During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Andrew Ridgeley, co-founder of the iconic 80s band Wham!, shared the story behind the creation of their hit song “Last Christmas.” The interview was filled with laughter and nostalgia as Ridgeley discussed his time in the band with Fallon.
The interview began with Fallon welcoming Ridgeley to the show and expressing his excitement to have him there. Fallon also mentioned that Ridgeley was receiving an honor in the city. Ridgeley revealed that he would be presented with the Anglo-American Cultural Award by the St. George’s Society of New York, a charity organization.
As the interview progressed, Ridgeley reminisced about the early days of Wham!, explaining that the band initially started as a school band called The Executive. Eventually, the group morphed into the definitive four-member lineup that lasted for about six weeks. Ridgeley humorously recalled how everyone left the band, leaving him and George Michael as the only members.
When asked about the name “Wham!,” Ridgeley explained that it came about during a night out at a club. While dancing, he was inspired by the Sugarhill Gang’s popular song and started rapping and singing, saying “Wham, bam, I am the man.” It seemed like the perfect name for the band, and the rest is history.
Fallon then took the opportunity to mention his love for Wham! and how their music was influential during his youth. He admitted that he was a fan and that his sister introduced him to the band. Fallon also mentioned watching a documentary about Wham! and how it revealed a side of Ridgeley’s story that he hadn’t known before.
Ridgeley acknowledged that their stories were tightly intertwined and that the documentary shed light on the essence of Wham! and their close bond. He explained how the parameters of the band became limiting for Michael as an artist, and it became evident that his talent would take him further. Ridgeley spoke humbly about his aspirations, saying that he wanted to be in a band and chose to be in a band with Michael, who he considered the best singer-songwriter at the time.
Fallon went on to discuss the early days of Wham! and their amateur approach to recording music. Ridgeley mentioned that they recorded on a four-track cassette tape machine, which they rented for a cheap price. He reminisced about recording demos at his mother’s front room, reflecting on how far they had come since those early days.
The interview took a heartwarming turn when Fallon revealed that Ridgeley’s late mother had compiled 50 scrapbooks filled with memorabilia from his career. Ridgeley shared a note he had written on his bedroom door, which featured a slight mistake in the lyrics to “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” This innocent mishap later caught the attention of George Michael, who recognized it as the seed for a potential hit song.
Ridgeley further explained that “Last Christmas” was born during a Sunday visit to Michael’s parents’ house. With the soccer game on TV, Michael excused himself to the bedroom, where he had a small recording setup. He later emerged and excitedly summoned Ridgeley to listen to what he had created. Ridgeley described the song’s skeleton with its keyboard melody and chorus, instantly recognizing its potential.
Fallon highlighted the enduring popularity of “Last Christmas,” mentioning a game called “Whamageddon” that challenges players to see how long it takes for them to hear the song every holiday season. Ridgeley admitted to being knocked out by the song’s success, especially since it was written to be a Christmas number one. Sadly, George Michael never got to see its massive success, but Ridgeley paid tribute to him, acknowledging that he had achieved what they set out to do.
The interview concluded with Fallon expressing his gratitude for Ridgeley’s presence and promoting the 40th-anniversary EP of “Last Christmas,” set to release on December 13. It was a lighthearted and enjoyable conversation, brimming with nostalgia and the celebration of Wham!’s enduring legacy.
Overall, Ridgeley’s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon served as a delightful reminder of the rhythmic magic that Wham! created and the profound influence they had on the music scene of the 1980s. From the early days of The Executive to the creation of timeless hits like “Last Christmas,” Ridgeley’s journey alongside George Michael continues to enchant and inspire fans worldwide.
