Wham! was featured in an article about duos “2 by 4” by Mark Coleman and Suzan Colon published in the December 1984 issue of Star Hits magazine.
What’s it like to be one half of a successful musical marriage? Mak Coleman and Suzan Colon pop the questions to four hitmaking British duos.
From “Young Guns Go For It” in 1981 to the current “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” a single by Wham! Means an instant million-seller in England. George Michael (singer) and Andrew Ridgeley (guitar) are hoping that their new Make It Big LP will live up to its name in the U.S.
George: We met at school when we were both 12 years old. I sat down next to Andrew on my first day at a new school, and we were best friends from that moment on.
Andrew: When we were about sixteen we got a ska band together at school. After about a year and a half of that we started writing more dance-oriented music, a real pop-disco crossover.
George: After finishing school we both spent about nine months on the dole (unemployment), then we made our first single and it landed in the charts.
Andrew: The thing I like best about working with George? That he does all the work. That’s also the thing I like the least about working with him.
George: Andrew picks his nose constantly. He’s the laziest person I know, too. He’s always, always late. Mind you I’m always late but he’s never even later than me.
But we compliment each other, definitely. Sometimes he needs bringing down to earn and sometimes I need to be brought out of my shell. That happens socially as well as on stage.
Andrew: Our friendship has progressed through school and growing up. We’ve learned to function as a business partnership as well as a creative and social one. That goes to show that this is no ordinary relationship, it’s something stronger.
George: Despite ‘Careless Whispers’ (his solo English hit), I wouldn’t want a solo career. It couldn’t have one-half the vitality that Wham! does. I’m constantly asking for Andrew’s opinion on things. I can go to him for support and find out when I am doing the wrong thing.
Andrew: I think if Wham! ever split up it would mean our relationship was finished, too, and I don’t see that happening. I can see George and myself as old men in wicker chairs, with pipes.
