ballad “A Different Corner.” The pair’s final recordings were collected on the album Music From the Edge of Heaven.

Post-split, Michael launched a highly successful solo career while Ridgeley went into speed-racing.

Members: George Michael (vocals), Andrew Ridgeley (guitar)

Discography:

• Fantastic (1983)
• Make It Big (1984)
• Music From the Edge of Heaven (1986)