Topic: Andrew Ridgeley

Andrew John Ridgeley (born 26 January 1963) is an English pop singer, guitarist and environmentalist born to Jennipher and Albert Ridgeley. His late mother was British and his father is Egyptian-Italian. Andrew came to public attention as a member (with George Michael) of the 1980s pop music duo Wham!

Born in Windlesham, Surrey, Ridgeley grew up in Bushey, Hertfordshire, and attended Bushey Meads School. His mother was a schoolteacher at Bushey Heath Primary School and his father worked for Kodak. When George Michael was enrolled at the school, Ridgeley volunteered to take him under his wing. After years of playing in various music groups, Michael and Ridgeley's common musical interests led them to form Wham! After approaching various record labels with a homemade tape (which took ten minutes to record in Ridgeley's living room), they found a record label willing to sign them, Innervision. Innervision was later dissolved resulting from a royalty lawsuit led by Ridgeley and supported by Michael.

Wham! went on to enjoy huge worldwide success between 1982 and 1986, making their U.S. debut appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.