So, after my "Last Christmas" post and "Wham!" shout out, you are all aware of my great love for the group. It's only appropriate that today's "Tuesday Trivia" post concerns the lesser known of the duo, Andrew Ridgeley. Specifically, what ever happened to him after Wham! ended? If you've wondered about this, here's your answer:
Then
He has deliberately eschewed the showbiz limelight and spends his time playing golf and surfing while his millions earn interest in the bank.
It was in 1994 that Ridgeley quit the London scene with Bananarama sex kitten Keren Woodward and her son Tom to live in a converted 15th century farm house.
When he does surface, it is to campaign for environmental causes, in particular safer, cleaner water.
While Andrew and George are still close friends, their lives have gone in dramatically different directions since Wham! disbanded in 1986.
After an ill-fated attempt at a solo career, Andrew decided to remain behind the scenes as a songwriter to other artists.
To read the complete article, as this is just a part of it, click here .
Now
P.S. I'm not the only one who is committed to keeping "Last Christmas" in heavy rotation- Big Ran just emailed me with the following information:
-----Original Message-----
From: Big Ran
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 1:21 PM
To: KC Jones
Subject: RE:
Also, on the way back, one of my friends goes, "You guys want to hear my
favorite Christmas song?" She presses play and it is Wham! She said it
is her favorite Christmas song and it makes her Mom cry every time.
And I think we all know why this is the best song ever; because G-Michael's voice sounds like a combination of both Fergie and Jesus....BEST DAY EVER!
Year round, I find the following song "Stuck In My Head". However, with Christmas less than a week away, I figure this is a very appropriate post for right now. This might be one of my favorite songs of all time....no, not my favorite Christmas song, but one of my favorite songs PERIOD (just ask anyone unfortunate enough to have been at my house this past weekend!). The song is great, but I think the video is what really does it for me and cements its place as the best 4 minutes and 38 seconds in history. Pay attention to the singing, the stress on the 's' sounds, and everything that is going on in the video, because I won't be able to adequately comment on all of it. So, without further adieu, I'd like to present , "Wham!'s", "Last Christmas" with my running commentary:
The first 17 seconds really set the mood and provides an appropriate setting for a song about Christmas.
Seconds 19-32- the longest 'waving' sequence in history, accompanied by some of the most stylish cold weather clothing of the early 1980's, including the first appearance of George Michael's warm winter hat....it looks so fluffy and warm...oh wait, that's his hair? Yesssssssss....
Seconds 33 through the one minute mark; an awkward eye exchange between G-Mike and the "Lady in Red"...followed by more holiday greetings, awesome coats, and even more awesome hairstyles. Away we go on the monorail! Is this Disney World or The Alps?
1:00-1:50- Again, what festive scenery, and what huge duffel bags! Nice tinsel scarf George! Uh oh, another awkward interaction between our boy and the lady now in mustard. And, the creepiest spoken word/sung vocals on the track, the whispered, "Merry Christmas, I wrapped it up and sent it, with a note saying I love you I meant it"....this line coincides PERFECTLY with the shot of the 'merry' grown man carrying in a stack a wood a toddler could easily handle all while having tinsel thrown at him playfully by other grown men, all of whom have luxurious mullets as well! Apparently this lady is a bit of tramp as she is with another man this Christmas...must be why they brought her on the trip!
1:50- Frolicking in the snow! YAY! 1:55 is something I wish I could get framed for my living room. I can't distinguish between his hair and the actual trim of the hood he is sporting.
2:00- I'm so confused. Why is a cake with sparklers making an appearance? I thought this was a song about Christmas, not about the 4th of July? Look at all the hair in this video and all of the outrageous wardrobe choices. So many sweaters, so many putrid colors, so many fun activities, and SO many serious conversations (George isn't f-ing around at the 2:20 mark!). So, clearly, there's a 'situation' here and he's clearly recollecting his "Lasssssst Chrissssstmasssssssss" with her from the other end of the table. Luckily, her perfectly styled, triangular shaped hairdo is protecting her from his intense stare. And then she has to start playing with 'the pin'....clearly what he must have sent with the note! It's all coming together now just in time for the flashback to "Last Christmas" at the 3 minute mark!
3:00- Who plays in the snow with full length wool dress coats? Also, who has better hair, him or her? This might be why they ended up breaking up! Guess we have to continue watching to know for sure....and 3:15...BINGO! The pin! What girl DOESN'T want a nice piece of costume jewelry to adorn her lapel? One mystery solved! I also have no idea where they are all walking to in the snow, but I do know that I'm LOVING the woman who is wearing a coat that looks like a couch.
And the video ends the same way it began...and I'm left sitting here, having to draw my own conclusions. So, I'll do my best:
She obviously dumped him because of the horribly tacky gift he presented to her OR he dumped her when he realized that she was all hugged up with one of his friends. Most likely, it was the first scenario. Then, his friend doesn't subscribe to the age old "Bros Before Hoes" mantra and snatches up George's sloppy seconds. Either that, or she caught a glimpse of George in the "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" video and realized her legs couldn't compete with his when wearing hot pants.
Whatever the case, I am left confused but so thankful that a group like Wham! existed during my childhood. These songs are the soundtrack of my life and although they are wishing us a Merry Christmas and extending a "Thank You" at the end of the video, it is us who owe them a sincere "Thank You".
P.S. There will be a future post about "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" during which I will be looking for suggestions as to why George was wearing a "Choose Life" T-Shirt. I simply cannot disrespect either of these masterpieces by not giving each of them their OWN post.
P.P.S. Was Wham! ever really a group? George never needed Andrew Ridgeley, did he?
P.P.P.S: If you don't like Wham!, I don't like you and you belong on a Terror Watch List.
