Wham members gay
With a new Wham! documentary debuting, it seemed a good time to revisit this post from 2021…
From 1982 to 1986, there may have been no pop sensation more prosperous than Wham!. In their heyday, the group sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and penned 1980s staples like “Careless Whisper” and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” Their visit to China in 1985 did more to open that nation to Western music than most anything in the previous 50 years. The group’s frontmen were George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, two childhood friends that first formed a band called the Executive and then moved on to partner in Wham!. One of their earliest songs was called (cringe!) “Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do).” Nonetheless, the two friends survived that, and ultimately released a series of chart-topping albums. They became the only British act to have three #1 singles on both the UK and U.S. charts. Then in 1986, at what appeared to be the top of their pop game, the duo abruptly called it quits to (separately) pursue more adult-oriented music. George Michael went on to have a hugely prosperous music career until his sudden death on December 25, 2016. But what the heck happened to Andrew
Boy Band Members Who Are Out As Gay, Bisexual or Queer
Boy Bands, a group of new male teenage vocal singers, have been a popular phenomenon in the tune industry for a long time. They are known for their catchy pop-style of music which often includes matching choreography, stylized costumes, and extravagant stage settings in their live performances and videos. Today's teen band phenomenon emerged from the earlier a cappella barbershop quartets of the late twentieth century.
Boy Bands victory has fluctuated throughout the years. They were extremely widespread from the 1980s to the initial 2000s, but then waned with the rising popularity of punk, pop, hip hop, and other genres. Lately, however, the popularity of boy bands has seen a resurgance. One thing that has changed is the theatrical component to their act. Whereas the earlier popular era of boy bands focussed on highly pretend stage or video dance moves that aroused a female audience, today’s lad band choreography is much more relaxed. This can be attributed, in part, to social media which allows listeners to be critics en masse.
The mainstream popularity of boy bands in western music almost ensures that on
George Michael said he was 'persuaded' to stay closeted in Wham! even though he 'really wanted to come out'
George Michael is now known as a LGBTQ+ icon, but the British crooner spent much of his career closeted after seeking directions from "the incorrect people."
The new Netflix documentary "Wham!" uses archival footage to explore the "pivotal moment" that Michael came out to his bandmate, Andrew Ridgeley, when the two friends were 19.
Back in 1983, the pop duo traveled to Ibiza, Spain, to clip the music video for "Club Tropicana." In the documentary, Ridgeley recalled how Michael phoned him one morning to "come over and have a chat."
Ridgeley found Michael in bed in his hotel room. Shirlie Holliman, their backup singer and seal friend, was also there.
"He gave Shirlie a sort of quick glance. He said to me, 'Didn't know how to tell you this, but I'm gay. If not gay, you comprehend, bisexual,'" Ridgeley said. "For me, his sexuality had absolutely no bearing on us. I wanted him to be happy."
Despite his optimal friend's acceptance, Michael wouldn't come out publicly for another 15 years.
"I said I was gonna talk to my mom and dad, and was persuaded in no uncertain
George Michael: Pop superstar dies at 53
Singer George Michael has died at his home at the age of 53.
The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and had huge accomplishment as a solo dancer, "passed away peacefully" on Christmas Day in Goring, Oxfordshire, his publicist said.
His manager, Michael Lippman, said he had died of heart failure.
Former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend".
Writing on Twitter and referring to Michael by his family nickname of "Yog", he added: "Me, his loved ones, his friends, the society of music, the society at large. 4ever loved. A xx"
On Instagram, Sir Elton John posted a photograph of himself with Michael, writing:, external "I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous spirit and a brilliant designer. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."
Obituary: George Michael
George Michael: A life in pictures
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George Michael: Six songs that defined his life
Michael's family announced news of his death in a statement issued through the singer's publicist.
"I
Dark truths behind Wham! - both before and after George Michael's tragic death
UK number 1 Christmas Punch, Last Christmas, celebrates its 40th anniversary but the Wham! band members possess had some troubling times in the past
13:58, 25 Dec 2024Updated 15:43, 30 Dec 2024
Last Christmas by Wham! might have been released 40 years ago but every year, the iconic Christmas jingle comes out of the woodwork to entertain the masses.
The timeless music video has once again beamed itself back in the limelight despite several dark twists and turns of fate of its cast members, most notably George Michael. Polling as the UK's Christmas favourite for the second year in a row, the lives of Andrew Ridgeley and backing singers, Shirlie Kemp and Helen 'Pepsi' DeMacque, own changed drastically since the 1984 release. The most obvious twist of fate was the death of lead singer George in 2016, aged 53. The songwriter was found alone in his bed on Christmas day, breaking hearts of fans everywhere, but especially those of the close-knit band.
George Michael
Band member Andrew says there is still "an incompleteness" without George, on the