Wham!

Wham! were an English pop duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. Their records combine bright dance rhythms, polished pop hooks and influences from soul, funk and contemporary R&B. The debut Fantastic introduced a youthful, streetwise image and songs that connected with British audiences; Make It Big then carried the duo to international success with a sleek, carefully arranged sound and a run of major singles. Their final album, Music from the Edge of Heaven, gathers new songs with several earlier releases and captures a more refined studio approach. Beneath the group's exuberant image, Michael's songwriting and vocal range gave the music emotional shading, while Ridgeley's contributions helped shape Wham!'s identity as a collaborative pop act.