New Documentary Explores WHAM!'s Historic 1985 China Tour The new documentary WHAM! 10 Days In China debuts in theaters, offering an in-depth look at the iconic pop duo’s 1985 tour across Beijing and Guangzhou. The film marks the first time the duo’s groundbreaking performances in China are fully documented, highlighting their status as the first Western pop group to headline concerts in the country. While the tour is celebrated as a cultural milestone, the documentary reveals it was initially conceived as a strategic move to boost the band’s profile in the United States. At the time, George Michael had grown frustrated with the limitations of arena tours in America, and the China leg was intended as a bold attempt to break into new markets. Andrew Ridgeley, the band’s co-founder, recalls the initial skepticism surrounding the tour’s concept. The idea, proposed by their manager Simon Napier-Bell, was met with doubt, with Ridgeley calling it “utterly mad” at first. Despite the risks, the tour ultimately achieved its goal of expanding WHAM!’s global reach. The documentary features never-before-seen footage from an earlier project about the tour, providing a rare glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of the journey. Ridgeley describes the film as an effort to present a “complete picture” of the experience, emphasizing the emotional and personal aspects of the trip. The film captures the contrasting perspectives of the duo, particularly George Michael’s frequent dissatisfaction during the tour. Ridgeley notes that Michael often expressed frustration, though the documentary balances these moments with the excitement of performing in a new cultural context. The film’s director, Mike Christie, explains the unique challenges of documenting the project, especially when handling Michael’s legacy.#george_michael #andrew_ridgeley #mike_christie #wham #simon_napier_bell
George Michael and Wham! Embark on Historic 1985 China Trip, Leaving Lasting Legacy Forty years after their groundbreaking 1985 visit to China, the legacy of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s journey as the first Western pop band to perform in the country continues to resonate. A new documentary titled Wham! 10 Days in China, set to premiere in theaters on July 28, offers a deeper look into the duo’s motivations and the complexities of their experience. The film, directed by Mike Christie, blends restored footage from their tour with fresh interviews, shedding light on the cultural, political, and personal dimensions of their historic trip. The trip, which took place in the early months of 1985, was not merely a performance tour but a strategic move to elevate Wham!’s global profile. By that time, the band had already achieved massive success in the United States with hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper.” Ridgeley, reflecting on the decision, noted that the goal was to bring Wham! to the same level of recognition they had in Britain. “We were already successful in America,” he recalled, “but the idea was to make sure we were as prominent there as we were in the UK. It was a calculated, strategic move, and it succeeded.” The visit coincided with a pivotal moment in China’s history, as the country was beginning to open its doors to international cultural exchange. The duo’s presence was both a celebration of their fame and a diplomatic gesture, with Ridgeley emphasizing that they understood the broader implications of their role. “There was a diplomatic element to it,” he said. “We knew we weren’t just going there to perform.” However, the trip also exposed them to the challenges of navigating a politically sensitive environment.#china #george_michael #andrew_ridgeley #mike_christie #wham
Wham!'s 1985 China Tour: A Surreal Journey Captured in New Documentary Four decades after George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley became the first Western pop act to tour China, their 10-day visit in 1985 has been reexamined in a new documentary, Wham! 10 Days in China. The film, which blends previously unseen archival footage with new interviews, sheds light on the bizarre cultural clash, commercial strategy, and behind-the-scenes drama that defined the tour. For Ridgeley, now 63, the experience remains a vivid memory of a time when the band’s flamboyant style stood in stark contrast to the muted aesthetics of 1980s China. The tour, orchestrated by manager Simon Napier-Bell, was less about cultural exchange and more about securing a global breakthrough for Wham! without the grueling demands of a U.S. arena tour. Ridgeley recalls initial skepticism about the plan, noting that he “thought it didn’t stand a cat’s chance in hell” when the idea was first proposed. The duo’s reluctance to tour the U.S. in 1985—due to concerns over Michael’s vocal health—left them with a stark choice: China or nothing. Despite the logistical challenges, the trip ultimately achieved its goal, catapulting the band into international prominence. The Beijing concerts, however, were anything but routine. The audience, largely unfamiliar with Western pop culture, was instructed to remain seated, creating an eerie silence as the band took the stage. Some attendees, captivated by the performance, broke into spontaneous dance, while others faced repercussions for their enthusiasm. The song “Freedom,” in particular, carried an undercurrent of political symbolism, as the band’s presence in a country still under strict ideological control raised questions about their role as cultural ambassadors.#george_michael #andrew_ridgeley #simon_napierbell #lindsay_anderson #mike_christie
