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(1981 – 1986)

Wham! (often written WHAM!) was a pop band formed in 1981. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with another band.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley met at Bushey Meads School in Watford, England. At first, they performed in a short-lived rock and roll band called The Executive. They then changed their name and signed with Innervision Records. Soon after a legal victory over Innervision, the duo was signed to CBS, Columbia Records in the United States and Canada and Epic Records for the rest of the world.

Further information: Artist development deal
Michael took on the majority of roles and responsibilities within the band— composer, singer, producer, and occasional instrumentalist— but the contribution of Ridgeley as the group’s image specialist and spokesman was crucial to the band’s initial success. Ridgeley convinced a reluctant George that Wham! needed to change their image and sound frequently, from the leather-clad moody singers of “Bad Boys” and “Young Guns (Go For It!)” to the more fashionable pop superstars of “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.”

Still teenagers, they promoted themselves as hedonistic youngsters, proud to live a carefree life without work or commitment. This was reflected in their earliest singles. Such works as “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)” have been seen as sarcasm advocating the other point of view.

The first record to be released by the band was “Wham Rap!”. It was a double-A side with a Social Mix and Anti-social Mix. The record was banned for general release in the UK due to the profanity in the Anti-social Mix.
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Popular tags: 80s, pop, british, new wave, dance  See more

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  • crazy_nalesnik

    "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" love it <3

    19 days ago

  • Xylvanya

    If you like ambitious and relaxing music, maybe it´s possible you like XYLVANYA: „Anxious“; „Beach II“ „SA RIERA part I“, "Imperial Crown" „Climbing“ or „Ex-Mannequin“ or „Horizont (III) or "Gewitter-Regen" or "Erinnerungen an meinen Vater" or "Trust (Piano-Version)" or "Norwegen" or "Retrospective view" and many many more.....(all in all 6 hours of music, all songs free download) . Thank you for listening, support or feedback! Peace, Xylvanya

    last month

  • justnfast

    "last christmas" played everywhere in Britain

    last month

  • Irenreinmerdok

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [70]

    December 2011

  • worst_astronaut

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [69]

    December 2011

  • gazad-jewerdin

    Every year I listen to Last Christmas at least once. MTV used to play it all the time during christmas when I was alot younger so it brings back sweet memories! No christmas without Wham!

    December 2011

  • marilyncarolyn

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [67] wow these charts LOL

    December 2011

  • mocomaii

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [66]

    December 2011

  • Nemoflow

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [65]

    December 2011

  • SebuuuPL

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [64]

    December 2011

  • Akado4ka

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [63]

    December 2011

  • slipknot465

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [62]

    December 2011

  • Killman66

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [61]

    December 2011

  • Mateoz555

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [60]

    December 2011

  • rick_chisholm

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [59]

    December 2011

  • Kilver

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [58]

    December 2011

  • foreverjoyless-

    time for 'last christmas' ❤ [57] pure classic

    December 2011

  • saramarisha

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [56]

    December 2011

  • Gahanovagirl

    time for 'last christmas' ♥ [55]

    December 2011

  • Laliss

    Last Christmas, absolutely great christamas song and pretty clip :-)

    December 2011
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EXCLUSIVE OFFER! George Michael - Faith Limited Edition Collector's Box Set

10 Aug 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/whamlegacy

Wham! fan, you won't want to miss this. George Michael - FAITH limited edition numbered collectors box set available for pre-order now! First 2,000 orders receive an exclusive, numbered …

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