WHAT TO WATCH: We Should All Have A Friend Like Andrew Ridgely

By

Bring tissues. Or pretend you have allergies. Netflix's new "Wham!" documentary charts the stunning worldwide rise of the namesake pop group in the early 1980s - they were the first Western music group in history to play mainland China - and while the story may be familiar to some, it's newly bittersweet given the death of George Michael in 2016. The tone is upbeat - and the hair, all that crazy-big 80s hair! - but the undercurrent is melancholy. 

What's new, at least to me, is Andrew Ridgley's role in both Wham and Michael's life. Ridgely has long been written-off as a lucky, semi-useless, hanger-on - by your truly included! - but Michael never would have had any kind of music career at all if it weren't for Ridgely, as Michael reveals in posthumously released audio recordings. It was Ridgely who brought him out of his shell as a child, encouraged his talents and wildest dreams of pop-stardom, and protected him early-on from prying press and fans, since Michael had already come out to Ridgely, who's straight, when they were recording their first album. 

And at the beginning, at least, Ridgely co-wrote all of the group's songs, including "Careless Whisper," one or their biggest hits, penned when they were just 17 years-old. When the duo decided to end Wham, there was no bitterness, no drama, just an acknowledgement between the two that it was time for Michael to go solo, and time for Ridgley, who'd grown weary and depressed by fame, to return to private life. 

"Wham was always going to be about youth, about being young," says the now 60 year-old Ridgely, something that both he and Michael knew when they ended the group. By mutual design, there would be no reunion. Michael, as we now know, was a tortured soul for much of his life, but until at least his early 20s, he had a genuine friend in Ridgely, who had the utmost respect for him throughout his life, and as he notes in the documentary, still does years after Michael's death.

Photo Credits: Urszula Solty

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OPEN POST: Happy Solstice, Peckers!

By
Image
  Here we are: the shortest day of the year, the longest night. Nature is slowly but surely continuing its cycle of rebirth and we will see brighter days ahead. It's the perfect time to reflect on the past year and consider what kind of light you'd like to bring into your life. A time of hope and renewal. I wish you all a happy Solstice! Source: Flux Image BTW, looking for Peckerwood's Weekly Lunocracy Post? It's  RIGHT HERE .
Read more

OPEN POST: Manor Music Monday With Barbara Cartland!

By
Image
Are you off work yet? Are you ready to throw a swingin' party? That means making party music mixes, right? And, yes, you must throw in a WTF song in the middle of the mix just to mess with everyone. For example, say you're throwing a New Years Eve party with a bunch of cooler-than-cool jazz or house music tracks; in the middle if it, throw in this song . I guarantee everyone will squeal with delight. In fact, throwing that song into any mix is always a good move.  Want more ideas for WTF songs to drop into your mixes? DJ Li'l Scratch has got you covered. But first, let's pause for a moment. This is important. Why? Because this is the definition of beauty: The face: like a pale, English Cream Custard (which is just a bit overcooked). The jewelry: made from the finest diamonelles money can buy. The eyes: with their exquisite baby tarantula eyelashes (the eye shadow is their after-birth). I'm overcome, I can barely breathe. And, no, this is not RichBitch. She is, of c...
Read more

OPEN POST: Merii Kurisumasu めりーくりすます! Or Christmas In Japan Is For Couples!

By
Image
Christmas is celebrated differently in Japan, yet much of it is recognizable. We see beautiful lights, Santas, and  decorated trees, and it is a time for getting together. But it diverges there because Christmas in Japan is for couples.  They exchange gifts and cozy up for romance. Though American food is preferred, KFC is  preferred ; it can get expensive, so they will have tasty Japanese romantic dinners or something delicious and homecooked.  It is common to see couples holding hands flushed with love and happiness. It is like Valentine's Day except on Decemeber 25th. Only about 2% of the Japanese people call themselves Christians, so it would make sense to carve out their own traditions and make this holiday something unique to them and reflects their culture.  Christmas Eve is for  kurisumasu ke—ki , a sweet sponge cake with filling, but the next day is for dressing up, making fancy dinner reservations, and staring into the eyes of your "ride or d...
Read more