He’s been labeled the silent partner of Wham! This month Chartbeat finds out just how much Andrew Ridgeley contributes to the great success of the British duo, Wham!
Why did George release a solo single, and you haven’t?
Andrew: “Because he’s better at it than I am.”
Do you have any plans to release a solo single?
Andrew: “No, I don’t have any plans for a solo career, it doesn’t interest me at all at this stage.”
There’ve been recently that you’ve taken an interest in films, is this true?
Andrew: “A film career? No, not yet, but it would be nice; Films, T.V., whatever. I think acting is merely an extension of of any kind.”
What do you think of beating Culture Club to the No. 1 spot?
Andrew: “Not much really, ‘War Song’ is probably one of their worst records.”
How do you attribute the great success of Wham!?
Andrew: “The music essentially, and the way we’re projected ourselves. There’s also an appeal that lies in our friendship, I think that’s got a lot to do with it. We’re probably the most successful duo after Simon & , and we’re also different. Duos are either man and wife, or they’re Peters & Lee, or they’re brothers or sisters. They’re never the result of having been best friends. It’s a very boyish thing, and it’s a very young and exuberant thing.”
Do you think “Last Christmas I gave you my heart” stands a good chance of making it to number 1?
Andrew: “Fairly good yes, but there’s going to be an awful lot of competition this Christmas. I don’t think Frankie’s single will hang around for too long. Though actually, I can remember the day George wrote it; we were watching ‘Match Of The Day’ one evening and suddenly George goes Aaaah!! and he rushed upstairs to write it.”
What else would you have done it you hadn’t gone into the business?
Andrew: “I haven’t got a clue. From about the age of 12 or I never wanted to do anything else but be in a band, before then I just wanted to be famous. It was when I met George that my aspirations were actually directed music rather than anything else.”
Are there ever moments when your private life is interrupted by your public life?
Andrew: “Well I like to think that my commitment to our fans ends at my front door, but my parents, with whom I’m living at the moment don’t see it that way. There is sometimes a group of girls who’ll hang around outside the house, and my Dad just invites them in for tea.”
