Find out Why Wham Split Up? Discover why the iconic 80s pop duo Wham split up! The iconic ’80s pop duo Wham! George Michael’s desire for a more mature music direction was the reason behind their amicable breakup. Find out about their final concert, farewell album and greatest hits single. George Michael launched a solo career after the breakup. He released acclaimed albums up until his untimely demise in 2016.
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What is Wham ?
Wham! Wham! The English pop duo Wham! George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley formed the duo in 1981. They became one of most successful pop acts during the 1980s. They were influenced by soul and funk, and presented themselves as disaffected young people.
Wham! The debut album Fantastic, released by Wham! in 1983, dealt with issues like the unemployment crisis in Britain and teenage angst. The second album of the group, Make It Big (1984), was a worldwide hit with hits such as “Wake Me up Before You Go Go” and “Careless Whisper”. They made history in 1985 as the first Western Pop Group to visit China. This helped improve relations between China and Western countries. Wham! Wham!
Why Did Wham!
Wham! Wham! disbanded due to George Michael’s desire to explore a mature musical direction. George Michael felt the need to explore deeper emotions in his music after achieving great success as a duo. He wanted it to resonate with a sophisticated audience. The decision to separate was not based on animosity, but rather a mutual understanding that each member would pursue a different path in his or her music career.
Wham! Wham! The band also performed a farewell concert in the legendary Wembley Stadium to say goodbye to their fans. George Michael’s decision to dissolve the band was a turning point in his career. It paved the path for his successful solo career and cemented his place as an artist respected by the music industry.
When Did Wham! When Did Wham!
Wham! Wham! The event was held in June and attracted an enthusiastic crowd of 72,000 fans. The concert marked the end of an era for the hugely popular pop duo. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley decided to pursue separate musical paths after the concert.
The split of Wham! The breakup of Wham! Fans who were captivated by Wham’s infectious pop hits experienced a bittersweet moment. It was a bittersweet moment for fans who had been captivated by Wham!
What happened to Wham? What did Andrew Ridgeley Do After Broke Up?
Andrew Ridgeley pursued various ventures after the breakup with Wham! He tried to make a career out of Formula Three racing, but had little success. He moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career as an actor. Ridgeley released “Son of Albert” in 1990, his first solo album. The album was not a commercial success and received mixed reviews.
Ridgeley settled down in Cornwall where he enjoyed a more quiet life. He became a golfer and a surfer, while enjoying the anonymity of rural living. Ridgeley briefly reunited Keren Woodward from Bananarama before they parted ways in 2017. Since then, he has become more involved in charitable work. He is particularly active with fundraising races for Dallaglio RugbyWorks Charity.
After Wham!
George Michael’s solo career was a huge success after the breakup with Wham!. This further cemented his status as an icon. He released music that captured audiences around the world. George released his critically acclaimed album, “Faith” in 1987. The album showcased George’s versatility as an artist by blending R&B and soul, with his distinctive voice and compelling songwriting. The album was a huge success and produced hits such as “Faith,” Father Figure,” and Careless Whisper.
George released Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1 in 1990. The critically acclaimed album “1” explored personal and social themes. George Michael pushed the boundaries of music and created timeless songs for fans of all generations. His untimely passing on December 25, 2016 shocked the world, and left a huge void in music. His musical legacy continues to live on as his soulful vocals and profound impact continue inspire and move audiences worldwide.