ffinally The documentary film is available on Netflix WHAM! directed by Chris Stein who uses very rare archival materials together with the voices of the protagonists, the incredible story of the duo that marked the history of Pop. Composed by Andrew Ridgeley and the Unforgotten George Michael.
WHAM!: the documentary is on Netflix
The film, recently presented at the Sheffield Doc Fest, looks back the whole story of the hugely popular English duostarting with the first encounter on the school benches of Bushey Meads between Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael until their separation in 1986, at the height of their careers. WHAM! chronicles the golden years of the band and the birth of some of their unforgettable hits such as Tropicana clubWake Me Up Before You Go-Go And Last Christmas. But it also explores the differences between the two friends with complex personalities and with two profoundly different lifestyles.
The story of an overwhelming success
11-year-old boys with a great desire to laugh and play, George and Andrew grow up in a London neighborhood with a specific dream in mind: to become pop stars. Music lovers of Elton John and Aretha Franklin, at the age of 15 they set up a band with two other friends and begin to perform in clubs in the city. Three years later, the group disbanded and the two decide to pursue their dreams by founding Wham!, an onomatopoeic name that wants to express freshness and energy. Just like theirs, that of two teenagers with a great desire to make music and have fun.
The Whams! during a concert in the eighties. (Getty Images)
Contrary to common beliefs, and as is well underlined by the documentary, in these first years of their career Andrew was the driving force of the duo. Thanks to his strong personality, his sense of style and some musical insights that have immediately taken hold of the public. George on the other hand is more introverted and ambitious but still very far from the image of fiery and self-confident pop star that will accompany him in the following years. After two hits like Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do) And Young Guns (Go for It!), the boys forge a unique pop style that will make them not only famous all over the world but also a symbol of a new England, far from the punk rage that had characterized the youth culture of a few years earlier.
In 1982 the success is now unstoppable but well deserved. The single Tropicana club, with its colors and its unbridled hedonism, is on all the radios but some differences begin to appear between the two friends. In fact, while always remaining very united, George gradually becomes more familiar with his skills as a refined songwriter always with the support of Andrew, he obtains control of the entire writing phase of the songs. As can be clearly seen from the film, in fact, for George it is this the period of the first awareness of one’s homosexuality but (at the moment) he won’t confide to anyone, except his friend Andrew. Afraid to unleash the anger of too conservative a father.
George’s breakup and solo career
Alternating unpublished archival materials, private home movies and Andrew and George’s voiceovers who tell the story of their friendship, the film by Chris Stein, former author of the Netflix series Bad Veganhas a linear and well-defined structure and also focuses on extraordinary “speed” of their unrepeatable success. In less than five years, in fact, the two have transformed from simple schoolmates to international superstars who had everything they could wish for.
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in “WHAM!”. (Netflix Press Office)
A rise perhaps too rapid, considering the fact that they were in their early twenties and which will be one of the main causes of their separation. In fact, from 1982 to 1986, Wham! they tour the world on sold out tours, churning out singles like Last Christmas And Wake me up before you go go and while Andrew decides to enjoy fame and success, George’s demons, and his ambitions to become number one, are always lurking.
Thus, as they cross the United States on their highly successful 1985 American-Canadian tour, both ask “Where do we go from here?” And separation is now inevitable. With one last big concert at Wembley the following year, George and Andrew greeted their audience, belting out all their hits. From that moment, Andrew will retire from the music scene while George will sell over 100 million records over the decades thanks to songs like Faith, Freedom! 90 And Outside. Up to tragic and premature death at the age of only 53 due to a heart attack.
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED