Andrew Ridgeley Shares the Story of George Michael Writing “Last Christmas” (Extended)
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley talks about how Wham! came to be and shares the origins of "Last Christmas" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go."
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Andrew Ridgeley Shares the Story of George Michael Writing “Last Christmas” (Extended)
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Every great artist would wish a partner like him. He saw the greatness of George and let him fly. That's utterly magnanimous
yes, and the fact that he encouraged his gay best friend in a time when it was shunned, what a humble man Andrew is! What a great person George turned out to be and Andrew should be praised for being so supportive!
Andrew has no music talent, he may have been supportive to GM, but as far as the music and lyrics were concerned, it was all George Michael. George Micheal just credited Andrew so he would have an income.
@@thegentlemanjay yes it was out of pure pity lol
@@robertwiles8106 No, it was out of friendship and love. Had you ever been touched by such an emotion, perhaps you'd have realised this. "Lol".
He had no choice.
What a classy guy. He is so humble, charming and appreciative! He’s inspiring!
He is so humble and has never tried to take credit for George’s greatness
Very well put. I could not agree more
I´d say that this is the persona he cultivated over decades. It´s doubtful that he were like that from the beginning but I´d like to be corrected...
@ if I were to personally reflect, I’m very much not the same mani was 30 years ago. And I’d submit, if you compared the old me to the current me, you’d say I were 2 different people. Fundamentally, I made changed (hopefully for the better) and they became habits, and after years, aren’t those changes exactly who I became (no longer a fake version of myself, but the real me who I became). So that all being said, if Andrew cultivated this personae of himself and as a habit, that is how he acts everyday, for the better, isn’t that the true him at this point?
Because he knows he literally contributed zero to Wham. Luckiest guy in the world.
George was never too lucky in love, but he sure was lucky in friendship. ❤
amen!!
He really was 🤜🤛
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Andrew Ridgeley oozes with class and humility. Love him back in 1984 and still love him now in 2024!
Same here❤❤❤
There would never have been George Michael, without Andrew Ridgely.
Thank You, Sir.
🙏❤
@@bmb619 andrew will tell you himself George would of gone into singing anyway as a child he said he would be famous and loved music. Ask Andrew also it was about hitting his head as a child so George says.
Very true
George was very talented (a genius, admitted Andrew) and driven. He would've found his way to stardom on his own.
@3l3llala13 exactly x
The OP is right. Back in the early days George was shy and lacking in confidence. It was Andrew that railroaded his friend into the music business. But yes, George was an incredibly talented singer/ songwriter/ producer/ musician/ poet/ artist/ philanthropist.
I watched the wham doc on Netflix and i really appreciate Andrew as a person and musician. He liked music but it wasn’t as much as George and he was always encouraging George and just the greatest best friend you could have. Andrew ridgeley, you’re a legend
Andrew's mom saved everything!
Yes he knew George needed to fly and he let him!
Ohhh, I can’t wait to watch it now!
Makes you tear up. Never a fan of anything wham related. Watched the documentary and am love em now. Andrew is such a gem. RIP GM. Wish he was around to have been in the documentary.
What a nice man he is. It’s obvious he loved George.
George was a legend as singer and song writer,How couldnt not to love him?❤
Andrew such a gracious man. Big respect here.
@@lionheartroar3104 living off of George he was the stooge so george went solo.
@@madeleineglo7696 You poor lonely troll lol
@@madeleineglo7696What the F is your problem?
Andrew aged like fine wine! Gorgeous man!
He always is so humble and underplays that he was as equally responsible for their success. One of the lovely things is that I heard George many times say in interviews that although he became the megastar, that Andrew was as equally responsible and credited his friend for being the reason he went on to have such iconic status.
Sounds like such a lovely brotherhood.
Indeed, and even more special because it happened between a gay and straight man. A difference that only strengthened their bond.
Good Morning. You're speaking facts. Ironic thing is that George always gave him his flowers and even wrote songs for Andrew's solo album. He also wanted Wham to reunite more than Andrew did. Plus when CBS wanted the group to record the Make it Big album, George insisted that Careless Whisper which George and Andrew wrote be included on the album
George was incredibly shy as a young man. Andrew was the leader in Wham and guided them to success. There would be no George without Andrew’s guidance and unconditional acceptance of George. Andrew was a rare gem of a friend worthy of everything George gave him. I encourage everyone to watch the Wham documentary.
Yes!!! It was so good! I was so in awe of the fact that George was such a perfectionist and just really the whole story. Loved it👏
George Michael was so blessed to have a true brother and friend in Andrew Ridgeley. Andrew is humble, sincere, honest and caring. A true class act!
@@clarklu453 georges best freind was David Austin.
@@madeleineglo7696 Incorrect. David, George and Andrew were best friends. Sorry
@@thepunisher3236 nope Andrew was the stooge he didnt sing didnt play the guitar he held why do you think george went solo and David was not freindsceith david
@@madeleineglo7696 You sad troll
@@madeleineglo7696The absolute state of your comments.
I can't say this enough, Andrew was greatest musical partner ever. He created wonderful music along with George. Most importantly, gave George the space needed to grow as a solo artist. No ego. Just a true friend.
Love that he is being polite and using the words soccer and dollars
Very proud of the fact that we were graced with Andrew's presence at our 2024 "British Bash" event. Yes, he did receive our Anglo-American Cultural Award and could not have been more gracious. What a really nice bloke.
Mark Aiston, VP St George's Society of New York.
An award for exactly what?
@@Raider577
Andrew received the
Anglo-American Cultural Award.
It recognizes those who enhance cultural ties between the U.S.,
and the U.K.:
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What a lovely, humble, down to earth gentleman, and how greaf to see somebody looking so smart
Andrew Ridgeley is truly a great friend and a human being. Love Wham! and George Michael.
It's quite sweet how he still calls him Yog then corrects himself and calls him George.
It's the Greek pronunciation of George that's all, cos Michael was Greek.
I believe it is actually Yorg...short for Yorgos or Yorgo ....George's name in Greek!!!
It's actually short for Yoghurt because that's what his Greek name sounded like. Brutal teenagers 😆
@@Jeremy-f3s George's father was Cypriot and his mother English.
@telstar4772 Yeah congrats on being that pedantic loser, Greek Cypriot then, happy now arsehole? Doesn't change what I said about the name, still Greek.
What a lovely man! Merry Christmas, Andrew 😊
Andrew is true Class I’m happy that he is still keeping his best friend legacy alive ❤ kudos 🙌🏼
I was lucky enough to be a neighbour of Andrew Ridgeley for a few years. Lovely chap.
So good to know.
You must have a lot of money
@@John-g1x his house was bigger than mine!!
Quelle chance il était homo ?
My goodness, Andrew is so handsome and has become ever the distinguished gentleman as he's aged. He's the one I had a crush on when I was young. I never thought about his ethnicity until now, and just looked it up- sure enough, as I suspected, he is multi-ethnic... His father being Egyptian Jewish, Italian Jewish and Yemeni Jewish; his mother English and Scottish. His father changed the last name from Zacharia to Ridgeley, and was born in Cairo. I can see why they were best friends as both he and George Michael seem so kind.
Have a look at photos of him with his Dad when he was younger. Andrew is the double of him now, look like twins
Yes I didn't even know it was him; he aged very well and distinguished 🤗🤗
I thought he was Indian at first.
George’s maternal grandmother was also Jewish. Maybe on a subconscious level George & Andrew felt very comfortable in each others company. I met George in a restaurant in Highgate London a few months before his symphony tour started & he came across as quietly spoken & very down to earth .
Is he black, he seemed white when young now he looks black
Such an amazing guy and generous friend, he could see the immense talent George had, as many could. The recent Band Aid documentary with George's input as a 21 year old is outstanding.
Yes! He saying he had a single coming out called Last Christmas and that he hoped Band Aid wouldnt adversly affect it. So innocent and so unaware of the classics they were responsible for 😢. Would recommend everyone to watch Band Aid Forty 👌
Yeah, was watching that the other day, paused it just after George's part, will finish it soon, it's fantastic. Having George sing the song just a bit for that girl....really precious footage. Having no idea at the time he just wrote one of the biggest modern day Christmas classics. Just amazing footage.
As a Brit we hold a nostalgic place in the hearts for some 80s bands. Such as Culture Club, Duran Duran, Bananarama, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and The Human League
We in the U.S. too!! Your hands are such treasures to us! Culture Club needs to get thier recognition today in the states!
OMG Bananarama and The Human League. Brb, I need to watch their songs for reminiscing the memories
FGTH blew my mind in the 80s (teenager in Canada). Legends!
Don't forget ABC Howard Jones 😊
Also Depeche Mode, Japan, Big Country, Spandau Ballet, Ian McCulloch, Echo & The Bunneymen, Tears for Fears, The Cure, Aztec Camera, Nick Heyward, Nik Kershaw, OMD, New Order, Soft Cell, etc...
I wish George Michael 's spirit will see this ❤️❤️❤️
Most sidekicks have some bitterness/envy, this guy has zero bitterness and only the opposite
The residuals help, probably. 😄
Yeah i would love to help a talented friend make us both rich. Who wouldnt?
He loves George
@@thepodiatrist he doesn't seem to have a Machiavellian bone in his body but sure let's assume the most cynical reading..
Andrew knew how lucky he was to be able to hitch ride on George's talent and rode the wave of "WHAM" fame while it lasted.
Without Andrew there wouldn’t have been any of this. George loved Andrew, but being so shy, he also knew he needed Andrew as his front. Andrew was his comfort blanket.
George put Andrew’s name on all Wham songs as one of writers with himself. Andrew said when he wrote book that because George decided to do that he never had to work again. Wham was together for 4 years. He retired at 22 or so. Andrew actually didn’t write the music maybe gave a word or inspiration for songs but George was primarily the writer. What a great friend George was in doing this one act of generosity. We all should have had a friendship that money and fame couldn’t and didn’t destroy. Bless you George Micheal!!
I have all Wham singles and Andrew isn’t credited as co writer on all the singles at all. However he IS credited on some including Careless Whisper.
As good a friend as Andrew may have been to George, Andrew these days is milking that a bit now.
Not quite true, he put his name on careless whisper and gave him all the rights so he didn’t have to worry about money again
@@paulsmith6941 Where do you get these "facts". Careless Whisper was indeed a joint effort. George never said otherwise.
Andrew wrote the guitar riffs for careless whisper. George said as much.
@@smogmonster1876 Andrew has been nothing but humble and a class act. Not sure how you reached the “milking it” conclusion.
Unconditional love and loyalty. What a great friend and great man Andrew is.
Andrew was George's biggest support. I always loved WHAM!! ❤❤
For me this world needs more people to know how to be friends. He is a great source of inspiration.
George's talent at such a young age was unreal. He had it all. In the recent documentary on the live aid song , his singing live was at a different level to the rest.
OMG!!!!!!!! WHAM especially Andrew changed my life when I was only 11 years old. I can't believe in 2024 I'm seeing Andrew on late night. Oh how much I love this man.
I was so lucky to have seen Wham in concert in Brighton back in the early 1980s. They were terrific! Great to see Andrew again after all these years.
One particular song by Andrew and George changed the direction of my life way way back in the 80s ... I listened to it time and time again as I walked the entire length of France as a teenager ..... Club Tropicana ...... still love it today
The trumpets on that song! Summer of 1983 I was a dancing 13 year old to that.
So many memories from Club Tropicano. Hearing it always makes me smile every time.😁❤
One of the best pop songs of all time
We love andrew ridgeley
I heard somewhere that George put Andrew's name in the credits of each song in order to make sure that
Andrew never had to worry about money for the rest of his life. That's how much that George cared about Andrew.
Andrew ridgeley is ageless beautiful man with a beautiful heart thank you being in wham your music was huge part of my lifes.
That he is... both of those things.
Andrew Ridgeley is a class act.
He's so humble even after all the success he's had with Wham.
Growing up in the 80's, taking the bus to and from elementary school, I used to listen to Wham's albums on cassette on my yellow Sony Walkman everyday. To this day I love their music.
George wrote Careless Whisper on his school bus.
I had that yellow Sony Sports Walkman & listened to
Wham everyday back then too! Such simpler times!
Love WHAM!! Glad Andrew Ridgeley was on the show. RIP George Michael
It would be crazy to say they are underrated of course but I think many people still don’t realise just how many great Wham! & solo George Michael songs there are!
Yes, it would be crazy to say Wham was underrated, so please don't say it. I've had people here on RUclips tell me Linda Ronstadt, Jethro Tull and Paul McCartney were underrated.
Andrew is a true English gentleman…….i feel indebted to him because we’ve had Wham and George Michael, which freezes so many moments in time for me.
Hes British of Eygiptian decent
@@devenidarock yes but he is still British not English.
@devenidarock only his mothers side lol look at his dark skin. Why dont you want to accept his heritage. George was half Greek Half Jewish so British. Neither are English. With George its was not English. Look on his family tree he says he is technacally Jewish. In his own words. But hey so what?
@@madeleineglo7696 I do not enter the Anglo Caucasian coloring labeling game. I was stating facts. He’s 50 per cent his mother, as we all are.
@devenidarock and his father Africa. Colouring lol.lol we are all different colouring you can see his has non English heritage. Im just sticking to facts but if you want him to be English if that makes you happy fine live in your dream world. Georges father is Greek Cypriot his Mother was Jewish get over it.
Such a charming gentleman. I can't help but smile listening to him.
Although Andrew didnt contribute to the group musically like George did ,he gave George confidence. This was a massive contribution in it's own way.
Andrew Ridgeley co-wrote Wham Rap and Careless Whisper..
He may not have contributed with his voice but he sure did in writing. Remember, it’s Andrew who gave George the idea for Wake me up before you go go.
I think you are confusing contribution with exposure. Dumb comment.
@ The irony of your reply. I suppose it takes a dumb comment to know one.
Aussie here. I loved Wham, and still think they wrote great songs. Andrew looks quite dapper these days. Wish Jimmy would stop interrupting his guests!
Jimmy's strength is also his weakness. He is genuinely excited to meet these people, but it also means he can't stop talking.
dude is incapable of zipping his lip when he should! ooooof!
He opens his mouth to lick their arses, it's quite nauseating
Jimmy not only interrupts his guests, he also seems very disingenuous.
Such a gracious gentleman and also seems like he was a great lifelong friend to George too! Blessed
Andrew has always been a class act. Wham! meant a lot to me growing up.
That being said, you are beautiful! (smile)
@ thank you! You’re kind and sweet to say that. Made my day!
I’m not crying! I’m not crying!! Oh what an honour!!! Love love love Wham! But the enigma of George Michael will always live on. Thank you both!! Every Christmas it starts with Last Christmas followed by Do They Know It’s Christmas.🙏🏾🙌🏾🥰✨💫
They were great musical partners and friends, they had a wonderful gift together and there was never any animosity between them!! Loved listening to Wham, great times!!
Last Christmas, I gave You my heart, But the very next day, you gave it away♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I was such a HUGE Wham !!! Fan growing up in the 80's. George Michael went on to be a great star and he is truly missed. R.I.P. George Michael. ❤
“where 🎶did your heart go “ is timeless and still give me the chills 💙✨👌🏽
The song becomes more popular each year. It, along with the music video, will always be my favorite.
Fellas soo humble…a bonafide pop legend ❤
Thank you Andrew for all the wonderful music. Wham was such a big part of my teenage years. I was fortunate enough to see George Michael in concert in the '80s.
He is so kind and so gracious about his good friend-he saw how talented George was and didn't want to stand in his way. That is a true friend.
That takes a monumental restraint of ego.
One of Jimmy's best interviews. Andrew Ridgely is a fantastic human being. He has aged so gracefully.
Sweet George also had said that Andrew was the clever one and took towards surfing in Corfu. George knew he had to carry the load of his calling on his own and looked fondly towards Andy with a more quiet life he made for himself away from the Limelight. They were wise in their youth and handled their differences in ways many would not understand today...
He’s always been such an incredibly kind and humble man. Absolutely lovely gentleman.
Andrew Ridgely still looking dapper. Best musical and friendship partner ever.
I had the great honour of meeting Andrew when I was 8 years old, back in the 80's, and he even signed my guitar. Sadly, I lost it just a couple of weeks later but I'll never forget what a lovely person he was and clearly he still is to this day.
I was a teenager in the 80's, I loved Wham at the time, I had poster of them on my bedroom wall back in the day. What a nice interesting man Andrew is loved him and George Michael. Miss that decade so much
Andrew is the epitome of a real friend!
Careless Whisper is a masterpiece.
Andrew is a class act. He seems so down to earth, has great humility, and is eloquent. He knew his role within Wham and was content with what they achieved at the time. Of course, he realized that the band’s “shelf life” would be somewhat limited. He knew that George would reach greater heights if he went solo which obviously turned out to be the case. He didn’t want to stand in George’s way. Not many musicians could step down like that given there could be egos to deal with but he did so with so much grace.
Loved his book and his story. Thank you, Andrew. Your music is still some of my fave memories of those Wham years.
Do not underestimate Andrew's contributions to Wham and GM's success. Without Andrew's soft skills and encouragement, both Wham and George might not have ever been part of 80s pop culture. Thanks to AR and GM!
Very precious song, one of the few that's retro and doesn't get dismissed by the graceless youth of today, unlike so many other precious retro gems that get passed over based on their age. Quality in movies and music is a timeless one, and superior songs and movies are from the bygone eras. George was a very talented songwriter and singer.. I love his other gems too, such as Careless Whisper and One More Try. RIP.. I know he had a generous soul.
It is a retro gem, agreed.
Really refreshing to see how humble and supportive Andrew is
Great style and elegance
George Michael and Wham were the soundtrack to my Eighties. Great music for a Great time. Will ALWAYS LOVE George, Andrew , Wham & the Eighties!!!
Loved wham I wish George was still alive I missed him so much I spend all my teenage years and 20s with them
I wish this segment would’ve been longer. Almost every time Andrew is interviewed, it’s almost always questions about George. (I’ll give credit this one, as they didn’t ask as much about George’s as the other interviews do.)
George and Andrew❤Legends
A lot of musicians would have been bitter and jealous over a situation like that, but he realized that George had the major talent. So nice that they remained lifelong friends and very sad that it wasn’t longer.
What a true gentleman Andrew Ridgley is, and so humble about his on talents,...yes George Michael had a big input, but Mr Ridgley was crucial in the early development of George's early career , and wham were a fantastic duo, ...and the timeless classic song Last Christmas and the feelgood video to it ...remains so special even to this day , some 40years since its release,....Christmas, just wouldn't be Christmas without this magical seasonal Hit .....
Aw, he looks just like his old dad - I used to live near them both - his dad was well-known locally and very well-loved. He always used to say hello to me because he loved my beautiful whippet and used to pet her when we saw him out and about. They were both extremely well dressed with lovely manners.
This interview was way too short ! Love listening to Andrew ! ♥ Love Wham! ♥Love George & Andrew ! ♥ What a great friend you are !!! ❤ Blessings to you ! ❤Happy Christmas, Andrew !!! 🎄🎄🎄
If Only George Michael Was There With His Best Friend 😢
Andrew is lovely! I loved this iconic duo. RIP George Michael❤️
I watched the "Wham" documentary on Netflix it's really beautiful.❤ I highly recommend it!
Jimmy Fallon should just interview himself for the entire show because he never allows his guests to finish a thought.
I love this guy as I get older …I remember people talking so bad about this band…when I was a teenager…I love him and I miss George Michael
For those of you who don't know why "Last Christmas" didn't make it to UK no.1 for Xmas in 1984. Bob Geldof wrangled his musical buddies to recorded "Do They Know It's Christmas?" as Band Aid. George sang on that record, he knew the importance of this charity single. The profits from the release of Last Christmas was donated to the Ethiopian Relief fund.
Last Christmas is my favorite Christmas song. Loved Wham in the 80's. Spent a lot of my teenage years in the 80's listening to Wham.
Check out Last Christmas Albert Hein commercial 🇳🇱🔥
I miss George Micheal ❤
Yes, and fortunately we can listen to him and watch him in interviews and videos. I saw him twice and remembr those times.
Same for me, I know he was one of the few gay artists that sold a lot of records in his career other than Elton John and Culture Club lead singer Boy George. RIP he will be missed
Me too 😢
💔
Such an amazing guy ❤
Loved Wham growing up in the 80’s and solo George. The Documentary was so good--Everyone should have a friend like Andrew.
If only all pop stars could be so humble.
It depends on the people
Thanks, The Tonight Show! @andrewjohnridgeley is so interesting and articulate! His WHOLE life story is fascinating and full of stunning intuition and genius, as Jimmy mentioned.
I love how much more comfy he seems here than on most interviews, which says a lot for Jimmy and the crew.
Andrew may be older, but not stupid. Fit as a fiddle and representin’.
And, as I always say,
…pop stars never die. ✨
Forever, George.
Forever, WHAM!
Classic Aquarius in that sense, Andrew.
Also, Andrew is a spot-on Projector in the Human Design system. ✨
What a humble gentleman. Makes me miss George Michael all that much more.
What a sincere guy. Refreshing.
"Last Christmas" was released during the Chrismas of my Senior Year in HS. It was huge. I loved it the moment I first heard it. Great song. Love the synth on it.
I miss George!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I’ve been binge watching George interviews and the respect he had for Andrew was amazing and it’s obviously mutual too
RIP (George)
❤
Last Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas movies (taken from the song Last Christmas. All the music is all George Michael❤)
Last christmas masterpiece
Who didn't love WHAM? Also who doesn't love "Last Christmas"? Number one 2023/2024. Forty years later.
RIP George Michael 🇨🇦❤️✝️🙏🤗
Love you Andrew Ridgley 🇨🇦❤️✝️🙏🤗
What really helps is a friend who can encourage you, and if it is someone with a good eye, heart and intelligence, encouragement from such a person can give one wings. Well done Sir Andrew.
Just LOVE Andrew...❤❤❤!!!