Netflix documentary ‘Wham!’: Andrew Ridgeley reveals there was ‘friction’ over George Michael’s successful songwriting

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Netflix documentary "Wham!", Andrew Ridgeley openly acknowledged the presence of «friction» within the band when George Michael took charge of the creative direction. Through the use of archival footage and audio recordings featuring both individuals, the film chronicles Wham!'s meteoric rise to global stardom within a mere four years. Their success included multiple chart-topping albums in the UK, along with internationally acclaimed hits such as «Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.» Ridgeley and Michael, who were close friends and teenagers when they formed Wham! in 1981, soon realized that Michael possessed a strong artistic vision. As they worked on their debut album, "Fantastic," Michael emerged as the primary songwriter and producer, in addition to being the lead vocalist. Reflecting on this dynamic, Ridgeley shared in the documentary, «George's songwriting abilities were developing at an astonishing pace, surpassing my own. This created some friction between us.» He further acknowledged that the ambitious goals they had set for themselves could only be achieved through the high-quality songwriting that Michael consistently delivered. In just a span of four years, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley formed a musical partnership that propelled Wham! to remarkable heights, solidifying their status as one of the most prominent bands of the 1980s. With numerous chart-topping hits that resonated globally, Wham! created a phenomenon known as Whamania that captivated audiences worldwide. Netflix's latest documentary, Wham!, provides an intimate exploration of the band's journey and artistic contributions.

Who were in ‘Wham!’? Wham! was a popular British pop duo comprising George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. The duo came