Wham!, George Michael and Me

A Memoir

By: Andrew Ridgeley

Narrated by: Andrew Ridgeley

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time, Andrew Ridgeley - one-half of one of the most famous bands in the world - tells the inside story of Wham!, his lifelong friendship with George Michael, and the formation of a band that changed the shape of the music scene in the early '80s.

In 1975 Andrew took a shy new boy at school under his wing. They instantly hit it off, and their boyhood escapades at Bushy Meads School built a bond that was never broken. The duo found themselves riding an astonishing roller coaster of success, taking them all over the world. They made and broke iconic records, they were treated like gods, but they stayed true to their friendship and ultimately to themselves. It was a party that seemed as if it would never end. And then it did, in front of tens of thousands of tearful fans at Wembley Stadium in 1986.

Andrew’s memoir covers in wonderful detail those years, up until that last iconic concert: the scrapes, the laughs, the relationships, the good, and the bad. It’s a unique and one-and-only time to remember that era, that band, and those boys.

©2019 Andrew Ridgeley (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“One half of one of the world’s most famous bands tells his (fascinating) side of the story, offering readers intimate access into how his friendship with George Michael developed, and taking them behind the scenes of Wham’s beginnings, heights, and lows.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“A tender, admiring tribute to [George] Michael, whom Ridgeley repeatedly calls his best friend.” (The Washington Post)

“A memoir of a friendship as much as it is a look back on pop stardom, Ridgeley's first book is an enjoyable callback to a different, yet thanks to its preservation on videotape still instantly memorable, musical era.... While the book is focused on Michael, it isn't an explosive tell-all - but that makes it a more enjoyable read. Ridgeley's motivations for writing the book seem as rooted in telling his side of the Wham! story as they are in reminding readers of Michael's songwriting genius, often overlooked by pop-averse critics and taken for granted by listeners who gorged on the hooky riches of the '80s. Written in sepia hues that allow Wham!'s floodlight-illuminated musical triumphs to glow even more brightly, it's a loving tribute to a friend and a more innocent pop era.” (NPR)

One of the best

I appreciate Wham! more now than I did 35 years ago. Their level of maturity for two 21-year-olds is beyond anything you see today. The timing of this book alongside the movie, “Last Christmas”, makes each a perfect companion to the other. If you like a good biography, the group Wham!, or George’s solo career you’ll love this book.

very moving

loved loved loved it! great listen and feel like 8
Ireally know Yog now. 🙂

Loved it

Thank you for the insight. I was a kid when you two burst onto the scene and made me love music even more!

Wonderful Read

As a massive lifelong Wham! and George Michael fan, I was eagerly anticipating Andrew's memoir. it did not disappoint! Beautifully written and narrated from the heart, Andrew's lovely storytelling transported me to right there in each moment. A must for any fan, lover of 80's music and culture, or just anyone who's had a best friend they've dearly loved.

So many interesting details!

I loved listening to Andrew talk about his good childhood bandmate, George. Caution... this book will make you fall through the rabbit hole of seeking out all their MTV videos; now you know the backstory.

Awesome Book read by Author Andrew Ridgley

WHAM insights and so much more. I enjoyed the true life story of how George nd Andre started the band WHAM and before
the emergence of the strongest musical talent came to be George Michael. I highly recommend this read for every George Michael fan.

An honest and joy celebrating a true friend.

Andrew's book was an elementary and honest joy to be heard. He tells a love story (not sexual) he had with George when they were children bringing a dream to come full force to reality. Without one single negative, he surrounds stories of Making It Big to their visit to China. I recommend this book to anyone who loved Wham.

beautiful story of true friendship

With so much written about the life of George Michael, as a true fan, this was a welcome take on this beautiful person. Andrew provides a loving tale on the evolution of their friendship and their music. No one else had the vantage point Andrew did, and I'm so glad he shared his story.

Brief but rewarding

This lovingly written memoir gives an insider's view of Wham!'s whirlwind success and George Michael's transformation from awkward adolescence into one of the premiere songwriters and performers of the era. Ridgeley expertly interweaves three approaches to this story by charting the musical progression of the band, cataloging the context/influences of their development, and outlining a deep friendship between himself and Yog that both predated and outlasted the Wham! years. Ridgeley does a great job of providing insight into Michael's personality without overstepping or defaulting to pseudo-psychiatry. My only complaint with this book is that it is too short. More on their relationship in the post-Wham! years would have been welcome, but perhaps this was a conscious decision to avoid dealing with Michael's personal troubles over the past few decades and keep the book focused on themes of friendship and artistic growth. Well written, solid audio performance, and an all around pleasure. Recommended for anyone with even a modest appreciation of George Michael and/or Wham!.

Great Great and Great

loved it! from beginning to end ! a wonderful trip back to the 80's!