Forty years after the split of pop duo Wham!, Andrew Ridgeley is revisiting the band's legacy with the release of a new film, *Wham! 10 Days In China*, which documents their pioneering 1985 tour in China. The film features rare and never-before-seen footage, including live performances that highlight the duo’s impact both musically and culturally. Ridgeley has indicated that a live album drawn from these recordings may be forthcoming, potentially filling a gap as Wham! never released an official live album during their initial run.
The film captures not only the performances but also the significance of Wham!’s visit to China, a groundbreaking event as Western pop music was largely unfamiliar and inaccessible in the country at that time. Young Chinese fans showcased in the film recall their exposure to Western music through Wham!, with some having since become pop artists themselves. Ridgeley reflected on the emotional weight of these stories, suggesting the experience meant more to those fans than to the band’s commercial success.
Among the featured performances is an extended eight-and-a-half-minute live rendition of “Careless Whisper,” notable for its emotional intensity. Ridgeley described the song as difficult to perform for such a duration but said the live version, including a prominent saxophone solo by David Baptiste and George Michael’s dramatic vocal delivery, was “a thing of beauty” that moved him deeply. The film rekindled his appreciation for Wham! as a live act, underscoring how some of their otherwise studio-polished songs gained an added dimension when performed on stage.
Ridgeley also addressed perceptions of his role as the band’s guitarist, often overshadowed by Michael’s presence. Revisiting the footage allowed him to relish their friendship and reminded him of the youthful energy the duo brought to their live shows. He acknowledged that certain tracks in Wham!’s catalog might have benefited from live recording, as their live performances were sometimes more refined or vibrant than studio versions.
Reflecting on his late bandmate’s evolving artistry, Ridgeley noted seeing George Michael as transitioning toward his later solo identity during the period captured by the film. Their final show together a year later at Wembley Stadium marked the culmination of the Wham! era and the emergence of Michael’s solo career.
Despite the passage of time, Ridgeley’s admiration for Michael has only grown, and the film serves as both a tribute to their musical partnership and a reminder of how their work connected with audiences across the world, especially in places previously untouched by Western pop. The prospect of a live album offers fans the chance to experience those moments anew, though Ridgeley acknowledged challenges in assembling the recordings. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful that a live release will eventually materialize, providing a fresh dimension to Wham!’s enduring legacy.