Summary

• Wham! broke up after five years to explore different musical pursuits. George Michael continued as a solo star while Andrew Ridely pursued car racing.
• George's rise to stardom overshadowed Andrew's, leading to tension and press scrutiny of Andrew's role in the group.
• Despite their professional differences, George and Andrew remained close friends, but their time together was cut short by George Michael's unexpected death.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of pop mega-duo Wham! rose to international fame in the 80s leading to many questions about why Wham! broke up in the end. Becoming inseparable friends in high school, the pair of would-be musicians bonded over their love of music. Their bond would carry them through the challenges of fame and fortune as they began their ascent through the UK's pop charts. Wham!'s polished and unapologetically pop aesthetic would draw many critical detractors in post-punk Britain, but it's undeniable their influence on the music landscape in the generations that would follow.

Wham! debuted in 1982 with the single "Wham Rap!", but Andrew and George would struggle to find their footing initially. Competing with Duran Duran and Culture Club in the UK pop music sphere, the pair found massive success with their first album Fantastic in 1983, featuring some of Wham!'s best songs. However, Andrew's musical success would slowly be overshadowed by George's as time went on. As critics began to sniff out George's rise to stardom, they also began to unfairly press Andrew about what he brought to the table and his role in the group overall. As George's obsession with penning top-charting songs grew, Andrew's distaste for the limelight came to a head.

Wham! Amicably Broke Up After 5 Years To Explore Different Musical Pursuits

George Michael Continued As A Solo Star While Adam Rideley Pursued Car Racing

As Wham!'s fame and notoriety grew it became clear that George's music was beginning to evolve above and beyond the group's bubblegum pop style. With George beginning to experiment more with solo projects and even producing some of his own work, Andrew began shifting more and more to that of a role instead of a co-writer. The press took every opportunity to pressure the duo on this front as well, with George often deflecting questions that seemed pointedly critical of his friend's role in the group. Tensions grew with George wanting to take the music and Andrew growing tired of being put under the microscope.

As their individual trajectories came into focus, George and Michael ultimately came to the decision that it was time for Wham! to come to an end. With five years under their belt and a number of chart-topping hits, the pair decided to go their separate ways with their final tour in 1986. While George Michael would go on to have an illustrious solo career, Andrew Ridgeley would try his hand at professional racing in Monaco and eventually singing and acting in Los Angeles. George Michael's solo career would be met with great success with the singer exclaiming his disappointment with Wham!'s early days.

George Michael & Andrew Rigdeley Remained Friends After Wham!'s Breakup

The End Of Their Professional Relationship Didn't Kill Their Friendship

Wham! forever changed the world of music with their incredible repertoire of catchy pop hits. Even though the pair's final tour in 1986 would close the door on Wham! George and Andrew would remain good friends. It's clear that, despite their professional differences, the two were always close friends ever since their schoolboy days. Andrew and George's love for one another was like that of brothers, even when life pulled them in different directions.

Unfortunately, Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael's time would be cut short with George Michael's unexpected death. Upon learning of his ing, Andrew tweeted "Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog." Despite Andrew Ridgeley's floundering experience after the band's break-up, his role in the evolution and development of George Michael's career is indelible. Love them or hate them, the power-pop duo Wham! will forever be a reminder of the strength of friendship and the power of music.